Easy skeleton head mushrooms made from fresh mushrooms. A spooky Halloween food idea perfect for pizza, soups, pasta, or any dish with mushrooms.
Published: September 15, 2025 by Pamela.
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Halloween food ideas are some of my favorites to play with because you can turn the simplest ingredients into something spooky. These skeleton head mushrooms are one of those easy tricks.
I added them on top of a spinach pizza dough and they looked creepy and fun. You can also toss them into soups, pasta dishes, risotto, or even serve them as a side with roasted veggies. They are just fresh mushrooms with a few simple cuts to make them look like little skulls, and they are a great way to bring Halloween straight to the table.
What you need to make Skeleton mushrooms:
- A knife: A regular sharp knife works fine, but if you have an Exacto knife it makes the carving a little easier.
- A straw: Use a straw to punch out the eyes so they look neat and round. A rigid plastic straw works better than the disposable ones.
- Mushrooms: Use fresh mushrooms. They are bigger, firm, and much easier to carve than older ones.
How to make mushrooms shaped like skeleton:
1. Start by cleaning the mushrooms. Do not wash them under water because they soak it up. Instead, wipe them gently with a damp paper towel. Cut each mushroom in half.
2. For the eyes, use a straw to punch two holes. Insert the straw about one third of the way through and pull out the piece you carved so the eyes stay hollow.
3. For the nose, carve two small lines that form an upside down “V” but disconnected in the middle. This gives that skeleton nose shape.
4. For the mouth, carve a straight horizontal line across the bottom, then cut two diagonal lines from each side so it looks like an open jaw. In the middle, carve small straight lines going down to make the teeth.
🎥 Here’s a quick video on how to:
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use any type of mushroom: White button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms work best because they are firm and smooth. I wouldn’t recommend canned mushrooms for this, but you can always try.
- How do I keep the mushrooms from browning: Wipe them instead of washing and use them soon after carving. If you want to prep ahead, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Do the cuts stay visible after cooking: Yes, they look best when baked or roasted. If you boil them in soup the details soften a bit, so I recommend baking them in the oven first then adding them to the soup after you plate.
- Can I use something else instead of a straw for the eyes: Yes, you can use a piping tip or even carefully carve small circles with a knife.
- Can I make these ahead of time: You can carve them a few hours in advance and keep them covered in the fridge. Just try not to leave them overnight because they may dry out.
⭐️ If you tried this method, be sure to leave a rating and share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear your feedback!
Skeleton Head Mushrooms
Equipment
- 1 Knife
- 1 Straw
- Mushrooms
Instructions
- Clean the mushrooms gently with a damp paper towel instead of rinsing them under water. Mushrooms absorb water quickly and get soggy, so wiping is the best way. Slice each mushroom in half.
- Make the eyes first (or leave them for later if you prefer starting with the other features). Take a straw and press it about one third of the way into the mushroom cap. Twist slightly, then pull it out to remove the piece. Do this twice to create two hollow round eyes.
- For the nose, carve two small slits shaped like an upside down “V” that does not connect in the middle. This gives that classic skeleton nose look.
- For the mouth, start by carving a straight line across. On each end, add a diagonal cut slanting down, one on the left and one on the right. Then add several short vertical cuts along the line to make it look like teeth.
Video
@buttercut.org Spinach Pizza Halloween edition. 👻 #fyp ♬ original sound – 7AJ🎧
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