Say “hello” to the spookiest, scariest, most delicious appetizer that you’ll want to serve at all of your Halloween festivities! This Spooky Caprese Salad comes together with just a few simple ingredients and is made festive by the skull-shaped mozzarella cheese. If you’re looking for a simple, no-fuss recipe to help celebrate this holiday season, then you are going to love this recipe!
With Halloween right around the corner, my household is in full Halloween prep mode. Which means, not only picking out costumes for the boys, but getting the Halloween candy, preparing the decorations on my new house (which I’ve been sharing the BTS of over on my Instagram stories!) and, preparing treats for the endless Halloween parties. Over the years, I’ve relied on recipes like my Spooky Peanut Butter Blondies or my Healthy Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins as the perfect Halloween-friendly treats. But, when I saw my incredible friend Melissa of Melissa’s Healthy Kitchen share these skeleton molds recently, I knew that it was time for a savory Halloween recipe. And, by the way, if you are looking for the BEST festive recipes for any holiday season, Melissa has got you covered.
Whether you’re looking for a simple appetizer to bring to your next Halloween party, or are looking for a healthy and festive afternoon snack that your kids will love, this Spooky Caprese Salad is sure to be a hit. The classic flavor profile is one that anyone will enjoy, and the fun skull shape is a total hit. It’s proof that making fun and festive recipes doesn’t need to be hard!
The key to making this recipe spooky is, of course, with the skeleton molds. You can get them on Amazon and they’re perfect for making chocolates, ice cubes, and yes, even spooky mozzarella cheese. Plus, the single mold is cheaper than buying Halloween-themed plates or cutlery, making it the perfect, budget-friendly spooky addition to your kitchen!
The 6 Ingredients You Need to Make This Recipe
One of the best parts about this Spooky Caprese Salad? It comes together so easily! With minimal ingredients and prep, it couldn’t be any easier to throw together in minutes.
- 🍅 Cherry Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a staple when it comes to a Caprese salad, and I love the bright, punchy flavor that the cherry tomatoes have. Plus, when halved, they make the salad easier to enjoy in bites, making it the perfect appetizer!
- ⚪️ Pearl Mozzarella Balls: Petite pearl mozzarella balls fit perfectly into the skeleton molds, which is why I recommend them over larger-sized mozzarella balls.
- 🌿 Fresh Basil Leaves: It wouldn’t be a Caprese salad without the fresh basil! It adds a delicious, herby flavor that cannot be beat.
- 🫒 Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar: A drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar add the perfect finishing touch to this salad.
- 🧂 Flaky Sea Salt: And, of course, why use normal sea salt when you can use flaky sea salt? This salt is a staple in my home kitchen and I use it on almost everything!
How to Make This Perfect Halloween Party Snack
To make this caprese, start by preheating your oven to 350 F. Next, prepare the mozzarella. Break apart the mozzarella pearls and squish them into the cavities of the skeleton molds. Once all of the cavities have been filled, transfer the molds into the oven and allow the mozzarella to bake for 4 minutes. Watch it carefully, so it doesn’t completely melt.
Then, remove them from the oven and use a paper towel to pat down any excess liquid. Press the cheese into the mold once more, then transfer the molds into the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
While the cheese is in the fridge, prepare the rest of the salad. Wash and chop the cherry tomatoes and add them to a large plate alongside the fresh basil. Then, remove the skeleton molds from the fridge and add the cheese to the plate. Finally, drizzle the spooky caprese salad with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend using cherry tomatoes to make this salad perfect for serving at a party or gathering (aka, it doesn’t need a knife!)
I don’t recommend using burrata for this recipe, as it’s too creamy and soft and won’t hold well in the skeleton molds. You can use larger forms of mozzarella, if you’d like – just be sure to break it up into smaller pieces.
Yes, for sure! Simply prepare the salad as instructed, minus the olive oil and balsamic drizzle. Cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. Then, once you’re ready to serve it, remove it from the fridge, drizzle the olive oil and balsamic over it, and enjoy!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
Equipment
- Skeleton Molds These skeleton molds are perfect for Halloween!
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- 1 Cup Pearl Mozzarella Balls, these are smaller than traditional mozzarella balls, making them perfect for fitting into the skeleton molds!
- 1 Handful Fresh Basil Leaves
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 Sprinkle Flaky Sea Salt, to taste
Instructions
- To make this caprese, start by preheating your oven to 350 F.
- Next, prepare the mozzarella. Break apart the mozzarella pearls and squish them into the cavities of the skeleton molds.
- Once all of the cavities have been filled, transfer the molds into the oven and allow the mozzarella to bake for 4 minutes. Watch it carefully, so it doesn't completely melt.
- Then, remove them from the oven and use a paper towel to pat down any excess liquid.
- Press the cheese into the mold once more, then transfer the molds into the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
- While the cheese is in the fridge, prepare the rest of the salad. Wash and chop the cherry tomatoes and add them to a large plate alongside the fresh basil.
- Then, remove the skeleton molds from the fridge and add the cheese to the plate.
- Finally, drizzle the spooky caprese salad with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!