Ordering pizza can get costly, so I found a way to make my own personal pizza bagels whenever I want it for lunch or dinner or a late-night snack.
Jump to RecipeI am a sucker for some good cheesy pizza! I craved pizza so badly when I was pregnant with Tyler. Pizza was about the only craving I really had. And nothing could beat it. To keep the costs down, I started making homemade pizza bagels at least once a week.
I have always enjoyed pizza, though. When I was in high school, Friday night was pizza night. We always ordered our Papa John’s pizza and a Coke. My best friend knew it. She was over most Friday nights and everyone knew that was pizza night in the Beller household!
Ordering pizza can get costly, though, so I have found a way to make my own personal pizza whenever I want it for lunch or dinner or a late-night snack. Besides, have you ever checked the ingredients and nutrition facts for frozen mini pizza bagels? I much prefer to make them at home so I can use decent ingredients. And when it only takes a few minutes, there’s no reason not to.
Actually, Justin was the one who made homemade pizza bagels one night when we were in college. I don’t know why I hadn’t ever thought of it before. I love bagels. In our family my grandma was known as the “bagel queen” and I was the “bagel princess”. You can almost always find a package of bagels in my pantry at any given time.
The best part of this recipe is being able to customize it to exactly what you want. I like cheese only and I like ricotta cheese along with mozzarella. Justin doesn’t like ricotta but always wants pepperoni on his. Tyler and Ryan can never make up their minds if they prefer cheese only or pepperoni, so we have to ask every time. That’s also why we make regular homemade pizza most of the time, too.
I’ve only ever made this recipe with plain bagels, but I’m sure you could also try it with some of the flavored bagels as well. I don’t think blueberry would be very good for it, but everything bagels might be if you like those ones. I always buy Thomas brand bagels, but that’s just a personal preference since it’s what I grew up eating. And if you want small ones for the kids, you could also buy mini bagels and make those as well.
The best way to cook pizza bagels is in the oven under the broiler. But you can also heat them in the toaster oven or the air fryer. This easy recipe is so versatile, it makes the perfect easy snack or dinner for those busy weeknights.
Topping Suggestions
Some of the toppings we have tried on pizza or pizza bagels include:
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Ricotta Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Cheddar Cheese
- Pepperoni Slices
- Mini Pepperonis
- Turkey Pepperoni
- Ground Beef
- Italian Sausage
- Bell Peppers
- Onion
- Black Olives
- Mushrooms
- Pizza Sauce
- Marinara Sauce
- Garlic Powder
- Italian Seasoning
- Red Pepper Flakes
Homemade Pizza Bagels Step by Step
Ingredients
- 2 bagels
- 4 tbsp pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 2 tbsp each pizza toppings desired
Preparation
Pizza Bagels are fairly simple to make. Start by lining your baking pan with foil. Of course, you don’t have to do this, but it makes for a much quicker cleanup when you are done. Or you can use a silicone baking sheet since those still clean easily and don’t waste the aluminum foil.
Lay your bagels open on the baking sheet and start to build your pizza by adding the sauce to each bagel half. Tip: If you are using ricotta cheese, it’s easier to spread that before the sauce so it can stick to the bagel better.
Top the sauce with mozzarella cheese and any other desired toppings such as pepperoni, black olives, mushrooms, extra cheese, etc. Anything that would be good on a regular pizza will be good on these bagels as well.
Set your oven’s broiler to low and cook the pizza bagel halves under the heat for about 5-7 minutes. You want the cheese to melt and start to brown but not get too cooked. This will also warm the bagels a bit and the sauce. Remove from the oven and serve while they are warm!
Pizza Bagels Leftovers
Storage: Store leftover pizza bagels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating: The best way to reheat pizza bagels is in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer. If you microwave them, the bagels tend to get soft and chewy.
Freezing: If you want to freeze leftovers, lay them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Once frozen, move to a freezer bag. They should last for up to 2 months in the freezer.
Pizza Bagel Recipe
Originally Published On: November 14, 2016
Last Updated On: June 13, 2023
Homemade Pizza Bagels
Ingredients
- 2 bagels
- 4 tbsp pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 2 tbsp each pizza toppings desired
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Line pan with foil for easy cleanup
- Add sauce to the bagels
- Add cheese and toppings on the bagels
- Broil on low for 5-7 minutes or until cheese starts to brown
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
More Pizza Recipes
- Pizza Breadsticks
- Taco Pizza
- Stromboli
- Pizza Hot Pocket
- Pizza Burgers: The Perfect Combination of Two Favorites
- Homemade Pizza with a Bread Machine
- Super Easy Pizza Flatbread
- Pizza Dip
- Pizza Bagels
More Recipes with Ricotta Cheese
- Four Cheese Spinach Pasta
- Classic Stuffed Shells
- Lasagna Soup
- Homemade Pierogi
- Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Stromboli Ring
- Baked Ziti
Other Mozzarella Recipes
- Super Easy Homemade Fried Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
- Fresh Mozzarella-Topped (Not So) Flatbread
- Crispy Fried Mozzarella Cakes Recipe with Fresh Cheese
- Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatloaf
- Super Easy Pizza Dip
- Cheesy Meatball Skillet
- Homemade Pizza Burgers: The Best Combo of Two Recipes
- Five Cheese Pull-Apart Bread
- Chicken and Spinach Alfredo Bake Casserole
- Thai Basil Pesto Flatbread
- Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Super Easy Pizza Flatbread
- Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Shells
- Fresh Caprese Salad
- Spinach and Artichoke Quesadillas
- Easy Chicken Parmesan
- Kreacher’s French Onion Soup
- Hearty Sausage and Kale Pesto Pizza
- Classic Stuffed Shells
- Quick and Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels Recipe
- Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese
- Baked Ziti
- BBQ Chicken Melt with Only 5 Ingredients
- Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Stromboli
- Cheesy Baked Crab Casserole
- Pizza Hot Pocket
- Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Stromboli Ring
- Hawaiian Chicken Wraps
- Cheesy Caper-Stuffed Tomatoes
We do this on a Friday or Saturday night when we are hungry but not starving. Quick and delicious.
These are perfect for those quick meals like that!
These look delicious! I’ve never actually made bagel pizzas but I have made individual pizzas using english muffins.
I was told by someone else that they do the same and it’s very similar. I love the texture of bagels and how thick they are, so that’s what I use. I’m going to try English Muffins next time though since it’s been suggested a few times.
Nice! They look so cute and delicious. I would try this immediately!
It’s a great snack or quick dinner. The kids have fun with them, too!
These look like so much fun! I should do this for my kids’ next sleep over!
They would be perfect for a sleepover! Each kid can create their own with whatever toppings they want.
Oh these look awesome. My girls would definitely love to eat these…I’ll have to make them!
Pizza bagels are perfect for the kids. Quick and easy plus fun to eat because what kid doesn’t like finger food?
How simple and easy. I love that everyone can make their own – just the way they like it
Yes, it’s perfect when you have quite a few people you are feeding. Someone else mentioned a kid’s sleepover for example!
I don’t think blueberry would be a good flavor for this either but I love the idea of using bagels! I love making pizza buns and do it all the time.
Hah, yeah, I’m just going to stick with plain bagels. Or if you like “everything” bagels that could be good, too.
My daughter and her friends love to make their own bagel bites for their sleepovers! Sometimes we use the mini bagels and sometimes they pick thier own flavors!
I haven’t done it with mini bagels just because we are usually eating these for a meal. But those would be great for a snack.
I used to make pizza toast when I was younger. Never thought to make my own pizza bagels. Great idea!
And I don’t think I’ve ever made it on toast! That sounds like a great idea when my son wants a pizza bagel but we are out of bagels!
These look like my kids would seriously devour them. They love bagel bites and so these would be so much easier and better I am sure!
Yep, I bet they would, my whole family does! These would be a much healthier choice than frozen bagel bites, and you can make them with exactly the toppings you want!
Ooh, pizza bagels sound so yummy – I’ll have to give these a try! And they look so easy to make too!
They are a delicious option for a quick snack or dinner, and so easy.
Pizza bagels? Oh yes please!!! Love how easy they look to make, this is a perfect snack for kids and adults. Amazing recipe
Yep, we all inhale these at my house, the kids and the adults!
yum! you just gave me a great idea to share with my parents this easy pizza recipe!
Awesome, I hope you all enjoy it! They are so quick and easy, a perfect snack or light dinner.
Your photos are fantastic and these pizza bagels look delicious. I want them for lunch today! So perfectly cheesy!
Thank you! Food photography has been something we’ve been focusing on and really developing this year. The pizza bagels are delicious and you can make them as cheesy as you want!
Yum, pizza bagels! I remember coming home from work one evening and my kids were so excited because daddy let them make special pizzas. When I questioned him what special pizzas were it was bagel pizzas. I love the memories that are tied to such simple things.
Oh that’s so fun! I love when such little things become a big deal to the kids and make those memories together.
Ooooo pizza AND bagels!! Two of my favorite foods! Definitely need to make these for dinner one night! Delicious
Mine too! They work so well. I make them for dinner or sometimes as a late-night snack.
These look GREAT! Here is a little secret. Where I live they DO NOT make bagels! My daughter’s favorite is a good bagel and she would love this pizza bagel idea! Maybe we will try it when we move back to America. YUMMO!
What?!? No bagels?! I don’t think I could do it. I love bagels! Others have said it works well with an English Muffin, too, if you can get those where you live.