English Muffin Pizza

English muffin pizzas are one of those back-pocket recipes every parent needs. Split the muffins, load them up with pizza sauce, pepperoni, and shredded Monterey Jack, then bake until the cheese is bubbling and the edges of the muffin get toasty and crisp.

The beauty of English muffins as a pizza base is all those nooks and crannies. The sauce settles into the crevices and the cheese grips the rough surface, so nothing slides off when kids pick them up. They hold together way better than regular pizza dough for small hands.

Top them with olives, diced green pepper, and chopped onion if you want vegetables in the mix. Let kids build their own for an easy weeknight activity.

Chef Tips

• Don’t split the muffins with a knife. Use a fork to pry them apart so you keep the rough, cratered surface that holds toppings.
• Go generous with the sauce but keep it inside the edge of the muffin. Sauce that drips over the side burns on the baking sheet.
• Place on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet for crispier bottoms. Direct contact with the sheet can make them soggy.

Variations

• Swap pepperoni for cooked sausage crumbles or sliced ham.
• Use mozzarella instead of Monterey Jack, or a blend of both.
• Make breakfast pizzas with scrambled eggs, bacon bits, and cheddar on top.