Pizza toast is everything you love about pizza, simplified into a fast and delicious open-faced snack or meal. With a crisp slice of bread as the base, savory marinara sauce, melty cheese, and your favorite toppings, pizza toast is perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or even a fun cooking activity with kids.
Whether you’re craving pepperoni, veggies, or a Margherita-style slice, pizza toast brings those bold flavors in a compact and speedy format.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
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Super Quick to Make – Ready in 10–15 minutes from start to finish.
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Customizable – Use whatever toppings you love or have on hand.
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Kid-Friendly – Easy to make and fun to eat.
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No Dough Needed – No yeast, no waiting—just toast, top, and bake.
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Perfect Any Time – Great for lunch, snacks, or even breakfast!
What Is Pizza Toast?
Pizza toast is a quick and easy take on classic pizza using sliced bread instead of traditional dough. It’s toasted, topped with pizza sauce, cheese, and whatever toppings you like, then baked or broiled until bubbly and golden.
It captures all the flavor of pizza with much less effort and time, making it a favorite among students, busy parents, and anyone who needs pizza in a pinch.
Ingredients List
Here’s what you need to make classic pizza toast:
Basic Ingredients:
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4 slices of bread (white, whole grain, sourdough, or gluten-free)
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½ cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
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1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for brushing)
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
Optional Toppings:
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Sliced pepperoni
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Cooked sausage or bacon
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Bell peppers, mushrooms, onions
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Black olives or jalapeños
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Fresh basil or arugula
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Crushed red pepper flakes
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Pineapple (if you’re into it!)
Timing & Servings
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Prep Time: 5–10 minutes
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Cook Time: 5–8 minutes
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Total Time: 10–15 minutes
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Servings: 2 (4 slices)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Pizza Toast
Step 1: Toast the Bread
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Lightly toast the bread slices in a toaster or on a baking sheet for 2–3 minutes. This prevents soggy toast once you add toppings.
Step 2: Add Sauce
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Spread 1–2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on each slice.
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Leave a small border around the edge for a pizza-like crust feel.
Step 3: Add Cheese and Toppings
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Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously on top.
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Add Parmesan, herbs, and your favorite toppings.
Step 4: Bake or Broil
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Bake for 5–7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for a golden, bubbly top.
Step 5: Serve
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Let cool slightly, slice if needed, and serve warm!
Best Bread for Pizza Toast
The bread is your pizza “crust,” so choose something that holds up well:
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Sourdough – Firm and tangy, holds up to heavy toppings.
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Whole grain – Adds texture and nutrients.
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Italian or French loaf – Rustic and airy.
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Texas toast – Thick-cut and fluffy.
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Gluten-free bread – Works just as well for dietary needs.
Avoid overly soft sandwich bread that can get soggy quickly.
Homemade Pizza Sauce (Optional)
If you want to take things up a notch, try making a quick homemade sauce:
Ingredients:
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1 cup crushed tomatoes
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 garlic clove, minced
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½ teaspoon dried oregano
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
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Add crushed tomatoes and seasonings.
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Simmer for 10 minutes, then cool and spread on toast.
Sweet and Savory Variations
Pizza toast isn’t just limited to classic flavors. Try these fun spins:
Margherita-Style
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Sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
BBQ Chicken Pizza Toast
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BBQ sauce, mozzarella, cooked chicken, and red onion.
Veggie Supreme
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Sauce, cheese, mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, and olives.
Breakfast Pizza Toast
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Spread cream cheese or pizza sauce, top with scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon.
Hawaiian
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Sauce, cheese, ham, and pineapple.
These combinations turn one recipe into dozens of exciting meals.
Air Fryer Pizza Toast Option
Want an even faster method?
Instructions:
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Assemble toast as usual.
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Place in air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 4–5 minutes.
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Crisp, bubbly, and ready in no time!
Tips for the Best Pizza Toast
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Pre-toast the bread to avoid sogginess.
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Use a thin layer of sauce to prevent the toast from becoming mushy.
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Balance toppings—don’t overload, or they may fall off or cook unevenly.
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Watch while broiling to avoid burning the cheese.
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Add fresh herbs like basil or arugula after baking for a pop of flavor.
How to Make it Kid-Friendly
Pizza toast is great for kids because it’s easy to assemble and customize:
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Let kids add their own toppings.
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Use cookie cutters to cut fun shapes before toasting.
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Make mini pizza toast on slider buns or English muffins.
It’s a fantastic way to involve kids in the kitchen while making a nutritious snack.
Serving Suggestions
Pizza toast is filling enough on its own, but you can pair it with:
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Salads – Caesar, garden, or Italian.
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Soup – Tomato, minestrone, or chicken noodle.
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Smoothies – For a balanced breakfast or lunch.
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Fruit – For a sweet contrast.
For parties, cut each toast into quarters and serve as appetizers or finger food.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Make-Ahead
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Toast bread and prep toppings in advance.
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Store toppings and sauce separately in the fridge.
Storing Leftovers
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Store cooked pizza toast in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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Reheat in oven or toaster oven for crispiness.
Avoid microwaving—it will make the bread soggy.
Nutrition Facts (Per Slice – Approximate)
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Calories: 210
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Protein: 9g
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Carbs: 20g
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Fat: 12g
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Calcium: 150mg
This depends on the bread and toppings used—adjust to suit your dietary needs.
FAQs
Can I make pizza toast without sauce?
Yes! Use pesto, ricotta, or olive oil as the base.
Can I freeze pizza toast?
It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze assembled (unbaked) toast, then bake straight from frozen.
What cheese works best?
Mozzarella is classic, but you can also use provolone, cheddar, feta, or vegan cheese.
Can I make this vegan?
Absolutely—use dairy-free cheese and vegan bread. Add veggies or plant-based proteins.
Conclusion
Pizza toast is the perfect mix of comfort and convenience. It’s fast, flexible, and endlessly customizable, making it ideal for beginners and experienced cooks alike. Whether you’re feeding kids, craving a late-night snack, or looking for a fun spin on lunch, pizza toast is your go-to solution.