Mummy Pizza Recipe
If you’re looking to add some fun and creativity to your pizza night, you’re going to love this one. The Mummy Pizza Recipe is so simple, yet irresistibly festive and tasty, perfect especially around Halloween or any time you want to wow your family and friends with something playful and delicious. Trust me, once you make this, it quickly becomes a favorite – and the best part is it’s super easy and quick to whip up in your kitchen!
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy and Quick: You can have this fun pizza ready in just 15 minutes, ideal for busy nights or last-minute parties.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: The mummy design engages kids and makes dinner exciting – getting them involved is a bonus!
- Fresh and Flavorful: Using zucchini ribbons and mozzarella strips gives a light twist on classic pizza flavors that are still comforting.
- Minimal Ingredients: You only need a handful of simple ingredients, perfect for any pantry and fridge situation.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Mummy Pizza Recipe has its role in balancing fun and flavor. From the bread base to those zucchini ribbons mimicking mummy bandages, it’s a thoughtfully simple combo that always works out deliciously. Here’s a quick peek at why I picked these ingredients – plus a couple of tips if you want to shop smart.
- Ciabatta rolls: The sturdy texture holds up well with toppings and toasts perfectly without getting soggy.
- Pizza sauce: A classic foundation – tomato-based with herbs to give that comforting pizza taste.
- Zucchini: Thin ribbons add a fresh crunch and mimic mummy bandages beautifully without overpowering the flavor.
- Mozzarella string cheese: Easy to peel into strips to create the iconic mummy look and melts nicely with a mild creamy taste.
- Black olive slices: Perfect for making cute, spooky eyes – they add a subtle salty bite.
Make It Your Way
I love that the Mummy Pizza Recipe is a fantastic canvas for your creativity. Whether you want to swap veggies, make it meatier, or jazz it up with some spice, this recipe can flex to your tastes. Don’t hesitate to put your own spin on it — that’s how it becomes a family favorite!
- Variation: I sometimes swap zucchini for thinly sliced bell peppers or even steamed asparagus for a different crunch and color palette, and my kids never complain.
- Dietary modifications: Using gluten-free ciabatta or pita bread works just as well, and switching mozzarella to a dairy-free cheese makes it allergy-friendly.
- Seasonal tweaks: Try adding roasted pumpkin or sweet potatoes for a fall twist that pairs beautifully with the mummy theme.
- For extra protein: Adding cooked sausage or pepperoni slices under the cheese makes it heartier and a real crowd-pleaser for adults.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Mummy Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Base and Oven
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (about 200°C). This temperature crisps up your ciabatta nicely and melts the cheese perfectly without making the bread too hard. While the oven’s warming up, slice your ciabatta rolls lengthwise – this gives you a nice flat surface while keeping that chewy crust everyone loves.
Step 2: Peel Zucchini Ribbons
Using a vegetable peeler, run it along the zucchini to create thin, long ribbons. These little strips are the real star because they’ll look just like mummy bandages once laid across the pizza. Take your time here to get nice, even ribbons – they cook quickly and look beautiful.
Step 3: Lay Down the Sauce and “Bandages”
Spread a generous layer of your pizza sauce over the cut side of each ciabatta half. Now comes the fun part: layer those zucchini ribbons criss-cross like mummy bandages. Don’t worry about perfect straight lines here; the randomness makes it look more authentic and charming.
Step 4: Add Cheese Strips and Olives
Pull apart your mozzarella string cheese into thin strips just like the zucchini ribbons, then layer them over in different angles to add to that wrapped mummy effect. Finally, top each slice with two black olive slices near the top area to create spooky, fun “eyes.”
Step 5: Bake and Serve
Pop the assembled pizzas into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the ciabatta is toasted to golden perfection. Serve immediately – piping hot is best to enjoy the melty cheese and crisp bread.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Perfect Zucchini Ribbons: Use a sharp vegetable peeler and try not to peel too thickly so they cook quickly and look delicate.
- Cheese Strip Technique: Pull mozzarella apart gently into strips to keep them uniform and easier to arrange like bandages.
- Watch the Bake Time: Keep an eye in the last few minutes to avoid burning the edges – ciabatta toasts fast!
- Olive Eyes Placement: Position olives just before baking so they don’t dry out or burn but stay nicely nestled in the cheese.
How to Serve Mummy Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a little fresh chopped parsley or a pinch of chili flakes over the top right after baking to add a pop of color and a hint of brightness or heat. Sometimes a drizzle of balsamic glaze brings a lovely sweet tang that contrasts the savory mozzarella beautifully.
Side Dishes
To keep things cozy, I usually serve this with a crisp green salad – maybe some arugula dressed in lemon juice and olive oil – or roasted garlic green beans. It’s a nice balance to the cheesy pizza and adds freshness to the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween parties, I’ve arranged several mummy pizzas on a large platter with little plastic spiders scattered for fun, or served mini versions as individual finger foods that kids can hold. Wrapping the handle area in parchment paper also makes them look like tiny scrolls and easy to grab.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover mummy pizza tastes pretty good the next day, though the zucchini ribbon texture softens. I pop any leftovers into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing
If you want to freeze them, place the cooled pizzas on a baking sheet first for about an hour, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. When you thaw and reheat later, the textures stay better and you avoid soggy bread.
Reheating
Reheat leftover mummy pizza in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes to bring back crispness. Microwaving can make the bread chewy, so I avoid that when possible.
FAQs
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Can I use other breads besides ciabatta for this mummy pizza?
Absolutely! While ciabatta works best for its sturdy texture and airy crumb, you can use baguette halves, French bread, or even thick sandwich bread slices. Just make sure the bread is wide enough to create those mummy bandages with the toppings.
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What’s the best way to get the zucchini ribbons thin?
Using a vegetable peeler is my favorite trick. Just peel lengthwise along the zucchini until you get nice, flexible strips. If you don’t have a peeler, a sharp knife can work but it’s trickier to get thin, even ribbons.
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Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
Yes! You can assemble your mummy pizzas on a baking tray, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Just add the olive eyes right before baking so they don’t dry out.
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Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Definitely! Kids love the spooky mummy concept, and getting them to help peel zucchini or arrange the “bandages” makes cooking extra fun. Plus, it encourages them to eat more veggies in a playful way.
Final Thoughts
This Mummy Pizza Recipe isn’t just a meal – it’s a moment of joyful creativity in your kitchen. I remember the first time I made this with my niece; her eyes lit up as she arranged those “bandages” and olives. It’s such a simple twist on pizza, yet it brings smiles and sparks conversation. So grab those ciabatta rolls, your favorite pizza sauce, and zucchini, and let’s get baking – your next favorite pizza night is just a few steps away!
PrintMummy Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This fun and spooky Mummy Pizza recipe is perfect for Halloween or any festive occasion. Using ciabatta rolls as the base, the pizzas are topped with pizza sauce, zucchini ribbons to resemble mummy bandages, melted mozzarella cheese strips, and black olive eyes. Ready in just 15 minutes, this easy oven-baked treat is sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 ciabatta rolls
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 zucchini
- 4 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- 8 black olive slices
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for baking your pizzas.
- Prepare the bread and toppings: Slice the ciabatta rolls in half lengthwise. Using a vegetable peeler, create thin ribbons from the zucchini. Pull the mozzarella string cheese into thin strips to mimic bandages.
- Assemble the pizzas: Place the ciabatta halves on a baking sheet. Spread an even layer of pizza sauce over each piece of bread. Arrange the zucchini ribbons across the bread in criss-cross patterns to simulate mummy bandages. Then, layer the mozzarella strips over the zucchini at various angles for the cheesy mummy effect. Finally, add two black olive slices to each pizza to create the mummy’s eyes.
- Bake the pizzas: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is nicely toasted.
- Serve immediately: Remove from the oven and serve the mummy pizzas hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, toast the ciabatta rolls lightly before adding toppings.
- You can substitute zucchini ribbons with thin strips of yellow squash for a different color effect.
- Use gluten-free ciabatta rolls to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftover mummy pizzas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven or toaster oven to retain crispiness instead of a microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg