These easy pizza bagels are a childhood favorite the whole family will devour!
Crispy, toasted bagels get topped with zesty tomato sauce, gooey cheese, and savory pepperoni.
These handheld bites are perfect lazy lunches, after-school snacks, game days, or even birthday parties.
Plus, they’re ridiculously easy to make. Simply assemble, then bake!
Why You’ll Love These Pizza Bagels
Quick Fix: Ready in 15 minutes, this recipe is perfect for quick lunches, busy weeknights, and late-night munchies.
Budget-Friendly: Delivery? Forget it! With common ingredients, these pizza bagels are much more economical than ordering a pizza.
Fun to Make: Make pizza bagel night a fun family activity! Set up a little topping bar and let everyone create their own masterpiece.
Customizable: I love how customizable these personal pizzas are. Love mushrooms? Toss some on. Feeling fancy? Swap the red sauce for pesto.
Ingredients
- Bagels: The perfect base for mini pizzas! Choose any flavor you like.
- Pizza or Marinara Sauce: The foundation for a classic pepperoni pizza.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Mild, creamy cheese melts beautifully and creates the signature stretchy texture.
- Pepperoni: A classic topping! The salty, savory flavor is very complementary. Mini pepperoni is the ideal size.
- Italian Seasoning and Garlic Powder: They enhance the overall flavor.
- Fresh Basil or Parsley: It adds a bright, aromatic burst of flavor.
How to Make Pizza Bagels
Forget the frozen version, these homemade pizza bagels are where it’s at! With a quick assembly, all you have to do is bake.
1. Prepare. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Slice the bagels in half. Place them cut-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
3. Spread pizza sauce on each bagel half. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Add the pepperoni and season with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
4. Bake the pizzas. Bake for 8–10 minutes.
5. Cool the bagels for a minute. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Tips for the Best Pizza Bagels
With fresh, quality ingredients, these homemade pizza bagels are next level. But to do them justice, keep these tips in mind.
- Make ‘em crispy. Prevent soggy bagels by toasting them lightly before adding toppings. This helps create a barrier against the sauce.
- Don’t overdo it! When adding the sauce, try not to add too much. Otherwise, the bagels may turn out soggy and messy.
- Swap the bread. No bagels? No problem! This recipe also works with French bread and English muffins.
- Spice things up. Finish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Go vegetarian. Skip the meat for a vegetarian version. You can also add other toppings like spinach, tomatoes, or feta cheese.
- Fire up the air fryer For a quicker cooking method, use an air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Try fun toppings. Try different combinations like BBQ chicken with smoked gouda, Hawaiian style with ham and pineapple, or mushroom and sausage.
How to Store
Like the store-bought version, these homemade pizza bites are also freezer-friendly. Just be sure to follow these storage tips for optimal freshness.
To Store: Place cooled leftovers in an air-tight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To Freeze: Freeze assembled pizza bagels on a baking sheet until solid (about 1-2 hours), then transfer to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, wrap each bagel individually in freezer paper and then plastic wrap before placing in a large freezer bag.
To Reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a crispier result, use an air fryer for just a couple of minutes.
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