Looking for a Halloween treat that’s both festive and safe for kids with allergies? We’ve got you covered with a spooky twist on a classic: Dirt & Worms! Halloween can be a tricky time for families navigating food allergies, with so many treats containing hidden allergens. But this recipe ensures everyone can join in on the fun without worry. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just making a fun treat for your little ones at home, this top 11 allergen-free version of Dirt & Worms is both delicious and worry-free.

The best part? It's made with a creamy avocado based pudding for healthy fats, and uses Safely Delicious Mocha bites to create the “dirt” crumbs—perfect for layering with gummy worms to complete the spooky look. You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up this treat while keeping it healthy and allergen-free. So, if you’re looking for a Halloween recipe that’s safe for kids with allergies (and still a hit with all their friends), this one is a must-try.

Ready to dig in? Keep scrolling for the full recipe and step-by-step instructions!

Allergen-Free Dirt & Worms Recipe

Pudding:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/4 cup allergen-free milk (such as oat, almond, or soy milk)
• 1 tablespoon tapioca starch (for thickening)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup maple syrup (or any liquid sweetener of your choice)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Dirt:

• 4 allergen-free chocolate sandwich cookies (crushed) (we used Kinnikinnick Sandwich Creme Cookies, Chocolate)
• 1/4 cup Safely Delicious Mocha Bites (or Krumblz!)

Worms:

• Allergen-free gummy worms (we used Surf Sweets Gummy Worms)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pudding: In a small bowl, whisk together the allergen-free milk and tapioca starch until smooth, creating a slurry. This helps thicken the pudding without lumps.

   In a food processor, combine the avocados, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, tapioca starch slurry, and maple syrup. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste and adjust the sweetness or thickness to your preference (if too thick, add a splash of allergen-free milk).

2. Make the Dirt: Place the chocolate sandwich cookies and Mocha Bites in a plastic bag and crush them into a course, sandy texture using a rolling pin or food processor. This is the “dirt” for your layers.

3. Assemble the Cups:

   • Start by spooning a layer of the avocado pudding into the bottom of your serving cups
   • Add a layer of “dirt” mixture on top of the pudding.
   • Place a few gummy worms on top of the dirt.
   • Repeat the process to create a second layer: more pudding, more dirt, and more worms on top.

Feel free to comment or let us know if you have any questions!

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

-The Safely Delicious Team

Whether your holiday gathering resembles a Norman Rockwell painting or the Griswold’s from National Lampoons Christmas vacation, having a food allergy or Celiac family member adds a whole different dimension to planning gatherings no matter what the size.

From the gluten in the stuffing to the dairy in the mashed potatoes or the pecan pie, it can feel like a rattle snake is sitting on the dining room table ready to strike at any moment. It’s such a fine balance between trying to keep things “normal” yet being hypervigilant over something that could be a matter of life or death for someone you love. 

For those with food allergies, staying safe and healthy during this COVID-19 pandemic time, is especially important.