My homemade Pizza Bagels are better than anything you can buy frozen! I cannot tell you how many times my two young kids have requested I make this recipe. It’s a fun, quick, and easy after-school snack that can be made with any toppings their hearts desire. You only need 3 ingredients (mini bagels, pizza sauce, and cheese) plus your favorite toppings to make these. It’s the perfect lunch for kids, appetizer for game day, or quick 15-minute snack for when you’re craving a bite of pizza!
As a busy mom of two young boys, I love that all I need to make them happy are mini bagels, sauce, and cheese. Once I developed this recipe, I’ve never gone back to store-bought. It’s just too easy and way too delicious, not to mention the boys love to help!
Variations on Mini Pizza Bagels
There are so many ways to change up this pizza bagel recipe. Try swapping out plain bagels for onion, everything, rye, asiago, or multigrain. You could also switch out the pizza sauce for marinara, pesto, Buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or alfredo sauce.
I sometimes swap out the mozzarella for cheddar, Parmesan, or pepper jack cheese! I love to ask the kids what they want to do for toppings and even let them help. At our house, the favorites are pepperoni, sausage, pineapple, olives, basil, tomatoes, Buffalo chicken, barbecue pork, or even garlic shrimp!
Notes from the Test Kitchen
- If your pizza sauce tastes a little plain, mix in some Italian seasoning or a pinch of garlic powder to amp up that classic pizza flavor. I usually make my own big batch of marinara sauce and use it for these mini pizzas, pasta dishes, and more—it’s a great time-saver!
- Toasting the bagels before adding sauce is key to avoiding a soggy base. A quick toast makes them sturdier and gives you that perfect crispy bite under all the melty cheese.
- For the best melt and fresh, creamy flavor, shred your own mozzarella instead of using pre-shredded. Store-bought shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents, which can affect how well it melts.
Pizza Bagels Recipe
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 10 mini bagels
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1½ cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- Your favorite toppings: mini pepperoni, cooked italian sausage, italian seasoning, pineapple, olives, fresh basil, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Open the bagels and place them all cut side up on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the bagels in the oven for 5 minutes, or until they are just beginning to toast on top.10 mini bagels
- Spread each bagel with 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce and top with 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese, as well as any of your desired toppings.½ cup pizza sauce, 1½ cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, Your favorite toppings:
- Return the pizza bagels to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Becky’s Tips
- I’m using mini bagels for that classic “bagel bite” look but you could make these with regular-sized bagels as well.
- I’m using a store-bought jarred pizza sauce– but feel free to use whatever you have on hand. Marinara sauce would work just fine as well.
- Mozzarella is a must-have on pizza! Feel free to use as much or as little as you like on your pizza bagels. I recommend a whole milk low moisture shredded mozzarella for the best cheese-pulls!
- Nutritional information does not include toppings.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Pizza Bagels Step by Step
Toast the Bagels: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Open 10 mini bagels and place them all cut side up on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the bagels in the oven for 5 minutes or until they are just beginning to toast on top.
Top the Bagels: Spread each bagel with 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce and top with 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese, as well as any of your desired toppings.
Bake the Bagels: Return the pizza bagels to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and gooey.
How to Store and Reheat
Pizza bagels are best served hot from the oven, but if you have leftovers, they will need to be refrigerated to keep them from spoiling. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
How to Freeze
Freeze homemade pizza bagels in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
These mini bagel pizzas are the perfect easy dinner for kids or game day appetizers. Dip them in marinara sauce or ranch dressing for a classic pizza pairing!
