Pus Pockets

Three ingredients and maximum gross-out factor make these the ultimate Halloween party snack. Pita pockets get stuffed with shredded mozzarella, baked until golden, then poked with a hole on top so the melted cheese squeezes out like, well, pus.

Dab some ketchup around the hole for a bloody, infected look and watch the kids lose their minds. They’re ridiculous, they’re gross, and they disappear off the platter faster than any “nice” appetizer you’ll ever make.

The key is letting them cool just enough to handle but serving them while the cheese is still gooey and squeezable. Too cool and the mozzarella sets up and won’t ooze.

Pro Tips

• Use low-moisture mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella has too much water and will make the pita soggy instead of crispy.
• Only slit the pita open along a quarter of its edge. Too big an opening and the cheese melts out the side instead of building pressure for the ooze effect.
• Poke the hole on top with a sharp knife right when they come out of the oven. The cheese needs to be fully melted to squeeze through.
• Serve on a dark-colored platter with some fake spider webs around it for full effect.

Variations

• Mix in a little green food coloring with the shredded cheese before stuffing for an even grosser look.
• Use pizza sauce instead of ketchup for a more flavorful “blood” ring.
• Add chopped pepperoni inside with the cheese for a pizza pocket version.