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Kid-Approved Mini Jack-O-Lantern Pizza Bites: Easy Halloween Snack

Kid-Approved Mini Jack-O-Lantern Pizza Bites - featured image
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These quick and easy mini pizza bites feature a pumpkin-tomato sauce, sharp cheddar cheese, and pepperoni jack-o-lantern faces. Perfect for Halloween weeknights, they come together in under 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 whole-wheat or plain English muffins, split in half
  • ½ cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 16–20 slices pepperoni
  • Optional: black olives (sliced into tiny triangles for eyes) or red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Split 4 English muffins in half and place them cut-side up on the baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 5 minutes, until lightly golden.
  3. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup pumpkin puree, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir until smooth.
  4. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the sauce onto each English muffin half, leaving a small border.
  5. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over each muffin (about 2 tablespoons per half).
  6. Cut pepperoni slices into tiny triangle eyes and a crescent mouth. Place the pepperoni pieces on top of the cheese to form jack-o-lantern faces. (Optional: use black olive slices for eyes.)
  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and starting to brown at the edges.
  8. Let the pizza bites cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip toasting the English muffins—it prevents sogginess. Shred your own cheese for best melting. Cut pepperoni faces small so they stay on. Let pizza bites rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to avoid burning mouths. For air fryer: cook at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes. For toaster oven: reduce baking time to 6-8 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween snack, mini pizza bites, jack-o-lantern pizza, pumpkin pizza, kid-friendly, easy Halloween recipe, English muffin pizza

Find it online: https://dinadinnertable.com/kid-approved-mini-jack-o-lantern-pizza-bites-easy-halloween-snack/