Amazing 13-Minute english muffin pizza

You know those nights, right? The clock says 6 PM, you’re starving, and a full pizza delivery feels like a major commitment—or maybe just too long of a wait. Trust me, I get it! Balancing a hectic life with my goal of serving soulful, real food is exactly why my quick weeknight dinners are my specialty. Forget complicated dough; we are going directly to the best shortcut ever: the humble english muffin pizza. This recipe delivers that piping-hot, cheesy, nostalgic craving satisfaction in less time than it takes to set the table. It’s simple, joyful, and ready before you can even decide what to watch!

Why This Classic English Muffin Pizza Recipe Works for Everyone

When I adapted my grandmother’s simple cooking principles for my busy life, speed became just as important as flavor. This recipe hits the sweet spot every single time. It’s not fancy, but it’s deeply satisfying, and that’s what matters most for everyday meals. Honestly, it’s the best way to solve that sudden craving! You can check out more of my quick solutions over in my appetizers and snacks category.

SAVE IT

• It’s incredibly forgiving. Did you burn the cheese a tiny bit? Oops! Still tastes amazing.
• You use basic ingredients you already have in your fridge or pantry.
• It’s the perfect solution for **Kid Friendly Pizza Snacks** that feel like a treat.

Speed and Simplicity: The Ultimate 15 Minute Dinner Recipe

Listen, the magic number here is 13 minutes total, and most of that is passive waiting time! With just 5 minutes of prep—that’s just spreading sauce and sprinkling cheese—you have a piping hot meal on the table. It really is the perfect, no-fuss **15 Minute Dinner Recipe** when you’re exhausted after work. You can even keep the kids busy topping their own while you clean up the prep mess.

Customizable Mini Pizzas for Picky Eaters

If you have kids with varying tastes like I do, you know the pain of a compromise pizza. But with these, that’s never an issue! You’re dealing with individual mini pizzas, so everyone gets exactly what they want. We call them **Customizable Mini Pizzas** because Jimmy only eats pepperoni, Sarah demands mushrooms, and I sneak on extra garlic powder. Everyone wins, and I don’t spend extra time running to the table with custom slices.

Gathering Ingredients for Your English Muffin Pizza

Because this recipe comes from that place where life is busy but you refuse to settle for boring food, the ingredients list is wonderfully short and always on hand. You probably have nearly everything needed right now! We’re leaning on standard pantry staples, just like my grandmother taught me to do. The foundation is simple: four English muffins, split, our favorite pizza sauce, and a generous mix of gooey mozzarella and salty Parmesan. It’s honestly that minimal—no fancy dough required.

If you want to see another great way I stretch simple ingredients for easy meals, check out my recipe for easy pizza sliders—they use tons of similar shortcuts!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your English Muffin Pizza

While the classic recipe is perfect as is, never feel locked into just tomato sauce! If you’re feeling creative, try swapping marinara for a thin layer of pesto or even a tangy BBQ sauce. That’s where the fun begins. Don’t stop at mozzarella either; a bit of Provolone melts beautifully, or a few shakes of Pepper Jack adds a nice kick!

And listen, if you need this to be gluten-free, just swap in your favorite **gluten-free English muffins**! The texture will be slightly different, sure, but the cheesy goodness transfers perfectly. These little substitutions allow you to turn this quick snack into whatever you need it to be!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect English Muffin Pizza

Okay, let’s get this assembly line moving! This is where we build maximum flavor and texture in the smallest amount of time. Since speed is the name of the game, I like to get the oven going first. If you’re distracted—and who isn’t sometimes?—just remember the key to avoiding a soggy base: the pre-toast!

If you happen to be looking for a quick dip instead of a pizza topping, my recipe for easy 5-minute nacho cheese sauce is another one of those ridiculously fast wins you keep in your back pocket.

Prepping the Crust for the Best English Muffin Pizza

First things first, get your oven hot! You want it at 400°F, or if you’re using the air fryer, 375°F. Here’s the part you absolutely cannot skip if you hate floppy pizza bases: the toast! Place your split English muffins cut-side up on the sheet or basket. Pop them under the broiler or air fryer for just 2 or 3 minutes. They shouldn’t brown much, just warm up and dry out slightly. This step is the secret to that amazing **Crispy English Muffin Crust** we crave.

SAVE IT

Assembling and Baking Your Quick English Muffin Pizza

Once they’re lightly toasted, work fast! Spread about a tablespoon of sauce on each half. Then, hit them with the mozzarella and finish with that Parmesan sprinkle. Now, pile on your pepperoni or veggies! If you’re using the oven, they go in for about 6 to 8 minutes until that cheese is bubbly and gorgeous. If you went the air fryer route, they only need 4 to 6 minutes, but stay close because it cooks fast! Seriously, you’ll have **homemade pizza on English muffins** ready in under 15 minutes total.

SAVE IT

Cooking Methods: Oven vs. Air Fryer Pizza Bites

So, which cooking method wins? It really depends on what kind of texture you’re chasing! For years, the oven was the only way, and it gives you that familiar, slightly softer cheese melt across the whole batch. It’s fantastic if you need to make 8 halves at once, that’s for sure.

Now, the air fryer is my secret weapon for snacks. When you are making **Air Fryer Pizza Bites** for a kid’s after-school snack, the air fryer wins on crispness, hands down. Because the heat is circulating so intensely all around that little muffin half, the edges get super crunchy while the cheese browns beautifully on top. You get a better crunch-to-soft ratio, even though you can only fit maybe half the batch in at a time. You can check out how I use my air fryer for other quick meals, like my air fryer shrimp, for more appliance ideas!

If you’re making dinner for the whole family, stick to the oven’s capacity. If you just need two cheesy halves fast? Fire up the basket!

English Muffin Pizza Variations for Any Meal

The reason I love this recipe so much, besides how fast it is, is that it adapts perfectly to whatever time the craving strikes! We often think of it as a lunch filler, but with a few tweaks, it easily becomes a proper dinner or even a fun breakfast. These **English Muffin Pizza Variations** show just how versatile that crispy little base can be. It really knocks most frozen pizza options out of the park, trust me.

Turning English Muffin Pizza into Fast Dinner Ideas

If you need this to step up from a snack to a genuine **Weeknight Meal Solution**, you just have to bulk up the toppings. Don’t be afraid to use leftovers! Throwing some shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with a little BBQ sauce over the cheese makes an instant backyard BBQ pizza flavor. Even crumbled ground beef works perfectly if you season it right, just like in my cheeseburger bowl recipe. Suddenly, we have dinner, and it took 10 minutes.

Creative Toppings: Beyond Pepperoni on Your English Muffin Pizza

Pepperoni is classic, but variety keeps things exciting! For a savory dinner feel, try making a small **Cheeseburger style** version by adding browned ground beef, finely diced onions, and topping with both mozzarella and a sprinkle of Cheddar cheese instead of Parmesan. Or, go gourmet with prosciutto and fresh basil after it comes out of the oven.

If you’re aiming for that **Breakfast Pizza English Muffin Style**, skip the marinara completely! Use a layer of salsa or even gravy, then swap the mozzarella for shredded colby jack and top with a tiny dollop of scrambled egg and maybe some cooked sausage. It’s wild how good that combination is when the cheese melts right over it!

Make Ahead Freezer Pizza and Storage Tips

One of the beautiful things about this super quick snack is you can actually trick your busy self into having future pizzas ready in minutes! I constantly use this method for **Make Ahead Freezer Pizza** so I don’t have to think about lunch later in the week. The key here, and this is vital for success, is that you **do not** toast the muffins first. Assemble them completely—sauce, cheese, toppings—on the untoasted halves.

Lay them out on a baking sheet so they aren’t touching, and pop that whole sheet into the freezer until everything is solidly frozen. Once they’re hard little discs after freezing, you can transfer them straight into a heavy-duty freezer bag. This is fantastic for **meal planning** because now you have emergency dinners ready!

If you’re reheating leftovers from the fridge, skip the microwave! It makes the muffin instantly soggy. Instead, use a toaster oven or air fryer set to about 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes. That second crisping makes them taste almost brand new again.

Frequently Asked Questions About English Muffin Pizza

It’s always smart to check in here after you read the recipe! Sometimes the biggest questions come up when you’re standing in front of the open fridge wondering what to do next. I’ve gathered a few common things people ask me about making these cheesy little snacks. If you have other questions, feel free to drop by my blog!

Can I use something other than English muffins for this easy mini pizza recipe?

Absolutely! Honestly, if you have a bread base, you can top it and bake it. Bagels are great—they come out a bit denser and chewier. Tortillas work if you want something cracker-thin, but be careful not to overload them! Pita bread is another solid choice. But I have to tell you, there’s just something about the little nooks and crannies of a toasted English muffin that sets the classic **english muffin pizza** apart. They just hold the toppings better!

What is the best way to reheat leftover english muffin pizza?

Oh, please, please don’t throw them in the microwave unless you absolutely have to! The microwave ruins that wonderful crispness we worked so hard to achieve during the first bake. The absolute best way to bring them back to life is either in a toaster oven or a standard oven set at about 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes. If you have an air fryer, that works like a charm too! You want to heat them just long enough for the cheese to get soft and melty again, restoring that beautiful, slightly toasted crust.

SAVE IT

How do I make a ‘Cheesy English Muffin Bites’ version?

That’s a delicious idea! If you want to lean into the extreme cheesiness of these **Cheesy English Muffin Bites**, you have a couple of super simple routes. First, just generously layer more mozzarella than the recipe calls for. Don’t be shy! Second, mix up your cheese blend. Instead of just mozzarella and Parmesan, try swapping out half the mozzarella for a sharp cheddar or a Mexican blend that melts really well. That extra flavor and gooey factor will absolutely take them over the top!

Nutritional Estimate for Classic English Muffin Pizza

Since we are talking about real food made in a real kitchen, you know I always measure things out perfectly, but keep in mind this is just an estimate! Nutrition facts always depend on exactly what brand of sauce or how much pepperoni you personally pile on. This estimate is based on the core recipe—four English muffins (8 halves), marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan, yielding 8 mini pizzas.

If you’re keeping track of macros while still needing a quick, satisfying meal, here is the breakdown per serving (which we defined as 2 halves):

• Calories: Approximately 280 calories
• Total Fat: Around 10 grams (including about 5 grams of saturated fat)
• Protein: A solid 18 grams—that comes mostly from that blanket of cheese!
• Carbohydrates: About 30 grams, which gives you the quick energy boost needed for a busy afternoon.

It’s a great way to get a satisfying, cheesy fix without reaching for those heavy, complicated **meal delivery companies** for something that takes forever to arrive. This is fast, fresh, and you control every ingredient!

Share Your Quick English Muffin Pizza Creations

That’s it, friend! You have all the secrets now to take those plain old English muffins and turn them into the easiest, fastest, and most customizable pizza night imaginable. Whether you decided on a classic pepperoni, went wild with a breakfast topping, or tried sticking them in the air fryer basket, I really want to see what you made!

We are building a community right here in the comments section! Did you try adding garlic powder under the sauce? Did you go for a different sort of cheese blend? Drop a star rating below so others know how much you loved this simple recipe. And please, leave a detailed comment about your favorite build. I always love hearing how you’re using these quick solutions in your own busy kitchens. If you ever need to get in touch with me directly outside the comments, you can always find my contact page!

Quick and Easy English Muffin Pizza

Print Recipe

Save Recipe Recipe Saved

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make crispy, cheesy English muffin pizzas fast. This simple recipe works for a quick lunch, snack, or easy weeknight dinner and is perfect for customizing with your favorite toppings.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 5 min
• Cook Time: 8 min
• Total Time: 13 min
• Yield: 8 mini pizzas 1x
• Category: Lunch
• Method: Baking/Air Frying
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 English muffins, split in half
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional toppings: Sliced pepperoni, cooked sausage, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If using an air fryer, preheat to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place the English muffin halves, cut-side up, on a baking sheet or directly in the air fryer basket.
3. Lightly toast the muffins in the oven for 2-3 minutes, or in the air fryer for 2 minutes, until slightly crisp. This prevents a soggy crust.
4. Spread about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce evenly over the surface of each muffin half.
5. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
6. Add your desired toppings, such as pepperoni slices, on top of the cheese.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the muffin are golden brown.
8. If using an air fryer, cook for 4 to 6 minutes, checking frequently, until the cheese is melted.
9. Remove from the oven or air fryer and serve immediately.

Notes

• For an air fryer method, place 2 to 4 halves in the basket, depending on size, and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 4-6 minutes.
• You can make these ahead for meal prep; assemble completely (sauce, cheese, toppings) on the untoasted muffins, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Transfer frozen pizzas to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 3-5 minutes to the cook time.
• If you are looking for alternatives to traditional pizza, this recipe avoids the complexity of many meal delivery companies.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 halves
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 4
• Sodium: 550
• Fat: 10
• Saturated Fat: 5
• Unsaturated Fat: 5
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 30
• Fiber: 2
• Protein: 18
• Cholesterol: 25