English Muffin Pizzas
English Muffin Pizzas make for a fun and easy pizza night idea! These are super quick to make, and great for parties and kids because everyone can customize their own perfect pizza! Whether you keep it simple with cheese or add pepperoni and veggies, these are sure to be a hit for the whole family.
EMAIL ME THE RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we'll send this recipe to your inbox. Plus, enjoy exclusive content!
A Note from Kim
Build-Your-Own Pizza Fun
English Muffin Pizzas are a staple with my kids on Saturday nights. They love them just as much as I did when I was kid! I can still remember my mom cutting up and preparing all of our favorite toppings. And then we would get to top our English muffins with tomato sauce, cheese and whatever other fixings we were craving.
This mini pizza idea also works great for after school snacks, slumber parties and even adult get togethers like game day. Everyone gets to have a taste of what they like, and these easily cater to any dietary restrictions in a no-fuss manner.
With love (and lots of good eats), 
My 11 year old has made these for lunch for himself every day this week. They’re so easy and taste like regular pizza. Thanks for yummy recipe!
— Lyndsay
Ingredients You’ll Need
The key ingredients needed for this English muffin pizza recipe are pretty basic. You’ll need some type of sauce, cheese and then whatever toppings you like best. Here are some ingredient ideas to get you started:
- English muffins: Use your favorite brand of English muffins as the pizza crust alternative. You can also choose to use white, whole wheat or gluten free.
- Sauce: Marinara or pizza sauce is the most popular option, but feel free to use any favorite.
- Cheese: Use freshly grated cheese for the best flavor and melting results.
- Optional toppings: Add whatever you feel like or have on-hand. If you’re feeling fancy, mince some fresh parsley or basil leaves for garnishing.
Variations and Substitutions
- Crust: I like to use Thomas’ Light Multi-Grain English Muffins. With only 100 calories and 8 grams of fiber, they’re a great choice to keep things lighter. They’re a bit thinner than regular English muffins, which helps the crust crisp-up better in the oven, perfect for mini pizzas.
- Sauce: Try my homemade marinara! Other tasty options are pesto, BBQ sauce or Alfredo sauce.
- Cheese: Mozzarella cheese is my top pick for cheese, but other great options are shredded provolone or Monterey Jack for great melting. Add Parmesan cheese for depth of flavor.
- Toppings: Some of my family’s favorite pizza toppings are chopped mushrooms, onion, red onion, bits of pineapple, black olives, bell pepper, sausage, chicken, ham, Canadian bacon and, of course, mini pepperonis. Aren’t they cute?!
How to English Muffin Pizzas
This recipe is fool-proof! These English muffin pizzas are so easy that this is hardly a recipe at all. Here’s how it comes together:
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full, printable recipe and video.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the 8 muffin halves on the baking sheet. Toast in the oven until very lightly browned, about 1 to 2 minutes each side.
Step 2: Remove from oven and evenly spread with 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce. We also like to use tomato sauce, pesto or Alfredo.
Step 3: On top of the sauce layer, sprinkle on some of your favorite shredded cheese. Some of our go-to options are Mozzarella, provolone, or Monterey Jack cheese for the best melting.
Step 4: Now, add whatever toppings you’d like. Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. For a browned look on top, broil for 1-2 minutes after cooking. They cook quickly so keep an eye on them.
Step 5: Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil and dried oregano or Italian seasoning and/or red pepper flakes; serve immediately. These are best enjoyed warm and fresh!
Helpful Tips
- Splitting open the muffins: Separate muffins in half by using a fork or your fingers to work them open. Do not use a knife – we want to keep those “nooks and crannies texture” undisturbed.
- Baking: Baking time will vary based on type of cheese and toppings used, climate and oven variances.
- Prep ahead: I like to keep a bag of English muffins in my freezer for those times when I need a dinner idea fast.
- Serving size: As written, the recipe will serve 4 people, two mini pizzas each, but you can easily scale it up or down based on your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
To pre-toast the English muffins so they don’t get soggy when you add the pizza toppings, preheat oven to 400ºF. Split open the muffin with hands or a fork and place on a baking sheet. Toast for 1 to 2 minutes per side.
Yes, toast the English muffin halves as directed and top as desired. Place 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. If stacking, separate using parchment paper.
Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Then, place the English muffins halves inside for 1 minute. Remove after 1 minute and cover each half with desired toppings. Place the halves back into the air fryer for an additional 4 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
No matter the type of pizza, I’m always a fan of serving it with a fresh salad on the side! This flavorful Italian salad or this wedge salad is the perfect pairing. We also love dipping pieces into this homemade ranch dressing!
Storage and Reheating Recommendations
These English muffin pizzas are great for lunch, dinner or even snacks! They work well for feeding crowds, too! See the frequently asked questions for how to make a huge batch to store in the freezer. Here’s how to store and reheat them:
- Reheat from frozen: Preheat your oven or toaster oven to 375 degrees F. Place the frozen pizzas on a baking sheet topping side up and bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until heated through.
- To refrigerate: In a single layer, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator with the topping side up for up to 1 week.
- Air fryer reheating: To reheat leftovers in the air fryer, preheat it to 320 degrees F. Once heated to temperature, place your pizza inside for 3 to 4 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
More Fun Pizza Recipes
If you try this English muffin pizzas recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, subscribe to our mailing list to receive more delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
English Muffin Pizzas
Ingredients
- 4 English Muffins, halved
- 1 cup marinara, pizza sauce, pesto or Alfredo sauce, or any sauce you'd like
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, or any cheese you'd like
- Optional toppings: mini pepperonis, bacon, veggies, fresh parsley or basil leaves, minced for garnishing
EMAIL ME THE RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox. Plus, enjoy exclusive content!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Separate muffins in half by using a fork or your fingers to work them open. Do not use a knife – we want to keep those "nooks and crannies texture" undisturbed. Place the 8 muffin halves on the baking sheet.
- Toast in the oven until very lightly browned, about 1 to 2 minutes each side. Remove from oven and evenly top with sauce, cheese and whatever toppings you'd like.
- Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Baking time will vary based on type of cheese used, climate and oven variances. For a browned look on top, broil for 1-2 minutes after cooking. They cook quickly so keep an eye on them.
- Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil and dried oregano and/or red pepper flakes; serve immediately. Pizza is best warm and fresh.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @kimscravings on Instagram and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy and delicious recipes straight to your inbox!
We made these with light multigrain English muffins and they were so good! Thanks for idea.
Love how quick and easy these come together! We made them with pepperoni and veggies. So good!
My kids helped make these and we did some with just cheese, some with slices pepperoni and some veggie pizzas. Such a hit with everyone!
I’ve followed your recipe to make these many times and it’s always a winner! We’ve done them for birthday parties, game day and just quick lunches!
I used to love making these when I was a kid! Your recipe is WAYYY better! Thanks for the tip on toasting them before adding the toppings!
We have loved these for summer lunch ideas for my kids! They have so much fun making their own!
Loved these! Made them for my grandkids and they gobbled them up!
We make these all of the time and I have found them to be not only great for a pizza night idea, but also perfect for any gathering! They are quick and easy, you can make a whole batch of them, and they look so cute! 🙂
My kids love these! So simple and delicious.
We tried these tonight and my kids loved them! Easy to individualize, too!
My 11 year old has made these for lunch for himself every day this week. They’re so easy and taste like regular pizza. Thanks for yummy recipe!