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 (190°C)
- 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.
- Grab a napkin and dig into every cheesy, crispy bite!
💡 No convection setting? You're all set — this recipe uses the regular Bake setting, so any toaster oven can make it, with or without a convection button.
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.
