Bonfire Night dinner ideas | Good Food

20 Bonfire Night meals

1. Cheesy bonfire bread

This cheesy bonfire bread is at its best straight from the oven, with its warm, doughy texture perfectly complementing silky soups. But for added convenience, you can make it in advance and freeze it.

Discover more homemade bread recipes.

2. Butternut squash soup

Warm up before heading out to enjoy the fireworks with a comforting bowl of autumnal squash soup. A touch of chilli adds a gentle kick, while crème fraîche enriches the soup with a creamy finish.

For more warming soups, check out our winter soup recipes.

3. Brie & cranberry twists

These bite-sized canapés are perfect for whetting the appetite before a hearty main course. Elegant with creamy brie and sweet cranberry sauce, they’re also effortless to prepare, requiring just six simple ingredients.

Discover more vegetarian canapé recipes.

4. Deep-fried olives

If you’re looking for a starter or canapé to nibble on during the fireworks, these deep-fried olives are a must. Serve them with sophisticated lemon and vermouth mayonnaise for an extra touch of indulgence.

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

What could be better than combining sausage and Yorkshire pudding? This Catherine wheel toad-in-the-hole with honey & mustard onions has a striking coiled design that’s sure to impress at a family get-together. Cook 12 linked chipolatas or one large coiled Cumberland sausage in batter, then top with caramelised onions. Serve with our creamy mashed potatoes, rich onion gravy and roasted veg.

For more inspiration, see our toad-in-the-hole recipes.

6. Sticky cider onion hot dogs

Take these sticky cider onion hot dogs to a bonfire for a great dinner on the go. Cook up your favourite sausages and pile on caramelised onions and a mustard-mayo sauce. Or, try hoisin hot dogs cooked in hoisin sauce and topped with spring onion and sriracha mayonnaise. Our honey-mustard hot dogs are loaded with melty cheddar and emmental cheese, while our buffalo hot dogs are topped with spicy buffalo sauce, blue cheese and crispy fried onions.

See more hot dog recipes for the ultimate selection.

7. Three-cheese meatball lasagne

Nothing says comfort food like our three-cheese meatball lasagne – it’s indulgent and perfect for a special occasion. Swap out traditional meat sauce for chunky sausage meatballs. This showstopping main serves up to eight people, making it great for a larger family to tuck into before heading out for the festivities.

Warm up on a chilly night with our comfort food recipes.

8. One-pot sausage casserole with garlic breadcrumbs

Transform humble sausages and beans from a simple midweek meal into an elegant one-pot casserole, perfect for entertaining. The garlic, parsley, and breadcrumb topping adds a delightful crunch to this rich and smoky dish.

For more Bonfire Night staples, see our sausage recipes.

9. Bonfire Night baked potatoes

These Bonfire Night baked potatoes are an easy, portable dinner, perfect for standing around a fire. Bake in the oven until completely tender, then scoop out the middle and mix with cheese, bacon and parsley. Return to their skins and top with cheese such as reblochon, raclette or gruyère.

See our collection of baked potato recipes for more simple dinners.

10. Chicken, leek & mushroom pies

Use up leftover roast chicken with Tom Kerridge’s chicken, leek & mushroom pies. Use shop-bought pastry or make your own with our pie pastry recipe. To keep things simple, prepare the filling up to two days ahead then just assemble and bake. Individual pies are a more convenient way to take dinner on the move, too.

More scrumptious fillings can be found in our pie collection.

11. Pulled firecracker brisket

Pulled firecracker brisket on a large tray

Share this pulled firecracker brisket with up to eight people and serve in warm flatbreads or jacket potatoes. The smoky brisket is meltingly tender with a spicy kick from cayenne pepper and red chillies. Cook the meat low and slow for six hours, then shred with two forks. Serve with charred sweetcorn salsa and a generous dollop of soured cream.

For more crowd-pleasing recipes, see our sharing collection.

12. Chipotle sweet potato & black bean stew with cheddar dumplings

If you’re feeding a crowd on Bonfire Night and need a dish to please vegetarians and meat lovers, this hearty sweet potato and black bean stew with cheddar dumplings is the perfect choice. Adding chipotle chilli paste and jalapeño slices brings a fiery kick, sure to warm you up as you enjoy the fireworks.

Check out our winter stew recipes, perfect for feeding a crowd.

13. Vegan lentil & sweet potato cottage pie

Try this vegan cottage pie for a hearty, meat-free option packed with sweet and umami flavours. The base combines rich red wine with savoury soy sauce, while the sweet potato topping, balanced with mustard powder, adds just the right touch to temper the sweetness.

Discover more vegan comfort food recipes.

14. Parkin

Keep it classic this Bonfire Night by finishing your meal with a slice of traditional parkin. This Yorkshire favourite is a rich ginger cake, flavoured with syrupy molasses, hearty oatmeal, and warming spices – perfect for the chilly autumn air.

15. Toffee apple bread & butter pudding

Toffee apples are a Bonfire Night staple, and in this pudding they meet comforting bread and butter pudding for a cosy autumnal mash-up. Sticky caramel sauce, tart apples and buttery brioche are soaked in custard and baked until bubbling. Serve with ice cream to melt on top, or a drizzle of double cream.

Toffee and apple is a classic pairing. Discover more fun twists with our top toffee apple desserts.

16. Easy s’mores

Stack of biscuits filled with chocolate and melted marshmallows

Ever tried an American-style s’more? It’s the perfect Bonfire Night treat – easy to hold (almost neatly) while you watch the fireworks. Toast your marshmallows the traditional way over a fire, but if the cold’s too much or you’re short on outdoor space, you can use the grill instead.

Discover more s’mores recipes perfect for on the fire or in the grill.

17. Squidgy chocolate pear pudding

Baking dish of chocolate and pear pudding topped with almonds

This hot, gooey chocolate pudding, rich dark chocolate and canned pears is a perfect no-fuss dessert for dinner parties. It can be prepared ahead and frozen so that you can enjoy the evening stress-free. Just be sure not to overcook it – you want that molten centre.

Who doesn’t like chocolate? Find more rich chocolate pudding recipes.

18. Apple turnovers

Apple and cinnamon are the ultimate autumnal pairings, and when tucked into a hand-held pie, they’re the perfect treat for Bonfire Night. These easy-to-transport turnovers are ideal for enjoying while watching the fireworks. If you’d rather savour them warm, pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of hot homemade custard.

19. Slow cooker sticky toffee pudding

Two plates of sticky toffee pudding with ice cream

Let our slow cooker sticky toffee pudding gently cook all day so it’s ready to serve with ice cream in the evening. Great for feeding a crowd of up to eight, this fuss-free recipe requires 30 minutes of prep, making it an effortless, crowd-pleasing dessert.

Enjoy easy entertaining with more slow cooker dinner party recipes.

20. Bonfire night c0okies

These brightly decorated cookies are perfect for getting kids excited for Bonfire Night. The best part? You’ll have plenty of leftovers to enjoy with a cup of tea throughout the week!