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Bat-Shaped Calzones

These playful bat-shaped calzones are made by folding pizza dough over flavorful fillings like cheese, ham, and spinach, then shaping and cutting wings for a spooky effect. Baked until golden and crispy, they offer a gooey interior with a crispy exterior, perfect for a fun and memorable meal. The process combines shaping, sealing, and decorative cuts to create a whimsical, crowd-pleasing dish.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package store-bought or homemade pizza dough
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 0.5 cup diced ham or your preferred fillings
  • 0.5 cup chopped spinach
  • 1 egg beaten egg for egg wash
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder optional
  • to taste black pepper and Italian herbs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for brushing
  • as needed flour for surface dusting

Equipment

  • Rolling pin
  • Pizza cutter or sharp knife
  • Baking sheet
  • Pastry brush
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F).
  2. Sprinkle flour on your work surface and roll out the dough into an even sheet about 0.5 cm thick using a rolling pin.
  3. Use a round cutter or a sharp knife to cut out circles approximately 15 cm in diameter from the dough.
  4. Place a spoonful of cheese, ham, and spinach mixture on one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edge.
  5. Fold the dough over the filling to create a semi-circle, then pinch and crimp the edges tightly to seal in the filling.
  6. Using a sharp knife, cut two small bat wing shapes into the top of each calzone for a spooky effect, ensuring cuts are shallow enough to keep the shape intact.
  7. Brush the tops of the calzones with beaten egg to give them a shiny, golden finish.
  8. Place the calzones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
  9. Remove the calzones from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Let them rest for about 5 minutes to set the filling.
  10. Serve warm, enjoying the crispy crust and gooey, cheesy interior with the whimsical bat wing decorations.

Notes

Ensure the edges are sealed well to prevent filling leaks. Cut shallow wings for clean shapes. Keep an eye on oven time for perfect golden color.