To continue this week’s (not intentional but oh-so-embraceable) theme of tasty childhood foods you may have forgotten you adore: English Muffin Pizza!
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Whole wheat English muffins are split, spread with the pizza sauce of your choice (tomato? pesto? alfredo? It’s all fair game here), then smothered in cheese and any of your favorite pizza toppings, English Muffin Pizza is an easy, healthy, and highly personalizable dinner.
Whether you are in need of sure-to-please meals for picky eaters, fast and healthy dinners for back-to-school nights, or are a grown up looking to cook yourself something a) presentable and b) exceptionally low-maintenance, you have a reason to make an English Muffin Pizza.
Or, maybe you just have very fond memories of the jingle from the Pizza Bagels commercials and want to take a moment to relive your childhood (umm…me!). These English Muffin Pizzas hit the spot there too.
Also, pizza. Pizza night = happy night. It’s mathematical law. (I also recommend making this Burrata Pizza for an upcoming pizza night.)
Let’s make these English Muffin Pizzas for toddlers, for the busy parents who cook for them, for my fellow children of the ‘90s (did anyone else grow up with these??), and for all who crave an extra grin when they take a bite of their dinner tonight. English Muffin Pizza will make you smile.
About English Muffin Pizza
For those of you who didn’t spend as much time in the freezer section of the grocery store in the ‘90s as I did, English Muffin Pizza is inspired by the infamous pizza bagels that I used to beg my mom to put into her shopping cart for us (apologies if that song is in your head now). Today’s English Muffin Pizza is a modern, wholesome spin on that widely adored snack.
From a history standpoint, English muffins are a spin themselves! They began as a riff of on an English crumpet and have been marketed in America in some form since the late 1850s (they were called toaster crumpets then).
Pizza bagels didn’t come on the scene for about 100 more years, and there are actually dueling claims as to who invented them. The earliest claimed version was a pizza cooked on a halved bagel that was baked without a hole…which is kind of like an English muffin. Could this be the earliest iteration of the English Muffin Pizza?
Wherever it started, English Muffin Pizza satisfies the need for easy, snackable, kid-friendly, gratifyingly cheesy goodness!
You can make English Muffin Pizzas in advance and warm them up in a variety of ways. See below for make ahead English Muffin Pizza directions, as well as tips to cook them in the oven, the toaster oven, the grill, the air fryer, and (in a pinch) the microwave.
How to Make English Muffin Pizza
Whether you cook these English muffins in the oven (or the toaster oven!) now, or freeze them for later, the recipe begins the same way.
The ingredients for this recipe mirror that of classic pizza. Take inspiration from your favorite pizzas, be they classic or crazy, and use this recipe as a starting point for any combination of sauce, cheese, and toppings you like.
- English Muffins. Our stand-in for the pizza crust (when I’m not already making Naan Pizza). Because these homemade English Muffin Pizzas are healthy, I recommend using whole grain English muffins with as few processed ingredients and added sugars as possible.
Often the least processed English Muffins are sold in the freezer section because they do not contain preservatives to keep them shelf-stable, so be sure to check there too.
- Sauce. Any kind of pizza sauce you like!
We made our English Muffin Pizza with tomato sauce. This summer, English Muffin Pizza with pesto sauce would be light and seasonal. For a more indulgent twist, try English Muffin Pizza with alfredo (this creamy pumpkin pasta sauce is a healthy spin on the alfredo option). You can also go wild and make an English Muffin Pizza with BBQ sauce (this homemade barbecue sauce is particularly excellent).
- Cheese. For the most classic approach, make you English Muffin Pizza with fresh mozzarella, though it is certainly not your only option. This recipe is versatile and a great way to play around with different cheeses or use up extra cheeses you have in your refrigerator from other recipes.
Try English Muffin Pizza with cheddar cheese for an all-American twist (great with BBQ sauce!), English Muffin Pizza with ricotta for a more Italian version (dreamy with pesto), or do a combination.
- Toppings. Anything goes here! We still had mini-pepperonis leftover from my Zucchini Pizza Boats, so that’s what we used.
For a meat-lovers’ version, try English Muffin Pizza with sausage (or sausage and pepperoni). Craving something fun? Go Hawaiian and make English Muffin Pizza with pineapple and ham (this version would be yummy with BBQ sauce oo).
One of my favorite things about this English Muffin Pizza recipe is how versatile it is. Each member of your family can customize to his or her taste. Because the recipe is easy, it’s a fun way to involve your kids in the kitchen—especially helpful if you are making English Muffin Pizza for toddlers and hoping they’ll take a bite.
The Key to Avoiding Soggy English Muffin Pizza
The biggest issue with English Muffin Pizza (other than narrowing down all of the delicious topping possibilities) is making sure that it doesn’t turn out soggy.
The key to making English Muffin Pizza not soggy is toasting the English muffins before you add the sauce or toppings.
You don’t need to toast the English muffins fully. A few minutes in the oven will create a lightly toasty surface barrier that allows some, but not all of the sauce to absorb. This is trick to ensuring your final English Muffin Pizza is pleasantly crisp without being dry or cracker-like, just like the frozen pizza snack that inspired them…except your homemade English Muffin Pizza is going to taste WAY better and be better for you too!
Final Recipe Steps
Once you’ve toasted your English muffins, you are ready to top and bake. For ease, I pre-toast the English muffins, add the toppings, and then fully bake them all on the same baking sheet. This is one-pan cooking at its finest.
- Spread the English muffins with your sauce of choice.
- Sprinkle on any and all desired toppings.
- Bake the English Muffin Pizzas at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the English muffins are lightly golden at the edges.
Make-Ahead English Muffin Pizza – How to Prep Now, Store, and Eat Later
While these easy English Muffin Pizzas are great for fast dinners, you can also make them in advance and speed up dinner even more! Freezing them will yield the best results.
Make Ahead and Reheating Directions – Oven Method
- To Freeze: This is the best method for making your English Muffin Pizza ahead. Toast your English muffin halves as directed and top as desired. Lay the English Muffin Pizzas topping side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the freezer for at least 2 hours. Once completely frozen, place the pizzas in a freezer-safe container, separating layers of English Muffin Pizzas with parchment paper.
- Reheat from Frozen: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Lay your frozen English Muffin Pizza on a baking sheet topping side up and place in the oven. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until heated through.
- To Refrigerate: In a single layer, place your English Muffin Pizzas in the refrigerator in an airtight container topping side up for up to 1 week.
Alternative Cooking Methods
- Toaster Oven. Perfect for making a smaller batch of English Muffin Pizzas! To make English Muffin Pizza in a toaster oven, heat your toaster oven to 400 degrees F and follow recipe instructions for preparing English muffin halves with olive oil. Place your English muffin halves in the toaster oven for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, top with ingredients of your choice and place the English Muffin Pizza back into the toaster oven. Cook for 13 to 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and edges of the muffin are lightly golden. To reheat English Muffin Pizza in the toaster oven, heat your toaster oven to 400 degrees F and place your English Muffin Pizzas in the toaster oven for 4 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Microwave. I do not recommend cooking English Muffin Pizza in the microwave fully, as the bottoms will become soggy. In a pinch, if you don’t have access to an oven when you want to warm them back up (say you are reheating them at the office for lunch), you can reheat them in a microwave. Line a microwave safe-plate with a paper towel (this will absorb some of the moisture and deter the English Muffin Pizza from becoming soggy). Warm on moderate heat, just until the cheese is melted.
- Grill. To make your English Muffin Pizza on the grill, turn your grill to low heat and place the English muffin halves on the grill rack. Watching closely, toast halves gently until slightly crispy and toasted. Immediately remove from grill and top with the sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice. Spray a sheet of aluminum foil (large enough for your English Muffin Pizza halves) with nonstick cooking spray and lay it onto the grill. Place your English Muffin Pizza halves on the foil, topping side up. Close the grill and let your pizzas cook for 3 to 4 minutes, checking them frequently. Once your cheese is melted, remove the pizzas from the grill and serve immediately.
- Air Fryer. While I haven’t personally tried the English Muffin Pizza air fryer approach, I know this appliance has become quite popular! From what I have read, you can cook English Muffin Pizza in an air fryer. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Once preheated, place your English muffins halves inside for 1 minute. Remove after 1 minute and cover each half with desired toppings. When ready, place your halves back into the air fryer for an additional 4 minutes. To reheat the English Muffin Pizzas in the air fryer, preheat it to 320 degrees F. Once heated to temperature, place your English Muffin Pizza inside for 3 to 4 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Of all the English Muffin Pizza we made, my favorite was the sautéed mushrooms and spinach with pepperoni version. It’s ‘90s picky-eater Erin (lover of pepperoni pizza…and little else) meets grown-up Erin (lover of vegetables…and mini pepperonis).
And grown-up Erin certainly isn’t too mature to eat English Muffin Pizza for dinner and love every bite (and, I hope she never will be!).
English Muffin Pizza
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Ingredients
- 4 whole wheat English muffins split
- ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¾ cup prepared pizza sauce tomato, pesto, or alfredo; whichever your family likes! (We use tomato)
- Tiny Pinch kosher salt
- Pinch ground black pepper
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese or cheddar cheese, provolone, or any cheese you like
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Toppings of choice such as mini pepperonis (or regular pepperonis, quartered), or sautéed veggies, such as spinach or mushrooms
- Thinly sliced fresh basil optional for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the English muffin halves cut side up onto a baking sheet. Lightly drizzle with olive oil. Place in the oven and toast until barely golden, about 4 minutes.
- Spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons pizza sauce over each one, using the back of a spoon to spread it evenly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning. Add any desired toppings.
- Bake for 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the muffins are browned on the edges. Top with fresh basil. Enjoy hot.
Notes
- TO REFRIGERATE: In a single layer, place your English Muffin Pizzas in an airtight container topping side up for up to one week.
- TO FREEZE/MAKE AHEAD: Toast you English muffin halves as directed and top as desired. Lay the English Muffin Pizzas topping side up on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for at least two hours. Once completely frozen, place each pizza in a freezer-safe container, separating layers of English Muffin Pizzas with parchment paper.
- REHEAT FROM FROZEN: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Lay your frozen English Muffin Pizzas on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until heated through.
Nutrition
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OMG! Haven’t thought of these in years!
In the late 60s and early 70s, when I didn’t have time to make pizza from scratch, I would throw these together. Mine always had to have pepperoni. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Peggy, they are just as delicious as ever!! And the pepperoni was spot on. Hope you enjoy them and glad it brought back happy memories!
We make these for a quick meal idea! They look so delicious!
I’m so happy to hear this, Karly! I hope you love them!
Wonderful idea! As you said, the key is toasting the split muffins slightly before adding the sauce and toppings, then returning them to the oven. Thank you for a great idea for a quick and easy lunch that my grandchildren enjoyed! I’ll be making these again!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Patti! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This is fantastic! I made it exactly as is, and it’s very, very good.
Thank you for trying this recipe and taking the time to share your success, Rewari!
yummy…!!! Thanks for sharing this easy recipe. I really like your post.
Thank you for taking the time to leave this kind review, Varun!
It looks delicious and quick, a good combination! I’ll try it, thanks for sharing :)
I hope you love the recipe, Noemi!
This was very fun to make and quick and easy! I made these and my family was like “Can I have a bite?” So, I had to make more XD
Love it. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I’m so pleased that this was a hit, Manaia! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
What a DELICIOUS recipe. I am crazy about pizza but the calories are just too much, so this is the perfect solution. I made them for the first time a few days ago for my boyfriend and me and he loved them just as much. He said he never wants any other pizza again. I used turkey pepperoni since it has less fat and a bit more pizza sauce than suggested. They came out so good, I had them two days in a row. THANK YOU for all your amazing recipes, I’m so happy I came across your website and finally found the motivation and inspiration to cook.
Joey, I am so pleased to hear it! Thanks for sharing this lovely review!
We toast the english muffin in the toaster. Then thinly spread my husband’s homemade Italian sausage that chopped onion has been mixed into; right out to the edges so the muffin doesn’t burn. Broil till the sausage is done.
Top with pizza sauce and shredded mozzarella plus pepperoni and black olives for my husband.
Pop back under the broiler till the cheese is slightly browned. This was my mother in law’s recipe but she used seasoned hamburger.
I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed the recipe, Valerie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
We love these as a treat or a quick meal. Road trips ect… I’m using a jar sauce and there’s always so much left over. Can I freeze this sauce? If so how long? Thank you so much!!
I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed them, Femali! Thank you for sharing this kind review! Since I don’t know the specifics of the brand you’re using, I recommend referring to any freezing instructions on your jar of sauce or the company’s website, but most jarred sauces can be frozen. I hope this helps!
If you’re looking for one of the simplest weeknight meals that’s ultra delicious, make this recipe! This is definitely what I’ll be going for in the future when I want something good and comforting, but also something that takes little to no time to prepare!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Allie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Thanks for this recipe! Delish! When defrosting can I pop them into the microwave instead of the overn? Thanks!
Hi Gail! You probably could. The microwave just tends to make the muffin chewier then toasting them. Hope you enjoy it!
I make the English muffins pizzas for my husband, he loves them! Thank you for the recipe 😀
Hi Lin! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
These are a family hit!!! So easy to make and fun! Made an extra batch so that I can freeze them and have them for quick lunches! They will hear up in the air fryer super easy!
Hi Dawn! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Delicious!! Would t change a thing!
Hi Maggie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
We used to make these when I was a kid and I hated them because they were so soggy in the middles. I saw someone mention muffin pizzas recently, and I had a burst of nostalgia. I decided to see if there were any suggestions about toasting or cooking them before topping and found this recipe. This worked great, other than mine were done cooking well before 10 minutes. Topped mine with pizza sauce, turkey pepperoni, pineapple, red bell pepper, and mozzarella. I would add a little bit of hot pepper flakes into the pizza sauce next time just to perk them up a little bit more.
Hi Essess! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
These were delicious! I can’t count the number of homemade pizzas I’ve thrown out and these came out perfectly. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
Hi Sonya! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
my mother used to use cheese whiz spread some on muffin before the sauce for topping helps keep it from soggy and also add a good flavor i always wondered down the years too why my mothers tasted better then other people made them was the cheese whiz
I hope you enjoy this version Kyle!
My mom made these when I was growing up. A couple of things I’ve found that work for me: Although I don’t pre-toast the muffins, I do use spaghetti sauce in place of pizza sauce. (You get more sauce for less money and can get it with meat in the sauce and I’m all about easy.) Also, I tried to make them on those thin round slices to keep the bread to a minimum, like a thin crust pizza. The sauce does make them harder to hold than an English muffin would be. Adding Italian seasoning when I can find it makes them taste more authentic to me.
Glad it brings back memories for you Mary Kay!
I haven’t had these pizzas in years and wanted a refresher idea on how to make them
YAY, so glad to hear it!
Need to review this because I’ve made English muffin pizzas for many years the standard way and they were never this good. I was looking for a little tweak and found it here!
The drizzle of olive oil when initially toasting is what took it over the top. I used EVOO and the inexpensive supermarket brand English muffins. My family was really happy! They said these were the best we ever made. Thank you very much for sharing!!
Hi Joanne! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
What a blast from the past! I forgot all about English muffin pizzas. Had these all the time as a teenager. Always had them the same way; pizza sauce, slice of pepperoni and some shredded Cheddar cheese. We would just microwave them.The more sauce you put on the muffins the soggy they seem to become. I will try this oven baked muffin pizzas (VERY SOON ! ). Sounds so much better !!!
Enjoy RC!
I love making pizza with light multigrain English muffins. They’re delicious. Thanks for idea.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Debbie!
I prepare them essentially the same with one difference. I lightly toast them in the toaster. Then add olive oil, Italian spices, tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, sliced mushrooms, jalapenos. Perfect everytime. Note: If you are only adding a few mushrooms, no need to cook ahead as they won’t release enough moisture to make a difference.
Thanks for the tip, Mary!
This was a walk down memory lane. Not because I’d ever eaten the frozen version, but because the English muffin pizza was a camping favorite of my Girl Scout troop 30 years ago! I’m reminded of just how good they are, and so easy. I think I’m going to introduce them to my granddaughter this week.
Enjoy!
Do you have to use oil for the english muffin pizza’s
Hi Donna, you can skip it if you need to.