13-Bone Skeleton Pizza – A Spooky Halloween Pizza with Bone-Shaped Dough

Ready to make a Halloween treat that’s more delicious than it is scary? This 13-Bone Skeleton Pizza is just the thing for your spooky feast! Shaped like a skeleton’s ribcage with 13 “bones” of pizza dough and topped with eerie ingredients, it’s a fun, interactive dish that will be a hit with kids and adults alike. Perfect for a Halloween party or a family movie night, this pizza is as fun to make as it is to eat!

Key Information

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Rising Time (optional): 1 hour (if using homemade dough)
• Cooking Time: 15-18 minutes
• Total Time: 35-40 minutes (or 1 hour 40 minutes with rising)
• Number of Servings: 4-6

Ingredients List

For the Bone-Shaped Pizza Dough:

1. Pizza Dough: 1 lb (450g) – homemade or store-bought
2. All-Purpose Flour: for dusting
3. Olive Oil: 1 tbsp, for brushing

For the Creepy Pizza Toppings:

1. Pizza Sauce: 1/2 cup (120ml)
2. Mozzarella Cheese: 1 1/2 cups (150g), shredded
3. Black Olives: 6-8, sliced (for “eyeballs”)
4. Red Bell Pepper: 1, sliced into thin strips (for “worms”)
5. Mini Pepperoni or Salami Slices: 1/2 cup (optional, for “skull” details)
6. Fresh Basil Leaves or Spinach: a handful (for “green slime” effect)

Optional Spooky Garnishes:

• Parmesan Cheese (for “dusty bones” effect)
• Red Pepper Flakes (for extra heat)

Detailed Method of Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Bone-Shaped Dough

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a baking sheet or pizza stone in the oven to heat up.
2. Prepare the Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the pizza dough into a rough rectangle. You’ll want it to be about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Shape the Bones: Cut the dough into 13 long strips, each about 6 inches in length. Shape each strip to look like a bone by pinching and twisting both ends to form the rounded ends of the “bones.” Arrange the bone-shaped dough strips on a piece of parchment paper in the shape of a skeleton ribcage, or in any arrangement that resembles a spooky shape!

Step 2: Add the Pizza Sauce and Cheese

4. Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush the bone-shaped dough with olive oil to help it bake up golden and crispy.
5. Add the Sauce: Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the bone-shaped dough pieces, leaving a bit of the edges uncovered for a bone-like effect.
6. Sprinkle with Cheese: Generously sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the sauced bones, making sure some cheese falls between the bones for a gooey, stretchy effect.

Step 3: Add Creepy Toppings

7. Make Olive “Eyeballs”: Place black olive slices on the pizza to look like eerie eyeballs scattered throughout.
8. Add Pepper “Worms”: Arrange thin slices of red bell pepper to look like worms crawling across the pizza.
9. Optional Skull Details: Add mini pepperoni or salami slices in random places to create “skull” spots for an extra creepy vibe.
10. Add Basil or Spinach: Sprinkle some fresh basil leaves or spinach around for a “green slime” effect.

Step 4: Bake the Skeleton Pizza

11. Bake: Carefully slide the parchment paper with the pizza onto the hot baking sheet or pizza stone. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

12. Final Touches: Remove from the oven and let the pizza cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for a “dusty bones” effect and a dash of red pepper flakes if you want a spicy kick.
13. Serve: Slice and serve hot. Let everyone pull apart their own “bones” from the skeleton for a spooky, hands-on experience!

Tips for Culinary Success

• Use Pre-Made Dough for Convenience: If you’re short on time, pick up pre-made pizza dough from the store. It’s easy to shape and bakes up deliciously.
• Experiment with Toppings: Get creative with your toppings! Try green olives for a different “eyeball” effect or use strips of prosciutto for a more realistic “skin” texture.
• Add Garlic Butter for Extra Flavor: Brush the bone-shaped dough with garlic butter before adding toppings for an added layer of flavor.
• Let the Kids Help: This recipe is super fun and interactive – let the kids shape the “bones” or add the creepy toppings for a fun family activity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I make this pizza gluten-free?
A: Absolutely! Use gluten-free pizza dough to make this recipe gluten-free. You can find gluten-free dough in many grocery stores or make your own at home.

Q: How can I make this pizza vegetarian?
A: This recipe is already vegetarian if you omit the mini pepperoni or salami slices. Stick to the olive, red pepper, and basil toppings for a veggie-friendly version.

Q: What other shapes can I make?
A: Besides skeleton “bones,” you can make ghost shapes, mini “mummy” faces by layering strips of dough, or even pumpkin shapes. Just let your imagination run wild!

Q: Can I make this pizza ahead of time?
A: You can prepare the bone-shaped dough and add the sauce and toppings ahead of time. Cover and store in the refrigerator, then bake just before serving.

This 13-Bone Skeleton Pizza is as fun to make as it is to eat! Perfect for Halloween parties or any spooky celebration, it brings a touch of eerie fun to the table. Whether you’re a fan of gooey cheese or creepy toppings, this bone-shaped pizza is sure to be a hit with goblins and ghouls of all ages. Serve it up and let everyone dig in – if they dare!