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These English muffin pizzas are the ultimate quick and easy dinner – crispy, cheesy, and ready in just 10 minutes. Thanks to a simple trick, they’re never soggy and always perfectly toasted. Perfect for busy weeknights or after-school snacks, everyone can customize their own toppings.
The secret is a quick toast before adding the sauce, which keeps the base crisp, while baking at high heat melts the cheese into bubbly, golden goodness. It’s fast, foolproof, and delicious every single time!
Try this next: Pizza Bagels, French Bread Pizza, and Easy Pizza Pinwheels are all fun twists on pizza night!
5 Things That Make or Break This Recipe
- Pre-toast for crispiness: Always toast the muffin halves for 3-5 minutes first – this creates a moisture barrier that prevents the dreaded soggy bottom.
- Go easy on the sauce: Use 1-2 tablespoons max per muffin half. Too much sauce is the enemy of crispy pizzas.
- Middle rack is your friend: Position your oven rack in the center for even cooking, moving to top only if broiling at the end.
- Shred cheese yourself: Pre-shredded has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting – fresh-grated mozzarella melts like a dream.
- Set a timer for broiling: If you finish with the broiler for extra-bubbly cheese, don’t walk away – 30 seconds can make the difference between perfect and burnt.
RECIPE WALK-THROUGH
How To Make English Muffin Pizzas
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
Step 1: Pre-toast muffins
Start with a quick pre-toast. Just 3-5 minutes at 400°F until edges are golden (not just warm).
- Pre-toasting is necessary if you don’t want soggy pizzas! Don’t skip it.
- Want some extra flavor? Spread a thin layer of garlic butter on the cut side before toasting!
Step 2: Sauce and cheese
Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on each muffin, fork split sides up. Use a thin layer of sauce – you’ll see muffin texture through it. Sprinkle about two tablespoons of mozzarella on each, placing the cheese to the edges to prevent the sauce from burning.
- Pro Tip: Line your pan with parchment paper – cheese drips are no joke, and cleanup takes seconds
- Time Saver: Set up an assembly line – one person spreads the sauce, another adds the cheese, and kids handle the pepperoni
Step 3: Seasoning
In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle evenly over the cheese.
- Those pizza seasoning grinders would work really well for this recipe, too, if you have one on hand that you like!
Step 4: Add toppings
Place 3 to 4 pepperoni slices on each muffin. Add a light sprinkle of any remaining cheese.
- Don’t overload with toppings, as that can make the muffin pizzas soggy.
Step 5: Bake
Return to the oven for 8 to 12 minutes, until the edges turn deep golden, cheese is bubbling around the edges, and sauce is just starting to caramelize. For extra color, broil on Low for about 2 minutes. If using parchment, remove it before broiling so it doesn’t burn!
- Rack Positioning – Middle rack for baking, top rack only if broiling. For extra-crispy bottoms, place pizzas directly on the oven rack with a sheet pan below to catch drips.
Step 6: Serve
Let cool 1 to 2 minutes. Serve hot with extra sauce for dipping.
- Kid Safety: Let pizzas rest 1-2 minutes after baking – that cheese is molten lava hot!
Air Fryer Instructions
- Toast. Working in batches, air fry English muffin halves at 400°F for 2 minutes, cut side up.
- Top. Add sauce, cheese, seasoning, and pepperoni as above.
- Air fry. Return the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve immediately.
Toaster Oven Instructions
- Toast. Working in batches, toast the English muffin halves at 400°F for 2 minutes, cut side up.
- Top. Add sauce, cheese, seasoning, and pepperoni as above.
- Toast. Return to the toaster oven at the same temperature of 400°F and cook for 6 to 10 minutes (watch closely!), or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve immediately.
Variations and Serving Ideas
- Classic Pepperoni: The tried-and-true favorite – add pepperoni on top of cheese so edges crisp up
- Hawaiian Style: Canadian bacon and pineapple chunks (pat pineapple dry first)
- Veggie Delight: Mushrooms, bell peppers, olives (sauté watery veggies first to prevent sogginess)
- BBQ Chicken: Swap pizza sauce for BBQ sauce, add cooked chicken and red onion
- Breakfast Pizza: Use hollandaise or cream sauce, add scrambled eggs and bacon
- White Pizza: Skip sauce, use olive oil and garlic, load up with ricotta and mozzarella
- Make it a meal: Pair with a simple green salad, carrot sticks, or cup of tomato soup
Storage Tips
Storage, Freezing, Make Ahead
Fridge Storage: Assembled but unbaked pizzas keep 24 hours covered tightly with plastic wrap
Freeze Before Baking: Flash-freeze assembled pizzas on a tray 2 hours, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and foil. Store up to 3 months
Bake From Frozen: No need to thaw! Add 2-3 minutes to regular bake time
Freeze After Baking: Cool completely, wrap in foil, freeze up to 2 months
Reheating Options:
- From fridge: 5 minutes at 350°F
- From frozen: 8-10 minutes at 350°F
- Toaster oven: Perfect for 1-2 pizzas
- Microwave: 30 seconds for soft (not crispy) results
Lunchbox Hack: Sunday prep, Monday-Friday lunches. Reheat in morning, wrap in foil to stay warm
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of English muffins work best?
Any brand you like will work. Bay’s was used in testing. Choose muffins with nooks and crannies and a sturdy texture.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Just use gluten-free English muffins, gluten-free sauce, and gluten-free toppings.
What temperature do I bake English muffin pizzas?
Bake in a preheated 425°F oven.
Do I really have to pre-toast the English muffins?
If you want crispy pizzas, yes, a pre-toast is necessary.
Can I make these in a toaster oven?
Yes, pre-toast English muffins in the toaster oven at 400°F for 2 minutes. Remove and top as directed above. Place back in the toaster oven and cook an additional 6-10 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning, until edges are golden and cheese is bubbling.
What about the air fryer?
Yes, just pre-toast English muffins in the air fryer at 400°F for 2 minutes. Remove and top as directed above. Place back in the air fryer and cook an additional 3-4 minutes.
How much sauce should I use?
Just use 1-2 tablespoons of sauce; you should still see the texture of the English muffins. Too much sauce can make the pizzas come out soggy.
More Pizza Recipes To Try
English Muffin Pizza
Ingredients
- 4 English muffins halved
- 12 ounces Jarred pizza sauce (I used Rao’s)
- 1 ½ cups Freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 6 ounces Pepperoni slices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly spray a large sheet pan with non-stick spray, or line with foil or parchment paper.
- Place the english muffins on the sheet pan, cut side up. Place in the oven and toast until the bottom begins to feel crisp, about 3-5 minutes.
- Spread 1-2 tablespoons of sauce onto each English muffin. Sprinkle on about 2 tablespoons of cheese on each muffin. Mix the salt, pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning together, sprinkle on top of the cheese. Add 3-4 pepperoni on top of the cheese, followed by a sprinkle of any remaining cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned to your liking. Serve immediately. You can also pop them under a low broiler for 2 minutes if desired, but make sure to remove the parchment paper first if using.
Air Fryer
- Working in batches, toast English muffins in the air fryer at 400°F for 2 minutes. Remove and top as directed above. Place back in the air fryer and cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until edges are golden and cheese is bubbling. Serve immediately.
Toaster Oven
- Pre-toast English muffins in the toaster oven at 400°F for 2 minutes. Remove and top as directed above. Place back in the toaster oven and cook an additional 6-10 minutes (watch closely!) or until edges are golden and cheese is bubbling. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Pre-toast muffin halves 3-5 minutes at 400°F until edges are golden – this step prevents soggy pizzas
- Use 1-2 tablespoons sauce per muffin half – less is more for crispy results
- Spread sauce leaving a small border to prevent burning
- Add cheese all the way to edges to protect the sauce
- Optional: Broil 1-2 minutes for extra bubbly cheese (watch closely!)
- For crispier bottom, bake directly on oven rack with pan below for drips
- Toaster oven: pre-toast for 2 minutes at 400°F, top, then 6-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and edges are golden (watch closely)
- Air fryer: pre-toast for 2 minutes at 400°F, top, then 3-4 minutes until cheese is bubbly and edges are golden
- Let rest 1-2 minutes before serving – cheese will be very hot
- Freeze assembled: Flash-freeze 2 hours, wrap well, bake from frozen +2-3 minutes
- Reheat leftovers: 350°F for 5 minutes from fridge, 8-10 from frozen
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
