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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F or preheat grill to medium-high temperature.
- 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.
- Lightly toast wheat bread slices until edges turn golden and crisp.
- Distribute prepared pizza sauce evenly across toasted bread, ensuring complete surface coverage.
- Layer mozzarella cheese generously over sauced toast surfaces.
- Arrange sliced tomatoes, thinly cut red onion, and diced ham atop cheese layer.
- Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper across toppings for enhanced flavor profile.
- Drizzle balsamic vinegar sparingly over assembled toasts to add tangy complexity.
- Lightly mist surfaces with cooking oil to promote even browning.
- Grill or bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts completely and turns slightly bubbly.
- Remove from heat and garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves.
- 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