Top Bonfire Night ideas

Sticky chocolate pudding with marshmallows

There's no need to pay a fortune for soggy, limp hot dogs when you can make your own superior version. Elevate your hot dog with sweet and sticky onions caramelised in cider. Top with a mustard and mayonnaise sauce for a bold and tangy finish to complement the sweetness.

Find more sausage inspiration with our hot dog recipes and bite into one of our bursting beef burger recipes.

2. Golden spinach, feta & pumpkin filo pie

Golden filo pastry topped with feta, spinach and pumpkin. One quarter cut out.

This golden spinach, feta & pumpkin filo pie is a great centrepiece for your Bonfire Night celebrations as it showcases delicious autumnal flavours. Tarts and pies are ideal for celebrating as they are easily transported and divided if you are considering bringing a picnic with you to watch a local fireworks show.

Find more of our savoury tart recipes, filled with delicious seasonal produce.

3. Catherine wheel toad-in-the-hole with honey & mustard onions

Perfect for a cold autumn evening, this combination of sausage and Yorkshire pudding in a pretty spiral design will surely be a family hit. It’s great for Bonfire Night – it only takes 20 minutes to prepare, so you won’t miss any festivities.

For more bakes perfect for autumn and winter, check out our toad-in-the-hole recipes and winter traybake recipes.

4. Rarebit toasties with sticky yeast extract onions

Two rarebit toasties topped with fried eggs, one cut in half

There is something incredibly satisfying about biting into a cheese toastie that oozes from every angle. These rarebit toasties with sticky yeast extract onions have that perfect melted texture. Top with a fried egg for extra protein and, if you’re feeling even more indulgent, then chuck in some bacon for a posh version of a bacon sarnie.

Discover more of our comforting cheese toastie recipes.

5. Three-cheese meatball lasagne

If you’re a fan of lasagne, you’ll love our next-level three-cheese meatball lasagne. Made by swapping the meat sauce for sausage meatballs, you’ll get a beautiful golden brown finish on them and the perfect juicy centre. Fennel seeds and chilli add another layer of flavour and a little spice, which complements the richness of the parmesan, cheddar and mozzarella topping.

Check out more of our lasagne recipes. We have traditional mince, seafood and veggie versions.

Snacks

6. Cheesy sausage rolls

Bread rolls filled with sausages, one torn open, next to a pan of tomato soup

Bake these comforting bread rolls in a muffin tin – they're filled with cheddar, bangers, spring onions and garlic butter. They’re a great portable snack if you’re on the go visiting friends and family for firework festivities. Or, if you prefer, why not try our sausage roll-ups? Buttery, flaky pastry is filled with sausage and a sweet chutney.

Check out more of our bread roll recipes for an easy baking project.

7. Smoked cheddar & chilli jam croquettes

Platter of croquettes filled with cheese and topped with chilli jam, next to a ramekin of chilli jam

These smoked cheddar and chilli jam croquettes are the canapés you need to impress your party guests this Bonfire Night. Using only 10 ingredients, they’re much simpler than you would think, and they’re vegetarian, so most guests can enjoy them.

If you want more canapé ideas suitable for all your guests' dietary needs, check out our vegan canapé recipes, vegetarian canapé recipes and canapé recipes.

8. Cheese stars

Show off your cooking skills and get in the festive spirit with these fun-looking, easy cheesy treats – they make great party snacks for grazing guests and get kids involved in the kitchen, as you can put them in charge of the cookie-cutting process.

Discover more recipes great for keeping children entertained with our kids’ cooking recipes and kids’ baking recipes.

9. Chocolate apples

Four chocolate apples covered in sprinkles

Our chocolate apples recipe is another traditional treat that’s great for making with kids. They will have loads of fun getting messy, dunking their apples into the melted chocolate and covering haphazardly in any sugary treat that will stick. Check out our homemade toffee apples for an even more traditional sweet treat.

Treat yourself to more of our comforting apple desserts.

10. Banoffee s'mores

S'mores topped with cream, caramel and banana

If kids lose momentum before the firework fun has begun, one way to lift their spirits is with these American-style melty marshmallow s’mores. If they don't like bananas and caramel, we have many other flavours, like our pumpkin pie s’mores.

Discover more American recipes and more indulgent s'mores combinations.

Dessert

11. Parkin

Parkin is a traditional ginger cake from Yorkshire, flavoured with syrupy molasses, oatmeal and warm spices. Originally, parkin was a celebratory cake eaten at winter festivals, so it’s the perfect treat to enjoy on Bonfire Night.

Read more about the origins of parkin in our article, Parkin: a Bonfire Night tradition.

12. Toffee apple bread & butter pudding

Bonfire Night treat meets classic comfort food in this doubly delicious dessert that your family won't be able to resist. Perfect enjoyed alone but eat straight from the oven topped with our ultimate vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.

Check out more bread & butter pudding recipes, from classics to fun new twists.

13. Vegan ginger loaf cake

Iced ginger loaf cake with a slice cut from the front

Whether you're vegan or not, this iced and spiced ginger loaf cake is a brilliant bake to enjoy on a cold, wintry day. Have it with a cup of tea or bring along to your Bonfire Night festivities for a pick-me-up that everyone can enjoy.

Don’t confine loaf cakes to afternoon teas. Check out more of our loaf cake recipes and try them for yourself.

14. Sticky chocolate pudding with marshmallows

Baking dish of chocolate pudding topped with marshmallows and sparklers

This gooey, self-saucing, sticky chocolate pudding with marshmallows is a divine dessert with fresh cream or ice cream. It’s great for enjoying at celebrations as it serves up to 10 people and can be made in three simple steps.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with more of our showstopping chocolate pudding recipes.

15. Vegan sticky toffee pear pudding

Sliced rectangular sticky toffee pudding with pears sticking out the top

A lighter version of sticky toffee pudding, rich with dates and spices, and the juicy texture of poached pears, this vegan dessert is sure to please a crowd.

Enjoy more of our vegan desserts.

Drinks

16. Hot buttered rum

Two glass mugs of hot buttered rum with cinnamon stick garnishes

Try rounding off dinner with some hot buttered rum. Sweet and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, it's a warming treat for cold evenings.

Warm up on chilly nights with more of our winter drink recipes.

17. Whisky mac

Warm up with our classic whisky mac recipe – the perfect way to chase away the chills. Spicy ginger wine blends beautifully with scotch for a cosy, comforting sip. While we recommend a blended malt, why not treat yourself and your guests to a special occasion single malt for an extra indulgent twist?

Try more of our whisky cocktail recipes.

18. Hazelnut cream hot chocolate

Glass mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and hazelnuts

A dollop of chocolate hazelnut spread here, a splash of nut liqueur there – this boozy hot chocolate with whipped cream is a glass of pure indulgence. For more boozy hot chocolate recipes with a twist, check out our midnight mint hot chocolate and choc orange hot chocolate. For a child-friendly hot chocolate, why not try our silky slow cooker hot chocolate made from dark and milk chocolate?

19. Rum old-fashioned

Try using rum in place of whisky in an old-fashioned for a twist on the traditional cocktail that’s perfect for warming you on cold winter evenings. Finish with ice and a strip of orange peel.

If you prefer to keep things traditional, why not try our classic old-fashioned recipe?

20. Calypso coffee

Enjoy this winning after-dinner combination of rum, coffee and cream for a pick-me-up when you want to stay up and watch a beautiful firework show. Garnish with a coffee bean or a grating of dark chocolate.

Kick your evening up a notch with more of our coffee cocktail recipes.