Halloween Mini Pizzas that look just like spooky eyeballs—fun to make and even more fun to eat! Each little pizza is topped with gooey cheese, olives for the iris, and a touch of sauce to create the perfect creepy eye look. They’re small, easy to handle, and perfect for little hands to decorate with their own creative twist.
I love making these mini pizzas with my kids because not only do we get to enjoy a tasty snack, but decorating the “eyeballs” brings out their creativity and giggles. It’s so rewarding to watch them arrange olives, pepperoni, or whatever toppings they like and feel proud of their edible art. Plus, it’s a great way to get them excited about cooking and trying new foods.
These Halloween Mini Pizzas work great for parties, school snacks, or a fun family dinner with a spooky theme. I usually serve them with a side of veggies or a simple salad to balance things out. They’re eye-catching on the table—literally—and always get compliments and smiles from guests, young and old alike.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Mini Pizza Crusts or English Muffins: These form the base and are perfect for small, kid-friendly sizes. You can swap English muffins for mini naan rounds or pita bread for a different texture.
Pizza Sauce: Classic marinara works well here. If you want less acidity, try a mild tomato sauce or even a white sauce for a twist.
Mozzarella & Cheddar Cheese: Mozzarella melts beautifully and creates that gooey, stringy pizza feel. Adding cheddar adds color and flavor, but feel free to use just mozzarella or mix in other favorites like Monterey Jack.
Black Olives: These are great for “eyeball” pupils and add a mild tangy taste. If olives aren’t preferred, use slices of black grapes or small dollops of olive tapenade.
Mozzarella Balls: Mini mozzarella balls or pearls make perfect “eyeballs.” If you can’t find them, cut regular mozzarella into small rounds.
How Can Kids Easily Decorate Eyeball Mini Pizzas?
Letting kids decorate their own pizzas is half the fun! Here’s how to make the process smooth and enjoyable:
- Prepare all toppings in small bowls for easy access.
- Show kids how to place mozzarella balls and add olive “pupils” carefully so toppings don’t slide off.
- Encourage creativity by adding extra eyes or even funny faces with olives and onions.
- If small hands struggle with placing toppings, use child-safe tweezers or small spoons to place ingredients precisely.
- Keep an eye on oven baking time, as mini pizzas cook quickly—about 10–12 minutes ensures gooey cheese without overbrowning.
This hands-on step makes the Halloween theme exciting and gives kids a tasty reward for their efforts!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Baking sheet – big enough to hold all mini pizzas without crowding for even baking.
- Small bowls – perfect for organizing toppings so kids can easily decorate.
- Knife and cutting board – to slice olives, onions, and cheese safely.
- Oven mitts – to protect your hands when placing and removing pizzas from the oven.
- Spoons or small tongs – help kids place toppings neatly without fingers getting messy.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Use pepperoni slices as spooky eyes or mouths for a meat lover twist.
- Add diced bell peppers or cherry tomatoes for a fresh crunch and color pop.
- Substitute mozzarella with a mix of mozzarella and provolone for a richer cheese flavor.
- Swap black olives with sliced green olives or pickled jalapeños to mix up the “eyeball” look and add zest.
Halloween Mini Pizzas – Kid-Decorated Eyeballs
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Base:
- 7 mini pizza crusts or English muffins, split in half
- 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
For the Toppings:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for color variation)
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped (optional)
- 15 black olives, pitted and sliced
- 15 small mozzarella balls (or small mozzarella pearls or mini mozzarella slices) for eyeball base
- Olive slices or small dots of black olive for pupils
For Baking:
- Cooking spray or olive oil (for baking sheet)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time for assembling and decorating the mini pizzas, plus 10-12 minutes baking time. Total time you’ll spend in the kitchen is around 25-30 minutes, perfect for a quick and festive Halloween treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or olive oil to keep the mini pizzas from sticking.
2. Assemble the Mini Pizzas:
Place the mini pizza crusts or English muffin halves evenly spaced on the baking sheet. Spread about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce over each crust. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. For a fun twist, add some shredded cheddar cheese to a few for orange-yellow color. Optionally, sprinkle some finely chopped red onion on some pizzas for a bit of extra flavor and color.
3. Decorate as Spooky Eyeballs:
Place small mozzarella balls or pearls on top of each pizza to create the eyeball whites. Then add a black olive slice or a small piece to the center of each mozzarella ball, forming the pupils. Feel free to add extra black olive slices on some pizzas to make multiple eyes or creepy effects.
4. Bake and Enjoy:
Bake the pizzas in the oven for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly, and the crusts turn lightly golden. Carefully remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly so the toppings settle. Serve warm and enjoy your spooky, kid-decorated eyeball mini pizzas!
Can I Use Frozen Mini Pizza Crusts or English Muffins?
Yes! Just make sure to thaw them completely before assembling the pizzas. Thaw in the fridge overnight or leave at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps the crust cook evenly and prevents sogginess.
Can Kids Decorate These Pizzas by Themselves?
Absolutely! This recipe is designed for kids to have fun decorating their own eyeball pizzas. Prepare toppings in small bowls and supervise kitchen safety, but let them get creative with placing the mozzarella balls and olives.
How Should I Store Leftover Mini Pizzas?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes or until warmed through to keep the crust crispy.
Can I Add Other Toppings to These Halloween Pizzas?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in pepperoni, diced bell peppers, or other veggies to customize your spooky pizzas. Just be sure to keep the mozzarella balls and olives for the eyeball effect!
