Every Halloween, food brands line up to see who can make the most unhinged seasonal release. We’ve had pumpkin spice everything, and Kraft just released a mac-and-cheese soda, but this year’s awards for the weirdest Halloween grocery drops officially go to Hidden Valley and Cup Noodles.
Hidden Valley Spooky Ranch
Hidden Valley just released its first-ever seasonal dressing: Spooky Ranch. It has the same Original Ranch flavor you already know, but it’s pitch-black.
The brand says it’s free of artificial dyes and flavors, and according to the official press release, that deep black hue comes from a mix of fruit juice and cocoa powder. So, it’s gluten-free, too! And despite the cocoa powder, it doesn’t taste like chocolate. (Now that would be weird!)
To make it even more gimmicky, the 12-ounce bottle glows in the dark, making it the ultimate party trick for your Halloween snack spread. It’s available exclusively at Walmart for $3.97 while supplies last.
Cup Noodles Vampire Noodles
I love Cup Noodles (don’t @ me), but I’m not so sure about the brand’s newest flavor. Nissin Foods just launched a limited-edition Vampire Noodles featuring a “Hot Garlic Chicken” broth that’s packed with bright, blood-red noodles. (Like Hidden Valley, Nissin didn’t use anything crazy for the dramatic look — the red color in the noodles comes from vegetable coloring.)
The flavor profile is basically just garlic and chili, which is fitting considering garlic is supposed to ward off vampires. It cooks in a quick four minutes and is currently rolling out to Walmart shelves for the season.
Both items are technically Walmart exclusives, though they haven’t popped up on Walmart’s website yet. Your best bet is keeping an eye out in the seasonal aisle on your next grocery run.
