Bloody Delicious: Cookbooks for Horror Lovers


Susie (she/her) is a queer writer originally from Little Rock, now living in Washington, DC. She is the author of QUEERLY BELOVED and the forthcoming LOOKING FOR A SIGN from Dial Press/Random House. You can find her on Instagram @susiedoom.

HarperCelebrate, publisher of Food to Die Forfood to die forfood to die for

Discover tantalizing recipes and spine-tingling stories from the most notoriously haunted locations across America in this fun and fascinating cookbook. Paranormal investigator and Kindred Spirits co-host Amy Bruni leads you through eerie hotels, haunted homes, hellish hospitals, and spooky ghost towns, giving you stories and a recipe from each place. Whether you’re in the mood for Lizzie Borden’s meatloaf or want to serve up spooky prison stories along with sugar cookies from Alcatraz, Food to Die For is your guide to ghoulish gastronomy. Audiobook includes exclusive bonus content!

Are you a horror fan? Do you love reading books so frightening they keep you up all night? Can you be found screaming with fear at scary movies? Then you definitely need to check out some of these spookily amazing cookbooks for horror lovers. Whether you’re looking to make dishes from some of your favorite horror novels and films, sip on horror-inspired cocktails, or make a meal that looks like it came from a serial killer’s lair, we’ve got you covered. These horror cookbooks have everything you need for your next horror book club, scary movie marathon, or Halloween party. Or maybe you like to keep dinner creepy every night? Don’t worry, I won’t judge.

Some of these cookbooks are inspired by one iconic author’s work. Others draw from whole genres of literature or film. Some simply create dishes with horror vibes. Many also include essays or reflections on horror and what our fear-seeking ways say about us. But in any of these, you’ll find recipes for a wide variety of flavors and dishes, whether you’re looking to present a horrific feast or a light bloody snack. So take a break from your latest spine-tingling read to try out one of these cookbooks for horror lovers.

cover of The Unofficial Beetlejuice Cookbookcover of The Unofficial Beetlejuice Cookbook

The Unofficial Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Cookbook: 75 Darkly Delicious Recipes Inspired by the Tim Burton Classic by Thea James and Isabel Minunni

Beetlejuice is a beloved classic that immediately brings to mind a certain playfully ghoulish aesthetic. You can bring that same aesthetic to your dining room with The Unofficial Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Cookbook, co-written by Hugo Award-winning fantasy writer Thea James and food writer/recipe developed Isabel Minunni. Start your day with a Post-Bio-Exorcism Smoothie. Sip on Shrunken Head Cider. Delight your sweet tooth with a Harry Belafonte-themed Banana Boat Milkshake. Each of these strange and unusual recipes is sure to please.

cover of Dead Delicious Horror Cookbookcover of Dead Delicious Horror Cookbook

Kitchen Overlord’s Dead Delicious Horror Cookbook by Chris-Rachael Oseland

Gross out your dinner guests with the wonderfully gory Kitchen Overlord’s Dead Delicious Horror Cookbook. Personal chef and nerdy cookbook extraordinaire Chris-Rachael Oseland dug deep to produce these 69 blood and guts-inspired dishes. Learn to make an Edible Skinned Torso with Ribs, Heart, and Guts that’s sure to thrill, or try Bloody Banana Guts for a light snack. Who’s hungry now?

cover of Let's Get Monster Smashedcover of Let's Get Monster Smashed

Let’s Get Monster Smashed: Horror Movie Drinks for a Killer Time Jon Chaiet and Marc Chaiet

Raise a glass to getting scared out of your wits! Brothers Jon and Marc Chaiet grew up on a steady diet of ‘80s and ‘90s horror films, and in Let’s Get Monster Smashed, they channel their love for horror into 55 recipes for cocktails, shots, punches, non-alcoholic drinks, and more. With colorful retro graphic design and photographs with every recipe, it’s a treat for the eyes and the tastebuds, and it’s sure to inspire you to try a new cocktail for your next horror movie night.

cover of Recipes for Murdercover of Recipes for Murder

Recipes for Murder: 66 Dishes That Celebrate the Mysteries of Agatha Christie by Karen Pierce

Although she may not be known for horror, Agatha Christie is one of the most iconic mystery/thriller writers of all time. And in her works, food is often less about sustenance and more of a murder weapon. In Recipes for Murder, foodie and Agatha Christie superfan Karen Pierce dives deep into the culinary worlds of Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, and other favorites to create one recipe for each of Christie’s 66 detective novels. Each dish comes with a reflection on the text that inspired it, its role in Christie’s life, and historical roots. You’ll also find curated menus for Agatha Christie-themed book clubs, Christmas dinners, and Halloween parties. But when it comes to poison, you’ll have to add them to the recipes yourself.

cover of Horror Caviarcover of Horror Caviar

Horror Caviar: A Cookbook by A24

This lush, gorgeously bound tome is inspired by 29 different horror movies, from classics and modern favorites like The Shining and Midsommar to niche films with cult followings. Collected by entertainment company A24, it includes recipes for dishes and drinks from acclaimed chefs and food stylists. But it’s also much more than a cookbook; you’ll find haunting and evocative essays from food writer Sohla el-Waylly, horror author Carmen Maria Machado, and many more. If you love a scary movie marathon, you simply must have Horror Caviar to plan your next watch party menu.

cover of A Gothic Cookbookcover of A Gothic Cookbook

A Gothic Cookbook: Hauntingly Delicious Recipes Inspired by 13 Classic Tales by Ella Buchan and Dr. Alessandra Pino

For the classic Gothic literature lover, A Gothic Cookbook is the perfect guide to cooking meals inspired by some of the book world’s favorite monsters. Gothic literature expert Dr. Alessandra Pino teamed up with food writer and recipe developer Ella Buchan to bring to life some of the dishes that shaped famous horror classics. Try Mina’s Chicken Paprikash inspired by Dracula, That Very Special Gingerbread featured in Rebecca, and Acorn Bread for the famously vegetarian monster in Frankenstein. The dishes are delicious and varied, and horror lovers will appreciate the deep dive into Gothic literature accompanying each recipe.

cover of Death for Dinnercover of Death for Dinner

Death for Dinner Cookbook: 60 Gorey-Good, Plant-Based Drinks, Meals, and Munchies Inspired by Your Favorite Horror Films by Zach Neil

Do you love bloody horror books and films, but prefer a blood-free diet? For vegetarians looking for a scary good meal, check out Death for Dinner Cookbook. It’s written by Zach Neil, the chef and entrepreneur behind the Tim Burton themed restaurant Beetle House, who has a passion for frightfully good food. In it, you’ll find 60 plant-based recipes for dishes and drinks like Killer Clown Caviar, The Hills Have Fries, Blood (Orange) Cheesecake Trifle, and a Never Sleep Again espresso cocktail.

a graphic of the cover of Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghostsa graphic of the cover of Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts

Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks by Crystal Wilkinson

Alright, I’ll admit it: This cookbook isn’t really about ghosts. At least not in your traditional horror way. But if you’re into the literary kind of ghosts that explore family history, grief, and trauma, then you’ll get what I mean here. And honestly, everyone should read this brilliant cookbook with memoir-like essays! Crystal Wilkinson is the former poet laureate of Kentucky and a fifth-generation Black Appalachian who feels the ghosts of her ancestors most strongly while cooking her family’s recipes. In Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts, Wilkinson shares her family’s history along with some of their most beloved recipes, weaving together a vibrant portrait of their life in Kentucky over decades.

cover of Peculiar Bakingcover of Peculiar Baking

Peculiar Baking: A Practical Guide to Strange Confections by Nikk Alcaraz (Nov. 26, Page Street Publishing)

This fall, your kitchen can become even scarier with Peculiar Baking, a brand new cookbook by food artist and lover of all things peculiar, Nikk Alcaraz, a rising star seen on HBO’s Craftopia. Bring a sense of macabre fun to the party with dishes that look impressive but aren’t as scary to make as they seem. You’ll find recipes for Bone Scones, Tarot Focaccia, Venus Flytrap Cakes, and more.


We hope you enjoyed this list of cookbooks for horror lovers! You might also enjoy:

New Horror Books That Will Have You Shaking in Your Sandals This July

BIPOC Final Girls in Recent Horror Fic

It Takes Boo to Make a Haunting Go Right: 8 Terrifying Horror Short Story Collections



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