I still remember the year I made these Halloween Chicken Parm Sliders for my kids’ party. Their little faces lit up when they saw mozzarella “teeth” poking out and olive eyes staring back. It’s a fun way to turn a classic chicken parm into a spooky, bite-sized dish that feels like a treat, not just dinner.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
When I make these, I keep it simple. The sliders disappear so quickly that fancy isn’t needed. Just hearty buns, gooey cheese, and crispy chicken—done.
Main Ingredients
- 8 frozen chicken tenders
- 8 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls or brioche)
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese, cut into jagged “teeth”
- 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed
- 16 green olives stuffed with pimento
- Toothpicks
Optional Add-Ins
Sometimes I sneak in basil or parmesan for grown-ups at the table. A sprinkle here, a drizzle there, and suddenly the sliders feel as festive as cheesy Halloween pizza skulls.
Tools & Equipment
Nothing fancy here. I’ve even carved cheese teeth with a butter knife when I couldn’t find my paring knife. Toothpicks are a must, though—they make those goofy olive eyes stay put like on my fun ghost fruit skewers for Halloween parties.
- Baking sheet
- Paring knife
- Toothpicks
- Foil for reheating
How to Make Halloween Chicken Parm Sliders

Cooking these feels like arts and crafts with food. My youngest loves to “help” make the monster eyes while I handle the oven part.
Step 1 – Cook the Chicken
Bake or air fry chicken tenders until golden and crispy.
Step 2 – Cut the Cheese “Teeth”
Slice mozzarella into jagged strips. Don’t worry about perfection—the uneven cuts make them look scarier.
Step 3 – Create the Olive “Eyes”
Push two olives onto each toothpick. Suddenly, you’ve got silly monster eyes that wiggle when the sliders move.
Step 4 – Assemble the Sliders
Bottom bun, marinara, chicken, more sauce, mozzarella teeth, top bun, and olive eyes. Done! I love serving them beside a pot of spooky spaghetti and cheesy monster meatballs for a full Halloween spread.
Fun Variations to Try
Every Halloween, I tweak these a little. One year I swapped in eggplant cutlets for my vegetarian friend, and no one even noticed. Another year, I drizzled spicy marinara and the adults claimed those sliders first.
- Swap chicken for meatballs or eggplant
- Try pesto or BBQ sauce
- Use provolone, parmesan, or vegan cheese
- Serve on pretzel or gluten-free buns
- Add ketchup “blood” for an extra scream
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
I always prep the olive eyes the night before. They hold up beautifully in a little airtight container in the fridge, which makes party day so much easier.
Can You Prep These Ahead?
Yes. Cheese teeth and olive eyes can be prepped 3–4 days ahead.
How to Store Leftovers
Keep sliders in the fridge up to 24 hours. Reheat wrapped in foil at 350°F for 10–15 minutes. If I plan to save some, I keep the buns separate until serving.
Print
Halloween Chicken Parm Sliders (with Monster Eyes!)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 sliders 1x
- Category: Appetizer; Halloween; Sliders
- Method: Bake; Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
Description
Spooky, kid‑friendly chicken parm sliders with crispy tenders, warm marinara, jagged mozzarella “teeth,” and olive “eyes.” Fast and party‑ready.
Ingredients
8 frozen chicken tenders
8 slider buns (Hawaiian, potato, or brioche)
8 slices mozzarella cheese
1 cup marinara or spaghetti sauce, warmed
16 green olives stuffed with pimento
Toothpicks
Optional: fresh basil, grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Bake or air fry chicken tenders per package until crisp.
2. Slice mozzarella into jagged strips to make “teeth.”
3. Skewer two olives on a toothpick for each slider to make “eyes.”
4. Warm marinara in a small saucepan.
5. Build: bottom bun + marinara + chicken + more marinara.
6. Add mozzarella “teeth,” top with bun.
7. Pierce top bun with olive “eyes.” Serve immediately.
Notes
Make‑ahead: carve cheese “teeth” and assemble olive eyes 3–4 days ahead; store airtight in the fridge.
Variations: BBQ + cheddar; buffalo + blue cheese + jalapeños; pesto; spicy marinara; vegan cheese; meatballs or breaded eggplant.
Storage: best fresh; refrigerate up to 24 hours. Reheat wrapped in foil at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes.
Longer hold: keep chicken, sauce, and buns separate; assemble right before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 164
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 33 mg
More Spooky Party Favorites
Over the years, I’ve built a tradition around Halloween dinners. These sliders always sit next to something silly like cheesy Halloween pizza skulls or a side of ghost fruit skewers. Together, they make the table look like a spooky feast without much effort.
FAQs
Can I use homemade chicken instead of frozen tenders?
Yes. I’ve used breaded cutlets and even grilled strips. Both work well.
What kind of buns work best?
I love Hawaiian rolls because they’re soft and slightly sweet. Brioche is great too.
Are these sliders good for kids’ lunches?
Yes! Just leave out the toothpicks. Wrap warm in foil and pack them up.
Final Bite
Halloween Chicken Parm Sliders are more than a snack—they’re a memory maker. From carving cheese “teeth” to placing goofy olive eyes, every bite brings giggles. Make them once, and they’ll become as loved as trick-or-treating itself.