Severed Finger Cheese Sticks
These Severed Finger Cheese Sticks are a spooky, savory Halloween appetizer featuring string cheese wrapped in dough, detailed with almond nails and knuckle slits, and served with warm marinara "blood." Budget-friendly, easy to scale, and customizable for dietary needs, they're perfect for quick prep and crowd-pleasing party bites.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- oven
- - Whisk
- Knife
Ingredients
Mozzarella string cheese sticks
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks (low-moisture)
Dough
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough or crescent roll sheet about 11–13 oz
- 1 large egg plus 1 tsp water for egg wash
- 1 tsp water for egg wash
- 24 slices sliced almonds for "nails"
- 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce for dipping "blood"
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan optional, for savory "skin"
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder optional
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika optional, adds "toasted skin" color
- pinch kosher salt kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk egg and water for egg wash, set aside. Pat string cheese dry with paper towel to reduce leaks.
- Unroll dough on lightly floured surface. If using pizza dough, roll to about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. Cut into 12 strips about 1.5 x 5 inches (4 x 13 cm). If using crescent sheet, pinch seams then cut similarly.
- Place a string cheese near one end of dough strip. Roll tightly to enclose cheese, pinching seams closed. Taper one end into a fingertip shape, leave other end blunt for "severed" side. Repeat for all 12 fingers.
- Using a paring knife, make three shallow horizontal slits about one-third from tip and two slits halfway down for second knuckle. Lightly pinch dough between slits to create knuckle bulges.
- Brush small dab of egg wash where nails will sit. Press sliced almond on fingertip, angling slightly downward for a natural nail look.
- Lightly brush all fingers with egg wash for sheen. Sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt, Parmesan, garlic powder, and smoked paprika if using. Optional: add a drop of green food coloring to egg wash and brush sparingly for sickly hue.
- Arrange fingers on parchment-lined sheet pan seam side down with space between. Bake 12–15 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Warm marinara sauce. Spoon into a small bowl. Arrange cheese sticks around bowl with blunt ends facing sauce. For extra gore, drag spoonful of sauce over some "stumps." Serve hot.
- Enjoy immediately while cheese is stretchy. Rewarm on low oven if needed during party.
Notes
For a full snack board, pair with deviled eggs or mini pizzas. Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate or freeze unbaked assembled fingers for longer storage. Use gluten-free or vegan substitutions as needed.