Ghost Pizza is a fun and spooky twist on your favorite cheesy pizza, perfect for Halloween or any time you want to add a little ghostly charm to your meal! It usually features a crispy crust, gooey melted cheese, and cute little ghost shapes made from dough or toppings that bring a playful vibe to your pizza night.
I love making Ghost Pizza because it’s so easy to get creative with the ghost shapes – sometimes I use olives for eyes or tiny pepperoni dots to make them look extra silly. It always makes kids and adults smile when they see those friendly little ghosts floating on top of the cheese.
My favorite way to enjoy Ghost Pizza is fresh out of the oven with a side of crunchy salad or garlic bread. It’s a simple, cozy meal that feels special just because of the fun theme. Whenever I make it, it turns into a great excuse to gather friends or family, share some laughs, and enjoy tasty pizza together.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pizza Dough: Using fresh pizza dough gives the best texture. If you’re short on time, store-bought dough works well too. For a gluten-free option, try cauliflower crust or a gluten-free dough mix.
Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully and creates that classic stretchy cheese on top. If you want a richer taste, blend in some provolone or fontina. For dairy-free versions, use plant-based mozzarella.
Burrata or Fresh Mozzarella: This is key for making the ghost shapes. Burrata is creamy and soft, perfect for shaping, but fresh mozzarella balls work nicely too. If you can’t find either, small mounds of ricotta can be shaped and might give a similar effect.
Black Olives or Peppercorns: These create the ghost eyes. Black olives are mild and practical, while peppercorns add a slight peppery note. You can also use small bits of black beans or sunflower seeds for a vegan option.
How Do You Shape and Bake the Ghost Cheese So They Keep Their Form?
Shaping the ghost cheese is a fun but delicate step. Here’s how to do it well:
- Form quickly: Work fast to shape burrata or mozzarella into peaks before adding them to the pizza.
- Create peaks: Gently lift the cheese and pull upward to form a point that looks like a ghost.
- Place carefully: Arrange the shaped ghosts spaced out on top of the shredded cheese so they don’t melt into each other.
- Add eyes last: Press black olives or peppercorns gently into the cheese for eyes just before baking.
- Watch the baking time: Bake until the crust is golden and the base cheese melts, but not so long that the ghost shapes lose their height — 10-15 minutes usually works well.
- Use a hot oven and possibly a pizza stone: This helps the pizza cook fast and evenly, keeping the ghosts intact without excessive melting.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Pizza stone or baking sheet – I recommend a pizza stone for a crispy crust, but a baking sheet works fine for quick baking.
- Pizza peel or flat baking sheet – helps transfer the pizza easily into the oven.
- Rolling pin – makes it simple to roll out the dough evenly.
- Small scoop or spoon – for shaping burrata or mozzarella into ghost shapes.
- Knife or toothpick – to carefully add and adjust the ghost eyes.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Use different cheeses like provolone or fontina for a richer, more flavorful topping.
- Top with cooked sausage, pepperoni, or cooked bacon for a meaty twist.
- Make it veggie-friendly with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or black olives as additional decorations.
- Add herbs like basil or oregano to the sauce for extra flavor before baking.
Ghost Pizza Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 ball of pizza dough (about 12-inch diameter)
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup fresh burrata cheese or fresh mozzarella balls (for making ghost shapes)
- 12 small black olives or black peppercorns (for ghost eyes)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for brushing crust)
- Cornmeal or flour (for dusting)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This Ghost Pizza recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 10-15 minutes to bake, for a total of around 30 minutes. Perfect for a quick, festive meal!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Oven and Dough:
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it inside to heat up. On a lightly floured surface, roll your pizza dough out to a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough onto a pizza peel or baking sheet dusted lightly with cornmeal or flour to keep it from sticking.
2. Add Sauce and Cheese:
Spread the pizza sauce over the dough evenly, leaving about an inch of space around the edges for the crust. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella all over the sauce, making a nice cheesy layer.
3. Make the Ghosts:
Gently shape your burrata or fresh mozzarella balls into small ghostly figures. You can do this by lifting and stretching the cheese to create little peaks that will stand tall on the pizza. Space them apart on top of the shredded mozzarella layer.
4. Add Ghost Eyes:
Carefully press small pieces of black olives or black peppercorns into the cheese ghosts to create eyes. This will give your ghosts a cute and spooky face!
5. Bake Your Ghost Pizza:
Optionally, brush the crust edges with olive oil to help it brown nicely. Transfer your pizza onto the hot pizza stone or place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the mozzarella has melted, but the ghost shapes remain standing tall.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two. Slice it up and enjoy your spooky, fun, and delicious Ghost Pizza fresh and warm!
Can I Use Frozen Pizza Dough for Ghost Pizza?
Yes, you can! Just be sure to thaw the dough completely in the fridge overnight before rolling it out. This helps it stretch easily and bake evenly.
What Can I Substitute for Burrata if I Can’t Find It?
Fresh mozzarella balls work great as a substitute. You can also try ricotta cheese shaped into small mounds, but burrata gives the creamiest and best ghost shape.
How Should I Store Leftover Ghost Pizza?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven to maintain the crispy crust and keep the cheese well melted.
Is There a Way to Make This Pizza Vegan?
Absolutely! Use a dairy-free pizza dough, vegan mozzarella (like cashew or coconut-based), and substitute the burrata ghosts with vegan cheese shaped similarly. Use black olives for eyes as usual.
