Spooky, cheesy, and ready in minutes—these Ghost Pizza Bagels are the cutest way to feed your little ghouls (and your inner child). They start with mini bagels (or full-size for bigger appetites), a swipe of garlicky pizza sauce, and melty mozzarella shaped into friendly ghosts. Add olive “eyes,” bake until bubbly, and you’ve got a Halloween snack or party appetizer that’s festive without any fuss. They’re easy enough for kids to decorate and satisfying enough for grown-ups hovering near the snack table.
Think of them as a mash-up of pizza night and a craft project: fast assembly, hands-on decorating, and a short bake that delivers golden edges and gooey cheese. Serve them straight from the oven with warm marinara for dipping, or keep a tray cycling through for a crowd. Whether you’re fueling trick-or-treaters, hosting a classroom party, or planning a cozy movie night, these ghostly bites are guaranteed to disappear.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Simple pantry staples make these little pizzas pop with flavor and Halloween charm. Here’s how to flex with what you have.
Mini bagels: The perfect two-bite base that bakes crisp at the edges and soft inside. Use full-size bagels for meal-size portions, or swap in English muffins or mini naan for a similar texture.
Pizza sauce: Jarred pizza sauce or marinara keeps things quick. For extra oomph, stir in a pinch of garlic powder and dried oregano. Pesto or garlic butter are fun twists; use a thin layer so ghosts sit neatly on top.
Mozzarella: Low-moisture mozzarella slices are best for cutting clean ghost shapes. Provolone or Monterey Jack also work. For shreds, press them into a ghost silhouette with your hands.
Olives: Sliced black olives make classic “eyes.” Red pepper bits or capers work if olives aren’t your thing.
Olive oil & seasonings: A light brush of oil, plus Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt, makes the bases taste pizzeria-fresh.
Optional extras: Pepperoni minis, sautéed mushrooms, or spinach can go under the cheese—but keep toppings thin so your ghosts stay visible.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Rimmed baking sheet (two for batching)
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
- Small paring knife or mini cookie cutters (for ghost shapes)
- Pastry brush or spoon (for sauce and oil)
- Cutting board and chef’s knife
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Spicy ghosts: Dust with a pinch of red pepper flakes before baking.
- Garlic-butter glow: Brush cut sides of bagels with melted garlic butter before saucing for extra richness.
- Pepperoni underlay: Add a single pepperoni slice beneath each ghost for a red “backdrop.”
- Pesto phantoms: Swap pizza sauce for a thin layer of pesto and finish with a squeeze of lemon.
- Veggie haunt: Tuck a few baby spinach leaves or thin peppers under the cheese for color and crunch.
- Mummy cousins: Use string-cheese strips instead of a ghost cutout to make mummy bagels—olive slice eyes on top.
How to Make Ghost Pizza Bagels
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 12 mini bagels, halved (or 6 full-size bagels)
- 1–1 1/4 cups pizza sauce or marinara
- 8–10 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, sliced (or thick shreds pressed into shape)
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup sliced black olives (for eyes)
- For serving (optional): Warm marinara, red pepper flakes, chopped parsley
How Much Time Will You Need?
About 10–15 minutes to prep and decorate, and 8–12 minutes to bake depending on oven and bagel size. Total: roughly 25 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Heat the oven & prep the bases
Preheat to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment. Arrange bagel halves cut-side up. Brush lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a tiny pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Add sauce
Spoon 1–2 teaspoons pizza sauce onto each mini bagel (1–2 tablespoons for full-size), spreading in a thin layer to the edges. A light hand keeps toppings from sliding and helps the edges crisp.
3. Shape the ghosts
Cut ghost shapes from mozzarella slices using a paring knife or small ghost cutter: tear-drop bodies with wavy “tails” work great. For shreds, press into a flat ghost silhouette on a board, then transfer carefully onto each bagel.
4. Add the eyes
Place two small pieces of black olive on each ghost for eyes. Press gently so they adhere.
5. Bake
Bake on the middle rack 8–12 minutes until cheese is melted and just beginning to blister, and the bagel edges are golden. Full-size bagels may need an extra minute or two. Rotate the pan halfway for even browning.
6. Finish & serve
Cool 2 minutes so the cheese sets slightly. Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with parsley if you like, and serve with warm marinara and red pepper flakes.
Pro Tips for Best Texture & Look
Small moves keep the ghosts cute, the edges crisp, and the cheese perfectly melty.
- Dry cheese cuts cleaner: Pat slices with a paper towel before cutting to prevent slipping and help sharp edges hold shape.
- Keep sauce thin: Too much sauce makes ghosts slide—aim for a see-through layer.
- Preheat fully: A hot oven ensures crisp bagel edges before the cheese overbrowns.
- Shape cold cheese: Slice and cut while the cheese is cold for tidy ghosts; room-temp cheese stretches.
- Batch smart: Assemble everything on parchment. If making multiple trays, bake one at a time for most even browning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Ghost Pizza Bagels ahead?
Yes. Assemble up to 4 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving, adding 1–2 minutes if starting cold. For longer lead time, toast the bagels lightly first so they stay crisp.
How do I make them gluten-free or dairy-free?
Use gluten-free bagels and confirm your sauce is GF. For dairy-free, use a good melting plant-based mozzarella and add it in the last few minutes of baking to keep it smooth.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Air fryer at 350°F for 2–4 minutes or oven at 400°F for 5–7 minutes keeps edges crisp. Microwaving softens the bagel.
No olives—what can I use for eyes?
Try tiny pepper pieces, capers, a dab of balsamic glaze, or dots of cream cheese placed after baking.
Can kids help?
Absolutely. Let them spread sauce, place the ghost shapes, and add eyes. Pre-cut cheese ghosts for little hands; adults handle the oven.