Crispy Pizza Toasts Recipe: A Fun Twist on Homemade Favorites

Crispy pizza toasts offer a delightful twist on classic comfort food that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Melted cheese and zesty toppings create an irresistible combination perfect for quick snacks or casual gatherings.

Minimal ingredients mean maximum flavor in every single bite.

Home cooks can whip up these delectable treats in mere minutes without complicated techniques.

Versatile and simple, these toasts adapt to whatever ingredients you have in your kitchen.

Pantry staples transform into a crowd-pleasing meal that sparks joy and satisfies hunger.

Ready to unlock a new favorite recipe that’ll become your go-to crowd-pleaser?

What Makes Pizza Toasts So Easy and Tasty

• Customize Your Flavor: Easily swap ingredients like ham for pepperoni, vegetables, or vegetarian protein to match personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Nutritious Comfort Food: Whole wheat bread provides fiber, lean proteins from ham and cheese create balanced nutrition, making this a smarter alternative to traditional pizza.
• Budget-Friendly Delight: Requires minimal ingredients, uses pantry staples, and transforms basic bread into a gourmet-style meal without expensive kitchen equipment or complex techniques.

Ingredients Needed for Pizza Toasts

• Whole Wheat Bread: A hearty and nutritious foundation for the pizza toast.
• Passata: A smooth, uncooked tomato puree that creates a rich sauce base.
• Tomato Paste: Adds depth and concentrated tomato flavor to the sauce.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides a creamy, melty texture that defines the pizza-like experience.
• Ham: Adds a savory protein element to the toast.

• Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Granulated Sweetener: Create a balanced and flavorful pizza sauce.
• Red Onion, Sliced Tomatoes: Offer fresh, crisp vegetable components with bright flavors.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall taste.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a tangy, slightly sweet accent to the dish.
• Parsley, Basil: Fresh herbs that provide a finishing aromatic touch.
• Olive Oil Spray: Helps achieve a golden, crispy surface when grilling or baking.

How to Make Quick Pizza Toasts

Step 1: Prepare Cooking Surface

Fire up your oven to 400°F or preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

This ensures a crispy, golden base for your pizza toasts.

Step 2: Whip Up Zesty Pizza Sauce

• Passata
• Tomato paste
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Granulated sweetener

Stir until the ingredients blend into a smooth, flavorful sauce.

Step 3: Toast Bread Slices

Lightly toast whole wheat bread until it reaches a light golden color.

This creates a sturdy foundation for your toppings.

Step 4: Spread Sauce Generously

Evenly distribute the homemade pizza sauce across each toast slice, covering the surface completely.

Step 5: Layer Delicious Toppings

• Mozzarella cheese
• Sliced tomatoes
• Red onion
• Ham

Step 6: Season and Enhance

Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the topped toasts.

Add a splash of balsamic vinegar for an extra flavor kick.

Step 7: Melt and Crisp

Lightly spray the toasts with cooking oil.

Grill or bake until the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden blanket.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil.

Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Pro Tips for Crispy Pizza Toasts

• Add extra Italian seasoning or sprinkle dried oregano for a more robust pizza toast taste profile.
• Swap mozzarella with goat cheese, cheddar, or dairy-free alternatives to suit different dietary preferences.
• Use low-fat cheese and lean ham to create a lighter version without compromising on deliciousness.
• Replace whole wheat bread with gluten-free bread or cauliflower toast for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Prepare sauce and chop toppings in advance to speed up the entire cooking process and simplify weeknight dinners.

Variations to Try with Pizza Toasts

• Vegetarian Veggie Blast: Replace ham with grilled zucchini, roasted bell peppers, and spinach leaves for a plant-based protein-packed option.
• Low-Carb Cloud Bread Base: Swap whole wheat bread with cloud bread or cauliflower rounds to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining pizza flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Use feta cheese instead of mozzarella, add sliced kalamata olives, and sprinkle dried oregano for a Greek-inspired transformation.
• Gluten-Free Crispy Alternative: Utilize gluten-free bread slices or use large portobello mushroom caps as the base for a wheat-free version that's equally delicious.

Serving Pizza Toasts Suggestions

• Pizza Party Platter: Arrange the toasts on a large wooden board with various dipping sauces like marinara, ranch, or garlic aioli for a fun sharing experience.
• Breakfast Fusion: Serve alongside scrambled eggs or a light frittata for a delightful morning meal that combines classic breakfast elements with pizza flavors.
• Salad Companion: Pair with a crisp mixed green salad dressed in balsamic vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy toast and add some fresh, light nutrition.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Match with a light Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio or a crisp rosé to complement the tomato and cheese flavors for an elevated casual dining moment.

Storing Pizza Toasts for Later

• Store leftover pizza toasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Warm pizza toasts at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Cover with foil to prevent burning and maintain moisture.
• Quickly reheat slices in a toaster oven at medium setting for 3-4 minutes until cheese melts and bread crisps up.
• Use microwave sparingly as it can make bread soggy. If using, heat in 15-second intervals and check texture to avoid rubbery results.

FAQs

• Can I use regular bread instead of whole wheat bread?

Yes, you can use any bread type, but whole wheat offers more fiber and nutrients.

• Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply omit the ham or replace it with plant-based alternatives like mushrooms or bell peppers.

• How can I make the pizza toast more spicy?

Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the pizza sauce for extra heat and kick.

• Can I prepare the pizza sauce in advance?

Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.

Pizza Toasts Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Crispy pizza toasts bring Italian-inspired comfort straight to your kitchen, merging classic pizzeria flavors with quick homemade charm. Cheese-topped bread slices deliver a delightful crunch that satisfies hunger and sparks culinary joy for you.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bread and Cheese Base:

• 2 slices (2 ounces/60 grams) whole wheat bread
• 50 grams/2 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated or sliced

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 4 tablespoons passata
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon granulated sweetener
• Pinch of Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Splash of balsamic vinegar

Toppings:

• 1 large vine tomato, sliced thinly
• 1/2 small red onion, sliced
• 2 slices lean ham, sliced
• Spray oil
• Freshly chopped Italian parsley or basil

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400°F or preheat grill to medium-high temperature.
2. Create signature pizza sauce by whisking passata, tomato paste, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and granulated sweetener in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-combined.
3. Lightly toast wheat bread slices until edges turn golden and crisp.
4. Distribute prepared pizza sauce evenly across toasted bread, ensuring complete surface coverage.
5. Layer mozzarella cheese generously over sauced toast surfaces.
6. Arrange sliced tomatoes, thinly cut red onion, and diced ham atop cheese layer.
7. Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper across toppings for enhanced flavor profile.
8. Drizzle balsamic vinegar sparingly over assembled toasts to add tangy complexity.
9. Lightly mist surfaces with cooking oil to promote even browning.
10. Grill or bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts completely and turns slightly bubbly.
11. Remove from heat and garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves.
12. Serve immediately while warm and crispy.

Notes

• Customize the sauce by adjusting spices to suit personal taste preferences or dietary needs.
• Use gluten-free bread for a celiac-friendly version that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
• Choose low-fat cheese or plant-based alternatives to reduce calories and accommodate dairy-free diets.
• Experiment with different protein toppings like grilled chicken, turkey, or vegetarian options like tofu or plant-based ham for varied nutritional profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg