in Classroom Party Ideas· From My Heart· Halloween Crafts· Recipe September 8, 2016

Gross Halloween Party Food: Dirty Earwax Q-Tip Treats

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I don’t think that I have ever called one of my own recipes “gross” before, but there is a first time for everything and these Dirty Q-Tip Treats are truly gross. To be honest, I kind of got a little waves of nausea making these with the kids last year, but the end result is a truly fantastic and disgusting treat that will be the hit of any horrific (that’s the goal, right?) Halloween party!

Even better, these gross little Halloween treats are SUPER easy to make which is perfect if you have little ones who like to help.

Only a few ingredients/supplies needed:

Box of Q-Tips *I used real Q-Tips because they are inexpensive (check the Dollar Store!) and I also think the box makes a fun prop. You could also use sucker sticks.
Serving Tray (I went with a platter from the dollar store)
Bag of Jet Puffed Mini Marshmallows
Kraft Caramels

Assembly is SO easy!

First of all, use a strong pair of scissors (or even garden shears) to snip off the ends of the Q-Tips. Then, just push each end into a marshmallow. Next you will need to melt your caramels. We used about 12 caramels to do all of these Q-Tips. Put them all in a small microwavable dish and melt slowly in 10 second increments stirring in between each microwave session. Once the caramel is melted, you can start dipping in the Q-Tips. Now remember, you are going for gross here and nothing is grosser than a big dangling dip of earwax on the end of a Q-Tip, so the kids especially loved the ones that had that nice tip on them!

How to Display Your Gross Halloween Food

Of course, display is everything when it comes to Halloween, especially the gross stuff! Make sure to keep your empty Q-Tip box, as it works wonderfully as a prop! When we served these last year, everyone was afraid to even go near them until a few of the kids realized that they were actually pretty yummy, and then before I knew it, they were all gone. I will have to say though, the adults were not very interested in them at all. Hmmmm. Wonder why?

Looking for other fun Halloween ideas?

Other Halloween Treat Ideas

Go here to see my recipe for Gross Dirty Bandaid Treats. (Ewww. I know. But again: Ewww is good on Halloween!)

Go here to see my Spooky Spider Cookie Recipe.

Check Out Our Recipe for Spooky Deviled Egg Spiders.

Other Fun Halloween Recipes, Crafts & Activities

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Comments

Tina Childress says
September 9, 2016 at 5:25 am

Instead of actual Q-tips, you can use lollipop sticks from arts and crafts/hobby store. Signed, An audiologist who makes these every year ;-)
Lisa/Syncopated Mama says
September 12, 2016 at 8:11 pm

These crack me up! Pinning for when my daughter gets older - because I can totally see her sense of humor loving these, too!
Amanda @ The Kolb Corner says
September 13, 2016 at 7:23 pm

How fun! Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
Michelle says
September 14, 2016 at 7:12 am

Haha! Those are perfectly gross and I know people would get a kick out of eating them M Great idea! Thanks Michelle
Camille says
September 15, 2016 at 7:53 pm

Totally gross! and perfect for Halloween.
Brandi says
October 7, 2016 at 1:07 pm

This is just an idea but you could also use small pretzel sticks dipped in white chocolate. That way the kids could eat the whole thing.
D says
October 20, 2016 at 1:03 pm

Nice idea. Though I'd probably use popeye candies for the sticks.
Lauren says
October 27, 2016 at 4:57 pm

If I'm making them a night before an event... how should I store overnight ?
Kateri says
October 28, 2016 at 8:58 am

My friend and I were thinking the candy cigarettes would be good to use too... if yo can find them.
Kayla McGinnis says
October 28, 2016 at 9:01 am

I made these a little different. :) It was a little more time consuming but so worth it. I dipped pretzel sticks in white chocolate and drained them the best i could and then let them set before sticking them into the marshmallows that way the whole treat is edible . :)
JC says
November 13, 2016 at 2:58 pm

I made these but used pretzel sticks and choc subst/Nutella and called them reindeer poop
Terra Heck says
October 15, 2017 at 2:31 am

Now that is a neat idea for Halloween! I'm attending a party next weekend, and I'm going to have to make these for sure.
Keri Lyn says
October 16, 2017 at 7:00 pm

I promise you, they will definitely be a conversation starter!! Have fun and thanks for the comment Terra!
Noreen says
October 20, 2017 at 12:30 pm

Did you use small mellows
Noreen Lull says
October 20, 2017 at 7:06 pm

Q-tip made with small mellow or big
Cheryl parrish says
October 22, 2017 at 11:25 am

Very good ideas for fun Halloween treats and good for them rather than all that other junk food candy! I'm Impressed with the ideas,Thanks
Brenda Kemper says
October 24, 2017 at 9:39 am

The Carmel I used didn’t seem to set it was sticky and made presenting these made it a little challenging. Is there a brand of carmel you have used that works?
Peggy says
October 25, 2017 at 1:33 pm

Does anyone know how long these earwax q tips last before they go bad?,I am having a party on a Saturday and it is Wednesday so can I make them tonight and still be ok for Saturday’s party.
Janet says
October 27, 2017 at 8:51 pm

I would lollipop sticks instead so you could actually eat the marshmallow and caramel. If on a Q-tip you could just use these as decorations
Keri Lyn says
October 30, 2017 at 6:59 pm

Hi Peggy! They might get a little hard, but they will be fine if you make them early! (sorry, I just saw this!) Hope your party was fun!
Keri Lyn says
October 30, 2017 at 7:00 pm

I used Kraft caramels and didn't have any issue but I have put them in the fridge before to help them harden.
T says
September 15, 2018 at 10:20 pm

I made both the Q-tips & bloody bandaids for our Halloween party last year, & they were an absolute HIT! LoL
Cj says
September 24, 2018 at 2:45 am

Use peanutbutter instead of caramel
Sue says
October 10, 2018 at 7:14 pm

I am making them for my party, I am going to use candy cigarettes and peanut butter! So the whole thing is edible
Nicole says
October 30, 2018 at 7:52 am

These were a hit with my fellow lunch lady friends I used candy cigarettes/sticks, kraft caramels and mini marshmallows and we put them in fridge and freezer to harder afterwards.