Top Bonfire Night ideas
Prep a feast with our top Bonfire Night party ideas and recipes, including melty s'mores, crunchy toffee apples and comforting cocoa.
Planning a Bonfire Night party? We've got all the inspiration you need to make it truly explosive, from banging desserts and party snacks to comforting mains and warming drinks. Whether you're outside watching the fireworks or cosying up indoors, these tempting treats are sure to make 5 November a night to remember.
Bonfire Night party food ideas
There's no need to pay a fortune for soggy burger buns and limp hot dogs when you can make your own to go. Whether you need the perfect snack pack or a meal on the move, try our traditional treats and clever sharers this Bonfire Night. Go beyond just chocolate and try our seasonally spiced pumpkin muffins.
Bonfire Night dinner ideas
Fill up on a hearty, warming dinner before heading out to the fireworks. This Catherine wheel toad-in-the-hole with honey and mustard onions is a great sharing dish and so moreish. From traditional bangers and mash to hot dogs, savoury pies and hearty traybakes, we've got lots more autumnal recipes to please a crowd. For heartier meals, try this vegan sausage casserole and you can delve into more Bonfire night goodness.
Top 10 warming drinks for your flask
Wrap your mitts around something homemade this Bonfire Night, and not only will you bypass the cost and the queues, you'll be able to nab yourself the best spot by the bonfire, too. Pack up anything from steaming soups like a chicken noodle soup, to brave and boozy punches, a pumpkin spice latte and you'll be feeling smug.
Top 10 warming drinks for your flask
10 toffee apple desserts that are better than the real thing
Make it a Bonfire Night bonanza with something really decadent, like this toffee apple cake. Incorporate sweet, crunchy toffee apples into your favourite desserts, from cakes and crumbles to doughnuts and cookies, adding a nostalgic flavour to your bakes. This sticky toffee apple pudding is also a huge hit and provides the ultimate sweet treat.
10 toffee apple desserts that are even better than the real thing
10 super-melty sweet and savoury s’mores
Sink your teeth into these gloriously gooey stacks of biscuit and marshmallow. We've come up with 10 sweet and savoury twists on this indulgent American-style snack, from melty chocolate and cookie base s'mores to cheesy Ploughman's s'mores. We've even got seasonal pumpkin pie and banoffee flavours that'll go down well at a Bonfire Night party. Why not also try making your own marshmallows? They are the perfect biscuit sandwich filler and will make the ultimate customisable treat! Need we say s'more?
10 super-melty sweet and savoury s’mores
6 boozy hot chocolates your granny wouldn't make
There is little more comforting than a warming mug of creamy, hot chocolate. Why not go a step further and add a boozy kick to this indulgent drink with rich liqueurs, spiced rum and whatever else takes your fancy? We've come up with six tempting flavour twists to inspire you, including choc-orange, hazelnut cream and salted caramel rum. Chocoholics, look no further! Get more inspiration from our top 10 hot chocolates , choosing to add a splash of booze or letting the silky chocolate do all the talking!
6 boozy hot chocolates your granny wouldn't make
5 ways with toffee apples
Bored of plain old toffee apples? Try our five tasty twists on this traditional snack using a combination of popular sweet treats. From rocky road and vegan coconut to salted peanut and white chocolate, these moreish flavours will satisfy a sweet tooth. We have a chocolate apple recipe which will surely be a winner and are so fun to make with the kids. Fancy a change? Go for this bark-style bonfire toffee that can be smashed into chunks for everyone's enjoyment. Follow our guide on how to make candy apples for expert tips and delicious flavour pairings and toppings.
How to melt marshmallows
We've covered everything you need to know about how to achieve moreishly molten marshmallows. Whether you're using them in s'mores, tarts or fondant icing, discover the best way to melt these fluffy sweets using a grill, hob, open flame or microwave. This s'mores dip is grilled for 1 -2 mins and would be great served at a gathering. Grab some digestives and dig in!
Parkin: a Bonfire Night tradition
Food writer Carol Wilson reveals the fascinating history of one of her favourite Bonfire Night treats. After discovering how Yorkshire parkin came to be a seasonal tradition, try our recipe for this delicious gingerbread cake. We've also got a sticky ginger skillet parkin, a one pan wonder and great served with custard or ice cream straight out from the oven.
Parkin: a Bonfire Night tradition
Our best ever ginger cake recipes
If parkin alone doesn't satisfy your ginger cravings, then expand your baking repertoire to include our spectacular showstoppers and loaf cakes. Once you've tried some of these sweet and sticky ginger cakes, there's no going back. This moist ginger lemon drizzle cake is a favourite, with all the right flavours to kick your bonfire night into action. You could also check out this ginger cake recipe collection.
Our best ever ginger cake recipes
How to roast chestnuts
It's hard to resist the smell of freshly roasted chestnuts, and these will make a welcome treat after firework watching. Learn how to make this tasty snack and serve in a range of seasonal mains and desserts, or, we won't blame you for scoffing them straightaway. For tips on how to buy and cook chestnuts, follow our guide on the best chestnut recipes.
Get more Bonfire Night recipe inspiration...
Bonfire Night recipes
Bonfire Night snack recipes
Bonfire Night drink recipes
Bonfire Night dessert recipes
Bonfire Night cake recipes
Toffee apple recipes
S'mores recipes
Comfort food recipes
Find more ideas at our Bonfire Night hub.