English Muffin Pizzas Recipe Ready in Just 10 Minutes

Jump to Recipe

Need dinner on the table fast? These English muffin pizzas are crispy, cheesy, and ready to eat in about 10 minutes flat. With just 4 simple ingredients and zero cooking skills required, this is the ultimate quick meal that kids and adults both devour. Perfect for busy weeknights, after-school snacks, or when that pizza craving hits hard.

Jump to:

Why English Muffin Pizzas Became Our Go-To
Why You'll Love These English Muffin Pizzas
Ingredients for English Muffin Pizzas
How to Make English Muffin Pizzas
Storage and Reheating
Tips and Variations for English Muffin Pizzas
Frequently Asked Questions About English Muffin Pizzas
Recipes You May Like
Time to Make Your Own English Muffin Pizzas!
📖 Recipe
💬 Reviews

Quick English Muffin Pizzas with pepperoni and melted cheese, perfect for a fast and easy meal. Read. — Delicious homemade English muffin pizzas topped with pepperoni and cheese, ideal for a quick snack or meal in under 10 minutes.

Why English Muffin Pizzas Became Our Go-To

Let me tell you about the evening that changed our dinner routine forever. It was one of those chaotic Tuesdays where soccer practice ran late, homework was piling up, and I had exactly nothing planned for dinner. I opened the fridge, saw some leftover pizza sauce, glanced at the English muffins on the counter, and thought, why not?

Fifteen minutes later, my kids were fighting over the last pizza and asking when we could make them again. That was three years ago, and English muffin pizzas have become our official "emergency dinner" that nobody treats like an emergency anymore. My son actually requests them over takeout pizza now, which honestly makes my frugal heart so happy.

The beauty of this recipe is how it turns pantry staples into something that feels like a treat. Those nooks and crannies in English muffins? They get perfectly crispy in the oven while holding onto all that melty cheese and sauce. It's basically pizza perfection in miniature form.

Why You'll Love These English Muffin Pizzas

Ready in 10 minutes - From cold oven to dinner table faster than delivery could even arrive
Kid-friendly cooking project - Little hands can help with every single step safely
Budget-friendly meal - Feeds a family of four for just a few dollars
Perfectly portioned - Two halves per person means easy serving with no cutting required
Crispy texture - English muffins give you that crunchy crust pizza lovers crave
Endlessly customizable - Use whatever toppings you have on hand

Quick and easy English muffin pizzas with cheese and pepperoni, perfect for a fast, tasty meal in only 10 minutes.

Ingredients for English Muffin Pizzas

You probably have everything you need in your kitchen right now:

4 English muffins - Split in half (any brand works, though I prefer the ones with extra nooks and crannies)
½ cup pizza sauce - Canned or jarred marinara works great too
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - Pre-shredded saves time, but freshly shredded melts better
16 slices pepperoni - About 2 per muffin half (or your favorite toppings)

Substitution ideas: No English muffins? Try bagel halves, ciabatta rolls, or even thick slices of French bread. For a lighter option, use mini naan or pita bread. Swap mozzarella for an Italian blend or add some cheddar for extra sharpness.

Check the recipe card below for complete measurements and nutritional information.

How to Make English Muffin Pizzas

Step 1: Prep and Preheat

Gather your ingredients and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats up, split your English muffins in half. I like to use a fork to split them rather than a knife because it preserves those textured nooks that make the edges so crispy.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. (Trust me on this one. Melted cheese on a bare pan is no fun to scrub.)

Step 2: Arrange the Muffin Halves

Place all 8 English muffin halves cut-side up on your prepared baking sheet. Give them a little space between each one so the edges can crisp up properly. They don't need much room, but touching muffins end up steaming instead of crisping.

Step 3: Add the Pizza Sauce

Spoon about a tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each muffin half. Use the back of the spoon to spread it evenly, going almost to the edges but leaving just a tiny border. This border becomes your "crust" and stays nice and crunchy.

PRO TIP: Don't drown them in sauce! Too much liquid makes the muffins soggy. A thin, even layer is all you need for great flavor.

Step 4: Load Up the Cheese and Toppings

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella generously over each sauced muffin. About ¼ cup per half gives you that perfect cheese-pull situation we're all after. Then add your pepperoni slices, pressing them gently into the cheese so they don't slide off.

This is where you can get creative! Add olives, diced peppers, cooked sausage crumbles, or whatever toppings your family loves. Just remember that less is more. Overloaded English muffin pizzas don't cook evenly.

Step 5: Bake Until Bubbly

Slide the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes. You're looking for melted cheese with golden-brown edges and slightly crispy pepperoni that's starting to curl at the edges.

Keep an eye on them after the 8-minute mark because ovens vary. The cheese should be bubbling and the muffin edges should look toasted but not burnt.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Here's the hardest part: let them cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. That cheese is lava-hot straight from the oven, and nobody wants to burn the roof of their mouth. (I learned this the hard way. Multiple times.)

Serve them right on the baking sheet for casual dinners, or transfer to plates for a slightly fancier presentation. Either way, they disappear fast!

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator storage: Let leftover pizzas cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Reheating options: For the best texture, reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melty again. You can also use a toaster oven, which works brilliantly for reheating just one or two. The microwave works in a pinch (30 seconds on high), but the muffin will lose some crispiness.
Freezing tips: You can freeze unbaked assembled pizzas! Arrange them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen at 375°F for 12-15 minutes. Game changer for meal prep.
Make-ahead hack: Assemble the pizzas up to 24 hours before baking. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Add an extra minute or two to the baking time since they'll be cold.

Tips and Variations for English Muffin Pizzas

What's your family's favorite pizza topping? These little pizzas can handle just about anything you throw at them. Here are some ideas from our kitchen:

Toast the muffins first - For extra crispiness, toast the split muffins in the oven for 2-3 minutes before adding toppings
Brush with garlic butter - Mix softened butter with minced garlic and brush on the edges before baking for pizzeria-style flavor
Use a pizza stone - If you have one, preheat it in the oven and bake the pizzas directly on it for an even crispier bottom
Add fresh herbs after baking - A sprinkle of fresh basil or oregano right out of the oven adds beautiful color and flavor
Watch the toppings - Heavy or wet toppings need to go under the cheese so they cook properly

Fun flavor combinations to try:

BBQ Chicken: BBQ sauce, shredded rotisserie chicken, red onion, and mozzarella
Veggie Supreme: Sauce, bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, and Italian cheese blend
Breakfast Pizza: Scrambled eggs, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of hot sauce
Margherita Style: Fresh mozzarella slices, tomato sauce, and fresh basil added after baking
Buffalo Chicken: Ranch or blue cheese dressing base, shredded buffalo chicken, and mozzarella

Enjoy these simple, homemade English muffin pizzas ready in just 10 minutes, ideal for quick lunches or snacks.

Frequently Asked Questions About English Muffin Pizzas

Can I make English muffin pizzas in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Air fryer English muffin pizzas are fantastic. Preheat your air fryer to 370°F and cook for 5-6 minutes until the cheese melts and gets those gorgeous brown spots. You might need to work in batches depending on your air fryer size. I actually prefer this method when I'm only making a few because it's faster and the edges get incredibly crispy.

What kind of English muffins work best for pizza?

Regular white English muffins are the classic choice and work beautifully. However, I've had great results with whole wheat for a nuttier flavor, sourdough for extra tang, and even everything bagel-flavored muffins for a fun twist. The key is choosing muffins with lots of nooks and crannies rather than smooth-topped ones. Those little crevices trap the sauce and cheese perfectly.

How do I keep English muffin pizzas from getting soggy?

Three tricks keep your pizzas perfectly crispy. First, don't use too much sauce. A thin layer is all you need. Second, if using fresh vegetables like tomatoes or mushrooms, pat them dry first or saute them briefly to remove moisture. Third, bake on the middle or lower rack of your oven where the bottom heat is stronger. Some people even toast the muffins for a couple of minutes before adding toppings for extra insurance.

Are English muffin pizzas good for meal prep?

They're perfect for meal prep! You can assemble up to a dozen at once, freeze them individually on a baking sheet, then store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. When you want pizza, just bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time. My kids grab these for after-school snacks and can pop them in the toaster oven themselves. It's healthier and cheaper than frozen pizza from the store, plus you control exactly what goes on them.

Recipes You May Like

If you enjoyed these quick pizzas, try these other easy favorites:

Buffalo Chicken Pizza - When you want full-size pizza with a spicy kick
Quick and Easy Naan Pizza Recipe - Another fast alternative when pizza cravings strike
Pizza Casserole - All the flavors of pizza in a comforting baked dish

Time to Make Your Own English Muffin Pizzas!

So there you have it, the easiest pizza recipe that's saved countless weeknight dinners in our house. Four ingredients, ten minutes, and everyone's happy. What's not to love?

Whether you're feeding hungry kids after school, need a quick lunch, or just want pizza without the delivery wait, English muffin pizzas deliver every time. They're proof that simple doesn't mean boring, and fast food can absolutely be homemade.

I'd love to know what toppings you try! Are you a classic pepperoni family, or do you go wild with creative combinations? Drop your favorites in the comments below. And don't forget to pin this recipe for the next time you need dinner in a hurry!

Happy cooking!

Sophie

📖 Recipe

Yield: 8 mini pizzas (4 servings)