If you’re looking for a fun and delicious way to start your day, the English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe is pure magic on a plate. Imagine crisp, golden English muffins topped with fluffy scrambled eggs, savory bacon or sausage, and melty cheese, all finished with bright bursts of fresh veggies and herbs. This recipe takes your breakfast game to a whole new level by combining the comfort of a hearty morning meal with the joy of a personal-size pizza. It’s easy, flavorful, and perfect whether you’re feeding the family or treating yourself to something special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are delightfully simple yet essential for building the perfect flavor and texture balance on your English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe. Each component contributes its own unique touch from the creamy eggs to the crisp bacon and fresh veggies, creating a breakfast you won’t stop craving.
- English muffins (4, split in half): The sturdy base with nooks that grab every bit of topping and sauce.
- Unsalted butter (1 tablespoon): Adds richness to the scrambled eggs and helps with cooking.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon, optional): For brushing the muffins to bring that extra crispness.
- Large eggs (6): The star protein, for soft and fluffy scrambled eggs.
- Milk or half-and-half (3 tablespoons): Keeps the eggs creamy and tender.
- Salt and black pepper: Simple seasoning to enhance every flavor layer.
- Shredded mozzarella (1 cup): Melts beautifully with mild flavor.
- Shredded cheddar (1/2 cup): Adds sharpness and color to your cheese blend.
- Bacon or cooked breakfast sausage (4 slices or 1/2 cup): Savory meatiness that complements eggs perfectly.
- Pizza or marinara sauce (1/2 cup): A tangy base that ties everything together.
- Garlic powder, dried oregano, and basil: Classic Italian seasoning with a gentle herbal kick.
- Grated Parmesan (2 tablespoons): Adds a nutty, cheesy finish.
- Green onions (2, thinly sliced): Bright crunch and a pop of color.
- Diced bell pepper (1/4 cup): Sweetness and texture.
- Diced red onion (1/4 cup, optional): A slight bite to balance richness.
- Olive oil spray or extra oil for brushing: To ensure the crust crisps up just right.
- Flour or cornmeal (optional): Helps prevent sticking and adds a subtle crunch on the baking sheet.
How to Make English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This sets the perfect environment for crispy English muffins and bubbly cheese. Next, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it. For extra texture and to prevent sticking, sprinkle a bit of flour or cornmeal on the tray—this little step makes a big difference for those crunchy edges.
Step 2: Ready the English Muffins
Split each English muffin half using a fork to preserve the delightful nooks and crannies that hold all your toppings. Arrange the cut sides up on your prepared baking sheet and lightly brush or spray the tops with olive oil. This ensures they toast perfectly without turning soggy once you add the toppings.
Step 3: Pre-Toast the Muffins
Pop the muffins in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes until the edges are just beginning to crisp. This pre-toasting is key—it creates a sturdy, not soggy, base that supports your toppings without getting mushy under the sauce and eggs. Once toasted, pull them out and set aside while you prepare the rest.
Step 4: Cook Up the Bacon or Sausage
Whether you prefer crispy bacon or savory breakfast sausage, cook it now so it’s ready to crumble and sprinkle. For bacon, cook until it’s crisp and then crumble once cool. For sausage, brown it thoroughly, breaking it into small bits. Drain any excess fat and set aside enough for topping your eight English muffin halves.
Step 5: Make Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
In a bowl, whisk your eggs with milk, a pinch of salt, and black pepper until frothy. This little aeration step is the secret to eggs that are soft and tender. Cook them gently in butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally just until they start to set but remain glossy and soft. Immediately remove from heat because they’ll finish cooking in the oven, keeping that perfect creamy texture.
Step 6: Season the Sauce
Mix your pizza or marinara sauce with garlic powder, oregano, and optional basil in a small bowl. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed. This simple seasoning gives the sauce a fresh, herby depth that complements the entire pizza beautifully.
Step 7: Assemble Your Breakfast Pizzas
Spoon about 1 to 1½ tablespoons of the seasoned sauce on each toasted muffin half, spreading it evenly to the edges. Then layer on the scrambled eggs, followed by the crumbled bacon or sausage. Next, sprinkle a mix of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses so every bite is gooey and rich, then add a light dusting of Parmesan. Finally, toss on the diced bell peppers, optional red onion, and sliced green onions for fresh color and crunch.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake the assembled muffins in your preheated oven for about 8 to 12 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt fully and bubble with a golden touch. For an extra special finish, you can broil for a minute or two, but watch closely so they don’t burn. Once baked and beautifully bubbly, let the pizzas rest for a few minutes to let the cheese set slightly.
How to Serve English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes like a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a few red pepper flakes elevates the flavor profile and adds a welcoming bit of color. A light drizzle of hot sauce can also add a lovely spicy kick if you enjoy some heat with your breakfast.
Side Dishes
Pair your English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe with fresh fruit like juicy orange slices or a light mixed greens salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette. These sides balance the richness of the pizza, making your breakfast well-rounded and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunch gatherings, arrange the pizzas on a wooden board alongside small bowls of condiments like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole. You can also serve them open-faced on colorful plates or even wrapped in parchment for an on-the-go treat that stays delicious and mess-free.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to cool them completely before sealing to keep the crust from becoming soggy.
Freezing
If you want to save some for a future breakfast, these pizzas freeze well. Wrap each muffin half tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
The best way to reheat these pizzas is in a toaster oven or regular oven set to 350°F (175°C) for about 8 to 10 minutes. This method revives the crispness of the muffins while warming the toppings evenly. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that delightful texture.
FAQs
Can I use other types of bread instead of English muffins?
Absolutely! While English muffins are perfect for their texture and shape, you can substitute with small bagels, pita halves, or even mini naan breads to create your own variation of this breakfast pizza.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, just skip the bacon or sausage. You can add extra veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or tomatoes for flavor and texture, or even use a plant-based sausage alternative if you like.
How can I make the scrambled eggs fluffier?
Whisk your eggs vigorously with a bit of milk or half-and-half to incorporate air before cooking. Cooking them slowly over medium-low heat and stirring gently also helps keep them soft and fluffy.
Can I prepare some parts of this recipe in advance?
You can cook and crumble the bacon or sausage, scramble the eggs, and season the sauce ahead of time. Keep them refrigerated and assemble just before baking for the freshest experience.
What other cheeses can I use?
Feel free to experiment! Cheddar and mozzarella offer that classic melt and flavor, but pepper jack, fontina, or a bit of gouda can add exciting twists to your English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe.
Final Thoughts
This English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe is a delightful way to bring something new and exciting to your breakfast routine. It’s easy, customizable, and offers all the flavors you love in a fun, handheld form. Trust me, once you try this, it will become a beloved morning staple you’ll want to make again and again—go ahead, give it a whirl and enjoy every bite!
Print
English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 32m
- Total Time: 0h 47m
- Yield: 8 individual English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This English Muffin Breakfast Pizza recipe transforms simple breakfast staples into a flavorful and fun meal. Crisped English muffin halves serve as the base, topped with seasoned pizza sauce, fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon or sausage, a blend of melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, and fresh veggies. Perfect for a weekend brunch or a hearty breakfast, this dish combines the best of breakfast and pizza in a quick, oven-baked format.
Ingredients
English Muffins
- 4 English muffins, split in half (8 halves total)
- Olive oil spray or 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing
- Flour or cornmeal for the baking sheet (optional, to prevent sticking)
Eggs and Dairy
- 6 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons milk or half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Meats
- 4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (or 1/2 cup cooked breakfast sausage)
Sauce and Spices
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil (optional)
Vegetables
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
- 1/4 cup diced bell pepper (red or green)
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion (optional)
Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for extra crispiness)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it. Sprinkle a little flour or cornmeal on the tray to help keep the English muffins from sticking and to add texture.
- Prep the English muffins: Split the English muffins in half using a fork to maintain their nooks and crannies, or a serrated knife for a cleaner cut. Arrange the 8 halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush or spray the cut sides with olive oil for extra crispness.
- Pre-toast the muffin bases: Bake the English muffins in the preheated oven for 5–7 minutes, until edges start to lightly crisp but are not browned. Remove from the oven and set aside while preparing toppings. Keep the oven on.
- Cook the bacon or sausage: If not yet cooked, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, drain on paper towels, then crumble. For sausage, cook in a skillet breaking into small crumbles until browned and no pink remains; drain excess fat. Set aside 4 slices of bacon or about 1/2 cup cooked sausage.
- Make the scrambled eggs: Crack 6 eggs into a bowl. Add 3 tablespoons milk or half-and-half, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until blended and slightly frothy to incorporate air. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt butter coating pan bottom. Pour in eggs, let sit for 10–15 seconds, then gently push eggs from edges to center with a spatula, forming soft curds. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until just set but still glossy and soft. Remove from heat and season with additional salt if needed. Set aside.
- Season and prepare the sauce: Mix pizza or marinara sauce with garlic powder, oregano, and basil (if using) in a small bowl. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Assemble the pizzas: Spoon about 1 to 1½ tablespoons of seasoned sauce onto each toasted English muffin half, spreading evenly to the edges. Divide scrambled eggs evenly among the muffins, then sprinkle crumbled bacon or sausage over the eggs.
- Add cheeses and vegetables: Combine shredded mozzarella and cheddar in a small bowl. Sprinkle cheese mixture over each muffin half, covering the eggs and meat. Top each with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Distribute diced bell pepper and red onion (if using) on top, and scatter sliced green onions over everything.
- Bake the breakfast pizzas: Return tray to the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden in spots, and muffins are crisp around the edges. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for extra browning, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest and serve: Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to let cheese set for easier eating. Transfer to plates and serve warm.
Notes
- Using a fork to split English muffins preserves their nooks and crannies which hold the toppings better.
- Brushing olive oil on muffin tops before baking enhances crispness.
- Pre-toasting muffin halves prevents sogginess after adding toppings.
- You can substitute bacon with breakfast sausage for variety.
- Broiling at the end adds a nice golden-brown finish but watch closely to prevent burning.
- The recipe can be easily doubled for larger groups.
- Optional diced red onion adds a mild pungency and crunch that complements the muffins well.
