I’ve always believed that holiday fun shouldn’t be reserved for just the evening. Why not start the celebration first thing in the morning? That’s how this Breakfast Spiderweb Pizza became a Halloween tradition in our house. It’s a delightfully spooky, savory, and surprisingly simple way to kick off a day of festivities. Forget the cereal; this is a breakfast that creates a core memory.
What makes this recipe so fantastic is its playful “arts and crafts” feel. You’re not just making a pizza; you’re creating an edible masterpiece of spookiness. The rich tomato sauce base, the gooey mozzarella cheese, and the clever “spider” made from black olives all come together to make a dish that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. It’s the perfect way to bring a little Halloween magic to the breakfast table.
Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough:
-
1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or your favorite homemade recipe)
For the Pizza Sauce:
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
For the Toppings:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 ounces pitted large black olives
How to Weave Your Delicious Web
Step 1: Prepare the “Blood-Red” Sauce
First, let’s mix up our spooky sauce. In a small bowl, combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if you’re using them). The tomato paste is my trick for a really rich, thick sauce that won’t make the pizza soggy perfect for a breakfast slice.
Step 2: Shape and Prep the Crust
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch your pizza dough into a round or rectangular shape. Place it on a baking sheet or pizza stone. I like to par-bake the crust for about 5-7 minutes before adding toppings. This helps ensure the center gets nice and crisp.
Step 3: Weave the Cheesy Web
Now for the fun part. Spread your prepared sauce evenly over the par-baked crust. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Now, to create the web, you can use a few different methods. One easy way is to use mozzarella string cheese, peeled into thin strips, and lay them in a web pattern. Another great method is to use a squeeze bottle filled with a thinner white sauce (like Alfredo or even sour cream) to draw the web design over the red sauce.
Step 4: Create Your Spider and Bake
This is the final touch that brings it all to life. To make the spider, take one whole black olive for the body and half of another for the head. Slice the remaining olives into thin, curved pieces for the legs. Assemble your creepy crawly right on the pizza. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
My Notes and Tricks
Here are a few personal tips to make your pizza extra special.
My “Spider” Sculpting Secret
To make the spider’s legs look more realistic, don’t just slice the olives into straight lines. Cut the olive in half lengthwise, and then slice each half into thin, crescent-shaped strips. This gives the legs a natural-looking curve that makes your spider look like it’s ready to crawl right off the pizza.
Get Creative with the “Web”
While mozzarella is classic, don’t be afraid to experiment. I’ve had great results using a drizzle of ranch or even a slightly thinned-out cream cheese to draw the web. The contrast between the red sauce and the white lines is what really makes the design pop, so any white, savory sauce will do the trick.
Add a Breakfast Twist
Since this is a breakfast spiderweb pizza, why not add a classic breakfast topping? After you add the sauce and cheese, try cracking a few eggs directly onto the pizza before baking. They’ll cook right on top, giving you a delicious, runny yolk to dip your crust into. It takes the breakfast theme to a whole new level.
Fun Variations on the Spooky Theme
This recipe is a fantastic starting point for all sorts of spooky creations. Instead of one big spider, make a bunch of smaller ones to look like an infestation! You could also use different colored cheeses, like sharp cheddar, to give your pizza a more ghoulish orange hue. For a non-tomato base, try using a pesto or a white garlic sauce to create a “ghostly” white pizza, which makes the black olive spiders stand out even more.
FAQs
Can I use a different crust?
Yes, absolutely! This works great with any kind of crust. English muffins, bagels, or even flour tortillas can be used to make mini spiderweb pizzas, which are perfect for a party or for smaller appetites.
How do I get the web design so perfect?
The key is to work from the outside in. If you’re using a drizzleable sauce, start by making concentric circles. Then, take a toothpick or a knife and drag it from the center circle out to the edge of the pizza. Repeat this all the way around to create the classic web effect.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can definitely prep the components ahead of time. The sauce can be made and stored in the fridge for a few days. You can also assemble the entire pizza and keep it refrigerated for a few hours before you’re ready to bake. This is a great strategy for a stress-free Halloween morning.
Breakfast Spiderweb Pizza
- Total Time: 42
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Kick off Halloween with this spooky and savory Breakfast Spiderweb Pizza! This fun and easy recipe transforms simple pizza dough into an edible work of art, featuring a rich tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and a clever black olive spider. It’s a deliciously playful way to bring some festive magic to the breakfast table.
Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough:
1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
For the Pizza Sauce:
15 ounces tomato sauce
6 ounces tomato paste
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Toppings:
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
6 ounces pitted large black olives
Instructions
Prepare the “Blood-Red” Sauce:
In a small bowl, combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic powder, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix well until smooth.
Shape and Prep the Crust:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll the pizza dough into your desired shape and place it on a baking sheet. Par-bake the crust for 5-7 minutes to ensure it gets crisp.
Weave the Cheesy Web:
Spread the prepared sauce evenly over the par-baked crust. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. To create the web, lay thin strips of mozzarella string cheese in a web pattern over the pizza. Alternatively, use a squeeze bottle filled with Alfredo sauce or sour cream to draw the web design.
Create Your Spider and Bake:
To make the spider, use one whole black olive for the body and a halved olive for the head. Slice the remaining olives into thin, curved pieces for the legs and assemble it on the pizza. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
Notes
Breakfast Twist:
For a true breakfast pizza, crack a few eggs directly onto the pizza after adding the cheese and before the final bake. They will cook on top, adding a delicious, runny yolk.
Make-Ahead Option:
You can prepare the sauce and assemble the entire pizza a few hours ahead of time. Keep it refrigerated until you are ready to bake for a stress-free Halloween morning.
Alternative Crusts:
For fun, mini spiderweb pizzas, you can use English muffins, bagels, or flour tortillas as the base. This is perfect for parties or smaller servings.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 22
- Category: Breakfast, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: spiderweb pizza, Halloween breakfast, breakfast pizza, Halloween recipe, spooky food, olive spider, kid-friendly recipe
