How to Make Jack-O'-Lantern Pizza Dip for a Spooky Good Time
Memories of eating pizza before Trick or Treating is on my mind. That is exactly why I made this Jack-O'-Lantern Pizza Dip all baked in a skillet with pizza rolls. It's a twist on this pizza rolls dip recipe I've made in the past and I love this spooky makeover for Halloween. This post may contain affiliate links.
The dip is baked in a 10" skillet and decorated with mini pepperoni and celery sticks to resemble a jack-o'-lantern, making it visually appealing for spooky movie nights and Halloween themed parties.
JACK-O'-LANTERN PIZZA DIP RECIPE
This Jack-O'-Lantern Dip with Pizza Rolls is a fun and festive Halloween-themed appetizer. The dip flavor is inspired by pizza flavors such as Italian seasonings, garlic powder and tomato sauce. Pizza Rolls are built right into this recipe and they add perfectly the the entire experience. They also make it easy because the Pizza Rolls are built-in dip dippers, too.
Let's go over the ingredients first. The dip is creamy and savory, complemented by the warm, cheesy, and hearty pizza rolls, making for a delightful combination that’s perfect for snacking during Halloween festivities. Then, keep reading for the step-by-step instructions.
INGREDIENTS FOR JACK-O'-LANTERN PIZZA DIP
Here is the basic list of ingredients used to make this yummy dip. Make sure you scroll to the bottom to find the recipe card. It has all of the measurements and other key info.
- Cream Cheese
- Italian Seasonings
- Garlic Powder
- Red Pepper Flakes or Smoked Paprika
- Pepperoni or Choice of Totino's Pizza Rolls
- Pizza Sauce
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Mini Pepperoni
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Celery
STEPS TO MAKE DIP
This fun recipe is very easy to make. Please check out the steps below and as a reminder, be sure to get the official recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Next, combine softened cream cheese with all the seasonings, mixing until well incorporated in a small bowl.
- Coat a 10-inch skillet with cooking spray.
- Arrange two layers of pizza bites around the perimeter of the skillet, leaving a large circle open in the middle for the dip.
- Shape the cream cheese mixture into a circle in the center of the skillet.
- Evenly spread pizza sauce over the cream cheese, maintaining the circular shape.
- Layer the cheddar cheese in the same circular pattern within the center of the skillet.
- Next, sprinkle grated Parmesan over the pizza rolls.
- Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Take it out to add mini pepperoni slices for the eyes and mouth of the jack-o'-lantern.
- Return the skillet to the oven for about 8 more minutes, until the cheese is slightly golden and the pepperoni is cooked to your preferred texture.
- Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 5 minutes to lower the skillet's temperature.
- Lastly if desired, garnish with a few small celery sticks and celery leaves to represent the stem.
Serve and enjoy!
RECIPE VARIATIONS
PEPPERONI SWAPS - If you don't want to use pepperoni, you could also use sliced red or green peppers, sliced tomatoes or grape tomatoes or sliced black olives to shape the Jack-o'-lantern's face.
CHEESE SWAPS - you can swap with almost any meltable cheese or non-dairy cheese you prefer. The cheddar is perfect because of the color, but there are plenty of swaps you could do.
SAVORY HALLOWEEN RECIPES
If you need more savory eats for the big day, here are some of my favorites.
Make this Ghost Cheese Ball for another yummy appetizer option.
If you like the sillier side of Halloween, check out these Mummy Fish Sticks.
And, these meaty mummies are a blast for snack trays.
Jack-o'-lantern Pizza Dip
Spooky cute Jack-o'-lantern pizza dip with a cream cheese base and topped with pepperoni and cheese baked with pizza rolls in a skillet.
Ingredients
- 1 Pkg Cream Cheese, Softened (8oz)
- 2 TSP Italian Seasonings
- ½ TSP Garlic Powder
- ¼ TSP Red Pepper Flakes or Smoked Paprika
- ¼ TSP Salt
- 36 Totino's™ Pizza Rolls™ (Pepperoni or Any Flavor)
- ¼ Cup Pizza Sauce, Canned
- 1 Cup Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 TBSP Mini Pepperoni (About 20)
- 2 TBSP Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Large Celery Stalk and Leaf if desired
- Non-stick Cooking Spray
Instructions
Heat your oven to 425°F.
In a small dish, add softened cream cheese and all of the seasonings, and mix until combined.
Prepare a 10-inch skillet by covering it with cooking spray.
Add two layers of pizza snacks around the circular edges of the skillet, leaving a large circle in the center for the dip.
In a circular shape, spoon the cream cheese mixture into the center of the skillet.
Spoon pizza sauce evenly on top of the cream cheese base, continuing the circular shape.
Add the cheddar cheese, maintaining the same circular shape in the center of the skillet.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pizza rolls.
Put the skillet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the skillet from the oven to add mini pepperoni for the eyes and mouth of the jack-o’-lantern.
Add the skillet back to the oven for about 8 minutes, until the cheese is lightly golden and the pepperoni is cooked to your desired texture.
Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 5 minutes to reduce the skillet's heat.
If desired, add a few small celery sticks and leaves as garnish, and serve.