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Spooky Bat-Shaped Calzones

These playful bat-shaped calzones are made with chewy pizza dough filled with melty mozzarella, savory tomato sauce, and your choice of ham or pepperoni. Shaped into tiny bats with wings and ears, they bake to a crispy golden brown, with gooey insides and fun, spooky details that make dinner feel like a festive craft project.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: International
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups warm water about 110°F/43°C
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup ham or pepperoni chopped
  • 1 egg egg beaten, for egg wash (optional)
  • 4 black olives or spinach black olives or spinach for decoration
  • Dough scraps dough scraps for wings and ears

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet

Method
 

  1. Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Let sit until frothy, about 5 minutes, which indicates the yeast is active.
  2. Add flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size, filling your kitchen with a yeasty aroma.
  4. Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Punch down the dough and divide it into 6 equal pieces for easy handling.
  5. Roll each piece into a 6-inch circle using a rolling pin, keeping the dough evenly thin for a crispy crust.
  6. Spread a spoonful of tomato sauce on half of each dough circle, then top with shredded mozzarella and your choice of ham or pepperoni.
  7. Fold the dough over to create a semi-circle and pinch or crimp the edges with a fork to seal in the fillings.
  8. Cut out bat wings and ears from the leftover dough scraps with a sharp knife or scissors, then attach them to the calzones with a little water for a spooky effect.
  9. Arrange the calzones on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with beaten egg for a shiny finish if desired.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and crispy, filling your kitchen with the smell of baked bread and melting cheese.
  11. Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then decorate the eyes with sliced black olives or spinach to give your bats expressive faces. Serve warm and enjoy this fun, spooky dinner!

Notes

Ensure the edges are well sealed to prevent filling from leaking during baking. Feel free to get creative with decorations—tiny bat wings or ears made from scraps make the perfect spooky touch.