You know those little donut holes that always disappear way too fast? Well, I turned them into spooky little spiders for Halloween, and honestly, they’re almost too cute to eat—almost! Imagine tiny, pillowy bites covered in sticky chocolate “webs” with candy eyes staring right back at you. These spider donut holes are the perfect mix of sweet, soft, and just a touch messy from all that chocolate. Plus, they’re ridiculously easy to make, even if you’re more of a “grab-and-go” baker like me. I’ll walk you through all the fun steps—because nothing says October like a snack that’s both a treat and a little creepy crawl. Ready to get messy in the kitchen with me? Let’s make some spidery magic happen!
Quick Facts
Yield: Serves 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
For the Main Dish:
24 plain donut holes (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp milk
24 small candy eyes (available at baking supply stores or online)
16 thin pretzel sticks (broken in half for spider legs)
How I Make It
Step 1:
Start by melting the chocolate chips with milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second bursts, stirring between, until smooth and creamy. This creates your silky chocolate “glue” and spider web coating.
Step 2:
Dip each donut hole halfway into the melted chocolate, letting excess drip off. Place them on parchment paper to set slightly — this is where the magic begins!
Step 3:
Before the chocolate sets completely, gently press two candy eyes onto each donut hole to give your spiders their perfect creepy stare.
Step 4:
Next, insert four pretzel halves on each side of every donut hole to create the spider’s legs. If the chocolate starts to harden, quickly reheat the bowl for a few seconds to keep it smooth.
Step 5:
Let your spider donut holes sit at room temperature or pop them briefly in the fridge (about 10 minutes) to firm up the chocolate legs and eyes.
Step 6:
Once the chocolate is set, your spooky, delicious spider donut holes are ready to crawl onto your Halloween party table!
Variations & Tips
Use white chocolate and add a few drops of black food coloring for a ghostly spider variation.
If pretzel legs break easily, gently warm them to soften slightly before breaking.
Try mini marshmallows instead of candy eyes for a softer look.
For an extra gooey touch, drizzle caramel or peanut butter over the donut holes before adding legs and eyes.
Swap candy eyes for edible marker-drawn eyes on white fondant circles for a homemade touch.
If you don’t have pretzels, use thin licorice sticks cut to size for legs.
How I Like to Serve It
These spider donut holes are a charming addition to any Halloween spread, whether as a centerpiece for your kids’ party or a quick grab-and-go snack during trick-or-treating. Pair them with a hot cup of spiced cider or a frothy mug of chocolate milk for all the cozy fall vibes. They’re also perfect for an easy dessert during a Halloween movie marathon—just beware, they vanish fast!
Notes
Store leftover donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Refrigerate if your kitchen is warm.
Reheat chocolate gently in the microwave if it hardens before you’re finished decorating.
Closing: These little spider donut holes never fail to bring smiles and a touch of Halloween whimsy to my kitchen—and I’m sure they’ll do the same for yours!
