Autumn is a magical time of year. Homes are adorned with festive accessories, including hay bales, pumpkins, and mums as well as the black, purple, and orange Halloween decorations that are unique to a season of ghouls and goblins.

Although decorating is a large part of the fun of Halloween, the sweet treats that are distributed to trick-or-treaters and served at parties are arguably the most popular component of this holiday. However, some people find that these treats create a sugar overload. For those who want to enjoy some healthier options than candy corn and other sweet staples, the following ideas are not so frightening.

Pizza mummies can be made by using slices of toasted sandwich bread or English muffins. Coat the bread with pizza sauce and then place thin vertical slices of mozzarella cheese in a haphazard pattern to replicate the look of gauze on a mummy. Two pieces of sliced black olives can serve as the eyes.

A white, orange, and yellow platter can be created to simulate the look of candy corn's white, orange, and yellow color palette with healthier offerings. Cauliflower or another white food like Monterey Jack cheese, along with baby carrots and yellow bell peppers, can be served with a favorite dip.

Regular deviled eggs can be turned into something more sinister for Halloween buffet tables. Food coloring can be added to the filling to create a pinkish-brown hue that resembles a human brain. Then use a piping bag fitted with a thin icing tip to pipe the folds of the brain onto the hardboiled egg halves.

Using assorted vegetable slices, cheese sticks, fruits, nuts, and more, a Halloween-inspired charcuterie board can be created. Everything can be arranged to resemble a skeleton on the platter.

Ghostly bananas can be made by inserting popsicle sticks into the bottoms of bananas and frozen until solid. White melting chocolate should be prepared according to its directions, and then the frozen bananas should be dipped into it. While wet, stick on two mini chocolate chips to make the eyes of the ghosts. The covered bananas can be placed in the refrigerator to harden.

Spider crackers can be made by taking buttery snack crackers or something similar and spreading a relatively thick layer of cream cheese (or peanut butter if allergies are not a concern) on one cracker. Thin pretzel sticks should be cut in half, and four pieces should be stuck into the cream cheese on each side to make legs. Top with another cracker and secure to the cream cheese. Raisins connected with cream cheese will be the eyes of the spider.

Anyone can use his or her imagination to make delectable and healthy Halloween treats in lieu of more sweets.