Ghost Pizza Bagels

When Halloween rolls around, it’s all about fun, festive treats that get everyone in the spooky spirit. But not everything has to be candy and sweets—sometimes you need a savory snack that’s just as festive. That’s where Ghost Pizza Bagels come in! These adorable, bite-sized pizzas are shaped like little ghosts, making them the perfect party food or after-school snack during the Halloween season.

The best part? They’re super easy to make, completely customizable, and ready in under 20 minutes. Whether you’re feeding a crowd at a Halloween bash or just looking for a fun family dinner, ghost pizza bagels are a delicious and playful choice that kids and adults alike will love. Plus, they’re the ideal recipe for getting the kids involved in the kitchen, letting them decorate their own spooky ghosts with cheese and olives.

I first made ghost pizza bagels a couple of years ago when I was looking for something simple yet festive to serve at a Halloween party. The mini bagels made the perfect base for the “ghost” shapes, and using mozzarella cheese to form the ghosts’ bodies was a hit with everyone. Since then, this recipe has become a Halloween staple at our house, and we even make them throughout October to get into the spooky spirit!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Super Quick & Easy: With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, these ghost pizza bagels are a fast, stress-free snack that comes together in under 20 minutes.
• Kid-Friendly: The fun ghost design makes these pizza bagels a hit with kids, and they can even help decorate their own ghosts with cheese and olives.
• Perfect for Parties: These bite-sized pizza bagels are easy to serve and make great finger food for Halloween gatherings, school events, or family dinners.
• Customizable: Whether you’re a pepperoni lover, prefer veggies, or want to go gluten-free, you can easily customize these mini pizzas to suit your family’s preferences.
• Festive & Fun: These ghost pizza bagels add a spooky touch to your Halloween table, making them a great addition to your holiday-themed menu.

Not only are these pizza bagels fun and festive, but they’re also delicious. The melted mozzarella creates the ghostly shapes, and the combination of marinara sauce, cheese, and any toppings you like makes them irresistibly tasty. Plus, they’re a great way to get some savory bites in before the sugar rush of Halloween night.

Preparation Time and Servings

• Total Time: 15-20 minutes
• Servings: 12 mini pizza bagels (serves 4-6)
• Calories per serving: 150
• Protein: 8g, Carbs: 25g, Fats: 4g

Ingredients

For the ghost pizza bagels:

• 6 mini bagels (split in half to make 12 mini pizzas)
• 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or mozzarella slices for a cleaner ghost shape)
• 12 black olives (sliced into small pieces for the ghost “eyes”)
• Optional toppings: pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, or any favorite pizza toppings

For decoration:

• Fresh basil leaves or parsley (optional, for garnish)
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for added spice)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Ghost Pizza Bagels

Step 1: Prepare the Bagels

• Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
• Prepare the bagels: Slice the mini bagels in half and arrange them cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Mini bagels are the perfect size for bite-sized pizzas, but if you prefer larger portions, you can use full-sized bagels instead.

Step 2: Add the Sauce

• Spread the sauce: Using a spoon, spread a generous layer of marinara sauce over each bagel half. Be sure to cover the entire surface but leave a small border around the edge for the “crust.”

Step 3: Create the Ghosts

• Shape the cheese: The key to creating the ghost shape is the mozzarella cheese. You can either:
• Use shredded mozzarella and place it in a ghost-like mound on each bagel, which will melt into a spooky shape as it bakes.
• Or, use mozzarella slices: Cut mozzarella slices into ghost shapes using a knife or small cookie cutter, and place one “ghost” on top of each bagel.

Step 4: Add the Ghost Eyes

• Make the eyes: Slice the black olives into small pieces to create the ghost’s eyes. Place two small pieces of olive on each cheese ghost to form the eyes. This will give your ghost pizzas a spooky yet cute face!

Step 5: Add Optional Toppings

• Customize with toppings: If you want to add extra flavor or toppings, now’s the time! Feel free to place small pieces of pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, or any favorite pizza topping around the ghosts. Be careful not to cover the ghost shape with too many toppings, though—you want the spooky design to shine through!

Step 6: Bake the Pizza Bagels

• Bake in the oven: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bagels are slightly toasted. Keep an eye on the cheese to make sure it melts into a ghostly shape without spreading too much.

Step 7: Serve

• Cool slightly: Once the bagels are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet.
• Serve and enjoy: Transfer the ghost pizza bagels to a serving platter and garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. These mini pizzas are best enjoyed warm, so serve them right away!

How to Serve

Ghost pizza bagels are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways depending on the occasion. Here are some fun ideas for serving these spooky snacks:

• As a party platter: Arrange the ghost pizza bagels on a Halloween-themed platter or serving board for a festive display. Add some spooky decorations like plastic spiders or bats around the platter for extra flair.
• With dipping sauces: Serve these mini pizzas with a variety of dipping sauces like ranch, garlic butter, or extra marinara for guests to dip their bagels into.
• As part of a Halloween spread: Include these ghost pizza bagels as part of a larger Halloween snack spread, alongside mummy hot dogs, spider web dip, and candy corn desserts for a full spooky feast.
• For a spooky dinner: Serve these pizza bagels as a fun, kid-friendly dinner on Halloween night before heading out for trick-or-treating. Pair them with a light salad or veggie sticks for a complete meal.

Additional Tips for Making the Perfect Ghost Pizza Bagels

1. Use pre-sliced mozzarella: For more defined ghost shapes, use sliced mozzarella instead of shredded. You can easily cut the slices into ghost shapes using a small knife or cookie cutter.
2. Customize the faces: Get creative with the ghost faces by adding small details like mouths or spooky expressions using black olives, mushrooms, or even red bell pepper pieces. You can also use small pepperoni slices to make “scary” faces!
3. Keep an eye on the baking time: Since bagels are already baked, you only need to bake these pizzas long enough to melt the cheese and warm the toppings. Overbaking could cause the cheese to spread too much and lose the ghost shape, so check them frequently during the last few minutes.
4. Go gluten-free: If you’re catering to a gluten-free crowd, simply swap out the regular bagels for gluten-free bagels. They’ll work just as well with the sauce and cheese.
5. Add a little spice: If you like a little heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes or drizzle hot sauce over the top of the ghost pizza bagels before serving. It’s a simple way to add a kick to these fun snacks.

Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian Ghost Pizza Bagels: Stick to a simple cheese and marinara combination, or add veggie toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and spinach for a vegetarian-friendly version.
• Spicy Ghost Pizza Bagels: Add sliced jalapeños or drizzle sriracha sauce on top of the pizza bagels before baking for a spicier, more adult-friendly twist.
• BBQ Chicken Ghost Bagels: Swap the marinara sauce for BBQ sauce and add shredded rotisserie chicken before placing the mozzarella ghosts on top. The smoky-sweet BBQ sauce is a fun twist on the classic pizza flavor.
• Halloween Mummy Bagels: For a different spooky variation, try making “mummy” pizza bagels by layering strips of mozzarella cheese across the bagels to look like mummy wrappings. Use black olives for eyes, just like with the ghost version.

Freezing and Storage

• Storage: If you have leftover ghost pizza bagels, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop them in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.
• Freezing: If you want to make these ahead of time, assemble the ghost pizza bagels as directed but stop before baking. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze them for about 1 hour, or until solid. Once frozen, transfer the bagels to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, place the frozen pizza bagels directly into the oven and bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bagels are warmed through.

Special Equipment

• Baking sheet: A sturdy baking sheet lined with parchment paper is key for easy cleanup and even baking.
• Paring knife or small cookie cutter: If you want to get precise with the ghost shapes, a small knife or cookie cutter can help you cut the mozzarella into perfect ghost forms.

FAQ

Can I use English muffins instead of bagels?

Yes! English muffins make a great base for mini pizzas and can be used in place of bagels. Just follow the same steps for spreading the sauce and adding the cheese.

What if I don’t have black olives?

If you don’t have black olives, you can use small pieces of mushrooms, pepperoni, or even capers to create the ghost eyes.

Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of bagels?

Absolutely! You can use small rounds of pizza dough as the base for these pizzas. Just roll out the dough, cut it into small circles, and pre-bake for 5 minutes before adding the toppings.

Conclusion

Ghost Pizza Bagels are a fun, festive, and delicious way to celebrate Halloween with friends and family. Not only are they easy to make, but they also offer a great opportunity to get creative in the kitchen with the spooky ghost designs. Perfect for parties, dinners, or just a fun snack, these pizza bagels are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.

So, whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just looking for a quick and easy way to bring some spooky fun to the dinner table, these ghost pizza bagels are the perfect solution. Don’t forget to snap a picture of your spooky creations and share them with your friends—because Halloween is all about enjoying delicious treats with a playful, spooky twist!

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