Caprese Ghost Crostini (Easy Halloween Appetizer!)

Looking for the most adorably spooky and unbelievably chic appetizer for your next Halloween celebration? A festive, bite-sized treat that is so simple to make, yet looks incredibly impressive? This amazing, from-scratch Caprese Crostini Ghosts recipe is the ultimate party starter! We’re taking the classic, fresh, and vibrant flavors of an Italian Caprese salad and magically transforming it into a ghoulishly delightful treat with the cutest little mozzarella ghosts.

This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a guide to your new favorite Halloween tradition. We’ll show you the simple secrets to a perfectly crisp crostini and the brilliant, easy trick to cutting perfect ghost shapes from fresh mozzarella. This is a show-stopping, no-fuss appetizer that is perfect for a sophisticated Halloween party or a fun family activity.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Spooky & Chic Halloween Appetizer

What makes these Caprese Ghost Crostini so spectacularly delicious is their wonderful combination of fresh, vibrant flavors and a super-cute, festive presentation. This recipe is a masterpiece of elegant simplicity. The base is a classic, crispy crostini, made from a toasted French baguette. Each piece is then layered with the iconic flavors of a Caprese salad: a schmear of herbaceous basil pesto, a slice of a sweet, juicy tomato, and the star of the show—a thick slice of creamy, fresh mozzarella that has been cut into an adorable ghost shape. The final, magical touch is a few dots of a dark balsamic glaze to create the spooky eyes and mouth.

Metric	Time / Level
Total Time	25 minutes
Active Prep Time	20 minutes
Difficulty Level	Easy
Servings	About 12-16 crostini

The Ghostly Components: The Essential Ingredients & Tools

This iconic party dish uses a handful of high-quality ingredients to create its signature fresh and vibrant flavor.

• The Mozzarella Ghosts:
  • Fresh, Whole-Milk Mozzarella: For the best, creamiest texture and the cleanest cuts, it is absolutely essential to use a ball of fresh, whole-milk mozzarella (the kind that is packed in water). Its smooth, uniform texture is perfect for this technique.
  • The Freezing Trick: The recipe includes a brilliant and simple trick: briefly freezing the mozzarella for about 10 minutes. This is the number one secret that firms up the soft cheese just enough to allow you to get beautiful, clean cuts with your cookie cutter, without the cheese squishing or tearing.
• The Crostini Base:
  • A Fresh Baguette: A classic, long and thin French baguette is the perfect choice for creating beautiful, uniform, and bite-sized crostini.
• The Classic Caprese Flavors:
  • Pesto: A high-quality, store-bought basil pesto is a fantastic shortcut that provides the essential, fresh and herbaceous basil flavor.
  • Tomatoes: A sweet and juicy Campari tomato or a ripe Roma tomato is the perfect size and has a wonderful, concentrated flavor.
  • Balsamic Glaze: This is a thick, sweet, and tangy syrup made from reduced balsamic vinegar. It is the perfect, dark “ink” for drawing on your ghosts’ spooky faces.

Step-by-Step to the Best Ghost Crostini

This fun and festive appetizer is incredibly simple to prepare.

Step 1: Make the Perfect Crostini and Prepare the Mozzarella

Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2: Place your 16-ounce ball of fresh mozzarella in the freezer to firm up for 10 minutes.

Step 3: While the mozzarella is chilling, slice your baguette diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices and spread them evenly on a large baking sheet.

Step 4: Drizzle the bread slices with a little extra-virgin olive oil and toss them to coat.

Step 5: Bake for 8 to 9 minutes, until the crostini are a beautiful, light golden brown and perfectly crisp. Let them cool.

Part 2: Create Your Mozzarella Ghosts

Step 1: Remove your chilled mozzarella from the freezer. Slice it lengthwise into six 1/4-inch-thick planks. Step 2 (The Fun Part!): Use a small, ghost-shaped cookie cutter (about 2 inches tall) to cut the mozzarella planks into your ghost-shaped pieces. Roughly chop all the remaining mozzarella scraps.

Part 3: Assemble Your Spooky Creations

Step 1: Spread each of your cooled crostini with about 1 teaspoon of the basil pesto. Step 2: Top about 6 of your crostini with a few of the tomato slices, and then place one of your beautiful mozzarella ghosts on top of the tomatoes. Step 3: Pour a little of your balsamic glaze into a small bowl. Use a wooden skewer or a chopstick to carefully dot the ghosts with two “eyes” and a spooky, open “mouth.” Step 4: Top the remaining crostini with one slice of a tomato and a tablespoon of your chopped mozzarella scraps. Drizzle these non-ghost crostini with a little more of the balsamic glaze. Arrange the ghost crostini on a small plate and the rest of the crostini on a large platter. Serve immediately.

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Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

This is the perfect make-ahead party appetizer!

• Make-Ahead: For a super-fast and impressive party snack, you can prepare all your components in advance. The crostini can be toasted up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The mozzarella can be cut into ghosts and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
• Storage: These crostini are at their absolute best when they are assembled right before serving to ensure the bread stays perfectly crisp.

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Creative Recipe Variations (“Make it Your Own Potion!”)

1. Make it a “Bloody” Ghost: For a different and spooky look, you can use a vibrant, red sun-dried tomato pesto instead of the green basil pesto.
2. Use a Different Spooky Shape: If you can’t find a ghost-shaped cookie cutter, you can use a small, round cookie cutter to create some simple “ghouls,” or a bat or a cat-shaped cookie cutter for another fun, festive look.
3. Make it a Sweet Ghost Treat: For a fun, dessert version, you can toast your crostini with a little bit of butter and cinnamon-sugar. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese, and top it with a mozzarella ghost and a strawberry “hat.” Use some melted chocolate to dot on the face.

Enjoy Your Ultimate Spooky & Chic Appetizer!

You’ve just created a truly special treat that is a perfect harmony of fun, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. These classic “Caprese Crostini Ghosts” are a testament to the power of a simple, creative idea to become an instant party favorite and a treasured holiday tradition. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to make your Halloween party a memorable one.

We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!

If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves an easy and impressive meal!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)