Name: Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 store-bought pizza dough or 1 Pillsbury pizza crust; 1/2 cup pizza sauce; 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 6-8 slices mozzarella cheese for ghost shapes (thicker slices for 3D effect); Black olives, sliced into small pieces for eyes and mouths; Optional: pepperoni slices for extra topping; 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast; 1 ½ cups warm water; 4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp sugar

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 45 reviews

If you’re looking for a Halloween treat that’s as fun as it is delicious, you’re going to love this Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe. It’s perfect for busy moms (and dads!) who want to impress the kids without spending hours in the kitchen. Think gooey cheese ghosts popping off your pizza, spooky olive eyes, and a crispy crust that just hits the spot. Trust me, making this pizza together is a blast, and everyone gets excited about eating their ghosts. Keep reading, because I’m sharing all my tips to help you nail this festive favorite!

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Prep with Store-Bought Dough: Using Pillsbury or your favorite pre-made crust saves loads of time, making this perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute parties.
Visual Appeal That Kids Love: Those mozzarella ghost shapes with olive eyes are irresistibly cute and fun to customize, turning dinner into an activity.
Versatility: Whether you go homemade or store-bought with extra toppings like pepperoni, you can tailor the spooky theme to your family’s tastes with ease.
Melts Perfectly: The thick sliced mozzarella ghosts melt just right to hold their shape but get wonderfully gooey and stretchy, elevating your pizza game.

A round pizza with a thick golden crust on a white plate, placed on a wooden board over a white marbled surface, topped with melted golden cheese and red tomato sauce beneath. There are nine white ghost-shaped cheese figures spaced evenly on the pizza, each with black olive pieces for eyes and mouths, giving them playful facial expressions. The background shows small orange pumpkins and some containers near a window, adding a cozy, autumn feel. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

For this Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe, each ingredient plays a starring role — balancing ease and flavor so even the pickiest little ghosts will enjoy every bite. Plus, I’ll share some quick shopping tips so you get exactly what you need for that perfectly spooky, cheesy delight.

Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade): Choose Pillsbury pizza crust for convenience, or make your own if you love that fresh, personalized touch.
Pizza sauce: A good quality tomato sauce with a little sweetness complements the cheese and toppings without overpowering them.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and covers the pizza evenly, creating that classic gooey base everyone adores.
Sliced mozzarella cheese: Use thicker slices for 3D ghost shapes that “pop” off the pizza, or thinner if you want a flatter look—both work great!
Black olives: Slice small pieces to create the ghost’s eyes and mouth — such a simple ingredient that adds loads of personality.
Pepperoni slices (optional): A tasty addition if you want a little savory bite and extra color contrast.
Yeast, warm water, flour, olive oil, salt, sugar: If you decide to make dough from scratch, these basics come together to make a soft, flavorful crust that’s fun to roll out and bake.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love making this Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe my own depending on the mood or ingredients I have on hand. Feel free to get creative! It’s all about having fun while making something yummy and festive.

Vegetarian Variation: Skip the pepperoni and load up on mushrooms, bell peppers, or even roasted pumpkin bits to keep that autumn vibe going.
Spicy Kick: Add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or sliced jalapeños if your crew likes a little heat—trust me, it’s surprisingly perfect.
Gluten-Free Dough Option: Use a gluten-free pizza crust to make this recipe inclusive without losing any of the fun shapes or flavors.
Cheese Swap: Try swapping mozzarella with provolone or fontina for a richer, nuttier twist that melts just as well.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Dough

Whether you use store-bought dough (my go-to when time is short) or homemade, start by preheating your oven to 475°F (245°C). Roll out your dough evenly on a pizza pan. If you’re making your own, follow the simple yeast activation and kneading steps. I find that kneading on a floured surface for about 6 minutes gives just the right texture—elastic but not sticky.

Step 2: Saucy & Cheesy Base

Spread your pizza sauce evenly, leaving a bit of room around the edges for a golden crust. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top — this creates that luscious cheese blanket that pulls apart perfectly when you slice your pizza.

Step 3: Bake the Base

Bake the pizza for 10-15 minutes until the crust turns golden and the cheese is bubbling. You’ll want to keep an eye on it around the 12-minute mark — ovens can vary, and you want that perfect balance of crispy bottom and melty top.

Step 4: Craft Your Ghosts

While your pizza is baking, cut ghost shapes from thick mozzarella slices for a 3D effect, or thinner slices if you prefer flatter ghosts. Use small pieces of sliced black olives for the eyes and mouth. The kids love helping with this part — it’s a fun way to get everyone involved.

Step 5: Decorate and Serve

When the pizza comes out of the oven, arrange your mozzarella ghosts on top while it’s still hot — the cheese softens and melts just enough to hold their shapes but stay stretchy and gooey. Let the pizza cool a few minutes before slicing to avoid too-much-cheese slide-off, and then dig in!

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Pro Tips for Making Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe

Use Thick Slices for 3D Ghosts: I learned thick mozzarella slices melt perfectly while still keeping their ghost shape, which looks so cool on the pizza.
Don’t Skip the Olive Faces: It might seem small, but those olive eyes and mouths bring the ghosts to life — kids ask to make the “faces” every time.
Bake Before Adding Ghosts: Adding ghosts after baking prevents them from melting away, so your spooky shapes stand out instead of blending into the cheese.
Cool Before Slicing: Waiting a few minutes before cutting helps keep all the toppings in place and makes serving easier.

How to Serve Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe

A pizza with a golden-brown crust is shown with one slice being lifted by a woman's hand, pulling long strings of melted white cheese. The pizza has a base layer of red tomato sauce covered with a smooth layer of melted cheese. On top, there are four white ghost-shaped cheese pieces, each with two small black eyes. The background shows a warm fire inside a dark oven, and the pizza is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little fresh basil or chopped parsley on top after placing the ghosts—it adds a burst of color that contrasts nicely with the white cheese and black olive faces. A light drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil brings an extra layer of flavor that complements the sauce and cheese beautifully.

Side Dishes

This pizza pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette or some crunchy roasted vegetable sticks like carrots and celery. For extra fun, try serving with a bowl of creamy pumpkin soup for a cozy Halloween-inspired meal.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve had tons of fun adding little edible “spider webs” with thin strands of cheese stretching between the ghosts or serving the pizza on orange and black Halloween-themed plates to get everyone into the spooky spirit. Another cute idea is to cut mini ghost pizzas in individual slices for a party—they’re adorable and perfect for little hands.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover slices store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I make sure to let the pizza cool completely before wrapping it tightly to avoid sogginess. Reheating works best with a quick zap in the oven or toaster oven to keep the crust crispy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftover homemade dough before rolling it out — just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and proceed with the recipe. Pizza slices freeze well too—just flash freeze on a tray, then pack in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months.

Reheating

To reheat, I preheat my oven to 375°F and place the pizza slices on a baking sheet, heating for 7-10 minutes until warmed through and the crust crisp again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the cheese from becoming rubbery.

FAQs

Can I make the mozzarella ghosts ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can cut the mozzarella ghost shapes a day ahead and keep them stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just add them to your pizza right after baking for best shape and melt effect.
What if I don’t have black olives?

If you’re out of black olives, small pieces of pepperoni or even capers can work for ghost eyes and mouths. You can get creative with what you have—just keep the size small to keep the spooky vibe.
Is it okay to use pre-shredded mozzarella?

Pre-shredded mozzarella works great for the base layer of cheese, but for ghost shapes, I recommend sliced fresh mozzarella so your ghosts have a cleaner shape and nicer melt.
Can I make this recipe vegan?

You can try using vegan cheese alternatives that slice and melt well—there are some great brands. Just follow the same steps and get creative with your ghost shapes. Dairy-free pizza sauces and dough are widely available too.
How long does the homemade dough need to rise?

The homemade dough should rise about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it doubles in size. I like to place mine in a warm, draft-free spot covered with a damp towel to get the best results.

Final Thoughts

This Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe is truly one of my favorite ways to blend creativity with comfort food. It’s such a thrill to watch the kids’ eyes light up when they help assemble those cute mozzarella ghosts — plus, it tastes incredible! Whether you choose store-bought dough or homemade, this pizza brings Halloween spirit right to your kitchen table without hassle. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this festive treat as much as I do — it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser all season long.