Halloween parties wouldn’t be complete without a few delicious and spooky-inspired appetizers. One such treat is the antipasto eyeballs, which combine the flavors of Italy with a fun and eerie presentation. This charcuterie board addition features a mix of mozzarella, ham, fresh basil, sun-dried tomatoes, and more, all working together to create a delightful combination of salty, sweet, and savory notes.At the heart of this recipe are creamy mini mozzarella balls, which are elevated by aromatic basil oil, salty deli ham, and a sweet balsamic glaze. This trio of flavors comes together to make for one of the tastiest and easiest Halloween appetizers out there. And if you’re looking for more ideas to add some spookiness to your party, be sure to check out our other favorite recipes, including those for pot de creme desserts, eyeball punch, and bruschetta.
Why You’ll Love These Halloween Appetizers
With minimal preparation time required, these bite-sized mozzarella Halloween appetizers are perfect for busy party hosts. In just half an hour, you can have them ready to pair with your puff pastry mummy hot dogs, spinach dip, and tortilla chips, or to serve on a charcuterie board alongside various deli meats and cheeses. The best part? They’re easy to customize with Halloween-themed garnishes, allowing you to get creative and add a spooky touch to your presentation.
How to Make Eyeballs with Antipasto
To craft the basil oil, blend fresh basil leaves with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt until well combined. For the cheese, trim the bottom of each mozzarella piece and carve out a small circle to create the eyeball shape. Next, prepare the olives by cutting them in half and using a straw to push through the center, creating the pupil effect. To assemble the spooky antipasto bites, fill the olive holes with basil oil, then add a slice of deli ham, carefully shaping it around the mozzarella eyeball to resemble an eye. Finally, arrange the finished bites on crumpled brown wax paper, topped with sun-dried tomatoes and drizzled with balsamic glaze, finishing with a sprinkle of salt for added flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
While prosciutto can substitute for deli ham, offering 25 slices per 10 mozzarella pearls provides an ideal ratio. Additionally, green olives can replace black ones, catering to individual tastes. For added variety, omit or swap the brown paper and sun-dried tomatoes with a drizzle of pizza sauce, which will still yield visually appealing results.
What to Serve with this Party Perfect Halloween Appetizer
The edible eyes are a perfect match for a variety of spooky bites and sips. They complement flavors like those found in deviled eggs, mini meat loaves, and even the sweet treats of Halloween bark. Whether you’re serving up a monster mash of munchies or just need some creepy-crawly charm to bring your gathering together, these antipasto eyes are sure to be a hit.
How to Store Them
When it comes to Halloween charcuterie board leftovers, proper storage is key. Ensure any remaining items are covered and refrigerated, with a shelf life of no more than three days. To breathe new life into these tasty treats, consider repurposing them as toasties or panini by popping them between slices of bread, or serve on pumpernickel bread or your go-to variety. As for freezing, unfortunately, this type of charcuterie is best consumed fresh and doesn’t lend itself well to preservation methods like freezing.
Antipasto Eyeballs FAQs
While balsamic vinegar and glaze may seem interchangeable, they have distinct differences in terms of consistency. Balsamic vinegar is a liquid, whereas the glaze is thick and sweet. For this Halloween-themed appetizer recipe, it’s crucial to use the correct ingredient.
When presenting these, consider arranging them on crumpled brown paper and sun-dried tomatoes for a gruesome yet great presentation. Feel free to get creative by adding other items to the platter, such as plastic spiders, gummy bats or worms, or even a pair of broken eyeglasses for an eerie touch.
Mozzarella Eyeballs Recipe
Halloween Antipasto Eyeballs Appetizer
Join Bella Bucchiotti on a culinary journey this Halloween with her delectable mozzarella eyeball appetizer, a masterclass in combining the rich flavors of Italy. With only 30 minutes of prep time and total time required, you can indulge your taste buds without sacrificing too much time from your spooky celebrations. This bewitching bite serves 10 and is sure to cast a spell on your guests.
Instructions
To create the olive oil component for your ‘eyeball’ appetizer, blend together olive oil, fresh basil, and a pinch of salt in a blender until smooth. Set aside. For the mozzarella balls, identify the slightly rounded side as the top and slice off a small portion from the bottom to ensure they sit flat. Use a paring knife to create a small circle on each top, stopping just short of cutting all the way through. This circle will serve as the iris of your eyeball. Set aside.Next, cut black olives in half lengthwise, with the inside facing up. Use a wide-mouthed straw to punch a hole through the center of each olive, creating small circles that will become the pupils of your eyeballs. Discard the rest of the olive and set the ‘pupils’ aside.To assemble the eyeballs, stir the basil oil briefly before filling each mozzarella ball cavity almost to the top. Place an olive ‘pupil’ in the center of each basil-filled mozzarella ball. Add additional basil oil if needed to reach the top of the mozzarella.For the outer layer, fold a piece of deli ham in half lengthwise and wrap it around each mozzarella ball, shaping into an eye-like form as you go. You may need to add additional pieces of ham for a snug fit.Finally, prepare your serving platter by crumpling up a sheet of parchment paper, then unfolding it and placing it on the platter. Drizzle balsamic glaze in lines across the parchment, followed by a smear with a spoon. Top the glaze with sundried tomatoes and sprinkle with flake salt. Arrange your eyeballs atop the sundried tomatoes.