Mini Pizza Bagels

Ingredients

• 6 mini plain bagels – split in half
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – melted
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoons dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoons dried basil
• 0.75 cups pizza sauce
• 1.5 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
• 0.75 cups pepperoni slices – cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoons olive oil
• 0.25 teaspoons kosher salt
• 0.13 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.