Coraline Food Ideas: The Ultimate Guide to a Movie-Themed “OTHER BOARD” Feast

What’s Up, Hungry People

Today we’re plunging into the eerie and enigmatic world of Coraline Jones. With foods ranging from the iconic “Welcome Home” cake to exotic cocoa beetles from Zanzibar, we’ve got a board—aptly named “The Other Board”—teeming with culinary gems from this stop-motion masterpiece.

Coraline is perhaps one of the most unnerving children’s films to emerge in the late 2000s. The story trails Coraline as she navigates life in a new home with her preoccupied parents, who are hustling to launch their gardening magazine.

Feeling neglected and uninspired, Coraline discovers a hidden door that leads to an alternate universe. In this vibrant world, her “Other Parents,” especially the Other Mother, try to seduce her into staying forever.

And how does the Other Mother try to win Coraline over? Through food, of course! These are meals so sumptuous they make everyday grub seem utterly unappetizing.

And after dozens upon dozens of requests over on TikTok to make the different dishes seen throughout the movie, I decided to put them all in one place and create a whole new world of my own on what I am calling “The Other Board.”

Here’s What’s On My OTHER Board

• “Welcome Home” cake
• Roasted chicken
• Peas, corn, and broccoli
• Butter rolls
• Mashed potatoes (and yes, a gravy train!)
• Cocoa beetles from Zanzibar
• Banana slugs
• Mushroom omelette & bacon strips
• Waffles with strawberry sauce
• Chocolate cupcakes
• Magic mud pies
• Bobinsky’s pickled beets
• Sample cheeses & crackers for the circus mice
• Fresh strawberries
• Jams and jellies
• Saltwater taffy

Dinner with the Beldam

On Coraline’s inaugural night in the Other World, she feasts on a spread of roasted chicken, peas, corn, and more. She even gets mashed potatoes served from a gravy train’s caboose!

For my rendition, I used an air fryer to cook up a Cornish hen, which fit the board perfectly. Sides included peas, corn, and broccoli, served next to some warm butter rolls.

The gravy train was a whimsical experiment: I transformed an old Christmas train set into a gravy vessel. While it’s more of a conversation starter than a practical serving method, you can manually pull the train across the table to ladle gravy onto your plate.

One other thing I made that didn’t make it onto the board was a version of the Other Mother’s giant pineapple cake – but in miniature versions.

The Other Mother’s Omelette Breakfast

Coraline’s second Other Worldly meal consists of a flawless mushroom omelette with a side of bacon. I whipped up bacon and sautéed mushrooms before folding them into a two-egg omelette, accompanied by some homemade jam.

Would’ve added some toast to make it a complete breakfast, but space was tight. Maybe I should get my Other Husband to craft me a more spacious board.

Speaking of the board, did you notice that it looks like a button?

Wybie’s Banana Slugs

One of the many friends Coraline makes throughout the film is a boy who lives in the town. His grandmother’s sister disappeared near Coraline’s house. Coraline encounters Wybie looking for something on the ground… and turns out he was on the hunt for banana slugs!

For my version of the slugs, I mixed lemon Jell-O with some banana flavored pudding mix and a bit of gelatin then created custom molds by using a two-part silicone putty and fake slugs to create a mold. Then I poured the Jell-O/pudding mix into the molds and let them set in the fridge.

While the slugs set, I then mixed up a bowl of regular chocolate pudding. When the slugs were fully set, I carefully removed them from the molds (only accidentally pulling off the eyes of a few) and used a straw to dab brown spots of chocolate down the backs of the slugs to create a convincing effect – they certainly look like banana slugs to me!

Mrs. Spink & Mrs. Forcible’s Fortune Telling Taffy

In the boring grey world that Coraline’s real parents live in, she meets Mrs. Spink and Mrs. Forcible who are former burleseque dancers and lovers. In the Other World, they are bedazzled stage performers. In the real world, they use salt water Taffy from Brighton to tell fortunes.

I am fortunate to have a small old fashioned candy store nearby so it was easy to source the stuff locally. If you can get your hands on authentic salt water Taffy, you won’t regret it! I picked out different flavors and colors to match the movie as closely as I could.

Cocoa Beetles from Zanzibar

In the movie, Coraline’s Other Mother – also revealed to be known as the Beldam – recharges in her room full of insect-shaped furniture that may or may not be alive. As Coraline attempts to escape, the Other Mother offers Coraline a cocoa beetle from Zanzibar (which Coraline refuses to eat). The Other Mother takes a bite and shows a gooey center.

For my take on these beetles I used a silicone beetle mold and tempered chocolate to create a shell that I then filled with dulce de leche. It was the perfect, ooey-googey middle to bite into. Then I used a bit of gold luster dust mixed with a drop of vodka and a pastry brush to paint on the golden parts, just like they how they are seen in the movie.

The Infamous “Welcome Home” Cake

The most iconic dish from the movie just may be the “Welcome Home” cake where Coraline realizes with horror that the Other Mother and Father intend to keep Coraline in the Other World forever – and give her buttons for eyes.

For my cake, I simply used a box cake mix to make a miniature version of this cake. The res of the cake batter went to making another dish seen in the movie – the cupcakes with white icing and a cherry on top.

Other Dishes from Coraline

I love how Coraline uses food to convey different messages throughout the film. One scene they have breakfast for dinner (Other Father’s FAVORITE meal) with waffles smothered in strawberry sauce.

Another character Coraline meets who has an interest in a very specific food is Mr. Bobinsky who is always seen snacking on beets, so naturally I had to add pickled beets to my board in his honor. Bobinsky trained a circus of mice who he gave scraps of cheese and crackers as meals and rewards for performing.

Here’s What You Need For EVERYTHING

• Cornish Hen: The star of Other Mother’s Dinner Feast, provides a juicy, tender meat.
• Steamed Peas & Corn: Veggies to round off the dinner feast, adding color and nutrition.
• Butter Rolls: Soft, fluffy side for soaking up gravy and balancing the meal.
• Mashed Potatoes: A comfort food classic that complements the Cornish hen.
• Gravy: Adds savory richness to the mashed potatoes and Cornish hen.
• Broccoli: An additional green vegetable to vary the nutrients and color on the plate.
• Chocolate Cake Mix: Base for Coraline’s “Welcome Home Cake” & Cupcakes.
• White and Pink Icing: For decorating the cake and cupcakes, adds sweetness and visual appeal.
• Red Writing Icing: To personalize your cake with “Welcome Home” text.
• Pink Candles: Sets a festive tone for the cake.
• Glace Cherries: A visually striking topping for cupcakes.
• Lemon Jell-O & Banana Pudding: Foundation for Wybie’s Banana Slugs.
• Unflavored Gelatin: Adds structure and firmness to the slugs.
• Chocolate Chips & Dulce de Leche: Main ingredients for Cocoa Beetles from Zanzibar.
• Gold Luster Dust: For giving the beetles a shiny, attractive finish.
• Eggs & Mushrooms: Essential for Other Mother’s Omelette Breakfast.
• Chives & Bacon: Flavor enhancers for the omelette.
• Waffle Mix: Provides a quick and easy waffle base for Other Father’s Breakfast for Dinner.
• Strawberry Pie Filling: A fruity topping for the waffles.
• Chocolate Pudding & Crushed Oreos: The primary ingredients for Magic Mud.
• Gummy Worms: An eerie but fun addition to the Magic Mud.

Coraline-Themed Feast Tips and Tricks

• Meal Prepping: Since there are many components, try doing some meal prepping a day in advance. For instance, you could make the banana pudding, the chocolate pudding, and the cake base the day before to save time.
• Substitute for Silicone Slug Molds: If you can’t find or make silicone molds for Wybie’s Banana Slugs, small ice cube trays with unique shapes can serve as a good alternative.
• Egg Cooking: Be cautious while cooking the omelette; cook on low to medium heat to ensure it doesn’t burn while still letting the inside cook well.
• Chocolate Tempering: If you’re not confident in your chocolate tempering skills for the Cocoa Beetles, consider using candy melts as a more forgiving alternative.
• Serving Board: Use a large, flat serving board to display all the treats and snacks. This will make it easier for everyone to grab what they want while keeping the presentation neat.

Unfortunately for Coraline, there is a theory floating around online that she doesn’t make it out of the Other World at the end of the film. While I’d like to think she makes it out and saves her family, it’s hard to say after reading the theory and watching the movie!

@thestarvingchef Replying to @rachieraindrop1 so many incredible meals in Coraline, it was hard to settle out just one. this "Other Board" is straight from the Other Mother's kitchen, no button eyes required 🕸️🕷️🕸️ #fictionalfeast #reciperequest #thestarvingchef #foodfromcoraline #coralinefood #othermotherrecipes #coralinerecipes #otherboard #halloweencharcuterie #foodfrommovies #moviefoods #reciperequests #fictionalfeasts ♬ original sound – LAIKA Studios

What fictional recipes should I make next? Head on over to TikTok to leave your suggestion!

If you’ve been yearning for a night of movie magic mixed with kitchen wizardry, this Coraline-themed feast is your ticket to a truly memorable evening. Trust me, your taste buds will be doing a happy dance, and your guests will think you’re some kind of culinary sorcerer! From Other Mother’s Dinner Feast to Magic Mud, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into the movie. So, Hungry People, grab your ingredients and let’s create a feast worthy of Coraline Jones herself. And remember, the real magic is sharing these meals with people you love. Enjoy!