The first time I made these ghost crostini, my nieces giggled so hard they dropped their juice boxes. That’s how I knew this recipe wasn’t just cute—it was a hit. The ghost-shaped mozzarella, the pesto glow, the tomato “pumpkins” underneath… it all just works. And the best part? These Caprese Crostini Ghosts take less than 20 minutes to make. Halloween magic with real kitchen ease.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Caprese Crostini Ghosts bring all the Halloween fun without the hassle. If you’re searching for a no-fuss, themed appetizer, Caprese Crostini Ghosts are a tasty and memorable way to celebrate.
You only need about 20 minutes, a few fresh ingredients, and a ghost-shaped cookie cutter to turn everyday Caprese into a festive, spooky snack.
The flavors are familiar and crowd-pleasing—fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and a punch of pesto. But the little mozzarella ghosts? That’s where the smiles happen.
This recipe works great for parties, family snack boards, or even just a fun afternoon kitchen project with kids. It’s easy to prep, looks playful on a platter, and tastes bright and fresh with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll want to grab a ghost-shaped cookie cutter for this one, about 2 inches tall. It makes all the difference in creating those adorable, edible ghosts.
Here’s everything you’ll need:
- 16 ounces fresh whole-milk mozzarella
- 1 fresh baguette
- Extra-virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 12 ounces Campari tomatoes, thinly sliced into rounds
- 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze (plus more for drizzling; thicker is better)
Tools you’ll need:
- Ghost-shaped cookie cutter
- Wooden skewer or chopstick
- Baking sheet
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. While it heats, pop the mozzarella in the freezer for 10 minutes. This helps it firm up for cleaner ghost cuts.
- Slice your baguette diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Place them on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toss gently to coat.
- Bake for 8–9 minutes until the crostini are golden and crisp. Let them cool slightly while you prep the toppings.
- Slice the mozzarella into six planks, about 1/4 inch thick. Use your ghost cookie cutter to cut out ghost shapes. Chop the leftover mozzarella scraps for topping the rest of the crostini.
- Spread each crostini with about 1 teaspoon of pesto.
- Top 6 crostini with tomato slices and place one mozzarella ghost on each.
- Dip your skewer or chopstick in balsamic glaze, then gently dot each ghost with eyes and a little mouth. Spooky, but cute.
- Top the remaining crostini with 1 tomato slice and a spoonful of chopped mozzarella. Drizzle lightly with balsamic glaze.
- Serve it up! Place the ghost crostini on a small plate to spotlight them, and arrange the rest on a larger tray to build a Halloween-worthy snack spread.
Expert Tips & Variations
- Use grape tomatoes if you can’t find Campari—just slice them thin.
- No ghost cutter? Use a small round cutter and draw ghost faces with the glaze.
- Switch up the pesto. Try sun-dried tomato or even a simple garlic oil.
- Make it a platter. Surround the ghost crostini with olives, salami, or roasted red peppers for a full appetizer board.
- Serve fresh. These are best enjoyed right after assembling, while the crostini stay crisp.
Caprese Crostini Ghosts Recipe Card
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Caprese Crostini Ghosts – Spooky & Easy Halloween Fun
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 crostini
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A spooky twist on classic Caprese, these crostini feature ghost-shaped mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and a bright pesto base—perfect for Halloween parties.
Ingredients
16 ounces fresh whole-milk mozzarella
1 fresh baguette
Extra-virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
1/2 cup pesto
12 ounces Campari tomatoes, thinly sliced into rounds
1 teaspoon balsamic glaze (plus more for drizzling; thicker is better)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Freeze mozzarella for 10 minutes to firm it up.
2. Slice baguette diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
3. Place slices on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat.
4. Bake for 8–9 minutes until golden and crisp. Let cool.
5. Slice mozzarella into six 1/4-inch-thick planks.
6. Use ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut out ghost shapes. Chop leftover mozzarella scraps.
7. Spread about 1 teaspoon pesto onto each crostini.
8. Top 6 crostini with a tomato slice and ghost-shaped mozzarella.
9. Use a skewer or chopstick dipped in balsamic glaze to make ghost faces.
10. Top remaining crostini with tomato slice + chopped mozzarella, then drizzle with balsamic glaze.
11. Arrange ghost crostini on a smaller plate and the rest on a larger platter. Serve immediately.
Notes
Freezing mozzarella briefly helps with clean ghost-shaped cuts.
Best served fresh to keep the crostini crisp.
Great centerpiece for Halloween appetizer platters.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Halloween Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crostini
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
More Such Recipes
If you love playful recipes with classic flavors, try these next:
- Easy Mediterranean Flatbread Pizza – a crowd-pleasing flatbread you can whip up in minutes
- Fresh Cucumber Caprese Salad – cool, crunchy, and packed with flavor
- Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad – a bright and creamy pasta twist
- Grilled California Avocado Chicken – fresh, filling, and perfect for weeknight dinners
FAQs
What ethnicity is Caprese?
Caprese salad hails from Italy, specifically the island of Capri. It celebrates simple, fresh ingredients.
What’s the difference between Caprese and bruschetta?
Caprese usually combines tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Bruschetta often involves grilled bread topped with diced tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.
What is the history of Caprese?
Caprese salad became popular in the 1920s as a tribute to Italian national colors—red (tomato), white (mozzarella), and green (basil).
What bread does Caprese use?
Traditionally, Caprese doesn’t require bread, but when it’s served as a crostini or sandwich, baguette or ciabatta are perfect choices.
Final Thoughts
These Caprese Crostini Ghosts are simple to make, spooky to look at, and absolutely delicious to eat. Whether you’re throwing a party or just looking for a fun snack to share, this recipe brings smiles with every bite.
It’s a Halloween appetizer that feels playful and polished. With just a few ingredients and a ghost cutter, your kitchen becomes a little more festive—and your platter, a lot more fun.
Want more festive food fun? You can follow along on Pinterest or Facebook for more snack board inspiration.