Toaster Oven Pizza Bagels
Make quick and tasty pizza bagels right in your toaster oven! Perfect for a snack or a light meal, these mini pizzas are fun to make and even more fun to eat.
Why This Works in a Toaster Oven
Toaster ovens provide the perfect heat distribution for melting cheese and crisping up bagels quickly, without heating up your whole kitchen.
Toaster Oven Setup
- Temperature: 375°F
- Setting: Bake
- Convection: No
- Rack Position: Middle
- Pan Size: 9 x 6 in (23 x 15 cm)
- Batch Size: 4 bagel halves
- Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
- Rotate Pan: No
- Ready When: The cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the bagels are golden brown.
Ingredients
Bagels
- 2 plain bagels, halved
Toppings
- 1/2 cup (120 g) pizza sauce
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup (28 g) sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 cup (28 g) sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup (28 g) diced bell peppers
Equipment
- Toaster oven
- 9 x 6 in (23 x 15 cm) baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Spoon for spreading sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a 9 x 6 in (23 x 15 cm) pan with parchment paper.
- Place the bagel halves cut side up on the prepared pan.
- Spread 2 tablespoons (30 g) of pizza sauce on each bagel half.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup (28 g) of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce on each bagel half.
- Add your desired toppings such as pepperoni, olives, and bell peppers.
- Bake in the preheated toaster oven for 8–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
How to Know It's Ready
The cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the bagels are golden brown.
Troubleshooting
- If the cheese isn't melting evenly, try moving the bagels closer to the heating element for the last minute of baking.
- If your toaster oven runs hot, start checking the bagels at 6 minutes to prevent burning.
- For crisper bagels, toast the halved bagels for a couple of minutes before adding toppings.
- If your toppings are sliding off, reduce the amount of sauce slightly.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover pizza bagels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the toaster oven at 350°F for 5 minutes or until heated through.
Variations
- Try using whole wheat bagels for a healthier option.
- Add cooked sausage or bacon for extra protein.
- Use a mix of cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella for added flavor.
- Swap pizza sauce with pesto for a different twist.
- Add fresh basil leaves after baking for a burst of freshness.
FAQ
Can I use mini bagels instead?
Yes, mini bagels work great and can be a fun, bite-sized option. Just reduce the cooking time slightly.
What other toppings can I use?
Feel free to use any of your favorite pizza toppings, such as mushrooms, onions, or cooked chicken.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prepare the bagels ahead and store them in the fridge, then bake when ready to eat.
How can I make these vegetarian?
Simply skip the pepperoni or replace it with vegetarian-friendly toppings like mushrooms or artichokes.
Is there a gluten-free option?
Use gluten-free bagels and check that your toppings are gluten-free as well.
Grab a napkin and dig into every cheesy, crispy bite!