The Best Pizza Toasts Recipe: A Fun Twist on a Classic Favorite

Crispy, golden pizza toasts bring a delightful twist to your favorite comfort food.

Melted cheese and savory toppings dance across perfectly browned bread slices.

Weeknight dinners just got way more exciting with this simple yet mouthwatering creation.

Quick preparation means you can satisfy those Italian-inspired cravings in minutes.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of crunch and rich flavors.

Layers of ingredients create a mini pizza experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

You’ll want to make these again and again – trust me, they’re irresistible.

Crispy Pizza Toasts Bursting with Toppings

• Whip Up Quick Comfort: Transform simple bread into a delicious pizza-style snack that satisfies cravings in minutes with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Customize Your Creation: Personalize each toast with preferred toppings, making it perfect for picky eaters or hosting casual gatherings where everyone gets their favorite combination.
• Zero Complicated Techniques: No advanced cooking knowledge needed – just layer ingredients and pop in the oven for a foolproof meal that looks and tastes impressive.
• Budget-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Use pantry staples and leftover ingredients to create a tasty treat that won't break the bank, ideal for spontaneous hunger moments or feeding a hungry group.

What You’ll Need for Pizza Toasts

• Bread Slices: A crispy foundation for the pizza toast.
• Olive Oil: Provides a golden, flavorful coating for the bread.

• Marinara Sauce, Pizza Sauce: Adds classic tomato flavor and moisture to the toast.
• Cheese: Melts beautifully to create a gooey, delicious topping.

• Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Red Pepper Flakes, Black Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor profile with aromatic and spicy notes.
• Favorite Toppings: Allows for personal customization of the pizza toast (such as pepperoni, vegetables, or additional cheese).

How to Make Perfectly Crispy Pizza Toasts

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) and get ready for some pizza toast magic.

Step 2: Prepare Bread Base

Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet and give them a generous olive oil massage to create a golden, crispy foundation.

Step 3: Spread The Sauce

Dollop and spread marinara or pizza sauce across each bread slice, creating a flavor-packed canvas.

Step 4: Shower With Cheese

Sprinkle cheese generously over the saucy surface, ensuring every inch gets a cheesy embrace.

Step 5: Customize With Toppings

Go wild with your favorite pizza toppings – pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, or whatever makes your taste buds dance.

Step 6: Boost The Flavor

• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Red pepper flakes
• Black pepper

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a melty paradise and the bread turns a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 8: Optional Crispy Finale

For ultimate crunchiness, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Tips for Flavorful and Crispy Pizza Toasts

• Use sturdy, thick-cut bread like sourdough or Italian bread for the best crispy texture and stable base.
• Apply sauce sparingly to prevent soggy bread, ensuring a thin, even layer that covers the slice without pooling.
• Shred or slice cheese thinly and spread evenly to guarantee perfect melting and consistent flavor in every bite.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like mozzarella, parmesan, and provolone for complex, rich taste combinations.
• Mix protein options like pepperoni, cooked sausage, or grilled chicken with vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives for exciting flavor layers.

Variations to Customize Pizza Toasts

• Gluten-Free Toast Version: Use gluten-free bread and replace regular cheese with dairy-free cheese alternatives for those with wheat or dairy sensitivities.
• Mediterranean Veggie Toast: Top with roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Base: Replace bread with thinly sliced zucchini rounds as a low-carb alternative, maintaining the pizza toast concept while reducing carbohydrate intake.
• Protein-Packed Version: Add grilled chicken, turkey pepperoni, or plant-based protein crumbles to increase protein content and create a more substantial meal option.

Serving Suggestions for Pizza Toasts

• Appetizer Party Platter: Slice pizza toasts into bite-sized triangles and arrange on a wooden board with fresh basil garnish, perfect for casual gatherings and game nights.
• Lunch Sidekick: Pair these crispy toasts with a light garden salad or tomato soup for a satisfying midday meal that's quick and delicious.
• Kiddo-Friendly Meal: Let children customize their own toppings, making dinner interactive and fun while introducing them to different flavor combinations like pepperoni, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
• Brunch Inspiration: Serve alongside scrambled eggs or add a fried egg on top for a weekend breakfast twist that transforms simple pizza toasts into a gourmet morning treat.

Best Storage Tips for Pizza Toasts

• Transfer leftover pizza toasts to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual pizza toasts tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month to maintain best quality and taste.
• Restore crispiness by placing pizza toasts on a baking sheet and warming in a preheated 350F (175C) oven for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwave to keep bread crunchy.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of bread for pizza toasts?

Yes, you can use any bread like sourdough, ciabatta, French bread, or whole wheat. Just ensure the bread is sturdy enough to hold toppings without getting soggy.

• How can I make these pizza toasts vegetarian?

Simply skip meat toppings and use vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, olives, or spinach. You can also add plant-based protein like tofu or vegetarian sausage crumbles.

• What cheese works best for pizza toasts?

Mozzarella is traditional, but you can also use provolone, cheddar, or a blend of cheeses. Shredded cheese melts more evenly than sliced cheese.

Pizza Toasts Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Homemade pizza toasts combine crispy bread with classic Italian flavors for a quick and satisfying meal. Melted cheese, zesty tomato sauce, and your favorite toppings create a delightful snack you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 slices bread (white, whole wheat, or sourdough)
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce or pizza sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese

Cheese Variations:

• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese (optional)
• 1/4 cup provolone cheese (optional)
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (optional)

Toppings and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup pepperoni
• 1/4 cup sausage
• 1/4 cup mushrooms
• 1/4 cup bell peppers
• 1/4 cup onions
• 1/4 cup olives
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 375F (190C) and position the rack in the middle for even heat distribution.
2. Arrange bread slices on a clean baking sheet, creating a single layer without overlapping.
3. Using a pastry brush, coat each slice with olive oil to ensure a crispy texture and golden finish.
4. Generously spread marinara or pizza sauce across the entire surface of each bread slice, covering edge to edge.
5. Distribute shredded or sliced cheese uniformly over the sauced bread, allowing even melting.
6. Customize the toasts with preferred pizza toppings like pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
7. Enhance flavor profile by sprinkling a blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and freshly ground black pepper.
8. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese becomes completely melted and bread edges turn golden brown.
9. For an extra crispy exterior, activate the broiler and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
10. Remove from oven, let cool for a brief moment, then slice diagonally and serve immediately while warm and crunchy.

Notes

• Customize toppings by using gluten-free bread for celiac or wheat-sensitive individuals, ensuring everyone can enjoy this quick meal.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella, cheddar, or vegan alternatives to match dietary preferences or flavor profiles.
• Control crispiness by watching closely during broiling stage, as ovens vary and bread can quickly burn from high heat.
• Elevate nutrition by adding protein-rich toppings like grilled chicken, turkey, or plant-based options to transform simple pizza toast into a more substantial meal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg