This Caprese Toast is a spooky Halloween appetizer for adults! Made using skull-shaped mozzarella cheese, they are easy to make and sure to impress anyone!
We’re kicking off Halloween season with a spooky twist on classic tomato, mozzarella caprese toasts! Juicy tomatoes and toasted bread get a Halloween makeover with skull-shaped mozzarella instead of traditional cheese slices—creepy, fun, savory and delicious!
These fun shapes are incredibly easy to make using skull-shaped silicone molds, which you can easily find on Amazon.
To prepare the cheese skulls in advance, carefully unmold them once they have firmed up. Wrap the skulls in a paper towel and place them in a resealable zipper bag. Seal the bag tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days.
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Reasons to love
- Easy yet impressive – The perfect Halloween finger food with minimal effort.
- Make-ahead friendly – Mozzarella skulls can be prepared in advance and perfect for Halloween-inspired potluck.
- Fresh, vibrant, and flavorful – A fun twist on a classic favorite caprese toast.
- Versatile serving options – Make bite-sized toasts for a party appetizer or use sliced crusty bread for a festive Halloween lunch.
Ingredients you'll need for mozzarella toast
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Mozzarella - Choose fresh mozzarella balls rather than shredded mozzarella. If you’re using the baby balls packed in water, be sure to pat the balls dry before use.
- Tomato - A classic Caprese salad starts with juicy fresh tomatoes. For a spookier twist, I like to use darker varieties, such as purple or black tomatoes.
- Bread - If you're making Caprese bites as an appetizer for Halloween parties, use a French baguette, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds. For a Halloween lunch, go with a good ciabatta or a soft Italian or French bread. Look for bread with a crispy crust and a soft, airy interior — this combo holds up well against juicy tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
- Basil - Use fresh basil leaves for a classic caprese salad! Scatter them over the tomatoes, or gently tear larger leaves before adding them.
- Olive oil - Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil, which has a strong, fruity flavor to the Halloween app.
How to make mozzarella cheese skulls?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
Pro tip: There's no need to be overly precise when cutting the cheese; just make sure the pieces are slightly larger than the indent.
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Caprese Toast (Halloween Appetizer for Adults)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella
- 13 slices French baguette (¼-inch thick slices)
- olive oil as needed
- 1 ½ pounds cherry tomatoes as needed
- fresh basil leaves
- salt and pepper
- balsamic vinegar as needed
Instructions
Make mozzarella skulls
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Place the skull silicon molds on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Cut the fresh mozzarella into roughly ½ x ¾ inch cubes. There's no need to be overly precise; just make sure the pieces are slightly larger than the indent.
- Place the cut cheese into each skull indent, pressing it sliightky into it.
- Bake for 6 to 7 minutes to soften the cheese. Then, using a small spoon (I found a ½ teaspoon measuring spoon worked perfectly), press the softened cheese into each mold to create well-formed skulls.
- Using a folded paper towel, gently blot away the excess liquid. Then, transfer the molds to the refrigerator and let them chill for at least 30 minutes.
Finish toasts
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place the bread slices on a baking sheet and brush olive oil on the top side. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes, until golden and crisp.
- Slice the tomatoes thinly and layer them over the toasted bread. Season with salt, pepper, and a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Add the cheese skulls on top, along with fresh basil leaves. For a spooky touch, I like to drizzle a bit of balsamic over parts of the skulls—just enough to enhance the effect without covering the details. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Make-Ahead Tips for Halloween Party
- Mozzarella skulls can be prepared 3–4 days in advance and stored in a sealed container lined with paper towels to keep them fresh.
- Slice and toast the bread the day before to save time.
- Assemble the Caprese on bread just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Make them into bite-sized Halloween party appetizers
- Slice a French baguette into ½-inch thick pieces and toast them as directed.
- To assemble the Caprese appetizer bites, layer each toasted slice with a juicy tomato, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, a cheese skull, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, and a fresh basil leaf.
Recipe tips
- Silicone skull molds can be found easily online.
- Cut the mozzarella cheese slightly larger than the skull indent.
- Use a baguette for appetizer-size bites and use Italian, ciabatta, or French bread if serving for lunch.
More Halloween Party Food Ideas
- Baked cinnamon crisps with cream cheese dessert dip - Cut the crisps into any shape using your favorite Halloween cookie cutter.
- Halloween Chips with Salsa Dip are a simple yet savory snack or appetizer for your Halloween party.
- Adorable Halloween Clementines are super easy and fun to make with kids. They make an impressive homemade Halloween treat for Halloween parties.
- Halloween breadstick snakes are a unique Halloween-themed snack idea for parties. They’re crispy, crunchy, and so delicious to eat! Fun and easy to make, they’re sure to be the talk of your Halloween party.
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Kitchen at Hoskins on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Michael James Sams
This is bruschetta. I've been making it for years, without the pesto. Definitely going to have to try that though