Mini Pizza Bagels
Ingredients
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- 6 mini plain bagels – split in half
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – melted
- 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoons dried basil
- 3/4 cups pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cups pepperoni slices – cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoons ground black pepper
- crushed red pepper flakes – to taste
- fresh basil leaves – thinly sliced (for serving)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Split the mini bagels in half horizontally to make 12 halves and arrange them cut side up on the prepared baking sheet.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil until combined.
4. Brush the cut sides of the bagel halves lightly with the garlic-herb butter mixture, dividing it evenly among the bagels.
5. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each bagel half and spread it to the edges in an even layer.
6. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauced bagels, using about 2 tablespoons of cheese per half.
7. Top the cheese with the chopped pepperoni, dividing it evenly over all the bagel halves.
8. Drizzle the tops very lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle with the grated parmesan, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.
9. Bake the mini pizza bagels in the preheated oven until the cheese is fully melted, bubbling, and lightly golden at the edges, 10–12 minutes.
10. If you prefer more browning, switch the oven to broil and broil the bagels on the middle rack for 1–2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is spotty golden.
11. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the mini pizza bagels cool for 3–5 minutes so the cheese sets slightly.
12. Sprinkle the hot bagels with crushed red pepper flakes and sliced fresh basil to taste, then transfer to a platter and serve warm.
Mini pizza bagels are a fun, bite-sized twist on classic pizza, built on the chewy, toasty base of a split bagel. Each half is layered with savory tomato sauce, stretchy mozzarella, and your favorite toppings, offering the same comforting flavors as a full-size pie in a more snackable form. The texture is pleasantly contrasting: crisp edges, soft interior, and molten cheese that sets just enough to be easy to eat with your hands.
Historically, mini pizza bagels emerged in late 20th-century American food culture, especially tied to the rise of frozen convenience snacks in the 1980s and 1990s. They draw on two strong traditions: New York–style pizza and the Jewish-American bagel, fusing them into a kid-friendly party and after-school staple. Over time they became iconic in lunch boxes, game-day spreads, and casual gatherings, while also inspiring countless homemade versions that upgrade the sauce, cheese, and toppings for fresher flavor.