Every Halloween, my kitchen turns into a ghost-making factory – but we’re not talking about the white-sheet variety! These Ghostly Pizza Bagels became our family’s favorite spooky tradition when my daughter (then 5) declared regular pizza “too boring” for her monster mash party. What started as a quick solution—throwing some olive “eyes” on pizza bagels—has turned into our must-make October recipe that even the pickiest little goblins devour. The best part? You probably have all the ingredients already! Just bagels, sauce, cheese, and a few strategic olive slices transform into adorable edible ghosts that disappear faster than you can say “Boo!”
Ingredients for Ghostly Pizza Bagels
Here’s what you’ll need to bring these spooky snacks to life – and trust me, you’ll want to double the batch because they vanish quicker than a ghost in the night! I’ve learned through many Halloween parties that these simple ingredients make all the difference:
- 4 bagels, sliced in half (plain or everything work best – the ghosts aren’t picky!)
- 1 cup pizza sauce (my secret? I stir in ¼ tsp garlic powder for extra flavor)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (the stringier, the better for that eerie melted look)
- 20 slices black olives (pitted) for those perfect little ghost eyes
- 1 bell pepper (any color) cut into tiny mouth shapes – I use kitchen scissors for quick work
Bonus tip: Keep extra olives handy – someone always “accidentally” eats half the eyes while assembling!
How to Make Ghostly Pizza Bagels
Now comes the fun part – bringing these little ghosts to life! I’ve made hundreds of these over the years (no joke – my neighbors start asking for them in September), and I’ve learned exactly how to get that perfect combo of crispy bagel, melty cheese, and adorable ghost faces.
Assembling the Bagels
First things first – preheat that oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, grab your bagel halves and lay them out on a baking sheet. Spread about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce on each half – don’t go overboard or your ghosts will get “slimed”! Sprinkle a generous handful of mozzarella over each one, then comes the best part – the faces!
Place two olive slices near the top for eyes (press them in gently so they don’t roll off), and add a small bell pepper piece below for a mouth. Pro tip: angle the pepper upward slightly to make a surprised ghost face – kids go wild for this!
Baking and Serving
Pop those spooky guys in the oven for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the cheese is bubbly with those perfect golden spots and the bagel edges get slightly crispy. The smell is incredible – like Halloween magic mixed with pizza night!
Serve them immediately while the cheese is still stretchy and hot. Watch out – these disappear faster than candy on Halloween night! I always make extra because inevitably, someone will come back for “just one more ghost.”
Tips for Perfect Ghostly Pizza Bagels
After making these adorable ghost snacks more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some tricks to guarantee picture-perfect pizza bagels every time:
- Dry those olives! Pat the olive slices with a paper towel before placing them – slippery eyes lead to crooked-faced ghosts (which can be funny, but not the look we’re going for!).
- Cookie cutter magic: Use tiny cookie cutters (or clean scissors) to cut perfect bell pepper mouths. Hearts make cute smiles, while triangles create scary ghost expressions!
- Cheese blanket: Make sure cheese fully covers the sauce to create a smooth “ghost sheet” effect – patchy cheese ruins the illusion.
- Oven positioning: Bake on the middle rack so the cheese melts evenly without burning the bagel bottoms.
- Assembly line: Set up decorating stations if cooking with kids – sauce brushes, cheese bowls, and separate containers for eyes/mouths keep the chaos manageable!
The secret? Have fun with it – even “messy” ghosts taste delicious!
Ghostly Pizza Bagels Variations
Don’t be afraid to get creative with these spooky snacks! Over the years, I’ve tested all kinds of fun twists:
- Scarier faces: Add thin pepperoni strips as angry eyebrows or crescent-shaped mushrooms as wicked smiles
- Healthy ghosts: Try whole wheat bagels and part-skim mozzarella – the kids won’t notice the difference!
- Vegan spirits: Use dairy-free cheese and veggie-based pizza sauce (the olives stay naturally creepy)
- Gluten-free: Sub in your favorite GF bagels – just watch the baking time since they brown faster
Honestly, as long as you’ve got those iconic olive eyes, any version becomes instantly Halloween-approved!
Storing and Reheating
If by some miracle you have leftovers (it’s happened exactly twice in my house!), these ghostly treats keep well in the fridge for about 2 days. Just pop them in an airtight container. When you’re ready for round two, skip the microwave – it makes the bagels soggy. Instead, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven or toaster oven for 5-7 minutes to bring back that perfect crispy-cheesy magic. The ghosts might not look quite as photogenic, but they’ll still taste delightfully spooky!
Nutritional Information
While these Ghostly Pizza Bagels might look spooky, their nutrition facts are actually quite friendly! (Keep in mind these are estimates – your exact ingredients may vary slightly.) Each hauntingly delicious bagel half comes in at about 220 calories, with 8g of fat (3.5g saturated), 9g of protein, and 28g of carbohydrates. The olives and bell pepper add a nice 2g fiber boost too – not bad for a fun party snack that disappears faster than a ghost in the night!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I make Ghostly Pizza Bagels ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! I prep these all the time for Halloween parties. Assemble the bagels (sauce, cheese, and decorations) up to 4 hours ahead, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Just add 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time since they’ll be going into the oven cold. The olive eyes stay put beautifully when chilled!
Q2. How do I keep the olive eyes from sliding off during baking?
Ah, the great olive slide – every ghost-maker’s nemesis! My foolproof trick is to press each olive slice slightly into the cheese before baking. If they’re being particularly stubborn, dab a tiny bit of sauce under each one as “ghost glue.” Patting them dry first helps too!
Q3. What’s the best alternative to bell peppers for the mouths?
Get creative! Thin zucchini strips work great, or try cucumber slices cut into smiles. For a spookier vibe, use small pieces of roasted red pepper – they look like bloody mouths that’ll make your Halloween party snacks scream “Boo!”
Q4. Can I freeze Ghostly Pizza Bagels?
While you can freeze them, the texture won’t be quite the same. The bagels tend to get soggy when thawed. If you must, freeze before baking and add 3-5 minutes to the cook time straight from frozen. But honestly, they’re so quick to make fresh – and half the fun is decorating!
Tag Us in Your Ghostly Pizza Bagels Photos!
Nothing makes me happier than seeing your spooky creations come to life! Snap a photo of your Ghostly Pizza Bagels masterpiece (even the “oops, my ghost looks drunk” ones – we’ve all been there!) and tag me on Instagram @SpookySuppers. I love featuring your Halloween kitchen adventures and might even share my favorite monthly ghostly chef award. Bonus points if you catch a kid mid-“Boo!” bite! Now go forth and haunt some bagels – I can’t wait to see what ghostly personalities emerge from your oven this season.
4 Spooky Ghostly Pizza Bagels That Haunt Your Taste Buds Deliciously
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 8 pizza bagels
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A spooky twist on classic pizza bagels, perfect for Halloween parties or fun family dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 bagels, sliced in half
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20 slices black olives (for eyes)
- 1 bell pepper (cut into small mouth shapes)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread pizza sauce evenly on each bagel half.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Place two olive slices on each bagel half to create eyes.
- Add a small bell pepper piece to make a mouth.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use pitted black olives for easier slicing.
- You can substitute bell peppers with other vegetables for different mouth shapes.
- For extra spookiness, add small pepperoni slices as eyebrows.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
