These Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites are a fun and customizable snack that’s perfect for parties, game day gatherings, or a quick and easy lunch! Imagine crispy mini bagels topped with a flavorful garlic butter sauce, marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella, and your favorite pizza toppings. This recipe is easy to make and delivers a delicious and satisfying snack that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: These mini pizza bites come together in just 25 minutes, making them a perfect option when you’re short on time or need a last-minute snack.
- Versatile: You can easily customize the toppings to your liking, creating endless flavor combinations. Try different cheeses, vegetables, or even meats for a variety of pizzas.
- Kid-Friendly: These bite-sized pizzas are perfect for little hands and picky eaters. They’re a fun and interactive way to get kids involved in the kitchen.
- Perfect for Parties: These mini pizza bagel bites are a great option for parties, potlucks, or game day gatherings. They’re easy to transport and can be served hot or cold.
Ingredients
- Mini bagels: Use your favorite type of mini bagels, such as plain, everything, or sesame seed.
- Butter: Melted and adds a rich and buttery flavor to the base.
- Garlic: Minced and adds a fragrant and savory punch.
- Italian seasoning: Adds a blend of classic Italian herbs.
- Parmesan cheese: Grated and adds a salty and umami flavor.
- Marinara sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade marinara sauce.
- Cherry tomatoes: Halved and adds sweetness and a burst of flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Used to toss the tomatoes and prevent sticking.
- Fresh basil: Adds a fresh herb flavor and a pop of color.
- Mozzarella cheese: Sliced and adds a creamy and cheesy melt.
Note: For exact measurements, see the recipe card below!
How to Make Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
Melt the butter in a small bowl. Add the minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined.
Step 3: Toast the Bagels
Dip the cut side of each mini bagel into the garlic butter mixture and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
Step 4: Prepare the Tomatoes
While the bagels are toasting, prepare the tomatoes. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and toss them with the olive oil and remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
Step 5: Assemble the Pizzas
Remove the bagels from the oven. Spread a spoonful of marinara sauce on half of the bagels. Top each bagel with a slice of mozzarella cheese. On the bagels without marinara sauce, arrange half of the basil leaves and tomato halves. Sprinkle all the bagels with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
Step 6: Bake and Serve
Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and top the basil and tomato pizzas with the remaining basil leaves. Garnish with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh garlic, basil, and tomatoes will enhance the flavor of the pizza bites.
- Don’t overbake: Overbaking can make the bagels tough and the cheese rubbery. Bake just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Customize the toppings: Feel free to add your favorite pizza toppings, such as sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, onions, or pepperoni.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the garlic butter sauce and tomato mixture ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Assemble and bake the pizza bites when you’re ready to serve.
How to Serve
These Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites are delicious on their own, but here are some serving suggestions:
- Dipping Sauces: Serve with extra marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce.
- Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette adds a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pizza bites.
- Beverages: Pair with your favorite beverages, such as soda, juice, or beer.
Make Ahead and Storage
These Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also prepare components ahead of time or store leftovers for later.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover pizza bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the oven or toaster oven until warmed through and the cheese is melted.
FAQs
1. Can I use regular bagels instead of mini bagels?
Yes, you can! Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
2. Can I make this recipe without the marinara sauce?
Yes, you can! You can simply omit the marinara sauce or substitute it with another sauce, such as pesto or Alfredo sauce.
3. Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite cheese, such as provolone, Monterey Jack, or a blend of Italian cheeses.
4. Can I add other seasonings to the garlic butter sauce?
Definitely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs.
This Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe is a fun, flavorful, and easy way to enjoy a customizable snack or appetizer. With its simple preparation, versatile ingredients, and crowd-pleasing appeal, it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again!
PrintHomemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 mini pizza bagel bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Description
These Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites are a fun and easy snack or appetizer that’s perfect for parties or game day! Mini bagels are toasted and topped with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and tomatoes for a delicious and customizable bite-sized treat.
Ingredients
- 8 mini bagels, split in half
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 24 fresh basil leaves
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced (about 16 slices)
- Optional garnishes: chopped fresh parsley, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Toast Bagels: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Combine melted butter, garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Dip the cut sides of the bagels in the butter mixture and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Prepare Tomatoes: While bagels toast, toss halved cherry tomatoes with olive oil and remaining Italian seasoning.
- Assemble Pizzas: Spread marinara sauce on half of the toasted bagels. Top all bagels with mozzarella slices. On the bagels without marinara, add half of the basil and tomatoes. Sprinkle all bagels with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Top the basil and tomato pizzas with remaining basil. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can use any type of mini bagel you like.
- Feel free to customize the toppings with your favorite pizza ingredients.
- For a crispier bagel, toast them for a longer time or use a higher oven temperature.
- If you don’t have fresh basil, you can use dried basil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pizza bagel bite
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
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