Not every Halloween dinner has to give them nightmares! These Rat Loaves for Kids are playful, protein-packed, and full of “hidden” veggies like spinach, kale, and carrots. Shaped into funny little rats, they’re more silly than spooky—perfect for letting kids join in on the Halloween fun without the fright. Bonus: they’ll never guess you slipped in all those greens.
Ingredients (makes 4): • 1 lb. ground beef • 1 egg • 1 packet beefy onion seasoning (ex: Mrs. Dash) • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs • 1 cup ketchup or ½ cup thick steak sauce (ex: Heinz 57) • ½ Tbsp brown sugar • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce • ½–1 cup thinly diced spinach or kale • Matchstick carrots (for teeth & nails)
Instructions: 1. In a bowl, mix together ground beef, egg, seasoning, breadcrumbs, ketchup/steak sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and spinach/kale. 2. Shape into rat forms: pointed nose at one end, rounded back at the other. 3. Roll small pieces of mixture into tails and attach. 4. Stick carrot matchsticks into the “mouth” and “paws” for teeth and nails. 5. Bake 30 minutes, until cooked through. 6. Top with ketchup for “bloody” fun (or keep it smiley with just whisker lines if your kids prefer cute rats!).
🎃 Halloween Fact: Did you know carrots used to be carved into lanterns in parts of Europe before pumpkins took over? Kids would carry them through the streets during autumn festivals, just like mini jack-o’-lanterns!
👻 Spooky Serving Idea: Place your rat loaves on a platter of mashed potatoes so it looks like they’re tunneling through. Use peas or corn for “eyeballs,” and let the kids help decorate their own “pet rat” before eating.
