English Muffin Pizzas

Craving pizza? Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack or an easy dinner idea, don’t wait for the pizza delivery person and pay big bucks. English muffin pizzas may be the quickest way to get pizza on the table that I know of.

P.S. If you’re looking for more pizza-themed quick dinners, try pizza burgers, pizza pasta (one pan), or pizza sliders. Stuffed pizza bites with garlic butter are always a hit, too. Oh, and don’t forget to try homemade hot pockets, stuffed with pizza goodies.

About English Muffin Pizzas

We’ve perfected the recipe for you. We were a little stymied by how to get a crispy base for these pizzas. The sauce has a way of soaking into all the little holes of the English muffins and making the pizza soggy. After a little experimentation, we’re confident our technique will make soggy crusts a thing of the past.

Pantry ingredients make this recipe convenient. I really love these pizzas because they’re easy to make and I usually have all the ingredients in my pantry and fridge. For a basic pizza, all you need are English muffins, pizza sauce from a jar, and pre-shredded mozzarella cheese.

A great idea for picky eaters. Kids love these pizzas! English muffin pizzas are like personal pan pizzas. My kids are always happy when they can choose what (or what doesn’t!) go on their pizza.

Versatile. Individual pizzas go great with a salad or soup or even with a side of air fryer French fries. Think of them as sandwiches. You’ll also find that these little pizzas are a welcome after school snack, the perfect antidote for starving tummies. (For more snack ideas, peruse my list of 30 after school snacks.)

Ingredient Notes

• English Muffins: Choose your favorite brand. I like to buy whole wheat English muffins for a little extra nutrition and flavor.
• Pizza Sauce: Really any sauce will do, whether you like sauce from a can or jar, homemade pizza sauce, pesto or barbecue sauce (or no sauce if you like).
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella is classic pizza cheese but any type of cheese is fine.
• Toppings: Use your favorite toppings. Just remember, overloaded pizzas take longer to bake and have a greater chance of becoming soggy.

How to make Them

There are so many ways to change up English muffin pizzas that I hesitate to call it a recipe. Here’s how to do it:

Preheat the oven and assemble your ingredients. If you’re adding bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms, chop or slice them very thinly so they cook quickly.

Split the English muffins in half horizontally. Use a fork to get them started and gently pull the halves apart. “Nooks and crannies” are desirable. Arrange the split halves on a baking sheet. I like to put down a sheet of parchment paper first for really easy cleanup.

Pop them into the oven (a toaster oven is great, too!) for just six minutes or until the halves are lightly toasted. Pre-toasting the muffins ensures that you’ll have a crispy crust. If you like a richer crust, butter the muffin or coat it lightly with olive oil before toasting.

Remove the English muffins from the oven and top with a little sauce (just a bit, too much makes the pizza soggy), mozzarella cheese, and your toppings.

Return the pan to the oven and bake for six more minutes or until the cheese is melted.

That’s all there is to it! Mini pizzas, made to order, ready in fifteen minutes!

P.S. They are really hot so don’t burn your mouth!

Topping Ideas

Every time you make an English muffin pizza, you make it your own. Vary the toppings, the sauce, and the cheese for an original creation. Stay away from raw meats like ground beef, sausage, or bacon because the pizzas aren’t in the oven long enough to thoroughly cook meat. Any pre-cooked meat is fine, including sliced hot dogs, cooked bacon, and deli ham.

Try one of these combinations:

• BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, and smoked gouda.
• Pesto, fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced tomatoes, and fresh basil.
• Alfredo sauce, thinly sliced mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese.
• Softened cream cheese or cream cheese spread, sweet chili sauce, and tiny canned shrimp. Top with sliced green onions before serving.
• Refried beans, Monterey Jack cheese, chopped onions, and black olives. Top with salsa and pickled red onions before serving.

Make-Ahead

I have just a few tips if you want to prep ahead. Shred the cheese if it isn’t pre-shredded and refrigerate until ready to use. Wash and slice any veggies that you are using to top the pizzas. Split the English muffins in half and put them back into the bag to stay fresh.

No English muffins? Make your own crust with this easy pizza dough recipe or try easy air fryer bagel bites (you can bake them in the oven, if you prefer).

Storage & Reheating Tips

Refrigerate: Since these are made-to-order individual pizzas, you probably won’t have many left over. If you do, wrap them well and store in the fridge for up to three days.

Reheat: Preheat your oven, toaster oven, or air fryer to 350°F, and place the muffins right on the oven rack for 10 minutes (5 minutes in air fryer) or until heated through. Using a microwave to reheat them isn’t advisable because the muffins will become somewhat tough.

Leftover Love

Think about how to use leftovers you have in your fridge to make English muffin pizzas. Shred or dice leftover grilled chicken for your pizza. Leftover veggies like asparagus or broccoli are good additions. Have a little leftover Alfredo or pesto? Any sauce is fun on these pizzas. Finish up that cheese remnant — add it to your pizza! The possibilities are endless (for more ideas, take a look at the Make It Your Own section).