Halloween Mummy Pizza Braid

Nothing gets my house into the Halloween spirit quite like whipping up this Mummy Pizza The simple process is great for getting kids involved and the final result is always a centerpiece that has everyone reaching for another piece With gooey cheese stretchy wrapped dough and those silly olive eyes this recipe is just as delightful to eat as it is to look at and a hit for October gatherings

I started making it for our neighborhood Halloween party one year Now it is requested every October and makes decorating the kitchen as much fun as the costumes

Ingredients

• Refrigerated pizza dough: Look for a canister with about fourteen ounces Pillsbury is reliable or try your favorite homemade dough for deeper flavor Chewy texture makes for convincing mummy wraps
• Pizza or marinara sauce: A good sauce gives the pizza flavor punch Opt for a jar with low sugar and plenty of herbs for best results
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Essential for melty strings and classic pizza taste Choose a block and shred yourself for better melt
• Pepperoni slices: For classic savory flavor and bold pops of color Pick a package with larger slices if you want more coverage
• Black olive: Olives make perfect mummy eyes Use a plump firm olive not dry or shriveled for the best look and taste

Instructions

Preheat the Oven:

Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit 200 degrees Celsius Lay a piece of parchment paper over your baking sheet so the pizza lifts off easily with no mess

Prepare the Dough:

Roll out the pizza dough directly onto the parchment paper Get the dough even but do not make it too thin Now spread pizza sauce generously just over the middle vertical band keeping the edges clear

Add Toppings:

Top the sauced part with a thick layer of shredded mozzarella Spread cheese so it covers every part of the sauce Place pepperoni slices evenly so almost every bite will have both cheese and meaty flavor

Create Dough Slits:

Using a sharp paring knife cut diagonal slits about an inch apart along both sides of the filled strip from filling out toward the dough edge These strips will become the mummy wraps Do not cut through the center

Braid the Dough:

Starting at the bottom fold both ends inward to seal then alternate bringing one dough strip from the left side then one from the right crossing over the toppings Continue up the mummy leaving a small space near the head for the eyes The dough should look messy and playful not perfect

Add Eyes:

Spoon a little pizza sauce into the reserved space near the top Halve your black olive and place the two halves on top for funny eyes that peep through the wraps

Bake the Pizza:

Holding the edges of the parchment gently transfer your whole creation onto the prepared baking sheet Place the tray in the preheated oven Bake for about twenty minutes until the dough turns golden and the cheese bubbles

Serve Warm:

Take out of the oven and let cool for just a few minutes before slicing Serve warm so the cheese is still oozy and gooey

My favorite part is the olive eyes My youngest always wants to give our mummy extra eyes or even eyebrows Last year my niece named her pizza and made up a story about what spooky house it came from

Storage Tips

Leftover mummy pizza stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days For best results reheat slices in the oven or toaster oven until the crust crisps back up The mummy design stays cute even for leftovers Do not microwave too long or the crust can go soggy

Ingredient Substitutions

If pepperoni is not your favorite try turkey pepperoni salami or thin zucchini rounds for a veggie twist You can use part skim mozzarella or a blend of cheeses for variation For a gluten free option there are several store bought pizza doughs that work perfectly well even in the mummy braid

Serving Suggestions

A slice of mummy pizza pairs well with a simple green salad or some roasted veggies Offer a small bowl of extra marinara for dipping For a kids Halloween gathering try serving alongside carrot sticks and pumpkin hummus for a full themed spread

Cultural or Historical Context

Mummy shaped foods are a relatively recent trend in Halloween cooking popping up in the past few decades as a crafty way to bring the party theme to classic favorites Wrapping dough around fillings for a playful look goes back to ancient breads but the pizza mummy gets to the heart of why Halloween food can be fun not just spooky

Seasonal Adaptations

Canned pizza dough is easy to find all year but in autumn look for local bakery dough for extra flavor Add fresh basil or roasted red pepper strips with the cheese for a fall flavor boost Use green olives or even bits of roasted squash to vary the mummy eyes if black olives are scarce

Success Stories

Friends have sent me photos of their own mummy pizza creations reimagined with spooky fangs or monster hair It always gets a laugh when someone makes the eyes cross or stick out far apart One mom said her son ate more salad next to his mummy than he ever has with plain pizza

Freezer Meal Conversion

If you want to get ahead you can assemble and braid the unbaked pizza then wrap tightly and freeze on the tray Bake straight from frozen adding a few more minutes to baking time It comes out perfectly every time and makes party prep so much easier

This recipe is sure to create Halloween memories for everyone Whether you make one big pizza or several minis you can count on smiles around your table

FAQs about Recipes

→ How do you get the mummy shape?

Braid strips of pizza dough across the filling, leaving space for olive eyes at the top to mimic a mummy effect.

→ What cheese works best for mummy pizza?

Shredded mozzarella melts well and creates a cheesy, gooey center. You can also mix in provolone or cheddar.

→ Can I use homemade dough?

Yes, either store-bought or homemade pizza dough will work. Just roll it to a rectangle for easy braiding.

→ How do I keep the pizza from getting soggy?

Be careful not to overload with sauce and bake on parchment to ensure even cooking and a crisp base.

→ Are there alternatives to pepperoni?

Try using turkey pepperoni, ham, or sautéed vegetables for a vegetarian-friendly twist on the classic.