Mummy Pizza Recipe
If you’re looking for a fun, spooky, and absolutely delicious way to jazz up your pizza night, you’ve come to the right place! This Mummy Pizza Recipe is not just cute and clever, but it’s super easy to make, perfect for Halloween or anytime you want to impress kids and adults alike. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to keep it in your regular rotation for its playful vibe and tasty layers.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simplicity Meets Fun: Creating the mummy bandages with zucchini ribbons is so simple but looks impressively spooky.
- Quick to Prepare: You’ll have this delightful pizza ready in under 15 minutes—perfect for last-minute plans.
- Balanced Flavors: Fresh zucchini, gooey mozzarella, and savory sauce make a perfectly harmonized bite every time.
- Kid-Friendly Appeal: My kids love helping me make these, especially placing the olive eyes—it’s a fun activity and dinner all rolled into one!
Ingredients & Why They Work
Choosing the right ingredients is key to nailing this mummy pizza. Each one plays a role—not just in taste but in creating that spooky mummy look! I like to pick fresh ciabatta for that perfect crust base and use zucchini because it’s easy to turn into delicate, bandage-like ribbons.
- Ciabatta rolls: The sturdy crumb holds up to toppings without getting soggy, plus it toasts up beautifully crisp.
- Pizza sauce: I go for a classic, slightly herby sauce—it adds just the right tang without overpowering the other flavors.
- Zucchini: Using a vegetable peeler to make thin ribbons mimics those spooky mummy bandages effortlessly.
- Mozzarella string cheese: These pull apart perfectly into strips, lending that melty, stretchy effect that’s essential here.
- Black olive slices: Perfect for making fun, expressive eyes. They add just enough savory bite to cut through the cheese.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love this Mummy Pizza Recipe because it’s a blank canvas for your creativity. Feel free to switch up the veggies or cheese based on what you love, or even add a little spice if that’s your vibe. Making it personal just makes it even more fun—and tasty!
- Variation: Sometimes I swap zucchini for thinly sliced bell peppers or even roasted sweet potatoes to change up the texture and add a pop of color.
- Dietary modification: For a gluten-free version, try using gluten-free ciabatta or your favorite thick crust gluten-free bread.
- Extra protein: Adding cooked sausage or pepperoni strips tucked under the zucchini ribbons can turn it into a heartier meal.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Mummy Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Base and Veggies
First, I preheat my oven to 400°F (205°C) so it’s nice and ready for the pizza magic. Then slice the ciabatta rolls in half lengthwise – it’s crucial to get a nice flat base for your toppings. Using a vegetable peeler, I carefully make those thin zucchini ribbons; these will become the fun “bandages” wrapping around the pizza. Don’t worry if they’re a little uneven—that actually adds to the charm!
Step 2: Layer Up the Sauce and Bandages
Spread about half a cup of pizza sauce evenly over each ciabatta half. This is your tasty glue! Next, place the zucchini ribbons across the sauce in a random criss-cross manner—think of it as wrapping up the mummy. Then, pull apart your mozzarella string cheeses into thin strips and lay them atop the zucchini, again criss-crossing. This layering is what gives it that authentic wrapped mummy look.
Step 3: Add the Eyes and Bake
To bring the mummy to life, place two black olive slices near the top of each bread half as eyes. It’s such a simple touch but it makes all the difference! Bake the assembled mummies in your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until you see the cheese bubbling and the bread toasting to golden perfection. Serve immediately for best results.
Pro Tips for Making Mummy Pizza Recipe
- Thin Zucchini Ribbons: Thinner ribbons melt slightly under the cheese, keeping the texture delicate and preventing sogginess.
- Don’t Overload Toppings: Too many layers can cause uneven baking, so keep bandages and cheese light for best crispiness.
- Use Fresh Bread: Day-old ciabatta works, but freshness gives you that perfect crunch and chew balance.
- Watch the Cheese Closely: Mozzarella melts fast and can brown quickly; keep an eye during the last few minutes to avoid overbaking.
How to Serve Mummy Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a pinch of dried oregano or fresh basil right after baking to add a fragrant pop of green. A little red chili flake can give it a subtle heat, but that’s just my personal twist. Also, don’t forget a drizzle of olive oil for added richness!
Side Dishes
This Mummy Pizza Recipe pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette or some crunchy garlic-roasted asparagus. For an extra playful touch, I sometimes serve it alongside “witch’s fingers” carrot sticks with hummus.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween parties, I like serving these mummies on a dark slate platter with fake spiderweb decor around the edges. You can also cut the ciabatta halves into smaller bite-sized “mummy fingers” for easy sharing at kid-friendly gatherings—the olive eyes still make each mini piece delightful and we all love bite-sized snacks!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
While this pizza shines fresh out of the oven, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend placing a paper towel underneath to absorb any moisture and prevent sogginess.
Freezing
If you want to freeze, assemble the pizzas but don’t bake. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to a month. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, I find popping the pizza back into a preheated 375°F oven for 6-8 minutes restores crispiness much better than a microwave. It keeps the cheese melty and the bread toasted—almost like freshly baked.
FAQs
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Can I use other breads aside from ciabatta for Mummy Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! While ciabatta works best for its crusty exterior and airy inside, you can swap in baguette halves, focaccia, or even thick slices of sourdough. Just make sure the bread is sturdy enough to hold the toppings without becoming soggy.
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What can I use if I don’t have zucchini for the mummy bandages?
If zucchini isn’t on hand, thin ribbons of yellow squash, cucumber (seeds removed), or even strips of roasted bell pepper can work nicely. The goal is to have flexible, thin strips that can criss-cross to mimic the mummy effect.
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Is there a vegan version of this Mummy Pizza Recipe?
Yes! Swap out the mozzarella string cheese for your favorite vegan cheese sticks or shredded plant-based cheese. Use a vegan pizza sauce, which most store-bought versions are, and double-check your bread is vegan-friendly. The zucchini and olives remain the same!
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Can I prepare this recipe ahead for a party?
You can assemble the mummies a few hours before serving but hold off on baking. Store them covered in the fridge and bake just before guests arrive to keep the bread crisp and the cheese perfectly melted.
Final Thoughts
This Mummy Pizza Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it mixes simplicity with a whole lot of fun. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner, a Halloween treat, or a playful snack for the kids, it never fails to bring smiles to the table. Plus, it’s an easy recipe where you can really get creative with toppings. Give it a whirl—I promise you’ll love how it looks and tastes, and it’s sure to become a household favorite in no time!
Print
Mummy Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This fun and festive Mummy Pizza recipe transforms ciabatta rolls into spooky mummy faces, perfect for Halloween or themed parties. With a crispy toasted base, tangy pizza sauce, fresh zucchini ribbons mimicking bandages, stretchy mozzarella cheese, and olive slice eyes, this easy-to-make pizza appetizer is both delicious and visually appealing for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 ciabatta rolls
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 zucchini
- 4 mozzarella string cheese
- 8 black olives slices
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the pizzas.
- Prepare the bread and vegetables: Cut each ciabatta roll in half lengthwise. Use a vegetable peeler to slice the zucchini into thin ribbons that resemble mummy bandages. Pull apart the mozzarella string cheese into thin strips.
- Assemble the pizzas: Place the ciabatta halves on a baking sheet. Spread a generous layer of pizza sauce evenly over the cut side of each bread half. Arrange the zucchini ribbons across the sauce in random criss-cross patterns to mimic mummy bandages. Layer the mozzarella strips over the zucchini, also criss-crossing them.
- Add the eyes: Place two black olive slices on each pizza half to create the mummy’s eyes.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bread is toasted to a golden crisp.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately while warm and delicious.
Notes
- Storage: Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Cheese substitutions: You can use shredded mozzarella if string cheese is unavailable.
- Olive options: Black olives can be substituted with green olives or small slices of pepperoni for the eyes.
- Zucchini alternative: Thinly sliced bell peppers or cooked strips of eggplant can be used if zucchini is not preferred.
- For a crispier crust, toast the ciabatta halves in the oven for 2-3 minutes before assembling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg