Name: Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 mini bagels; 1 cup pizza sauce or thick marinara sauce; 1 cup vegan cheese (optional); 8 whole black olives; A handful of sliced black olives cut in half; 2 tablespoons minced basil (optional); 2 tablespoons minced veggies (like mushrooms or bell peppers, optional)

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 42 reviews

If you’re looking for a fun, spooky, and utterly delicious snack to make for your next Halloween party (or just because you’re craving something cute and tasty), you’re going to flip for this Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe. Trust me, these little creepy crawlies are not only adorable but also seriously satisfying—crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home cook, I’m going to walk you through every step so your mini spider pizzas come out perfectly every time. Ready to get creative with your snacks? Let’s dive in!

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Why This Recipe Works

Kid-Friendly Fun: Those olive “spiders” are a creative way to get little ones excited about snacks, and they’re easy enough for you to whip up in no time.
Simple Ingredient List: You probably have most of these ingredients lying around, making it stress-free to prepare on a whim.
Customizable and Versatile: Whether you want to keep it vegan, add veggies, or switch up toppings, this recipe adapts beautifully.
Perfectly Crispy Bagels: Toasting the mini bagels ensures every bite has a satisfying crunch that holds up under the sauce and toppings.

The image shows small round mini pizzas placed on white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. Each mini pizza has three visible layers: a light brown toasted dough base, a bright red tomato sauce spread evenly above the dough, and a topping layer of shredded pale yellow cheese sprinkled with whole and halved black olives on top. One mini pizza in the foreground has a bite taken out, showing the soft texture inside the dough. In the background, a woman's hand is partly visible, adding a sense of scale. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe plays a key role in bringing flavor, texture, and visual appeal together. From the slightly tangy pizza sauce to the briny olives that mimic spider legs, I love how these ingredients combine with just the right balance. When you shop for these, aim for quality bagels and a good pizza sauce for the tastiest results.

Mini bagels: Their size is perfect for bite-sized pizzas, and the sturdy texture makes an excellent base for toppings without getting soggy.
Pizza sauce or thick marinara sauce: Choose a sauce with robust flavors—tomato-based with herbs—to make every bite tangy and delicious.
Vegan cheese (optional): I use vegan cheese to keep the recipe plant-based, but feel free to swap with your favorite regular cheese or skip it altogether.
Whole black olives: These form the “body” of the spider, so pick firm ones that hold their shape well.
Sliced black olives: The halved ones become the spider’s “legs” — cut them evenly for best spider-like effect!
Minced basil (optional): Fresh basil adds a lovely herbal brightness that complements the tomato sauce beautifully.
Minced veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers (optional): A great way to sneak in some nutrition while adding texture and flavor.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love most about this Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I often switch up the veggies or cheese depending on what I have on hand. You should absolutely make it your own — it’s more fun that way, and chances are you’ll discover a new family favorite.

Variation: I’ve tried adding diced vegan pepperoni beneath the cheese for a little extra savory punch, and it’s a hit every time.
Dietary tweaks: If you’re gluten-free, swapping mini gluten-free bagels works perfectly as a base too.
Seasonal twists: Swap basil for fresh oregano or sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe

Step 1: Toast the Bagels for Maximum Crunch

I start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Then I slice the mini bagels in half and lightly toast them on a baking sheet for 3-4 minutes. This step is key—if you skip it, the bagels can end up soggy under all the sauce and toppings. Sometimes, I brush a tiny bit of olive oil on the cut sides before toasting; it helps create a barrier and adds a subtle richness that’s hard to beat.

Step 2: Spread on That Flavorful Pizza Sauce

Once toasted, spoon a generous layer of pizza sauce or marinara onto each bagel half. I love to use a thick sauce so it doesn’t make the bagel soggy. Spread it evenly but don’t overload it—you want enough sauce to flavor every bite, but not so much that it drips everywhere.

Step 3: Layer Your Cheese and Veggies

Next, sprinkle vegan cheese over the sauce. If you’re adding minced basil or veggies, spread them on top next, but make sure they’re finely chopped and not overwhelming the “spider” design. A light layer beneath the cheese keeps everything cozy and melded during baking.

Step 4: Build Your Mini Spider

Now for the fun part! Place one whole black olive right in the center hole of each bagel half—this is your spider’s body. Then arrange 3 or 4 halved olive slices on each side to serve as the spider’s legs. I find it easiest to use kitchen tweezers if you have them, otherwise your fingers will do just fine. This is when your Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites start to really come to life.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pop the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You’re aiming for crispy edges on the bagels, melted (or nicely softened) vegan cheese, and tender veggies. Keep an eye on them near the end so the cheese doesn’t over-brown or the bagels don’t get too hard.

Step 6: Let Cool Slightly and Serve

Once out of the oven, give your Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites a couple of minutes to cool. The sauce and vegan cheese can be lava-hot right out of the oven, so this step saves you from scorched tongues. Then enjoy the adorable, tasty creations you made—you deserve it!

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Pro Tips for Making Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe

Olive Selection: Choose firm black olives with no pits for ease; pitted olives speed up prep and keep your spider bodies clean and tidy.
Layering Order Matters: Adding veggies under the cheese prevents them from drying out and helps everything stick better during baking.
Don’t Skip Toasting: I’ve learned that lightly toasting the bagels first is the best way to keep these mini pizzas from getting soggy and limp.
Handle With Care: When placing olive legs, use tweezers or a small utensil to avoid squishing your creations.

How to Serve Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe

The image shows six mini pizzas arranged on a baking tray lined with light brown parchment paper, placed on a white marbled surface. Each mini pizza has three distinct layers: a light golden-brown English muffin base, a smooth red tomato sauce middle layer, and a top layer of shredded pale yellow cheese. On top of each pizza, there are whole black olives arranged in a paw shape, with one larger olive in the center and smaller olives around it. The baking tray has a slightly worn appearance with light brown marks on the edges. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a pinch of extra fresh basil or oregano on top right after baking—it adds a lovely fresh color contrast and aroma. A light drizzle of olive oil just before serving also brings out richness. For a festive kick, you could even dust with a little smoked paprika or chili flakes.

Side Dishes

These bites pair wonderfully with a simple green salad—something crisp and light like arugula with lemon vinaigrette. I also love serving them alongside a bowl of roasted red pepper soup or a chilled tomato gazpacho, especially if you’re hosting a party.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween, I’ve arranged these mini spider pizzas on a black platter lined with fresh spinach leaves to replicate a creepy spider web effect. Adding gummy candy “flies” around the platter made it a real crowd-pleaser with kids — a little spooky but a lot of fun!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually put leftover Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. The bagels do soften a bit over time, so I recommend reheating them to refresh the crispiness before eating again.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze these! I arrange them in a single layer on a baking tray to freeze individually first, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want to eat them, just thaw for about 30 minutes and reheat in the oven for the best texture. Freezing saves a ton of time when you want a quick snack later.

Reheating

To keep them crispy, I reheat Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes rather than microwaving. This way, the bagel stays crunchy and the olive “legs” remain intact — microwaving tends to make them soggy and limp.

FAQs

Can I make Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites without vegan cheese?

Absolutely! You can either omit the cheese entirely or substitute with your favorite regular cheese like mozzarella or cheddar. The recipe is flexible, and even without cheese, the sauce, olives, and toasted bagel base make for a delicious bite.
What’s the best way to keep the bagels from getting soggy?

Toasting the bagels lightly before adding sauce is key. Some people also brush a thin layer of olive oil on the bagels before toasting, which forms a protective barrier and helps maintain crispness even after baking.
Can I use regular-sized bagels instead of mini bagels?

You can! Just keep in mind the snack will be larger and less “bite-sized.” If you go this route, adjust ingredient quantities accordingly and consider cutting each bagel half into smaller pieces if you want to maintain a mini pizza feel.
Are these suitable for kids?

Definitely! Kids love the fun spider design and bite-sized portions. Plus, you can customize toppings to their preferences to make it a hit at any kid-friendly event or lunchbox.

Final Thoughts

Making Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites has become one of my go-to recipes whenever I want to impress friends with something that looks creative but comes together with minimal fuss. The best part? Everyone gets a kick out of the little olive spiders, and they disappear fast from the platter! I encourage you to try this recipe as soon as you can — it’s a delightful mix of fun and flavor that’s just waiting to become one of your favorites too.

Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 42 reviews

Author: Julia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Yield: 8 mini pizzas
Category: Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites are a fun and spooky snack perfect for Halloween or any playful occasion. These cute bagel pizzas feature a crispy base topped with pizza sauce, melted vegan cheese, and black olive ‘spiders’ for a delightful treat that’s easy to prepare and bake in just 22 minutes.

Ingredients

Base

4 mini bagels

Sauce and Toppings

1 cup pizza sauce or thick marinara sauce
1 cup vegan cheese (optional)
8 whole black olives
A handful of sliced black olives cut in half
2 tablespoons minced basil (optional)
2 tablespoons minced veggies (like mushrooms or bell peppers, optional)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for baking the pizza bagel bites evenly.
Prepare Bagels: Split the mini bagels in half and place them face up on a baking sheet, creating the base for your pizza bites.
Add Sauce: Spoon a layer of pizza sauce or thick marinara onto each bagel half to provide a flavorful foundation.
Add Toppings: Sprinkle vegan cheese on top of the sauce, then add minced basil and minced veggies if using for extra flavor and texture.
Create Spiders: Place one whole black olive in the center hole of each bagel half. Arrange 3 to 4 halved olive slices on each side to form ‘spider legs’ for a fun and spooky look.
Bake: Bake the prepared bagel bites in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the bagels are crispy, the vegan cheese has melted, and the veggies are tender.
Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the mini pizza bagels to cool slightly before serving to avoid molten hot sauce and cheese.

Notes

For larger pizza bagels, substitute mini bagels with regular-sized bagels.
To prevent soggy bagels, lightly toast or bake bagels for 3-4 minutes before adding sauce, or brush them lightly with olive oil to create a moisture barrier.
Place finely diced veggies or proteins beneath the vegan cheese layer to keep the spider decoration prominent and tidy.
Allow the bagel bites to cool a few minutes after baking as the sauce and cheese can be very hot immediately out of the oven.