Description
Create a fun and delicious spider-themed snack with this Saucy Spider with Hairy Leg Sticks recipe. Made from homemade pizza dough shaped into a spider body, head, and legs, baked to golden perfection and filled with warm marinara sauce. Perfect for Halloween or any spooky-themed party!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Spider:
- 2 balls pizza dough (thawed if frozen)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 oz)
- 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan (1 oz)
- 1 large pitted black olive
For Serving:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets: Heat oven to 375°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Shape the Spider Body and Legs: Cut 1 ball of dough in half. Shape one half into a 5-inch ball for the spider body. From the other half, cut a 1½-inch strip and form it into a 2½-inch ball for the spider’s head. Slice the rest into 8 strips and roll each into a 6-inch ropes to form the spider legs.
- Assemble the Spider: Arrange the body, legs, and head on one prepared baking sheet to look like a spider, gently pressing the dough pieces together so they stick. Brush the entire spider with some of the beaten egg. Sprinkle the legs with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan. Slice the olive into 4 pieces to create eyes and pincers and place accordingly on the head. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown, covering the legs with foil if they brown too fast.
- Prepare the Leg Sticks: Cut the remaining ball of dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a ¾-inch thick rope and then cut them into varied lengths. Taper one end and bend the other slightly to mimic spider legs. Place these on the second baking sheet, brush with remaining beaten egg and sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Fill the Spider and Serve: Warm the marinara sauce separately. Using a knife, hollow out the spider’s body and fill it with the warm sauce. Serve immediately with the crispy hairy leg sticks for dipping.
Notes
- If dough browns too fast on the legs during baking, cover them lightly with foil to prevent burning.
- You can freeze the shaped dough ahead of time and bake fresh when ready.
- Use pitted black olives for easy slicing and placement.
- Marinara sauce can be homemade or store-bought, warmed gently before serving.
- For a more dramatic look, use different colored dough or add edible food coloring.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6th of recipe)
- Calories: 223
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
