Description
These Quick & Easy Pizza Bagel Bites are a perfect snack or appetizer, combining mini bagels topped with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings baked to bubbly perfection. Ready in just 15 minutes, they make a delicious, crowd-pleasing treat that’s customizable and simple to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Bagels
- 6 mini bagels (or regular-sized bagels, halved)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Toppings & Seasonings
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices (or other toppings like diced bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, etc.)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare the bagels: Slice the mini bagels in half. If you are using regular-sized bagels, slice them in half to create 12 pizza halves total for the bites.
- Assemble the bagel bites: Place the bagel halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Spread approximately one tablespoon of marinara sauce evenly over each bagel half to form a flavorful base.
- Add cheese and toppings: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce on each bagel half. Top with mini pepperoni slices or your preferred toppings such as diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives. Finish by sprinkling dried oregano and garlic powder if using, to enhance the flavors.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Bake until the cheese melts fully, becomes bubbly, and the bagels turn lightly toasted around the edges.
- Serve: Remove the pizza bagel bites from the oven and allow them to cool for a minute or two to avoid burns. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy hot.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the toppings to your taste, using vegetables or other meats as preferred.
- Use mini bagels for perfectly sized bites; regular bagels sliced in half work well for a larger portion.
- For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Leftover bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Oven times may vary, so keep an eye on the cheese melting and bagels toasting to prevent overcooking.
