Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love these pizza skulls because they’re both playful and delicious. They’re easy enough to make with kids, and the filling can be customized with everyone’s favorite toppings. The homemade dough bakes up golden and tender, while the cheesy center melts into every bite. Whether I serve them as a snack, appetizer, or light dinner, they always disappear fast—and they look great on any Halloween table.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Dough:
-
1½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
-
1 teaspoon baking powder
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
½ teaspoon garlic powder
-
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
-
½ cup water, added gradually
For the Filling and Assembly:
-
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
-
1 cup pizza sauce
-
1 ounce sliced pepperoni or preferred topping
-
1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
-
Olive oil, as needed for brushing
Directions
-
I preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
In a mixing bowl, I combine the flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. I stir until everything is evenly mixed.
-
I slowly add the water while mixing, just until a dough forms. Then I knead it on a floured surface for several minutes until it’s smooth and soft.
-
I roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness and use a skull-shaped cookie cutter to cut out an even number of shapes—half for the bottoms and half for the tops.
-
On the bottom dough shapes, I add a spoonful of pizza sauce, a sprinkle of mozzarella, and a few slices of pepperoni. I leave a border around the edge for sealing.
-
I top each filled piece with a matching dough cutout and press the edges firmly together. I sometimes crimp the edges with a fork for a spooky stitched effect.
-
I brush the tops with the beaten egg for that nice golden finish.
-
I place the pizza skulls on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.
-
Once out of the oven, I let them cool for a few minutes before serving—they’re super hot inside!
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes 8 pizza skulls.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
-
Go meatless: I skip the pepperoni and use chopped olives, mushrooms, or bell peppers instead.
-
Use store-bought dough: When I’m short on time, I use pizza dough or crescent dough from the store.
-
Add extra cheese: I’ve added a little cream cheese or cheddar for an even gooier filling.
-
Make it spicy: A sprinkle of red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños gives these a fun kick.
-
Sweet version: I’ve used the same dough and filled them with Nutella and marshmallows for dessert skulls.
Storage/Reheating
Leftovers (if there are any!) keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. I store them in an airtight container and reheat in a 350°F oven for about 8–10 minutes. This keeps the crust crispy and the cheese melty.
To freeze, I let the baked skulls cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. I reheat from frozen at 375°F for 15–20 minutes until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use pre-made pizza dough?
Yes, store-bought pizza dough works great and saves time. I just roll it out and cut it the same way as the homemade version.
How do I keep the skulls from sticking to the cutter?
I always dust the cookie cutter with flour between cuts. It helps prevent the dough from sticking and keeps the shapes clean.
Can I use a muffin tin or skull mold?
Yes, if I have a skull baking mold, I press the dough into the molds, fill them, and then seal them with another dough layer on top before baking.
What other fillings work well?
Almost anything I’d put on a pizza works—bacon bits, sausage, veggies, or even barbecue chicken. I just avoid too much sauce so they don’t get soggy.
Are these good for kids?
Absolutely! Kids love the fun shape, cheesy filling, and soft crust. They also enjoy helping assemble them with their favorite toppings.
Conclusion
These Halloween pizza skulls are a fun, easy, and delicious way to celebrate spooky season. Whether I’m making them for a party, family dinner, or just a festive treat, they’re always a hit. With a crispy crust, melty cheese, and spooky presentation, they’re the ultimate Halloween snack that I’ll be making year after year.
Print
Pizza Skulls Fun Treat
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings (8 pizza skulls)
Description
These spooky pizza skulls are stuffed with melty cheese and pepperoni—an easy Halloween snack that’s perfect for kids and party tables.
Ingredients
→ Dough:
1½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ cup water, added gradually
→ Filling and Assembly:
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup pizza sauce
1 ounce sliced pepperoni (or preferred toppings)
1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Olive oil, as needed for brushing
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined.
Gradually add water to form a soft dough. Knead on a floured surface for several minutes until smooth.
Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use a skull-shaped cookie cutter to cut even numbers of tops and bottoms.
On half of the dough cutouts, add a small spoonful of pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni slices, leaving space around the edges.
Top each with a matching dough piece and seal the edges by pressing firmly or crimping with a fork.
Brush the tops with beaten egg for a golden finish.
Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
Let cool for a few minutes before serving warm.
Notes
Lightly flour cookie cutter to prevent sticking.
Don’t overfill to ensure the edges seal properly.
Use any filling you prefer: cooked sausage, veggies, or even cheese-only.
Great for Halloween parties, spooky movie nights, or lunchbox treats.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Kid-Friendly Recipes, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
