Ghost Pizza is a fun and spooky twist on classic pizza that’s perfect for Halloween or anytime you want something a little playful with your meal. It features a crispy crust topped with gooey mozzarella cheese and charming little ghost shapes made from extra cheese or dough, complete with eyes made from olives or pepperoni. The result is a cheesy, melty pizza that’s as cute as it is tasty.
I love making Ghost Pizza when I want to surprise my family with something different but simple. It’s such an easy way to get creative in the kitchen—just a little extra effort to shape the ghosts, and you have smiles all around. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in more cheese and make dinner a little festive without needing tons of ingredients or time.
When we have Ghost Pizza, I like to serve it with a fresh side salad or some crunchy garlic bread. It makes the whole meal feel fun and special, and the kids (and adults!) always want to take a picture before digging in. It’s perfect for warming up an evening and turning pizza night into a little celebration.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pizza Dough: This is the base of your Ghost Pizza. You can use store-bought dough to save time, or make your own for a fresher taste. For gluten-free options, look for gluten-free pizza dough at the store.
Mozzarella Cheese: Both shredded mozzarella and fresh mozzarella balls are important. The shredded cheese melts into a gooey base while fresh mozzarella is perfect for shaping the ghost figures. If you’re avoiding dairy, try a vegan mozzarella alternative.
Black Olives or Black Sesame Seeds: These tiny details are what bring the ghosts to life with their eyes. Olives work well and add a bit of salty flavor, but sesame seeds are a great option if you want to skip the olives.
Pizza Sauce (Optional): You can skip this and make a white pizza with just cheese, which works nicely with the ghost shapes. If using sauce, a simple marinara or store-bought pizza sauce is fine.
How Do You Make the Ghost Shapes Look Their Best?
Shaping the fresh mozzarella into ghost figures is the fun part but can also be tricky. Here’s how to get charming, puffy ghosts:
- Take fresh mozzarella balls and gently stretch or pinch them into shapes with a rounded head and tapered body with little arms.
- Keep your hands cool and moist to avoid the cheese melting too quickly while shaping.
- Place the ghost shapes spaced out on top of the shredded cheese so they bake evenly.
- Press the small olive pieces or sesame seeds lightly into the cheese to create the eyes before baking.
- Bake at a high temperature so the cheese melts quickly, and the ghosts puff slightly but keep their shapes without spreading too much.
With a little patience, your ghost shapes will come out adorable and a little puffy, making this pizza a festive delight.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Pizza stone or baking sheet – I prefer a pizza stone for a crisp crust, but a baking sheet works fine if it’s preheated.
- Rolling pin – makes it easy to roll out the dough to a perfect circle.
- Pizza peel or inverted baking sheet – helps transfer the pizza to the oven smoothly.
- Sharp knife or kitchen scissors – useful for shaping the ghost shapes if needed.
- Small spoon or tweezers – helps position the tiny olives or sesame seeds for the eyes.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Use other cheeses like Gouda or cheddar for different flavors; they melt well and add color.
- Add cooked sausage or pepperoni inside the cheese for extra meatiness, which makes the ghosts more filling.
- Mix in chopped vegetables such as bell peppers or spinach to boost nutritional value and add color.
- Season the cheese with garlic powder or dried herbs before assembling for more flavor depth.
Ghost Pizza Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough and Base:
- 1 ball of pizza dough (about 250-300g)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (optional; can be omitted for white pizza)
For the Cheese and Topping:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (for the ghosts)
- Black olives or black sesame seeds (for ghost eyes)
- Olive oil (for brushing crust)
- Cornmeal or flour (for dusting)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This pizza takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 10-12 minutes to bake. Including heating the oven, you should plan for about 30 minutes total from start to finish. It’s quick to assemble and fun to make, so perfect for a playful meal.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it inside to heat up. This ensures a nice crispy crust.
2. Prepare the Dough
Lightly flour your surface and roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough carefully to a pizza peel or an inverted baking sheet dusted with cornmeal or flour to prevent sticking.
3. Add the Sauce and Cheese
Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving an inch border around the edges. Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce to cover the pizza nicely.
4. Shape the Ghosts
Grab the fresh mozzarella balls and gently stretch or mold them into ghost-like shapes — a rounded head with a trailing, tapered body and little arms. Place these ghosts spaced out over the pizza.
5. Create the Ghost Eyes
Use tiny pieces of black olives or black sesame seeds to make eyes on each ghost. Press them gently into the fresh mozzarella shapes so they stick during baking.
6. Bake the Pizza
Place the pizza onto the hot pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the fresh mozzarella ghosts have puffed slightly but kept their shapes.
7. Finish and Serve
Remove the pizza from the oven and brush the crust lightly with olive oil for a lovely shine and extra flavor. Slice the pizza and serve immediately while hot for the best cheesy, spooky experience.
Can I Use Frozen Pizza Dough for Ghost Pizza?
Yes, you can! Just make sure to thaw the dough completely in the fridge overnight before using. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling it out to make it easier to handle.
What Can I Substitute for Fresh Mozzarella in the Ghost Shapes?
If you don’t have fresh mozzarella, try using small balls of burrata or thick slices of other mild, soft cheeses like queso fresco. Just keep in mind that fresh mozzarella melts best for shaping the ghost figures.
How Should I Store Leftover Ghost Pizza?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to bring back a crispy crust, or microwave briefly for convenience.
Can I Make This Pizza Without Tomato Sauce?
Absolutely! Ghost Pizza works great as a white pizza with just cheese. Omitting the sauce lets the ghost shapes stand out more and gives a delicious, simple flavor. Just add a little seasoning like garlic powder or dried herbs if you like.
