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Spooky Bat-Shaped Calzones

These playful bat-shaped calzones are made with chewy pizza dough filled with gooey mozzarella, tomato sauce, and savory fillings like ham or pepperoni. Baked until golden and crispy, their fun shapes and cheesy interiors make them a delightful and festive meal, perfect for Halloween or a fun family dinner. The process involves shaping, filling, sealing, and decorating the calzones to resemble bats, resulting in a charming and tasty treat.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups warm water around 110°F (43°C)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast instant yeast works too
  • 1 teaspoon sugar to activate the yeast
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese optional: for filling
  • ½ cup tomato sauce tomato sauce bright and slightly sweet
  • ½ cup ham or pepperoni sliced
  • 1 egg egg wash beaten, optional
  • Black olives or spinach for decoration to create eyes or details
  • Dough scraps for wings and ears save leftover dough

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Rolling pin
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Sharp knife or scissors
  • Fork

Method
 

  1. Mix the warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar in a large bowl. Let sit for about 5 minutes until frothy—that's how you know the yeast is active and bubbly.
  2. Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir with a spoon or dough hook until a shaggy dough forms—that feels slightly sticky but holds together.
  3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and springs back when pressed.
  4. Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until it doubles in size and feels puffy to the touch.
  5. Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Punch down the risen dough to release excess air, then divide it into 6 equal pieces for shaping.
  6. Roll each piece into a circle about 15cm (6 inches) in diameter, using a rolling pin on a floured surface. The circles should be even and thin enough to fold easily.
  7. Spread a spoonful of tomato sauce on one half of each dough circle. Top with mozzarella cheese and slices of ham or pepperoni, leaving a small border around the edge.
  8. Fold the dough over the fillings to create a semi-circle, then pinch or crimp the edges with a fork to seal tightly and prevent leaks during baking.
  9. Cut out bat wings and ears from the leftover dough scraps using a sharp knife or scissors. Attach these to the calzones with a tiny dab of water to resemble bats’ wings and ears.
  10. Optional: Brush the tops of the calzones with beaten egg wash for a shiny finish. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy, with the wings and ears nicely baked. The house will fill with a warm, cheesy aroma, promising deliciousness.
  12. Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then serve warm. Enjoy your adorable, cheesy bat calzones as a fun, festive meal or snack.

Notes

Ensure edges are sealed well to prevent filling leaks. Feel free to customize fillings with vegetables or different cheeses for variety. Using a sharp knife makes cutting out wings and ears easier and cleaner.