Looking for a spooky main dish that will wow your Halloween guests? These Cheeseburger Skulls are as eerie as they are delicious.

Imagine juicy cheeseburgers tucked inside homemade hamburger buns baked in a skull pan — every bite is tender, cheesy, and delightfully creepy. Perfect for a Halloween party or Day of the Dead feast, they turn a classic comfort food into a chilling centerpiece.

The skull-shaped buns are surprisingly easy to make and come out soft, buttery, and perfectly detailed. Add in gooey melted cheese, your favorite toppings, and you’ve got a dinner that’s festive and unforgettable.

Whether you’re feeding kids before trick-or-treating or hosting a themed dinner, these Cheeseburger Skulls bring both fun and flavor to the table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Spooky Fun: The skull-shaped buns turn an everyday cheeseburger into a Halloween showstopper.
Homemade Touch: Freshly baked buns are soft, buttery, and way better than store-bought.
Customizable: Add your favorite cheeses, sauces, and toppings for endless flavor combos.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Buns can be made ahead and frozen, saving time on party day.

Ingredients

For Skull-Shaped Hamburger Buns:

5 tbsp (56 g) salted butter, softened (divided)
3 ½ cups (420 g) all-purpose flour
1 large egg
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp (9 g) instant yeast
¾ cup (170 g) lukewarm water (100–110°F / 38–43°C)

For Skull-Shaped Cheeseburgers:

32 oz (900 g) 80/20 ground beef
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp butter, lard, or vegetable oil
8 slices cheese (American, Cheddar, Havarti, or Provolone)
Burger toppings: tomato, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, mayo, onions, pickles

Step-by-Step Process

Skull Buns

Grease 8 skull cavities in a skull pan with 1 tbsp butter.
In a bowl, mix flour, egg, sugar, salt, yeast, and 2 tbsp cubed butter.
Pour in lukewarm water, then mix until combined.
Knead dough 5–7 minutes until smooth and springy.
Cover and let rise 1–2 hours until doubled in size.
Punch down, divide into 8 pieces (about 95 g each), and press into greased skull cavities.
Cover and let rise 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake 14–18 minutes, until golden.
Remove from pans, brush with melted butter, and cool before slicing.

Cheeseburgers

Shape ground beef into 8 skull-shaped patties (use a cookie cutter or hand-shape). Chill until cooking.
Season with salt and pepper.
Heat skillet with butter/oil over medium-high heat until hot.
Cook burgers 3 minutes per side, or until desired doneness (135°F for medium-rare).
Top with cheese slices (trim into skull shapes if desired). Cover until melted.
Assemble burgers with buns and toppings.

Variations

Cheese-Stuffed Skulls: Add a cube of cheddar inside each patty for a gooey surprise.
Spicy Kick: Mix jalapeños or hot sauce into the beef for a fiery Halloween twist.
Mini Sliders: Use smaller skull molds to make bite-sized spooky sliders for parties.

How to Serve

Serve your cheeseburger skulls on a black platter with ketchup “blood” drizzle for dramatic effect. Pair with spooky sides like “witches’ finger fries” or “monster mash guacamole.” They’re hearty enough for dinner but fun enough to serve as a Halloween party centerpiece.

FAQs

1. Can I make the buns ahead?
Yes, bake buns up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container, or freeze for up to 2 months.

2. Do I need a skull pan?
Yes — a Nordic Ware skull pan works best to get detailed shapes that look realistic.

3. Can I reheat the burgers?
Yes, cook them slightly underdone (rare) if planning to reheat later, so they stay juicy.