Description
These Crispy Bagel Bites are a delicious homemade snack perfect for any time of day. Featuring mini plain bagels topped with savory pizza sauce, melty mozzarella, and pepperoni, they offer a quick and easy twist on classic pizza flavors. Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, these bites satisfy pizza cravings with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Bagel Bites
- 4 mini plain bagels, halved
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup mini pepperoni slices or chopped pepperoni
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of garlic powder
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare bagels: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the halved bagels cut side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly brush each bagel half with olive oil and sprinkle a pinch of garlic powder evenly over them.
- Initial baking for crispiness: Bake the prepared bagels in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. This step crisps the bagel halves just enough to hold toppings without becoming soggy.
- Add toppings: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Spread about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce on each bagel half. Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top, followed by mini pepperoni slices. Finish by sprinkling a pinch of Italian seasoning over each.
- Bake with toppings: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted fully, is bubbly, and the edges of the bagels are golden brown.
- Optional broiling for extra crispness: For an extra crispy finish, broil the bagel bites for 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bagel bites to cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving to prevent burns and help the cheese set.
Notes
- Customize these bites with your favorite toppings such as cooked sausage, bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives for extra flavor and texture.
- Try using flavored bagels like everything or garlic for a fun and tasty twist.
- An air fryer method is available: cook the bagel bites at 375°F (190°C) for 5–6 minutes until crispy and cheese is melted.
