Why Everyone’s Obsessed with Ghost Pizza
Let me tell you – I’ve made a LOT of Halloween recipes over the years, but nothing (and I mean NOTHING) has gotten the reaction that these ghost pizzas do. Last year, I brought these to my daughter’s class party, and within minutes, I had three moms asking for the recipe and one dad literally taking photos to recreate them at home.
The best part? They’re ridiculously easy. We’re talking 20 minutes from start to finish if you use store-bought dough. And yes, they taste as good as they look!
What You’ll Need
For the Ghost Pizzas:
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 16 ounces fresh mozzarella (for the ghost shapes)
- Black olives (for the eyes and mouths)
- Optional: pepperoni for “bloody” ghosts
Tools:
- Ghost cookie cutter (or knife for freehand)
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6 ghost pizzas
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Canvas (2 minutes)
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper – trust me, this makes cleanup SO much easier, especially with melty cheese involved.
Step 2: Roll and Shape (5 minutes)
Roll out your pizza dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Here’s where you can get creative:
- Individual ghosts: Use a large ghost cookie cutter to cut shapes
- Ghost pizza base: Shape the entire dough into one large ghost
- Mini ghosts: Perfect for kids’ parties – use smaller cutters
Pro tip: Save those dough scraps! Roll them together and make breadstick “bones” for dipping.
Step 3: Add the Base (2 minutes)
Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on each ghost, leaving about ½ inch border for the crust. Don’t go too heavy here – soggy ghost pizza is sad ghost pizza!
Step 4: The Cheesy Magic (3 minutes)
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce. Now for the fun part – slice your fresh mozzarella into ¼ inch rounds and use a small ghost cutter to create mini ghost shapes. Place these on top of the shredded cheese.
Step 5: Give Them Faces (2 minutes)
Cut black olives into small pieces:
- Two small circles for eyes
- One slightly larger piece for the “OOOH” mouth
- Get creative – angry ghosts, happy ghosts, surprised ghosts!
Step 6: Bake to Perfection (10-12 minutes)
Pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden and the cheese is bubbly. The fresh mozzarella ghosts will melt slightly but keep their shape – it’s seriously the coolest thing to watch through the oven door!
Make It Your Own – Variations
The Meat Lover’s Ghost
Add pepperoni under the ghost cheese for a “bloody” effect – slightly creepy but delicious!
Veggie Spirit
Top with finely diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach before adding the ghost cheese.
Spicy Phantom
Drizzle with hot honey after baking (this is AMAZING and very on-trend for 2025).
White Pizza Ghost
Skip the red sauce and use garlic olive oil and ricotta instead – elegant and delicious!
Tips for Perfect Ghost Pizzas
📸 For the ‘Gram:
- Natural lighting is your friend – photograph near a window
- Add Halloween props like mini pumpkins or fake spider webs in the background
- Capture that cheese pull – it’s social media gold!
🎃 Party Serving Ideas:
- Arrange on a black platter with dry ice for spooky effect
- Serve with “blood” (marinara) for dipping
- Make a variety of ghost expressions for a fun display
👻 Make-Ahead Magic:
- Prep ghost cheese shapes up to 2 days ahead
- Pre-cut olive faces and store in containers
- Dough can be shaped and refrigerated 4 hours before
Why This Recipe Actually Works
Unlike those Pinterest recipes that look cute but taste meh, these ghost pizzas are legitimately delicious. The combination of regular mozzarella (for that perfect melt) and fresh mozzarella ghosts (for visual impact) creates amazing texture. Plus, kids actually eat them – which, let’s be honest, is the real win here.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
“My ghosts melted into blobs!”
- Your oven might be too hot – try reducing to 425°F
- Make the fresh mozzarella slices slightly thicker
“The dough got soggy”
- Less sauce is more! Thin layer only
- Pre-bake the dough for 3 minutes before adding toppings
“My kids want to help but it gets messy”
- Let them do the faces – it’s the easiest part
- Use kitchen scissors to cut olives (safer than knives)
Storage & Reheating
Storing: Wrap leftover ghost pizzas individually in foil, refrigerate up to 3 days.
Reheating: 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes (microwaving makes them sad and soggy).
Freezing: Yes! Freeze unbaked assembled ghosts on parchment, then transfer to freezer bags. Bake directly from frozen, adding 3-4 minutes.
Your Turn!
Ready to make some ghost pizza magic? I’d love to see your creations! Tag me on Pinterest or drop a comment below with your ghost pizza pics. And if you come up with a cool variation, share it – our ghost pizza community is always hungry for new ideas!
Happy Haunting! 👻🍕
More Recipes:
15 Spooky & Easy Halloween Snack Ideas Everyone Will Love