Ingredients
Scale
- 4 English muffins (split in half) or 8 large round crackers
- 1/2 cup high-quality pizza sauce or marinara
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (6 oz) pitted large black olives
- Optional: Dried oregano or red pepper flakes for extra flavor
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or set your toaster oven to the “bake” setting. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Split the English muffins in half and place them cut-side up on the baking sheet. If you prefer a crunchier base, pop the muffin halves in the toaster for just 60 seconds before adding your toppings.
- Spread about one tablespoon of pizza sauce evenly over each muffin half. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Make sure the cheese covers the sauce entirely so the “spiders” have a bright white background to sit on, making them pop visually.
- This is where the magic happens! Drain your olives and pat them dry with a paper towel. For each spider, cut one olive in half lengthwise. Place one half in the center of the cheesy muffin—this is the spider’s body. Take the other half and slice it crosswise into small strips to create the legs. Arrange four legs on each side of the body. Repeat this for all eight muffin halves.
- Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Be careful not to overcook, as you want the cheese to stay white rather than turning brown to maintain the spooky contrast. Remove from the oven, let them cool for two minutes, and serve immediately!
- Cook Time: 15 minutes