Monster Eyeball Pizza

This monster eyeball pizza is the perfect spooky treat for your next Halloween party or a fun activity with kids at a birthday bash. Using store-bought pizza dough, marinara sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, and playful black olive "eyeballs," it comes together quickly and delights hungry little monsters. One chilly Halloween, my daughter and I spent the afternoon in our costumes making monster-inspired snacks in the kitchen and giggling at every creepy creation—it remains one of my favorite memories of the holiday.

I first made this pizza on a whim for my daughter’s birthday, and now it is a regular whenever we want something both playful and delicious.

Ingredients

• Pizza dough: One ball store-bought for convenience and consistent texture
• Marinara sauce: Half a cup brings that classic tomato base full of flavor
• Shredded mozzarella: One and a half cups gives a melty, cheesy layer
• Mozzarella bocconcini: Six bocconcini make the perfect round eyeball center because they hold their shape when baked
• Black olive slices: Six pitted slices for easy assembly and a creepy pupil look
• Olive oil: For brushing to create a golden crisp crust

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

Preheat your oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit or 245 degrees Celsius. Place a pizza stone or a heavy baking sheet inside so it heats well. Roll out or stretch your pizza dough on parchment paper to about 12 inches across. Lightly brush the dough with olive oil to help the crust crisp in the oven.

Sauce and Cheese the Base:

Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the rolled-out dough leaving about a half-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella liberally to fully cover the sauce for that gooey cheese layer.

Assemble Monster Eyeballs:

Space the mozzarella bocconcini evenly on top of the cheese. Place a black olive slice on each bocconcini pressing slightly so it stays in place and creates the eyeball’s pupil.

Bake the Pizza:

Carefully transfer the parchment paper with the assembled pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve and Enjoy:

Let the pizza cool for a minute to let the cheese settle. Slice and serve hot, revealing the gooey monster eyes that delight kids and grown-ups alike.

The mozzarella bocconcini is my favorite part of this recipe because its soft melting quality really brings the monster eyes to life. I remember the first time my daughter spotted the pizza in the oven she squealed with delight calling out "Look at those eyeballs!"—a moment that made the entire meal extra special.

Storage Tips

Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within two days for best texture. Reheat in a skillet or oven to keep the crust crispy and cheese melty. If you preassemble but do not bake the pizza, wrap tightly and freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have mozzarella bocconcini use larger mozzarella balls cut in half to keep the eyeball effect while creating a dramatic look. Black olive slices can be swapped with sliced kalamata olives for a richer flavor. Marinara sauce can be replaced with any pizza sauce available.

Serving Suggestions

After baking drizzle a little fresh basil olive oil or sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves for an herbal lift. This pizza pairs funnily well with a blood red berry punch or a sparkling Italian soda to keep the party vibe going. For a heartier meal, add a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette on the side.

These monster eyeball pizzas are a quick, playful way to feed a crowd and make lasting memories. Serve hot and watch kids light up.

Common Questions About Recipes

→ How do I prevent the dough from sticking?

Dust parchment paper and hands with flour or semolina before stretching dough to ensure easy handling and prevent sticking.

→ What’s the best way to keep mozzarella balls in place?

Press each mozzarella ball gently into the shredded cheese before adding the olive slice, anchoring them during baking.

→ How can I avoid the cheese browning too quickly?

If cheese browns before the crust is done, tent the pizza lightly with foil toward the end of baking to finish cooking evenly.

→ Can this pizza be prepared in advance?

Yes, you can preassemble the pizza without baking and refrigerate for a few hours before baking, adding extra cooking time.

→ How to achieve a crispier crust?

Preheat the oven with a pizza stone or inverted heavy baking sheet to mimic pizzeria heat for a crunchy base.