Ingredients:
- Plain bagels
- Butter
- Herb and garlic seasoning
- Pizza sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, banana peppers)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Take 1.5 plain bagels and slice them in half.
- Spread a layer of butter on the cut sides of the bagels and sprinkle with herb and garlic seasoning.
- Spread a layer of pizza sauce on each bagel half.
- Add mozzarella cheese and your choice of toppings (e.g., pepperoni, banana peppers).
- Place the prepared bagels on a baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- To get a nice, golden-brown finish, broil the pizza bagels on 400°F (200°C) for an additional 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven, let them cool slightly, and then enjoy your homemade pizza bagels!
Here are some additional ideas and tips for your pizza bagels:
Variations:
- Vegetarian Options: If you prefer a vegetarian version, consider adding toppings like sliced black olives, bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions.
- Custom Toppings: Encourage your family or guests to customize their own pizza bagels by setting up a toppings bar with various options.
- Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, add some red pepper flakes or jalapeño slices to your pizza bagels.
- White Pizza Bagels: Try a different twist by using a white sauce (like Alfredo sauce) instead of tomato-based pizza sauce for a creamy, cheesy flavor.
- Breakfast Pizza Bagels: Use bagels for breakfast by topping them with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, and cheese for a morning treat.
Serving Ideas:
- Pair your pizza bagels with a simple side salad for a complete meal.
- These are great for quick lunches, snacks, or even as an appetizer for parties.
- Make mini versions by using mini bagels or cutting regular-sized bagels into smaller pieces for bite-sized pizza bagels.
Kids in the Kitchen:
This recipe is an excellent opportunity to involve kids in the kitchen. They can help assemble their pizza bagels and choose their favorite toppings, making mealtime a fun and interactive experience.
Make-Ahead and Freezing:
You can prepare a batch of pizza bagels in advance and freeze them for later. Simply assemble the bagels, wrap them individually, and store them in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy them, bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Dipping Sauces:
Consider serving your pizza bagels with dipping sauces like marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic butter for added flavor.
