Name: Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 plain bagels (sliced in half); 1 cup pizza sauce; 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 16–20 slices of pepperoni or other toppings (optional); 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for brushing); Red pepper flakes and chopped basil for garnish (optional)

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Say hello to your new favorite comforting snack: Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels! This delightful twist on classic pizza delivers all the saucy, cheesy goodness you crave, but makes it magically simple and fun—ready in just about 20 minutes. Whether you’re whipping up a lightning-fast lunch, a hands-on weeknight dinner with the kids, or need a crowd-pleasing party bite, these pizza bagels hit every note. Their irresistible combination of golden, crispy edges and gooey, melty cheese makes them a must-try—plus, you can customize each half just the way you like. One bite and you’ll be hooked!

Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the absolute joys of Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels is that you only need a handful of essential ingredients—most of which you might already have waiting in your kitchen. Each one plays its part, balancing flavor, texture, and color to deliver that irresistible pizza experience in every bite.

Bagels: The heart of our recipe! Choose plain bagels for a classic base that turns golden and perfectly crisp in the oven.
Pizza sauce: Rich and tangy, this is the flavor foundation—use your favorite jarred version, or homemade if you’re feeling fancy.
Mozzarella cheese: Shredded whole-milk mozzarella is the real melty magic that brings everything together.
Pepperoni (or other toppings): Pick your favorites! From classic pepperoni to mushrooms, peppers, or olives, personalize every bagel half.
Italian seasoning: Just a sprinkle gives a fragrant, herby lift that makes your bagels smell (and taste) like pizzeria heaven.
Olive oil (optional): Brushing the bagel halves lightly is a secret trick for next-level crunch.
Red pepper flakes & chopped basil (optional): For that final flourish—add some color, freshness, or a touch of heat.

How to Make Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start your Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels adventure by preheating your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. If you want that extra-crispy bottom, now’s your chance to brush the cut sides of each bagel with a little olive oil—trust me, this step is tiny but mighty.

Step 2: Sauce It Up

Arrange your bagel halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Using a spoon, spread about 1 to 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce over each one. Get it right to the edges for the sauciest results, but try not to overload so the sauce doesn’t spill over.

Step 3: Add Cheese and Toppings

Sprinkle a generous handful of shredded mozzarella over each sauced bagel, making sure every bite gets plenty of cheese. Now’s the fun part: top each one however you like! Go for classic pepperoni, keep it vegetarian, or raid your fridge for bell peppers, olives, or even pineapple—no judgment here.

Step 4: Season and Bake

Give each assembled bagel a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Pop the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the cheese is melted and bubbling, and the bagel edges turn beautifully golden brown.

Step 5: Cool & Garnish

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let your Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels cool for a few minutes—they’ll be very hot! For a finishing touch, scatter some chopped fresh basil or a pinch of red pepper flakes over the top. Dive in while they’re still warm and gooey!

How to Serve Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels

Garnishes

Give your Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels a touch of flair just before serving. A sprinkle of freshly chopped basil adds a bright, aromatic note, while red pepper flakes can spice things up for those who love a little heat. Parmesan shavings or a drizzle of olive oil work beautifully if you want to turn up the “gourmet” factor.

Side Dishes

Pair your pizza bagels with a crisp green salad tossed in Italian dressing for a balanced lunch. For parties or game nights, offer a platter alongside garlic knots, crunchy veggie sticks, or even a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping—these bagels love company!

Creative Ways to Present

Let everyone make their own mini masterpiece! Set out a DIY pizza bagel bar with bowls of assorted toppings for a fun, interactive meal. They also shine when sliced into quarters on a wooden board for bite-sized snack platters—perfect for sharing or grabbing on the go.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels (a rare but happy problem), let them cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. This makes them great for meal-prep lunches or after-school snacks.

Freezing

To freeze, arrange cooled pizza bagels on a tray in a single layer and freeze until firm. Then transfer them to a freezer bag or container—they’ll keep for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen for a quick treat any time.

Reheating

For best results, reheat pizza bagels in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F until warmed through and the cheese has remelted—usually about 8 to 10 minutes. The microwave works in a pinch, but your bagels will be softer instead of crisp.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Main Course, Snack

Absolutely! Plain bagels are classic, but whole wheat, everything, or even gluten-free bagels all work wonderfully for Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels. Each kind adds its own unique flavor twist.

What toppings work best besides pepperoni?

Try cooked sausage, crumbled bacon, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or pineapple. For a vegetarian spin, pile on spinach, tomatoes, or artichoke hearts. The options are only limited by your imagination!

Can I make these in an air fryer?

Yes! Air-frying pizza bagels is quick and easy. Arrange them in a single layer and cook at 370°F for about 6 to 8 minutes, checking for melty cheese and crispy edges.

How do I keep the bagels from getting soggy?

A light brush of olive oil on the cut sides before saucing helps create a barrier and keeps the bagels crisp. Also, don’t overdo the sauce—just enough to coat, not drench.

Are Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels kid-friendly?

Definitely. Kids love making and eating these bagels! Letting them choose and add their favorite toppings turns dinner into a fun activity, and the single-serving size is perfect for little hands.

Final Thoughts

There’s honestly nothing more satisfying than biting into a warm, cheesy Easy Homemade Pizza Bagel—especially when you realize how effortlessly they come together. It’s a recipe you’ll turn to for quick lunches, fun dinners, and all those times when a pizza craving strikes. Give them a try, and watch them become a staple in your kitchen. Your taste buds (and your family) will thank you!

Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 22 minutes
Yield: 8 pizza bagel halves 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy these Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels for a quick and tasty meal or snack. Crispy bagels topped with pizza sauce, gooey cheese, and your favorite toppings, baked to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Bagel Halves:

4 plain bagels (sliced in half)

Pizza Topping:

1 cup pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
16–20 slices of pepperoni or other toppings (optional)
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for brushing)
Red pepper flakes and chopped basil for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Brush bagel halves with olive oil if desired. Place cut-side up on the baking sheet.
Layer Toppings: Spread pizza sauce on each half, add mozzarella, desired toppings, and Italian seasoning.
Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and edges are golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with red pepper flakes or basil.