Can I make Salami Mozzarella Eyeballs ahead of time?

Yes! These can be made up to 4 hours ahead. Just assemble, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. If you're worried about the olive slices sliding, wait to add them until just before serving or secure them with a dot of cream cheese.

What kind of mozzarella should I use?

Go for mini mozzarella balls, labeled "bocconcini" or "ciliegine" in most stores. They’re the perfect size for bite-sized eyeballs and hold up well when wrapped with salami. Just be sure to pat them dry before assembly.

How do I make the eyeballs look more realistic?

Use green olives with pimentos for the iris and pupil, and place them dead center. For extra spooky vibes, add red food coloring streaks with a toothpick for a bloodshot effect. You can also serve them on a red sauce base for that horror-movie finish.

Are these kid-friendly or too spooky?

These are 100% kid-approved, especially if you keep the flavor mild with classic salami and plain mozzarella. Kids love assembling them, too! For picky eaters, you can even skip the olives and use a small dot of food coloring instead.

Salami Mozzarella Eyeballs: 15-Minute Spooky Party Hit!

Name: Salami Mozzarella Eyeballs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Halloween
Ingredients: 12 mini mozzarella balls (ciliegine); 12 slices of round salami (thin-cut); 6 green olives with pimento (sliced); 2 tbsp cream cheese (optional, for sticking); Black olives (optional for dark pupils); 12 toothpicks or short party skewers

Ingredients

Scale

12 mini mozzarella balls (ciliegine)

12 slices of round salami (thin-cut)

6 green olives with pimento (sliced)

2 tbsp cream cheese (optional, for sticking)

Black olives (optional for dark pupils)

12 toothpicks or short party skewers

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Drain and pat the mozzarella balls dry.

2. Wrap each cheese ball with a slice of salami.

3. Slice the green olives into rings and place one on each mozzarella ball to resemble an iris.

4. Use a tiny dot of cream cheese under the olive if needed to help it stick.

5. Optional: Add a black olive slice or red food coloring for extra spookiness.

6. Secure with a toothpick and arrange on a platter to serve.

Notes

Make ahead up to 4 hours; store covered in fridge.

Add streaks of red food coloring for a bloodshot look.

Serve with marinara sauce for a “bloody” presentation.

Pair with sweet Halloween treats for a balanced spread.

Author: Chef Saly
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Halloween

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 eyeball
Calories: 75
Sugar: 0g
Sodium: 280mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 1g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 20mg