Pizza Bagels

You know those days when you’re torn between two delicious options and can’t decide which to choose? That was me the other day, craving both pizza and bagels. Instead of picking one, I decided to combine them into one mouthwatering creation—Pizza Bagels! These little bites of joy have the chewy texture of a bagel combined with the flavors of a classic pizza, and the best part is they’re homemade. Let’s head into the kitchen and bring these two favorites together!

The Dough

Our journey begins with the dough, the foundation of our Pizza Bagels. Start by gathering your ingredients: water, honey, extra virgin olive oil, yeast, rice flour, bread flour, tomato paste, parmesan cheese, and salt. Combine everything in a bowl. You can either use a stand mixer or mix by hand. Knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, which should take about 8-10 minutes. If you’re the type who prefers to activate your yeast beforehand, feel free to mix the yeast with warm water and honey, letting it sit until foamy before adding it to the mix. I’m skipping that step today since my yeast is fresh and good to go.

Once your dough has reached that smooth, elastic consistency, it’s time to flavor it up. Add in dried oregano, fresh basil leaves, dried minced garlic, and finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Mix on low until these delicious add-ins are evenly distributed, which should take about a minute. The aroma alone is enough to get your taste buds tingling!

Let it Rise

Now that our dough is all mixed, place it in a clean bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour or until it doubles in size. This rising time is crucial for developing that fluffy, chewy texture we all love in a good bagel.

Shaping the Bagels

Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape it into bagels. Divide the dough into 8 to 10 equal pieces if you’re aiming for mini-sized bagels like I am. Roll each piece into a ball, then let them rest for 10 minutes to relax the gluten, making them easier to shape. After the rest period, shape each ball into a bagel. There are two methods I like to use. The first is quick and easy: simply poke a hole in the center with your thumb and gently stretch it. The second method takes a bit more effort but gives the bagels a nice, uniform look. (Please see this video tutorial.) Choose whichever method you prefer, or try both for fun!

Cover the shaped bagels with plastic wrap again and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes. This gives them a final puff before baking. Now is a good time to preheat your oven to 400°F.

The Water Bath

Before these bagels hit the oven, they need a quick water bath to get that perfect chewy texture. Bring a pot of water to a simmer and dissolve some brown sugar in it. The sugar helps give the bagels their characteristic golden color and slight sweetness. Once the water is bubbling, carefully drop in the bagels, a couple at a time, and let them boil for about 30 seconds on each side. This step is crucial, so don’t skip it!

Time to Bake

After boiling, transfer the bagels to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, dabbing off any excess water. Now comes the fun part—topping them! Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over each bagel. This will create a delicious, gooey topping as they bake. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the bagels are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

The Finishing Touch

Take a look at these beauties! The cheese has melted into a delicious, golden crust, and the inside is soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor. Each bite combines the best of both worlds: the satisfying chew of a bagel and the mouthwatering taste of pizza. Honestly, why choose between the two when you can have both?

Sipping/Serving Suggestions

These Pizza Bagels are perfect for any time of day. Enjoy them with a cold sparkling water for a light snack, or pair them with mimosas, coffee, or tea for a delightful breakfast or brunch. They also make a great addition to your kids’ lunch boxes, combining fun and flavor in a way that’s sure to please everyone.

So next time you’re torn between pizza and bagels, why not make both? Try this Pizza Bagel recipe and let the flavors of two classic favorites come together in perfect harmony!