Halloween Pesto Deviled Egg Recipe

Whether you are throwing your own Halloween party or attending as a guest to your neighbors, Halloween Pesto Deviled Eggs are always a hit.

With sliced black olives as the pupil, they are bound to get a star rating from any guest. Make Halloween scary with these delicious deviled eggs. 

What is a Pesto-Deviled Egg?

A pesto-deviled egg is a delicious twist on the classic deviled egg recipe. It starts with a perfectly cooked hard-boiled egg, which is then cut in half, and the yolks are removed.

Fresh basil leaves are finely chopped and mixed with the yolks to create a fragrant and flavorful pesto.

This easy recipe is great for last-minute gatherings or when you’re short on time but still want to impress your guests.

The pesto-deviled egg combines the creaminess of a traditional deviled egg with the vibrant and herbal notes of pesto, resulting in a mouthwatering appetizer that will have everyone coming back for more. 

When to Make the Dish

Since Halloween is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen and whip up some spooky treats, we added a twist to the classic deviled egg.

The pesto-deviled egg is a perfect green color to add to your Halloween menu. These eerie delights are sure to be a hit at any Halloween party.

By using the term “Halloween deviled eggs,” you can add a festive touch to a classic appetizer.

To make them even more frightful, you can turn them into eyeball-deviled eggs by adding a sliced olive or a dollop of black olive paste on top.

With Halloween recipes like these, you can get into the spirit of the holiday while satisfying your taste buds. 

Ingredients

Deviled Eggs:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Pesto Sauce:

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or preferred nuts/seeds (e.g., walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds) 
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Halloween Theme:

• Black olives (slices or whole) for eyes
• Red bell pepper or hot sauce for a “bloody” effect (optional)
• Fresh parsley or cilantro for “hair” (optional) 

Instructions

Preparation:

1.  Hard boil the eggs and let rest in ice water
2. Make pesto while the eggs are resting 
3. Once the eggs have rested, peel the shell and discard

Cooking:

1. Hard boil the eggs

To make hard-boiled eggs, place the eggs in a medium pot, and add enough water to the saucepan to cover the eggs by about an inch. Place the saucepan over high heat and bring to a rolling boil. 

Once the water is boiling, let the eggs boil for about 9-12 minutes, depending on the size of the eggs and how well-cooked you want the yolks. 

For large eggs, around 10 minutes of boiling usually results in fully cooked yolks with a slightly creamy texture.

2. Rest the eggs.

When the eggs are done boiling, turn off the heat, immediately remove the saucepan, and transfer the eggs to an ice water bath.

This stops the cooking process and makes the eggs easier to peel. Let sit and continue making the pesto

3. Make the pesto

In a food processor or blender, combine the basil, pine nuts, or walnuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic. Pulse the mixture until coarsely chopped.

With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is well blended and forms a smooth paste. Season the pesto with salt and pepper to taste. Set the pesto aside.

4. Prepare the eggs

Once the eggs have cooled, remove the shell and discard. Once peeled, carefully cut the eggs in half lengthwise using a sharp knife. You should have even halves. 

After the eggs are halved gently remove the yolks from each half and place them in a bowl. The whites will become the base for your deviled eggs.

5. Making the egg yolk mixture

Next, mash the yolks with a fork until they are smooth and crumbly. combine the yolks with the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard, and mix until well integrated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Combine the yolk mixture and the pesto

Add a couple of tablespoons of the prepared pesto to the deviled egg mixture. Stir well until the pesto is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

You can adjust the amount of pesto according to your taste preferences.

7. Fill the egg whites

Use a piping bag to carefully fill the egg white halves with the pesto-infused deviled egg mixture. using this tool will allow for a seamless transition from bowl to egg.

Serving

Once the egg whites are filled with the mixture it is ready to serve. Plate it on a serving tray perfect for Halloween or store it in the fridge in an airtight container until it’s time to party. 

To make it a spooky holiday dish, garnish it with a black olive (whole or sliced). You can also add red peppers or cilantro to represent blood and hair! 

For an even more spooky look, try drawing red veins on the egg white using a toothpick and red food coloring to make it look like bloody eyeball deviled eggs. 

If you are looking for a nice wine to pair with your dish, try Sauvignon Blanc. This white wine is known for its vibrant acidity and herbaceous notes that can complement the fresh basil flavors in the pesto.

It also pairs well with the creamy texture of deviled eggs.

Tip and Variations

1. Make days in advance

Deviled eggs are an easy dish to make ahead of time. To store deviled eggs, first make sure the deviled eggs are covered.

This could be done by placing them in an airtight container or covering them with plastic wrap.

Next, make sure they are stored in the fridge to keep them fresh until ready to serve. It is important to keep them refrigerated to avoid any potential foodborne illnesses.

Preparing and storing deviled eggs ahead of time allows for less stress and more time to enjoy with family and friends when serving them. 

2. Cooking alternative

 An alternative way to cook hard-boiled eggs is by using an Instant Pot. It offers a ready to make option that saves time and effort. The eggs come out perfectly cooked and make peeling easy.

 For best results, many recommend using the Instant Pot as it guarantees consistent results every time, ensuring a hassle-free cooking experience.

3. Pesto alternative

If pesto isn’t your jam, try using avocado. It’s a great alternative that still keeps the overall green color. To substitute, smash a few avocados and mix well with the deviled egg filling. 

Another great option if you are in a crunch and don’t want to make your own pesto is using store-bought pesto.

Head to any local grocery store and find “fresh basil pesto”. Although it isn’t the same as homemade, it is still a great alternative to use. 

Nutrition Information for Pesto Deviled Eggs (per egg half):

• Calories: ~70-80 kcal
• Protein: ~3-4 g
• Fat: ~6-7 g
• Carbohydrates: ~1 g
• Fiber: ~0.1 g
• Sugars: ~0.1 g

The nutritional content will be influenced by factors such as the egg size, the type and amount of nuts/seeds used in the pesto, the amount of mayonnaise, and any other variations made to the recipe.

If you’re concerned about specific nutritional values, it’s a good idea to use a nutritional calculator or consult the nutrition labels on the ingredients you’re using.

Making the Halloween Deviled Eggs

Whether you’re looking to “wow” your guests or give them a scare, this appetizer is bound to be a hit at your party.

The zesty and decadent flavor make deviled eggs like these irresistible to anyone who passes them. 

With just 12 simple ingredients you can make this recipe in as little as 15 minutes! Don’t forget the extra tips and easy variations that can make this dish your own. 

My Experience With the Appetizer

After making this recipe myself, I discovered a few things about it I would love to share. When I remove yolks I flip it over a very lightly squeeze the egg white.

When cooked properly, The yolk should easily pop out. 

Once the mayonnaise and pesto combination was used in the eggs I put the mixture back into a container. I like to keep the filling to use in other dishes like sandwiches.

Lastly, to spice up my recipe I added a sprinkle of paprika to the top of the eggs, as well as a few candy eyes to the tray around them. 

Overall, my experience with making this fun Halloween recipe was super simple and easy to get done in a pinch! Make sure to try it out and leave a comment about how your experience went!

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