Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun and festive snack that’s super easy to make, trust me, this Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe is the answer. I whipped these up for a Halloween party last year, and they were an absolute hit — kids and adults alike couldn’t get enough of these creepy-cute little pizzas! They’re not only adorable but also packed with flavor, and best of all, they come together in no time. Stick with me, and I’ll show you exactly how to make these spooky treats your new go-to snack.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Perfect Bite-Sized Fun: Mini bagels create the ideal base for these small, snackable pizzas that everyone loves.
  • Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Pizza sauce, vegan cheese, and olives come together for an irresistibly tasty combo that’s easy to customize.
  • Playful Presentation: The “spider” design made with olives adds a festive touch that’s surprisingly simple to recreate.
  • Quick and Kid-Friendly: It’s a no-fuss recipe that keeps little hands busy and makes for an engaging cooking experience.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe relies on a handful of straightforward ingredients that work beautifully to balance flavor, texture, and appearance. Each one plays a special role in making these pizza bites so fun and delicious.

  • Mini Bagels: Their size is perfect for bite-sized pizzas, and their texture crisps up nicely in the oven without getting soggy if you prep them right.
  • Pizza Sauce or Thick Marinara Sauce: Provides that classic tangy, tomatoey base flavor you expect in pizza.
  • Vegan Cheese (optional): Melts beautifully, offering creaminess while keeping this snack plant-based; you can skip it or swap if dairy is preferred.
  • Whole Black Olives: Used to create the spider’s body — I love how their shape fits perfectly into the bagel centers.
  • Sliced Black Olives: These become the spider legs, adding an eye-catching contrast in color and texture.
  • Minced Basil (optional): Adds a fresh herbal brightness that elevates the whole bite.
  • Minced Veggies (optional): Mushrooms or bell peppers work great for extra flavor and a bit of color without overpowering.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love about this Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe is how easy it is to switch things up depending on what you have on hand or what flavors you’re craving. Feel free to customize the toppings or even create different “monster” faces with other veggies or vegan proteins — it’s all about making it your own!

  • Adding Protein: I’ve tried adding tiny dollops of vegan sausage or plant-based pepperoni beneath the cheese for a heartier snack.
  • Spicy Twist: A sprinkle of chili flakes or adding a bit of hot sauce to the pizza sauce gives these bagel bites a nice kick if you like spice.
  • Seasonal Veggies: Swap in finely diced seasonal vegetables like zucchini or cherry tomatoes for a fresh spin.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven & Bagels Ready

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is perfect for crisping the bagels without burning them. I like to lightly toast the mini bagels in the oven for about 3-4 minutes before adding any toppings to help prevent sogginess—plus, a subtle crunch is a nice bonus.

Step 2: Spread the Sauce

Split each mini bagel in half and lay them face up on a baking sheet. Spoon a generous layer of pizza sauce or marinara onto each half, spreading it evenly but not overdoing it—too much sauce can make the bagels soggy, so keep it balanced.

Step 3: Add Cheese and Veggies

Sprinkle vegan cheese over the sauce, and if you’re using minced basil or veggies, scatter those on next. A little tip I’ve picked up: put the veggies under the cheese. It helps keep the ‘spider’ design neat and ensures everything melts together beautifully.

Step 4: Create the Spiders

Place one whole black olive right in the center hole of each bagel half — that’s your spider’s body. Then arrange 3 or 4 halved olive slices on each side of the whole olive to mimic spider legs. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect; part of the fun is seeing how cute and quirky these little spiders turn out!

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake your bagel bites for 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to crisp up, cheese to melt completely, and the veggies to become tender. Once out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes—trust me, the sauce can stay quite hot and gooey right away.

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Pro Tips for Making Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe

  • Toast to Prevent Sogginess: A quick toasting of the bagels before topping really keeps them crisp after baking.
  • Keep the Olive Legs Thin: Halving the olives lengthwise gives more realistic, delicate ‘legs’ without overpowering the bite.
  • Don’t Overload Sauce: Moderation with sauce means each bite stays crispy and delicious, not soggy.
  • Cool Before Serving: Give your mini pizzas a few minutes to set, so no one burns their fingers or mouth.

How to Serve Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe

The image shows six mini pizzas arranged on a baking tray lined with light brown parchment paper, placed on a white marbled surface. Each mini pizza has three distinct layers: a light golden-brown English muffin base, a smooth red tomato sauce middle layer, and a top layer of shredded pale yellow cheese. On top of each pizza, there are whole black olives arranged in a paw shape, with one larger olive in the center and smaller olives around it. The baking tray has a slightly worn appearance with light brown marks on the edges. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to finish these off with a sprinkle of fresh basil or even some chopped parsley for a pop of color that contrasts with the olives. A little drizzle of olive oil before serving adds a subtle shine and extra flavor, making these bites feel a touch more gourmet.

Side Dishes

Pair your spider bagel bites with a crisp green salad or some crunchy carrot sticks for a balanced snack or light meal. For parties, these go perfectly with a simple fruit platter or a creamy dip like hummus on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween, I’ve served these on a black slate tray sprinkled with edible “spider webs” made from thin strands of cheese or spun sugar. Placing them on tiered cupcake stands makes the presentation playful and draws everyone in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to place parchment paper between layers to keep the mini pizzas from sticking together, especially if you have lots of toppings.

Freezing

Freeze any extras individually on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They freeze well for up to a month. When ready, just bake from frozen or thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

Reheat leftover Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe in the oven at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes to keep the edges crispy. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it tends to make the bagels chewy instead of crisp.

FAQs

  1. Can I use regular bagels instead of mini bagels for this recipe?

    Absolutely! Regular bagels work just fine if you want bigger pizza bites. Just keep in mind they’ll take a minute or two longer to bake and they won’t be quite as snack-friendly, but still delicious.

  2. What if I don’t like olives? Can I make a different ‘spider’ design?

    Definitely! You can substitute the olives with small cutouts of bell pepper strips, thin carrot sticks, or even edible seaweed strips to create your spider legs and body. Get creative and have fun with it!

  3. Can I use dairy cheese instead of vegan cheese?

    Yes, feel free to use any cheese you prefer or have on hand. Dairy cheese melts really well and adds a rich, creamy texture. Just choose a cheese that melts easily, like mozzarella or cheddar.

  4. How do I prevent soggy bagels when making Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites?

    To keep your bagels crispy, lightly toast them before adding sauce and toppings. You can also brush a thin layer of olive oil on the cut sides as a moisture barrier. Avoid piling on too much sauce, and bake until edges are nicely golden.

Final Thoughts

This Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe has become a favorite in my house, especially around fall when we want something both spooky and scrumptious. It’s an easy way to get creative in the kitchen with minimal effort, and seeing those cute little spider legs pop against the melted cheese always makes me smile. Whether you’re prepping for a party or just a quirky snack, give these a try — I promise they’ll bring a little magic (and a lot of yum!) to your day.

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Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 20 reviews
  • Author: Amanda
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 8 mini pizzas
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Mini Spider Pizza Bagel Bites are a fun and spooky snack featuring mini bagels topped with pizza sauce, vegan cheese, black olives arranged like spiders, and optional fresh basil and veggies. Perfect for Halloween or any playful gathering, these crispy little pizzas are baked to melty, savory perfection.


Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 4 mini bagels
  • 1 cup pizza sauce or thick marinara sauce
  • 1 cup vegan cheese (optional)
  • 8 whole black olives
  • A handful of sliced black olives cut in half

Optional Toppings

  • 2 tablespoons minced basil
  • 2 tablespoons minced veggies (like mushrooms or bell peppers)


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the bagel bites.
  2. Prepare Bagels: Split the mini bagels in half horizontally and place them face up on a baking sheet, ready for topping.
  3. Add Sauce: Spoon a generous layer of pizza sauce or thick marinara sauce onto each bagel half, spreading evenly.
  4. Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle vegan cheese over the sauce. If desired, add minced basil and minced veggies evenly on top before the cheese melts.
  5. Create Spider Design: Place one whole black olive in the center hole of each bagel half, then arrange 3 to 4 halved black olive slices on each side to mimic spider legs.
  6. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes until the bagels are crispy, cheese is melted, and veggies are tender.
  7. Serve: Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly to avoid molten sauce and cheese, then serve your mini spider pizza bagel bites.

Notes

  • Use regular-sized bagels if you want larger pizza bagels instead of mini ones.
  • To prevent sogginess, lightly toast the bagels before adding sauce or brush a thin layer of olive oil to create a moisture barrier.
  • For best appearance, spread any diced veggies or protein underneath the vegan cheese to keep the spider design prominent.
  • Allow the pizza bites to cool a few minutes after baking, as hot marinara sauce and cheese can be very hot and molten.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 mini pizza
  • Calories: 120 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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