Pizza Bagels

Pizza Bagels

Bagels are an elite form of bread in my opinion. When I buy a pack of 5, I have one every day for breakfast until they run out and I don’t buy them again for a while! More than the taste, I love the texture of bagels because I find them so be soft but chewy. I remember when I was at secondary school, they would sell bagels with a slice of cheese as the filing and honestly they tasted so good! It was such a basic recipe but when I tried it at home, years later, it wasn’t the same.

I’m almost certain that it because my taste buds have changed and I need more flavour in my meals now. In fact, at school I would have a butter sandwich everyday and looked forward to eating it every day, now I would use butter as the base to the chicken, salad, avocado etc.

I decided to make some pizza bagels because there was one day where I had missed breakfast because I had a really early morning meeting and didn’t have time. For breakfast I didn’t get to have my breakfast bagel, so I decided to make the bagel into a lunch instead. I had some pizza sauce in the fridge which was about to go back so I poured that one, added any veg I could find and then sprinkled on some cheese.

I didn’t have any mozzarella at home which is my cheese of choice for pizza’s so I just used cheddar instead. It turned out really nice and the bagel base gave it a great flavour. I love the versatility of bagels and I’m sure I’ll continue to make fun recipes with them.

@mysimpleeats

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HOW TO MAKE PIZZA BAGELS

There’s only a few steps to follow for these pizza bagels which is why I love making them! They’re such a convenient weekday lunch, especially when I’m in back to back meetings at work.

• First, pick your favourite bagel, I love everything bagels but today I only had plain and it still tasted great. Slice your bagel in half and toast it by placing under the grill. For convenience you could just pop it into the toaster and it should do the job.

• Then cover the bagel halves with any sauce, whether that be pizza sauce, tomato puree, pasta sauce or crushed tomatoes, anything will work. Top the bagel with the toppings of your choice. If you have some cooked chicken then this will be a great addition as well.

• Sprinkle your cheese of choice over the top of the bagel (I would recommend either mozzarella or cheddar but anything will work).

• If you have any Italian seasoning mix, oregano or basil, sprinkle some of that one just before cooking because it will give it a lot of flavour!

• Place the bagels back under the grill for 5-10 minutes until the cheese melts.

• Rest for a few minutes before serving and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

1 Bagel

Pizza Sauce

Cheese

Olives, Peppers, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Sweetcorn

WHY YOU’LL LOVE PIZZA BAGELS

1. Easy to make – These pizza bagels don’t require much preparation and bake very quickly compared to making traditional pizza from scratch.
2. Satisfying – They are a quick and convenient option for satisfying pizza cravings. You get all the classic pizza toppings, cheese and delicious tomato sauce on a soft bagel.
3. Quick lunch idea – When you don’t have a lot of time and want a quick and delicious lunch, this recipe is a great option
4. Customisable – Pizza bagels are very customisable and allow you to personalise each bagel to suit your taste preference. You have the freedom to create your perfect mini pizza, whether it be a margarita, veggie or a chicken pizza.
5. Perfect portion size – The smaller size of pizza bagels provides a great portion size for lunch. This makes them ideal for individual servings fir a quick lunch, snack or appetizers at a gathering. You can tailor the number of bagels to the number of people you’re serving.

TOP TIPS ON THE BEST PIZZA BAGELS

1. Fresh and Quality Ingredients: Use fresh bagels, quality pizza sauce and a variety of fresh and vibrant toppings. Using good-quality ingredients enhances the taste of your pizza bagels.
2. Prep Toppings in Advance: By prepping your toppings in advance, it makes the assembly smoother. Have all your ingredients chopped and grated before starting the assembly process.
3. Experiment with Sauce Varieties: Get creative with your sauce. You can try a classic tomato-based pizza sauce, pesto or a barbecue sauce.
4. Mindful Cheese Distribution: Distribute the cheese evenly to ensure every bite has some cheese.
5. Controlled Sauce Amount: Avoid overloading with sauce as too much sauce can make the bagels soggy. Aim for a balanced distribution and you can always add more after baking if you’d like.

MORE TIPS

• Pre-Bake for Crispiness: For a crisper crust, pre-bake the bagels for a few minutes before adding toppings. This will prevent a soggy bottom and ensures the bagels hold up to the toppings.
• Don’t Overcrowd Toppings: Don’t add too many toppings because it can overcrowd the bagel.  This ensures even cooking and allows each ingredient to shine.
• Use Fresh Herbs: Add fresh herbs like basil or oregano to add a burst of freshness. Sprinkle them after baking to preserve their flavour and aroma.
• Optimise Oven Temperature: Preheat your oven to a high temperature (around 220°C or 425°F) for a shorter cooking time and a crispier crust.
• Personalise Each Bagel: Customise each bagel to suit individual taste preferences. Everyone can have their favourite toppings on their portion.

RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Mozzarella, Pesto and Tomato Ciabatta – Mozzarella, Pesto & Tomato Ciabatta – My Simple Eats

Grilled, Halloumi and Avocado Bagel – Grilled Halloumi and Avocado Bagel – My Simple Eats

Fried Chicken Burger – Fried Chicken Burger – My Simple Eats

CONCLUSION

Pizza bagels are a quick, easy and delicious lunch option which are perfect for when you don’t have much time to prepare something. You can customise your bagel to suit your taste preference and satisfy your pizza cravings.