recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Quick, customizable, and fun for kids—everyone can make a mini pizza with their favorite toppings.
How long it takes: About 15 minutes.
Equipment you’ll need: Baking sheet and an oven or toaster oven.
Servings: Serves 2; easy to scale up.
Craving pizza but short on time? English muffin pizzas are a fast, budget-friendly option that work for snacks, lunch, or an easy weeknight dinner. They’re especially handy when you want a personal pizza without waiting for delivery.
The best English Muffin Pizzas
Perfectly crisp bases. The secret to avoiding soggy muffins is a quick pre-toast. The sauce can soak into the nooks and crannies, so toasting first gives you a firmer, crispier crust.
Pantry-friendly and convenient. This recipe relies on common pantry staples: English muffins, jarred pizza sauce, and shredded mozzarella. That simplicity makes it an ideal last-minute meal.
Great for picky eaters. Because each muffin is its own pizza, kids and picky eaters can choose exactly what they want—or don’t want—on their pizza.
Versatile pairing options. These mini pizzas pair well with a fresh salad, a bowl of soup, or even air fryer fries. They also make a satisfying after-school snack.
Ingredient Notes
- English Muffins: Any brand works. Whole wheat adds flavor and nutrition.
- Pizza Sauce: Use jarred, canned, or homemade sauce. Pesto or BBQ sauce are tasty alternatives.
- Shredded Mozzarella: Classic choice, but feel free to mix cheeses.
- Toppings: Keep toppings light so the muffins don’t get soggy. Pre-cooked meats are best.
How to make English Muffin Pizzas
Prep: Preheat the oven and gather your ingredients. If using vegetables, slice them thin so they cook quickly.
Split the muffins: Halve each English muffin and arrange the halves on a baking sheet lined with parchment for easy cleanup. Using a fork to separate the halves preserves the nooks and crannies.
Pre-bake: Toast the muffin halves in the oven or toaster oven at 425°F for about six minutes, until lightly golden. This step helps ensure a crisp crust.
Pro tip
Brush each half with a little butter or olive oil before toasting for richer flavor and an extra-crisp edge.
Add sauce and toppings: Remove the toasted muffins, spread a thin layer of sauce (too much can make them soggy), add mozzarella, and top as desired.
Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake about six more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Let the mini pizzas cool slightly and enjoy—fresh, fast, and customizable. Be careful, they come out hot!
Topping Ideas
Make each muffin your own. Avoid raw ground meats that need longer cooking; use pre-cooked or thinly sliced toppings instead.
Suggested combinations:
- BBQ chicken: BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, and smoked gouda.
- Garden: Pesto, fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and basil.
- Creamy mushroom: Alfredo sauce, thin mushrooms, and Parmesan.
- Shrimp & cream cheese: Softened cream cheese with sweet chili sauce and small cooked shrimp; top with green onions.
- Mexican-style: Refried beans, Monterey Jack, onions, and olives; finish with salsa and pickled onions.
Make-Ahead
Advance prep: Shred cheese, slice veggies, and keep muffins in their bag after splitting to save time later.
Alternatives: If you don’t have English muffins, use pita, bagels, or a simple pizza dough for small personal pizzas.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Refrigerate: Store leftovers wrapped in the fridge up to three days; they may soften slightly.
Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven or toaster oven directly on the rack for about 10 minutes (or 5 minutes in an air fryer) for best texture. Microwaving can make the muffins tough.
Leftover Love
Use leftovers to create new pizzas—shredded chicken, roasted vegetables, extra sauce, or stray cheeses all work well. These muffins are a great way to finish up fridge odds and ends.
Free Meal Plan
Want a weekly meal plan that includes quick recipes like this? Check meal plans that offer a weekday recipe schedule and grocery list to simplify your week.
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English Muffin Pizzas
Ingredients
- 2 English muffins (split into top and bottom halves)
- ¼ cup pizza sauce (squeeze-bottle sauce works well)
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Desired toppings: pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, onions, etc.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil and arrange split English muffin halves on it.
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Bake 6 minutes or until lightly toasted.
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Remove from oven. Spread pizza sauce on each half, leaving a small border.
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Top with shredded mozzarella and your chosen toppings.
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Return to oven and bake 6 more minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool briefly and serve.
Notes
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, brush each muffin half with butter or olive oil before toasting.
- Topping ideas: BBQ chicken, shrimp with chili sauce, refried beans with pepper jack, or any combination you prefer. Nutrition facts exclude additional toppings.
- Scale it up: Easily double or triple the recipe to feed more people.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation and does not include optional toppings.