Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Dough

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you’re using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats to ensure it gets nice and hot for a crispy crust.

2. Roll Out the Dough:

On a lightly floured surface, roll out your pizza dough into a large round or rectangle (about 12-14 inches in diameter or length). If you’re using homemade dough, allow it to rise slightly before rolling it out. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a sheet of parchment paper or a lightly oiled pizza pan.

3. Prepare the Crust:

Brush the edges of the pizza dough with olive oil and sprinkle with dried oregano and garlic powder for added flavor. This will help create a golden, crispy crust.

Step 2: Add the Pizza Sauce and Cheese

1. Spread the Sauce:

Spread pizza sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. Use the back of a spoon or a ladle to spread the sauce in a circular motion.

2. Add the Cheese:

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pizza sauce, followed by grated Parmesan cheese if using. The combination of mozzarella and Parmesan gives the pizza a rich, cheesy flavor that complements the spooky decorations.

Step 3: Create the Spider Decorations

1. Make the Olive Spiders:

To create the spiders, you’ll need black olives. Cut several black olives in half lengthwise to form the spider bodies. Then, slice other black olives into thin strips to create the legs. You’ll need about 6-8 strips per spider for a realistic, spooky look.

2. Assemble the Spiders:

Place the olive halves on top of the cheese to form the spider “bodies.” Arrange the thin olive strips around each body to form the spider legs. You can make as many spiders as you want—typically, 5-6 spiders across the pizza look the most festive.

3. Alternative Spider Bodies:

For an extra touch, you can use mini pepperoni slices or grape tomatoes as the spider bodies instead of black olives. Just place the pepperoni or tomatoes on the pizza and surround them with the olive “legs.”

Step 4: Add Optional Toppings

At this point, you can add any of your favorite pizza toppings to the pizza, making sure not to overcrowd it. Some great toppings include:

• Sliced mushrooms for an earthy flavor.
• Red onion rings for added color and a mild bite.
• Bell pepper slices for a touch of sweetness and color.
• Pepperoni or sausage for extra protein.
• Spinach leaves for a pop of green and added nutrition.

Make sure not to cover the olive spiders with too many toppings, as you want them to stand out for the full spooky effect.

Step 5: Bake the Pizza

1. Transfer to the Oven:

Carefully transfer the pizza to the oven (if using a pizza stone, slide the pizza with the parchment paper directly onto the stone). Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy, and the cheese is bubbly and melted.

2. Check for Doneness:

Once the pizza is done baking, the crust should be crisp, and the cheese should be melted and slightly golden around the edges. The olive spiders should still be intact and easily visible on the surface of the pizza.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

1. Add Fresh Garnish:

Once the pizza is out of the oven, you can garnish it with a few fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and extra flavor. The basil adds a bright, herbaceous note that complements the savory cheese and sauce.

2. Serve with Dipping Sauces:

For extra flavor, serve the pizza with ranch dressing, garlic dipping sauce, or extra Parmesan cheese on the side. Red pepper flakes can also be sprinkled on top for a bit of heat.

3. Slice and Enjoy:

Cut the pizza into slices and serve your spooky Halloween Spider Pizza hot. Make sure each slice has at least one creepy olive spider on it for maximum Halloween fun!