Pumpkin Jalapeno Chili Recipe and Halloween Party Ideas
OMG, this is just the best pumpkin chili recipe ever!
So delicious and easy to make and perfect when the weather starts cooling off and my go-to recipe for Halloween night and Halloween parties, when my kids were young, I would throw a party every year for Halloween! This was one of the most enjoyed recipes.
We’d do bobbing for apples, and all the fun stuff.
But as far as the main dish goes when you have just a few or lots of people to feed this is the best, the leftovers heat up so well too.
You can use ground beef, or ground chicken, or ground turkey in this dish if you prefer.
It’s super fun piled on a bag of fritos too! I’ll show you later…
When I plan a Halloween party, the first thing I think of is the food. Tell me I’m not the only one. For some, it’s the shopping, decorating, or costumes. For me, it’s all about the food.
This Halloween Party features my new Pumpkin Jalapeno Chili, I’ve attempted pumpkin chili before with mediocre results. This year I got it right. Yippee! I like to keep the food simple and delicious so that I can enjoy the party.
Halloween Party food
The party food included caramel apples, Pumpkin Jalapeno Chili, pretzels with caramel and sprinkles, radish eyeballs with cream cheese and olives, breadstick skeleton bones, and mozzarella finger with grape tomatoes.
But the main event is always chili,
the other recipe I make often is my Green Chicken Chili
Be sure to whip up a batch of my Cornbread Recipe it goes with any variety of chili and is a crown pleaser!
- 3 lbs ground beef
- 2 cups pumpkin
- 1 diced onion
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons Hot Mexican Chili Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon beef flavor (beef bouillon)
- 4 jalapenos (roast them until they are black on the outside, then remove seeds and rib and dice)
- 4 cans drained black beans
- In a large pot, brown beef with onion and garlic.
- Add pumpkin, chili powder, cumin, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, water, beef stock, and jalapenos.
- Stir in black beans and heat thoroughly.
- Serve with grated cheddar cheese and scallions.
- You can serve it over a small bag of Fritos Corn Chips for a walk around on the go chili, or with breadsticks.
- This recipe can be cut in half for a smaller portion.
There were plenty of bags of Fritos to load the chili into which I think the kids liked best.The spiderweb tablecloth made this table really stand out, everyone loved it.
I thought the watermelon made a great witches prop.
It wouldn’t be Halloween without lots of candy.
What a fun party!
Halloween Party Games
Kids always like eating powdered donuts off the clothesline without using their hands, wrapping each other in toilet paper as mummies, and bobbing for apples. Lots of fun for everyone!
Mummy cupcakes are always a big hit at Halloween Parties.
If you like this or any other recipe at 
Courtney says
Your party looks like so much fun Diane!! I love those cute cupcakes and the jars of candy are darling! 🙂
angela@spinachtiger says
Love those mummies and the idea of a pumpkin chili that is spicy is right up my alley.
Jeanette says
Sounds a like a blast at your house for Halloween! I’ve never tried pumpkin chili – so glad you came up with a winner!
alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
looks like so much fun!
Sara @ Mom Endeavors says
Cute, cute, cute! LOVE the witch hat and cape! And, I’m SO right there with you on the food! I have such fun planning the food too! Love it!
Paula says
Ding Dong! I’m at the door, sorry I’m late for the party, any left-overs? Looks like I missed one heck of a good time not to mention the great food, decorations and treats.
naomi says
Pumpkin Jalepeno? Um, skip the chips and pass the spoon please!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Oooooo–I LOVE chili out of a Frito bag. It always reminds me of childhood.
Maria says
I am excited for Halloween now!
Rebecca E. Parsons says
WOW…love everything you did…I added some to my Pinterest boards!!!
Naomi says
I am going to have to try that chili recipe soon- we love pumpkin AND chili but have never tried them together! The mummies are adorable, too, such a great idea!
sippitysup says
The chili is so creative. GREG
Curt says
Can’t beat Fritos and chili!
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet says
What a fun concept! I’ve never eaten chili out of a frito bag, but now I will! My kids will love me even more! Great post!
Squash Blossom Babies says
Awesome!!! That sounds great!!! Do you use pureed pumpkin or cubed uncooked pumpkin for the chili?
Diane says
I used canned pumpkin puree 🙂
Mireya says
I love the creativity of this dish. Pumpkin and jalepeño sounds delicious!
Jules from A Little Bite of Life says
Your pumpkin chili sounds awesome, I love all your decor, and those mummy cupcakes look to die for (no pun intended.) I really love the witches setup and your book case display!
Angie @ Bigbearswife says
Love the halloween party
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
Sounds so different…but I like it!
Feast on the Cheap says
Mmm, sounds delicious!
Wenderly says
I adore Halloween! Such fun ideas! LOVE the mummy cupcake!
Vanessa says
Pumpkin and jalapeno together at last! Genius. I have to try this! Thank you for sharing such an amazing recipe. =)
Cassie @ Bake Your Day says
This is brilliant. I love the idea of adding pumpkin spice to chili, what depth of flavor I bet it creates. These photos are lovely but I’m like you…I always think of food before costumes or decoration!
Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories) says
I found another recipe recently for a pumpkin chili (I think it was in a magazine) and thought I might give it a try…seeing your post makes me think I should. I really love your cute mummy cupcakes.
Carolyn says
Mmmm, pumpkin chili. What a great recipe, Diane!
Julia@StayAtHomeMoms101 says
I wish I went to this party! I happen to be a big fan of chili and have never tried pumpkin chili. The mummy cupcakes are also a nice touch. Great recipes and ideas, Thanks for sharing it with everyone
Diane says
Thanks Julia, it was a lot of fun!