The Absolute Best Pizza Bagels Ever
Turn this throwback after-school snack into a quick and easy meal.
Serves2 to 4
Prep5 minutes to 10 minutes
Cook7 minutes to 12 minutes
As any ’90s kid knows, when pizza’s on a bagel, you can have pizza anytime. I ate a staggering amount of pizza bagels as a kid. Whether from the freezer or freshly baked at the local bagel shop a block from the school, it was absolutely one of my top-five after-school snacks. Now, with kids of my own, I wanted to figure out a way to keep these treats on hand and for my kids to be able to pop them in the oven themselves.
How Do I Keep Bagel Pizzas from Getting Soggy?
Think of your bagel like a big crostini. Brush it with olive oil and let it toast in a hot oven until golden-brown before piling on the toppings. This is especially helpful with grocery store bagels, which tend to get doughy when loaded up with cheese and sauce.
What Do I Top Pizza Bagels With?
Mozzarella and pepperoni are great, but it’s the perfect time to raid the fridge for any bits of leftovers. Other great options include the following:
- Leftover cooked sausage
- Sliced olives
- Other cheeses, such as cheddar, feta, or goat cheese
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Sliced grape or cherry tomatoes
- Sliced bell peppers
- Sliced onions
Adding a garnish after baking can brighten the whole thing up as well. Try adding the following:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Can I Make Pizza Bagels Ahead of Time?
Pizza bagels are great to make ahead and freeze for a quick snack or meal. Assemble them up until the point of broiling the cheese. Freeze them flat on the baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container. When ready to eat, bake at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes. (No need to thaw first.)
Pizza Bagels Recipe
Turn this throwback after-school snack into a quick and easy meal.
Prep time 5 minutes to 10 minutes
Cook time 7 minutes to 12 minutes
Serves 2 to 4
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2
bagels
- 2 teaspoons
olive oil
- 1/2 cup
store-bought or homemade pizza or marinara sauce (see Recipe Notes)
- 1 1/2 cups
shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese (about 6 ounces)
Optional toppings:
Pepperoni
Sliced olives
Sliced mushrooms
Sliced or diced onions
Diced tomatoes
Optional garnishes:
Fresh basil leaves
Grated Parmesan cheese
Red pepper flakes
Instructions
Arrange a rack at the top of the oven and heat the oven to 425°F.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Split 2 bagels and place cut-side up on the baking sheet. Brush with 2 teaspoons olive oil. Bake until golden-brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and switch the oven to broil.
Spread 2 tablespoons pizza or marinara sauce on each bagel half, spreading to the very edges. Top each bagel half with a heaping 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Add toppings as desired.
Return the baking sheet to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and browned in spots, 2 to 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil, grated Parmesan cheese, and/or red pepper flakes if desired.
Recipe Notes
Homemade pizza sauce: For a quick pizza sauce, stir together 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 grated garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and a pinch each of kosher salt and granulated sugar.
Freezing pizza bagels: Assemble up until the point of broiling the cheese. Freeze them flat on the baking sheet until solid, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, bake from frozen at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes.
Storage: Refrigerate baked pizza bagels in an airtight container for up to 1 day ahead or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and toasted in spots.
This post originally ran on Kitchn. See it there: Quick & Easy Pizza Bagels