Halloween Salami Eyeballs

It’s no secret that Halloween is my favorite holiday. I just love making spooky cocktails, garnishes, and nibbles for the guests who come to my annual Halloween party. And yes, costumes are most definitely required. If you love Halloween hosting as much as I do, these Salami Eyeballs have to be on your menu. You can plate them as an appetizer and/or use them as a garnish on your cocktails. We’re putting the “cute” in charcuterie.

How To Make Halloween Salami Eyeballs

1. Prepare the salami: Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, make a small cut about ¼ of the way into each side of a thin salami slice, directly opposite one another.
2. Shape the eyeballs: Gently twist the salami at the cuts to create a small pocket in the center. Nestle a mozzarella ball inside.
3. Secure with a skewer: Thread a cocktail pick through one end of the salami, through the mozzarella ball, and out through the opposite end of the salami to hold everything in place.
4. Create the iris: Using a small paring knife, carefully carve a shallow divot into the exposed side of the mozzarella ball, just large enough to hold an olive slice.
5. Add the finishing touch: Slice the pimento-stuffed olives crosswise into rounds, keeping the red pimento in the center. Gently press one olive slice into each mozzarella ball to create the appearance of an eyeball.
6. Serve: Arrange on a platter or use as a spooky cocktail garnish!

Halloween Eyeball Appetizer Tips

• Choose the right mozzarella: Ciliegine mozzarella balls work best for this recipe. If they’re too large for your salami slices, use smaller mozzarella pearls or trim them to fit.
• Use thinly sliced salami: Thin, flexible slices are easier to twist and shape without tearing.
• Dry your ingredients: Pat the mozzarella and olives dry with paper towels before assembling to prevent slipping.
• Make them ahead: Assemble the eyeballs a few hours before serving, cover, and refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

How to Serve Halloween Eyeballs

Your Halloween eyeballs can be served as a charcuterie appetizer. Because they are skewered with toothpicks, they are easy for guests to pick up and eat one-handed (just in case they have a sword or a light saber or a cocktail in the other hand). Serve them on a spooky platter alongside your cocktails and other nibbles.

Use a cocktail pick to make eyeball garnishes for your cocktails. There’s nothing more classic than garnishing a dirty martini, but you can really garnish any of my Halloween Cocktails with an eyeball snack.