Halloween Black Bean Bats
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Sweet treats are fun, but my Halloween table needs something savory and satisfying. Meet our Halloween Black Bean Bats—silky, garlicky frijoles negros dressed up for spooky season. They’re plant-forward, and perfect next to my Halloween Rice Ghost for a festive dinner that actually fuels the party.
Why you’ll love it
- Savory > sweet: Big flavor, zero food coloring.
- Weeknight-easy: Instant Pot shortcut + pantry staples.
- Crowd-pleasing + vegan-friendly: Use plant-based sour cream or skip the garnish.
- Perfect pair: Serve with Halloween Rice Ghost for a complete meal.
What you’ll need
- Bat-shaped serving dish (or any shallow dish + a little imagination)
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker
- 8 oz dried black beans, soaked overnight
- 1 cup veggie broth
- ½ cup chopped tomato
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ⅓ cup sliced green onion
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice (or lime)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1½ Tbsp minced garlic
- 1½ tsp salt (plus more to taste)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp hot sauce (your favorite)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sazón (store-bought or homemade)
- Squeezable sour cream (for bat “eyes” and wing outline; sub plant-based if desired)
Yield: 4–8 servings
Directions
- Soak the beans (night before): Rinse beans under cold water. Cover with several inches of water and soak overnight.
- Drain & load: Drain and rinse. Add beans to the Instant Pot with veggie broth, tomato, red onion, olive oil, and minced garlic.
- Pressure cook: Seal and cook 17 minutes (High Pressure). Let pressure naturally release 15 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
- Season & brighten: Stir in green onion, cilantro, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, hot sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and sazón. Taste and adjust salt/acid.
- Plate like a bat: Spoon beans into a bat-shaped dish. Use squeezable sour cream to add two little eyes and trace the wing outline.
If these Black Bean Bats land on your table, tag @thelittlearepa so we can see on your version; and for more easy, Latin-inspired Halloween ideas, join our free Substack newsletter!
