Old-Fashioned English Muffin Pizzas

 

 Old-Fashioned English Muffin Pizzas

 

(A Classic Toaster Oven Favorite)

Description

Who remembers the old English muffin pizzas?
Made in a toaster oven, topped with simple pizza sauce and shredded cheese, these mini pizzas were a childhood favorite for many of us. Easy, quick, and endlessly customizable, English muffin pizzas are the perfect nostalgic comfort food. Whether you grew up with them after school or are introducing them to your kids, this recipe brings back all the cozy memories.

 Ingredients

• 4 English muffins, split in half
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 to 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Optional toppings:
  • Pepperoni slices
  • Cooked sausage or ground beef
  • Diced bell peppers
  • Mushrooms
  • Olives
  • Onions
• Optional seasoning:
  • Dried oregano
  • Italian seasoning
  • Crushed red pepper

 Instructions

1 Prepare the English Muffins

• Split the English muffins in half using a fork to keep the texture rough.
• Lightly toast them first if you prefer a crispier base (optional but recommended).

2 Add the Sauce

• Spread 1–2 tablespoons of pizza sauce evenly over each muffin half.
• Don’t overload the sauce to prevent sogginess.

3 Add Cheese and Toppings

• Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously over the sauce.
• Add any toppings you like, keeping portions small so they cook evenly.
• Finish with a pinch of oregano or Italian seasoning if desired.

4 Bake in the Toaster Oven

• Preheat toaster oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Place muffin pizzas on the toaster oven tray.
• Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
• For extra browning, broil for the last 1–2 minutes (watch closely).

5 Serve

• Carefully remove from the toaster oven.
• Let cool for 1–2 minutes.
• Serve hot and enjoy that classic childhood bite

 Tips for Best Results

• Toasting the muffins first keeps them from getting soggy.
• Use low-moisture mozzarella for the best melt.
• Let kids build their own for a fun, interactive meal.
• These are perfect for quick lunches or after-school snacks.

 Variations

•  Extra cheesy: Add cheddar or provolone
•  Supreme: Pepperoni, peppers, onions, and olives
•  Vegetarian: Mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes
• Spicy: Add jalapeños or crushed red pepper
•  Garlic lovers: Brush muffins with garlic butter before saucing

 Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Fresh fruit
• A simple green salad
• Soup or tomato bisque

 Make-Ahead & Storage

• Assemble and freeze muffin pizzas before baking.
• Bake straight from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes.
• Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days.

Why We Love Them

• Fast and easy
• Budget-friendly
• Kid-approved
• Pure nostalgia