The Trick to Sweet-and-Savory: Halloween Candy and Cheese Pairings

This year, elevate your spooky spread by pairing your favorite Halloween sweets with cheese. Sounds crazy? It’s magic. Think of cheese and candy as secret soulmates: both are rich in flavor, texture, and, let’s be honest, a little indulgent. Some cheeses even have the fudgy, caramel-y, chocolate-y qualities of candy bars. Put them together, and you’re in for a mind-blowing sweet-and-savory adventure.

Twix + Stilton

Chocolate and blue cheese? Believe it. Twix and Stilton? Genius. Stilton is a dense, fudgy blue with hints of sweet nuttiness, making it the perfect counterpoint to Twix’s caramel, chocolate, and crisp cookie center. This pairing balances salty, stinky blue cheese with the candy’s sugary crunch. Remember, a little blue cheese goes a long way—think rich flavor, not a mound of moldy menace.

Three Musketeers + Beemster Goat Cheese

Marshmallow fluff meets tangy sweetness. Beemster goat cheese amplifies the soft, airy flavors of Three Musketeers, creating a dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth duo that will charm any tastebud.

Skittles + Mild Soft-Ripened Cheese

Soft-ripened cheeses like a young brie, Fromage D’Affinois, or Brillat-Savarin are buttery, velvety, and downright luxurious. Skittles add a playful twist: a crunchy candy shell gives way to a chewy center that contrasts beautifully with the creamy cheese. Try different Skittles flavors for a choose-your-own-adventure tasting—or swap in freeze-dried Skittles for a lighter, crispier bite. Just stick to milder cheeses; overly ripe or funky cheeses can clash with the candy’s sweetness.

Candy Corn + Mimolette

Talk about a Halloween-perfect pairing! Candy corn’s intense sweetness dances with Mimolette’s salty punch, making for a visually stunning and deliciously sweet-and-salty duo.

Almond Joy + Manchego

Spanish Manchego, with its grassy, slightly sharp sheep’s milk flavor, meets the coconut-and-almond magic of an Almond Joy. This pairing hits all the right notes: nutty, sweet, and a little unexpected. For an extra-fancy twist, try a vertical tasting with Manchego of different ages—creamier young wheels match the candy’s soft coconut filling, while aged wheels echo the almond’s richness.

Kit Kat + Cheddar

The crisp wafer and chocolate of a Kit Kat pairs beautifully with cheddar, from mild and fudgy to sharp and crumbly. The sweet, delicate candy tones down cheddar’s tangy strength, proving once again that opposites attract. Mix it up by tasting different cheddars side by side—you might discover your own Halloween favorite.

Kit Kat + Gorgonzola Dolce Ambrosi

If you’re a blue cheese fan, this one’s for you. The creamy richness of Gorgonzola Dolce plays perfectly with Kit Kat’s crisp crunch. Berry undertones in both chocolate and cheese make this pairing a flavor-packed yin-and-yang experience.

Butterfinger + Zola Gouda

Salty, toffee-like Gouda meets the caramel-y crunch of a Butterfinger. These two amplify each other’s sweetness and nuttiness, creating a duo that’s just wickedly delicious.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups + Wash-Rind Cheese

Bold, stinky, and proud—wash-rind cheeses pair perfectly with a bold candy like Reese’s. This pairing is full-on flavor fireworks, mixing funky, nutty, and buttery cheese notes with peanut-buttery chocolate perfection. Slice the Reese’s into wedges to enjoy all the creamy versus crunchy contrasts.

Reese’s + Beecher’s Flagship

Beecher’s Flagship has that same toasted, nutty magic as Reese’s. Its fudge-like texture pairs perfectly with the candy’s peanut butter and chocolate for a smooth, indulgent experience.

Sour Patch Kids + Humboldt Fog

Bright, citrusy gummies meet tangy, creamy Humboldt Fog goat cheese. The result? A playful, puckery pairing that’s weirdly perfect. The candy’s sugary coating and fruity flavors are tempered by the cheese’s silky texture.

Sour Patch Kids + Fresh Chèvre

Plain, fresh chèvre meets mischievous Sour Patch Kids for a tangy, zesty dance on the tongue. Chevre’s creamy texture tames the gummies’ tartness, giving you a surprisingly harmonious bite—think of it as Halloween hors d’oeuvres for your inner child.

Whoppers + Goat Gouda

Toasted, roasted sweetness of Whoppers meets the subtle tang of goat Gouda. Young wheels are fudgy and milky, older wheels bring nutty saltiness—the choice is yours, but either way, this pairing is a winner.

Nerds + Merlot Bellavitano

This one may raise eyebrows, but trust me: the tart, zippy candy and creamy, wine-cured cheese are a match made in Halloween heaven. Creamy, crunchy, tangy, and fun—what’s not to love?

Almond Joy + Parmigiano Reggiano

Tropical vibes alert: coconut from Almond Joy meets the nutty, pineapple hints in Parmigiano Reggiano. A sweet-and-savory combo that’s sure to make your Halloween spread unforgettable.

M&Ms + Locatelli Pecorino Romano

The ultimate sweet-and-salty finale: M&Ms meet Pecorino Romano’s salty, robust tang. Crunchy, rich, and indulgent—this is Morticia-and-Gomez-level chemistry for your taste buds.