Pizza Bagels are a delicious and easy snack or lunch that kids (and adults) love! While store-bought versions of this recipe are convenient, it’s just as easy (and healthier) to make homemade pizza bagels on your own. These are made with whole wheat bagels, ooey gooey mozzarella cheese, and mini pepperonis, but you can make them however you like with your favorite ingredients and toppings!
Why I Love Pizza Bagels
- Kid-Friendly: Say the word “pizza” in my house, and my kids come running from every direction. Little ones love pizza bagels making them a great snack for busy days or pop them in a lunch box for school lunch.Â
- Healthier Ingredients: You can buy bagel pizzas in the freezer section at the grocery store, but many of the brands have added ingredients that just aren’t necessary. You can make them fresh with healthier ingredients like whole wheat bagels, homemade Tomato Sauce and load them up with veggies for extra nutrition.
- Customizable: The best part about these pizza bagels is you get to make them how you like! Choose your favorite bagel and top with your favorite pizza toppings. Whether you prefer classic pepperoni and cheese or want to experiment with different toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or even pineapple, the possibilities are endless!
Pizza Bagel Ingredients
- Tomato sauce
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Bagels, split in half
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings of choice (pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, onions, etc)
How To Make Homemade Pizza Bagel Bites
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment or aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
2. Prepare the Homemade Pizza Sauce:
In a bowl, stir the tomato sauce, garlic and and Italian herbs together to combine.
3. Arrange the Bagels:
Place the bagels on the cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
4. Coat with Sauce:
Spread a couple tablespoons of the prepared tomato sauce mixture over each bagel half, ensuring even coverage. Don’t overcoat or the bagels will get soggy when they bake.
5. Add Cheese and Toppings of Choice:
Sprinkle a few tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the tomato sauce on each bagel then add toppings of choice. I made mini pepperoni for these by cutting the full size pepperoni slices into small circles with a cookie cutter, but you could just cut them into quarters if you want.
6. Bake Pizza Bagels:
Place the cookie sheet with the prepared bagels in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bagels are golden brown.
7. Cool and Serve:
Once baked, remove the pizza bagels from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Recipe Tip
Feel free to make pizza bagels in your toaster oven if you prefer! Follow the same instructions and place the bagels directly on the tray. Cook time may vary so keep an eye on them.
Can I Air Fry Pizza Bagels?Â
Yes! Air frying pizza bagels is simple. Place the pizza bagels in your air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Make sure the bagel halves aren’t overcrowded and have some space between them. Keep an eye on the bagels while they’re cooking to prevent them from burning. Depending on the thickness of your bagels and your air fryer, the cooking time may vary, so check them periodically.
Tips for Easy Pizza Bagels
- Get Creative with Toppings: Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to toppings. Experiment with different cheeses, meats, veggies, and even sauces to create unique flavor combinations.
- Don’t Overload: While it’s tempting to pile on the toppings, try not to overload the bagels, as this can make them difficult to eat and cause them to become soggy.
- Suit Them To Your Preferences:Â If you have any dietary preferences, feel free to make substitutes. Opt for gluten free bagels or dairy free cheese if you need or want to!
Fun Pizza Bagels Topping Ideas
There’s no one perfect way to create a pizza bagel. That’s the best part of making them from scratch! Get your kids involved by asking them what would be extra special for them to make it their own combination! Here are some toppings ideas to get you started thinking out of the box:
- BBQ Chicken: BBQ sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, cooked diced chicken breast, red onion slices, and cilantro.
- Hawaiian:Tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, ham or Canadian bacon, and pineapple chunks.
- Pesto Pizza:Â Pesto, shredded mozzarella cheese, sliced cherry tomatoes, roasted garlic cloves, and pine nuts.
More Easy Kid-Friendly Pizza Ideas
When you’re in the mood for pizza and want a quick fix, this is the recipe for you! Pizza bagels are convenient, customizable and so delicious! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions and tag me on social media with your pizza bagel creations!
Homemade Pizza Bagels
Equipment
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian herbs
- 6 mini whole wheat bagels (or any bagel you love!), split in half
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- In a bowl, stir the tomato sauce, garlic and Italian herbs together to combine.
- Place the bagels on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Spread the prepared tomato sauce mixture over each bagel, ensuring even coverage.
- Sprinkle approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese and on top of the tomato sauce then, toppings of choice on each bagel.
- Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bagels are golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the pizza bagels from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
WOW
At almost 13 years old, my daughter still only wants to eat pizza derivatives and it bums me out to keep pulling her meals out of the freezer. Will try these on her for sure!
Yes, a serving is 1 mini pizza!
Hi,
This recipe makes 12 mini pizzas, is the serving size 1 mini pizza? It does not specify.
Thank you.
if i make these for lunch either the night before or in the morning. how do they re-heat for school lunch?
I made these for lunch today and both of my boys went crazy for them! I put mini pepperonis on this b/c it is their favorite! Thanks for all your recipes!
these look sooo good!! i am going to make them later 🙂