If you’re looking for a fun, spooky treat that’s both delicious and impressive, then this Halloween Mummy Pizza Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how this pizza turns out—it’s cheesy, saucy, and decorated so cleverly that it brings Halloween spirit right to your dinner table. Whether you’re cooking for a family gathering or a kids’ party, this recipe will steal the show and have everyone asking for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Fun Presentation: The braided dough strips create a cute, mummy-like effect that’s sure to delight both kids and adults.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your fridge or pantry, so it’s an easy Halloween dinner to whip up last minute.
- Customizable and Kid-Friendly: You can mix up the toppings or keep it classic — my family goes crazy for the pepperoni and mozzarella version every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Halloween Mummy Pizza Recipe calls for simple, crowd-pleasing ingredients that work perfectly together. I usually grab refrigerated pizza dough for convenience, but you can totally make your own if you’re feeling ambitious.
- Refrigerated pizza dough: Pillsbury works great and makes this recipe almost effortless, but homemade dough adds a nice personal touch if you’ve got the time.
- Pizza sauce or marinara sauce: Choose a sauce you love because it forms the flavorful base of your mummy’s “body.”
- Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully, giving you that classic gooey pizza texture.
- Pepperoni slices: I like how they add a bit of savory flavor and help define the mummy’s “wrappings.”
- Black olive: Use for the mummy’s eyes — it’s a simple, fun detail that really brings your creation to life.
Variations
I love how versatile this Halloween Mummy Pizza Recipe is — feel free to get creative! You can swap out toppings or try different cheeses to make it your own. It’s all about having fun and tailoring the pizza to your taste.
- Meat-Free Variation: I’ve made this with sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers instead of pepperoni, and it’s a hit with my vegetarian friends.
- Spicy Twist: Add some sliced jalapeños or sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes to give the mummy some attitude.
- Mini Mummies: Make smaller versions using biscuit dough or mini pizza bases for individual servings — great for kids’ parties.
How to Make Halloween Mummy Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Dough and Sauce
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—this keeps everything from sticking and helps with clean-up. Roll out your pizza dough onto a parchment sheet on a flat surface. When I first tried this, I was worried about the dough tearing while braiding, but spreading the sauce only in the middle half vertically helps keep the edges sturdy.
Step 2: Layer on Sauce, Cheese, and Pepperoni
Spread the pizza sauce down the center half of the dough, vertically. Don’t go all the way to the edges—that space is for the ‘mummy wraps.’ Then sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella on top, followed by a layer of pepperoni slices. This layering helps keep your pizza moist and flavorful.
Step 3: Create Mummy Wraps by Braiding the Dough
Using a sharp paring knife, carefully cut 1-inch wide diagonal strips on both sides of the sauce-covered area. This part is so fun! Then fold the bottom strips over the filling, crossing them over to create a messy braid effect. I like to work from the bottom up, leaving some space near the top for the mummy’s eyes. When you reach the top, braid a few more strips for the “head.” This takes a bit of practice, but don’t stress — the rustic, imperfect look adds to the charm.
Step 4: Add the Eyes and Bake
In that empty space at the top, spread a little extra sauce and pop two olive halves in to make the eyes. It’s such a quick and cute detail that really brings your mummy to life. Transfer the parchment paper with your mummy pizza onto the baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until the dough turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. You’ll know it’s ready when the braid is crisp and slightly puffed.
Pro Tips for Making Halloween Mummy Pizza Recipe
- Don’t Overstretch the Dough: I learned this the hard way—the dough can tear if stretched too thin, so keep it fairly thick to hold the fillings and braid nicely.
- Use Parchment Paper for Easy Transfer: Baking the pizza on parchment lets you move it directly from your prep surface to the oven without messing with the braid shape.
- Watch the Bake Time Closely: Ovens vary, so start checking at 18 minutes to avoid burning your mummy — golden brown is your goal.
- Have Fun with the Eyes: I sometimes add tiny bits of red pepper under the olives for a spooky bloodshot look — great for impressing little ones!
How to Serve Halloween Mummy Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little fresh chopped parsley or basil after baking just to add a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes, I drizzle a little garlic butter around the edges right after it comes out of the oven. It really amps up the indulgence factor and makes every bite even more irresistible.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides for this Halloween Mummy Pizza Recipe are a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some roasted garlic broccoli. Both add a fresh counterbalance to the richness of the pizza and are easy to throw together.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, I sometimes place the mummy pizza on a large platter surrounded by “eyeball” grape tomatoes or sliced cucumbers with olive centers to keep the creepy theme going. Another fun idea is to serve mini mummies with individual dipping sauces like ranch or marinara for a DIY experience that everyone enjoys.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in a large airtight container in the fridge, and they keep well for up to 2 days. Just make sure to press some parchment or wax paper between slices to prevent sticking.
Freezing
If you want to freeze, I recommend making the pizza completely before baking, wrapping tightly in plastic, and freezing. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake fresh. This method keeps the dough texture better than freezing after baking.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop leftover slices in a hot oven (around 375°F) for 7-10 minutes to revive the crispiness of the crust and melty cheese. Microwave works in a pinch, but the crust tends to get soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade pizza dough for this Halloween Mummy Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade pizza dough works wonderfully and can add an extra layer of flavor. Just make sure it’s rolled out to a sturdy thickness so it holds up well during the braiding process.
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How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
You can skip the pepperoni and use veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or even spinach. Just load up with your favorite plant-based toppings and cheese to keep it hearty and tasty.
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What’s the best way to prevent the braided dough from sticking together?
Lightly flour your work surface and fingers before braiding, and try not to overlap the strips too tightly. Using parchment paper to transfer helps maintain the shape as well.
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Can I make this pizza ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the pizza and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking. Just bake it fresh before serving for the best texture.
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How do I get the cheese perfectly melted without burning the bread?
Baking at 400°F for about 20 minutes usually does the trick, but start checking early to avoid over-browning. If you notice the edges browning too fast, tent the pizza loosely with foil halfway through baking.
Final Thoughts
Making this Halloween Mummy Pizza Recipe has become one of my favorite seasonal traditions—it’s such a simple way to bring the whole family together for some festive fun. I hope you enjoy creating your own spooky masterpiece as much as my family and I do. Trust me, once you see the smiles this mummy pizza brings, you’ll want to make it again year after year. So grab your dough and let’s get braiding!
Print
Halloween Mummy Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate Halloween with this spooky and delicious Halloween Mummy Pizza. Made with refrigerated pizza dough, topped with savory pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni, this fun recipe features braided dough strips to create a mummy effect, complete with olive eyes. Perfect for festive gatherings, this easy bake delivers a tasty treat that kids and adults will love.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 14 oz refrigerated pizza dough (1 can, e.g., Pillsbury)
Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 40 slices pepperoni
- 1 black olive
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by setting it aside for later use.
- Prepare Dough and Add Sauce: Place the pizza dough onto a piece of parchment paper on your work surface. Spread the pizza sauce evenly onto the middle half of the dough vertically, leaving space along the edges.
- Add Cheese and Pepperoni: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously over the sauce, then arrange pepperoni slices on top of the cheese to cover the sauce area.
- Create Slits and Braids: Using a paring knife, cut 1-inch-wide diagonal slits starting from the sauced center to the dough edges on both sides. Fold the bottom strips toward the filling, then braid these strips upwards to form a messy mummy design, leaving some space near the top for the eyes.
- Add Eyes: Spoon a bit of extra pizza sauce over the empty space left for the mummy’s eyes. Cut the black olive into halves and place them to resemble eyes.
- Bake the Mummy Pizza: Carefully lift the parchment paper with the mummy pizza on it and place it onto the baking sheet. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and serve your Halloween Mummy Pizza warm for the best taste and gooey cheese experience.
Notes
- The mummy pizza is best enjoyed fresh but can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Store in a large airtight container in the refrigerator.
- To reheat, warm the pizza in an oven or microwave until heated through.
- Feel free to substitute pepperoni with other favorite toppings or use homemade pizza dough for a personalized touch.
- Using parchment paper makes transferring the pizza to the baking sheet easy and helps prevent sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of pizza)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
