Halloween Ghost Pizza
This Halloween Ghost Pizza features a soft homemade pizza crust topped with rich tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and adorable ghost-shaped cheese decorations. It is a fun and festive meal that's perfect for Halloween parties, family dinners, or a cozy fall movie night.
Ingredients
Homemade Pizza Dough
Pizza Toppings
Optional Store Bought Dough
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
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Combine the bread flour, yeast, sugar, salt, warm water, and olive oil in a large mixing bowl. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a lightly floured surface or with a stand mixer for about 8 to 10 minutes. The dough should become smooth, soft, and elastic.
Let the Dough Rise
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Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 60 minutes, or until doubled in size. If using store bought dough, allow it to rest at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before shaping.
Shape the Pizza
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Transfer the risen dough to a lightly floured surface and gently stretch it into a 10 to 12 inch round. Place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza pan. Press small dimples across the surface with your fingertips to help prevent large air bubbles during baking.
Add the Sauce and Cheese
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Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1 inch border around the edge. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce. Brush the outer edge of the crust lightly with olive oil to encourage even browning.
Bake the Pizza
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Bake the pizza in a preheated 425°F oven for about 9 to 11 minutes. The cheese should be melted and the crust should be lightly golden around the edges.
Prepare the Ghosts
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While the pizza bakes, use a small ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut ghost shapes from the cheese slices. Cut tiny eyes and mouths from the nori sheet, or use small pieces of black olives, and gently press them onto each ghost. They may not stick perfectly at first, which is completely normal.
Finish the Pizza
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Remove the pizza from the oven and carefully arrange the cheese ghosts over the hot pizza. Return it to the oven for 3 minutes, just until the ghost cheese softens while still holding its shape.
Garnish and Serve
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Sprinkle the finished pizza with grated Parmesan and top with baby arugula or fresh basil. Allow the pizza to cool for 2 to 3 minutes before slicing so the cheese can set slightly and the slices are easier to serve.
Note
Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat slices in a 375°F oven for 6 to 8 minutes or in a skillet over medium heat until the crust is crisp and the cheese is warmed through.
If the dough springs back while shaping, let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before stretching again.
For the neatest ghost decorations, use low-moisture mozzarella or provolone slices, which hold their shape better during baking. Fresh store bought pizza dough is an excellent time-saving alternative and produces equally delicious results.
