Easy No Stress Pizza Bagel Bites

Pizza night just got a whole lot easier. These Pizza Bagel Bites start with everything bagel minis, get a spoonful of marinara and a nice sprinkle of mozzarella, then bake until bubbly and golden. They’re ready in about 15 minutes, and everyone can build their own.

Quick and easy meal idea 15 minute build your own Pizza Bagel Bites. Everything bagel minis topped with marinara, mozzarella and your favorite toppings. An easy 15-minute snack or dinner the whole family can customize.

We made one pan of classic cheese and one pan with mini pepperoni, so that we had lunch/snacks prepped for the week. But this is the kind of recipe where you could set out the toppings and let everyone make it their own way if you wanted to have it for dinner.

Table of Contents

Why We Love These & You Will Too

Fast & easy. About 15 minutes from start to table.
Everything bagel flavor. The garlic, onion and sesame crust makes these taste like more than a basic pizza bagel. (You can always swap out for plain or sesame bagels if you don’t like onion or garlic.)
Picky-eater approved. Everyone customizes their own.
Perfect for any time. After-school snacks, school lunches, movie nights, game-day spreads or an easy dinner.

Ingredients

Makes 16 bagel bites.

8 everything bagel mini bagels, sliced in half (16 halves)
3/4 to 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
1 to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Mini pepperoni (optional)
Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes, for sprinkling (optional)

Build-Your-Own Topping Ideas

Set out a few of these and let everyone customize their own bites:

Meats: mini pepperoni, cooked Italian sausage, crumbled cooked bacon, diced ham, shredded chicken
Veggies: diced bell peppers, sliced black olives, mushrooms, red onion, spinach, cherry tomatoes
Fun combos: ham and pineapple (Hawaiian), BBQ sauce with chicken and red onion, pesto with fresh mozzarella and tomato
Finishing touches: fresh basil, grated Parmesan, a drizzle of ranch or hot honey, sliced jalapeños

How to Make Pizza Bagel Bites

Preheat and prep. Heat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Lay out the bagels. Place the bagel halves cut side up on the baking sheet.
Add the sauce. Spread about 1 tablespoon of marinara on each half, leaving a little edge around the outside.
Top with cheese. Sprinkle mozzarella over the sauce, then add pepperoni or any other toppings you like.
Bake. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bagel edges are golden brown.
Cool and serve. Let them cool for a couple of minutes before serving. The sauce and cheese will be very hot.

Tips for the Best Pizza Bagel Bites

Pre-toast for extra crunch. Bake the plain bagel halves for 2 to 4 minutes before adding toppings so the centers don’t get soggy.
Don’t overdo the sauce. A thin layer keeps them from getting soggy.
Want browned cheese? Switch to broil for the last minute and watch closely.
Make a topping bar. Put toppings in a muffin tin so kids can grab and build their own.

Storage and Freezing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I place parchment between the layers to keep them from sticking together. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes to keep them crispy.

To freeze, assemble the bagel bites without baking, freeze them on a baking sheet, then move them to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes.

More Bagel Bite Fun

If your family loves these, don’t miss our sweet version: Apple Streusel Bagel Bites, with a buttery cinnamon streusel topping and an apple pie cream cheese center. Make a pan of each for the ultimate sweet-and-savory snack spread!