Trick-or-Treat Night (as my kids call it) can get overwhelming for many parents. Especially when you try to do everything and expect things to be perfect and run smoothly. One thing I have learned over the years is nothing beats a nice hot home-cooked meal after being out in the cold, and it is completely possible to do with minimal effort and time.
(Post original post date Sep. 17, 2019 / Links updates and post edited Aug. 25, 2021)
Trick or Treat smell my feet… man mama needs something good to eat! That is what I am saying by the end of the last block on our trick or treat route.
Trick-or-Treat Night doesn’t have to be complicated, and cooking up a delicious dinner doesn’t have to be a chore.
Find Your Rhythm for Trick or Treat Night
Does this sound familiar. By the time the kids get out of school, you help them with their homework, get everyone dressed up, get the costume make-up done, and then someone says they have to pee so you remove their costume, they handle their business, and you re suit the kid up, and run out the door. You realize when you are out and about trick or treating that you forgot to feed your kids something of substance.
Okay, please tell me I am not the only mom who has done this…
It took me a few years, but I finally found a great rhythm for Trick or Treating and Halloween night as a whole. A rhythm where we laugh and have fun with minimal stress and worry about everything going on.
I have found that sometimes my kids are way too excited before trick or treating to eat their dinner. Sometimes we have more homework on a night, that should be fun, then we are given time to complete it, and sometimes a perfect night means imperfect moments.
The key to keeping everything running smoothly is broken down into two simple parts.
- Think ahead. Have make-up, costumes, and everything ready to go. If you are feeling really ambitious have snacks and a homework station set up for when your kids get home. This will help you avoid the “Mom do you know where [you fill in the blank] is,” moments.
- Make dinner simple. Crock-Pot or Instant pot meals are perfect for a night like this. If your kids are not hungry due to excitement or you are just running behind dinner will be waiting for you when you get home. Just make sure you inform your kids no candy until after dinner. Except for those few pieces, you all sneak while skipping through the street!
Trick or Treat Dinner Recipes
Crockpot Pumpkin Chicken Chili - Vintage Kitty
"This crock-pot Pumpkin Chicken Chili recipe is spicy, hearty and extra delicious. Making dinner from scratch just got easier!"
Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe
"This Crockpot beef stew recipe is simple, hearty, and totally delicious. It’s a comforting classic dish that the whole family will love."
Instant Pot Thai Red Curry Ramen with Caramelized Pork
"I still drool a little bit every time I think about this totally amazing Instant Pot Thai Red Curry Ramen. You can have a homemade bowl of ramen on your table in about an hour packed with delicious flavors like red curry paste, coconut milk, and melt-in-your-mouth caramelized pork with this easy Instant Pot recipe!"
Instant Pot Chicken Piccata - Pressure Cooker Chicken Piccata
"Instant Pot Chicken Piccata is an easy and quick recipe perfect for a weeknight dinner. Chicken breasts are coated in Parmesan and pressure cooked in lemon butter sauce."
Instant Pot Red Chile Posole
Deep red, earthy, sweet, slightly smoky northern New Mexico red chile powder provides the amazing complexity in this Instant Pot Red Chile Posole. It can be on your table in about an hour, but tastes like it cooked for hours! "
Instant Pot Hamburger Mac and Cheese
"This easy Instant Pot hamburger mac and cheese is total comfort food that’s ready in only 30 minutes! No draining of the macaroni is needed, and it’s all made right in your electric pressure cooker."
Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing
"This easy Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing recipe is one of the most popular recipes on The Cozy Cook! It’s made with just a few simple ingredients and is served with a side of green beans!"
Sweet and spicy Instant Pot Chili Lime Chicken cooks in 10 minutes!
"Chili Lime Chicken is a lightly spicy, tangy, sweet recipe that cooks in 10 minutes in the Instant Pot!"
Pressure Cooker Chicken Casserole with Kale & White Beans • The Cook Report
"Chicken casserole is such good comfort food and with a pressure cooker or instant pot it can be ready in next to no time! It’s perfect served with pasta, mashed potatoes or anything else you fancy."
Instant Pot Chickpea Stew
"Healthy and Hearty Instant Pot Chickpea Stew made with few ingredients and flavors you won’t resist!"
The Best Slow Cooker Vegan Chili • Happy Kitchen
"The Best Slow Cooker Vegan Chili Recipe is wholesome, delicious and easy to make. Comforting and healthy freezable dinner packed with nutrients and flavors!"
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Soup
"A comforting and creamy Instant Pot soup with shredded chicken, fresh salsa, and Mexican flavors. Low carb, keto, and gluten-free."
Thank you to all the bloggers who submitted recipes and participated in the Trick or Treat Night round-up and a special thank you for letting me use their photos to make this round-up that much yummier!!
Remember mama’s you are making memories not making the world perfect. Sometimes the best memories come from the imperfect crazy moments! So go on relax, laugh, smile, and enjoy this season of life, and have an amazing Trick-or-Treat Night!
Need a few more ideas… we got you covered! From Soup and Stews and Chowders to Chili recipes, and even some more Instant Pot Meals.
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