Ghost Pizza is a fun and spooky take on everyone’s favorite cheesy, crispy pizza. With playful ghost-shaped toppings and just the right amount of gooey cheese, it’s perfect for Halloween or any time you want to add a little magic to your meal. The crispy crust and melty cheese combo make it taste just like your go-to pizza but with a friendly, ghostly twist.
I love making Ghost Pizza when friends come over because it always gets a big laugh and sets a festive mood. Decorating the pizza with little ghost faces using olives or pepperoni adds a cute touch that everyone enjoys. It’s a simple trick that makes eating pizza even more exciting, especially for the kids or anyone who might be young at heart!
One of my favorite ways to serve Ghost Pizza is right out of the oven with a side of crunchy veggies or a fresh salad. It’s that perfect mix of fun and flavor that’s easy to share and enjoy together. Every bite feels like a celebration, turning a regular pizza night into a special event with a little spooky charm.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pizza Dough: This is the base of your pizza, so fresh dough is best for a soft inside and crisp crust. You can also use store-bought dough or pre-made crust if you’re short on time.
Tomato Sauce: Use a simple, seasoned pizza sauce or marinara. If you want something smoother, blended canned tomatoes with herbs work well.
Mozzarella Cheese: A block is best here so you can cut ghost shapes. Fresh mozzarella works, but low-moisture mozzarella melts better and keeps shape longer. For a dairy-free option, try vegan mozzarella slices.
Pepperoni: Adds a classic flavor, but feel free to swap with mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers for a veggie version.
Capers: These tiny salty bites make perfect ghost eyes. Black olives or small bits of pepperoni are good alternatives.
How Do You Keep the Mozzarella Ghosts From Losing Their Shape?
Keeping the mozzarella ghosts looking like ghosts after baking can be tricky because cheese melts and spreads. Here’s how to help them stay cute and ghostly:
- Use cold, firm mozzarella blocks for cutting the shapes to avoid soft slices.
- Cut the ghosts about 1/4-inch thick so they’re thick enough to hold shape but will still melt nicely.
- Place the shapes on the cold pizza dough before baking so they don’t slide around.
- Press the caper “eyes” gently into the cheese, but don’t push all the way through.
- Bake at a high temperature for a short time (8-12 minutes) to melt the cheese quickly without overcooking the edges.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Pizza stone or baking sheet – A hot stone gives a crispy crust, but a baking sheet works fine too.
- Pizza peel or flat paddle – Helps you transfer the pizza to and from the oven easily.
- Small cookie cutter or knife – To cut out the cute ghost shapes from mozzarella.
- Mixing bowls and measuring spoons – For preparing ingredients and spreading sauce.
- Rolling pin or hands – To stretch or shape the dough to about 10 inches.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap pepperoni for sautéed mushrooms and black olives for a veggie twist that’s just as fun.
- Add cooked sausage or bacon for a meaty upgrade that yields bold flavors.
- Use sliced bell peppers or red onions for colorful, crunchy toppings that look spooky.
- Sprinkle some dried oregano or chili flakes before baking for extra flavor heat or aroma.
Ghost Pizza
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pizza:
- 1 ball of pizza dough (about 250g), room temperature
- ½ cup tomato pizza sauce
- 6-8 slices pepperoni
- Olive oil for drizzling
- Flour for dusting
For the Ghost Toppings:
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese block
- 4-6 capers (for ghost eyes)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10-15 minutes of prep time—mostly stretching the dough and cutting the ghost shapes—and 8-12 minutes to bake. So, you’ll have a spooky, tasty pizza ready in under 30 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Get Your Oven and Dough Ready:
Preheat your oven to its highest setting, around 450-500°F (230-260°C). If you have a pizza stone, put it in the oven to heat up while you prepare the pizza. Lightly flour your work surface and gently stretch or roll out your pizza dough into a nice 10-inch round.
2. Spread Sauce and Add Pepperoni:
Place the stretched dough onto a lightly floured baking sheet or pizza peel. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border free around the edges. Then arrange the pepperoni slices evenly over the sauce.
3. Create Your Mozzarella Ghosts:
Cut the mozzarella cheese into slices about ¼-inch thick. Using a small ghost-shaped cookie cutter or a knife, carefully cut out 3 ghost shapes. Place these ghost-shaped cheese pieces gently on top of the pepperoni and sauce.
4. Add the Eyes and Olive Oil:
Press two capers into each mozzarella ghost to make the eyes. Then drizzle a little olive oil around the crust edge to help it brown and add flavor as it bakes.
5. Bake and Serve:
Put the pizza in the oven—either on the hot stone or baking sheet—and bake for 8-12 minutes until the crust is golden, the cheese has melted, and the ghost shapes have puffed up but still keep their form. Let your pizza cool a minute or two before slicing and serving your fun, spooky creation!
Can I Use Pre-Made Pizza Dough for Ghost Pizza?
Absolutely! Store-bought dough works great and saves time. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature before stretching to make it easier to handle.
What Can I Substitute for Capers as Ghost Eyes?
If you don’t have capers, small pieces of black olives, sliced pepperoni, or even tiny dollops of balsamic glaze work well to create cute ghost eyes.
How Do I Keep the Mozzarella Ghosts from Melting Too Much?
Use firm, low-moisture mozzarella and cut the ghosts thick enough (about ¼ inch). Also, baking at a high temperature for a short time helps the cheese melt just enough while holding its shape.
Can I Make Ghost Pizza Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the dough and shape the mozzarella ghosts ahead, but it’s best to assemble and bake right before serving to keep the ghosts fresh and melty.