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Quick & Easy Pizza Bagel Bites
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Mini bagels are topped with two separate topping combinations for an elevated version of a nostalgic snack food. One for a margarita topping with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, and the other with slices of pepperoni that curl up into crispy cups. Using quality ingredients to make the pizza bagel bites makes all the difference here. I use mini bagels in this recipe for a homemade take on bagel bites, though they can easily be swapped for regular size bagels.
I was a picky eater as a kid, and I used to love choosing toppings to make my own pizza bagels. It was the best quick dinner or after-school snack. While I provide instructions for my favorite mini pepperoni pizza bagels, the topping combinations are endless! I included a list of some of my favorite toppings to add below.
Table of contents
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Bagels – You can find mini bagels in the bread aisle of most larger grocery stores, but if you cannot find them you can always swap the mini bagels for regular size bagels. I prefer plain bagels so the flavor can be customized with the toppings.
- Sauce – I recommend making my simple 5 minute pizza sauce for the bagels. It’s made from canned crushed tomatoes enhanced with just a bit of olive oil and garlic. Store bought marinara works great and makes for a quick addition, though I prefer the flavor of simple homemade marinara.
- Mozzarella – Shredded part-skim mozzarella melts evenly over the bagel bites for a perfect cheese pull with every bite.
- Pepperoni – I recommend buying a pepperoni stick and slicing it into ¼” (6mm) slices so when it goes under the broiler, the edges curl up into pepperoni cups with crispy edges.
- Basil – Fresh basil leaves elevate the recipe and add a fresh element. Larger leaves can be overwhelming for the small bagels, so I recommend thinly slicing the leaves or chopping them.
- Cherry tomatoes – Halved cherry tomatoes add texture to each bite. I like to garnish half the bagel bites with basil and cherry tomatoes for a miniature take on Margherita pizza.
- Red pepper flakes – A sprinkle of red pepper flakes to garnish the pizza bagels adds just a hint of spice.
How to Make Quick and Easy Pizza Bagel Bites
Step 1: Broil bagels.
Heat oven to broil. Arrange bagels cut side up on a baking sheet. Broil until the bagels are toasted and golden brown, about 1 minute.
Step 2: Top with sauce and cheese.
Spoon pizza sauce or marinara over the toasted bagels and top with mozzarella cheese.
Step 3: Add toppings.
Top half with pepperoni slices. Top the other half with basil leaves and cherry tomatoes.
Step 4: Broil bagels.
Broil until the cheese has melted and the edges of the pepperoni are golden brown, about 2 minutes.
Step 5: Garnish and serve.
Garnish with Parmesan cheese, oregano and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
Tips and Tricks for This Recipe
Other pizza bagel toppings
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Sliced olives
- Cooked sausage
- Sliced onions
- Sliced banana peppers
- Pickled jalapeños
- Hot honey
Swaps and substitutions
- The part-skim mozzarella can be swapped for another semi-hard cheese like provolone.
- While I love using my homemade marinara sauce, or 5 minute pizza sauce, your favorite store bought marinara works great in a pinch.
- Swap the marinara or pizza sauce for another favorite sauce like leftover spicy rigatoni sauce, pesto or roasted red pepper sauce.
How to make this in an air fryer
These elevated pizza bagels can easily be made in an air fryer! Assemble them according to the directions below, then heat the air fryer to 350ºF (180ºC). Add the assembled bagels to the basket of the air fryer and cook until the cheese is bubbly, about 5 minutes.
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this pizza bagel bites recipe, give these a try:
Quick & Easy Pizza Bagel Bites
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Ingredients:
- 4 mini plain bagels, halved (or 2 regular bagels)
- ⅓ cup pizza sauce or marinara
- ¾ cup part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 2 ounces pepperoni stick, sliced into ¼” (6mm) rounds
- Handful basil leaves, torn
- ⅓ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- Pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions:
- Heat oven to broil. Arrange bagels cut side up on a baking sheet. Broil until the bagels are toasted and golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Spoon pizza sauce or marinara over the toasted bagels and top with mozzarella cheese.
- Top half with pepperoni slices. Top the other half with basil leaves and cherry tomatoes.
- Broil until the cheese has melted and the edges of the pepperoni are golden brown, about 2 minutes.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese, oregano and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
Nutrition:
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Always looking for good “snacks” – this recipe fills the bill!