I’m always on the hunt for breakfast options that don’t involve standing at the stove forever, especially on busy mornings. These English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas are my current obsession—crispy muffins topped with savory sauce, gooey cheese, sausage, and a perfectly runny egg. They’re customizable, portable, and way more exciting than plain toast or cereal. Want to know the secret to keeping the egg yolk perfectly runny while the rest of the pizza gets nice and toasty? There’s a simple technique that changes everything.
Why You’ll Love these English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas
While I could spend hours telling you about fancy breakfast options, these English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas might just become your new morning obsession. They’re ridiculously simple to make but pack that perfect combination of protein, carbs, and flavor that’ll keep you going all morning.
What’s not to love? Crispy English muffins, gooey cheese, savory sausage, and a perfectly runny egg on top. The best part? They take just minutes to prepare.
Need something customizable for picky eaters? Each pizza can be personalized. Want a grab-and-go option? These work at the table or wrapped for later.
What Ingredients are in English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas?
These simple breakfast pizzas combine all the morning classics into one delicious handheld meal that’ll make you wonder why you ever bothered with complicated breakfast recipes.
- 2 English muffins, split in half
- ¼ cup tomato or pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup cooked crumbled breakfast sausage
- 4 eggs
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter for frying eggs
Don’t worry if you need to make substitutions—these pizzas are incredibly flexible, and you can easily swap the breakfast sausage for crispy bacon, use different cheese varieties, or even add veggies like spinach or bell peppers if you’re feeling virtuous on a Monday morning.
How to Make these English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Get your oven nice and hot at 400°F (200°C) while you prep everything else. This temperature creates the perfect environment for melty cheese and crispy English muffin edges. When preparing your breakfast pizzas, using premium baking cookware can enhance your cooking experience and ensure even heat distribution.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage
Brown 1/2 cup of breakfast sausage in a skillet until it’s crispy and cooked through. The little browned bits add extra flavor, so don’t rush this step—those caramelized edges are pure breakfast gold.
Step 3: Toast the English Muffins
Split your 2 English muffins in half and arrange them on a baking sheet. Give them a quick toast in your preheated oven to create a sturdy base that won’t get soggy when you add toppings.
Step 4: Add the Sauce and Seasonings
Spread about 1 tablespoon of your 1/4 cup tomato sauce on each English muffin half, going all the way to the edges. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle that optional 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano over the sauce—it adds that classic pizza shop aroma.
Step 5: Layer on the Cheese and Sausage
Sprinkle each muffin with a portion of your 1 cup shredded mozzarella, then add the cooked sausage, making sure to leave a little indent in the middle—that’s where your egg will go. Think of it as creating a little cheese and sausage nest.
Step 6: Prepare and Add the Eggs
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter in a skillet and lightly fry your 4 eggs, keeping the yolks runny if you like that morning sunshine effect. Carefully transfer one egg onto each prepared muffin half.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Slide your creation into the oven for 8-10 minutes, watching for that magical moment when the cheese gets bubbly and the egg whites set but the yolks remain slightly jammy. The timing might vary depending on how you like your eggs.
Step 8: Season and Serve
Pull your breakfast pizzas from the oven, give them a sprinkle of salt and freshly cracked black pepper, and serve immediately. These beauties wait for no one—the contrast between the crispy muffin and the molten cheese is best enjoyed right away.
What to Serve with English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas
These little breakfast pizzas are stars on their own, but they shine even brighter with the right supporting cast. A simple fruit salad with berries and melon brings freshness to balance the savory richness. If you’re feeling virtuous, a small arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil cuts through the cheese perfectly.
For drinks, freshly squeezed orange juice is a classic morning pairing, but don’t underestimate how well a cup of dark coffee complements the pizza flavors. On weekends, a light mimosa turns this into brunch territory.
Need a sauce? A little sriracha or hot honey drizzled on top adds that sweet-heat dimension that makes everything better. These pizzas work beautifully for breakfast or brunch, but honestly, they’re satisfying any time of day.
English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas Substitutions and Variations
- Bread Base: Swap English muffins with bagels, small pitas, or sourdough slices. Gluten-free English muffins work perfectly for those avoiding wheat.
- Protein Options: Replace sausage with bacon, ham, chorizo, or plant-based crumbles. For vegetarian versions, try sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
- Cheese Alternatives: Dairy-free cheese works well for lactose intolerance. Try cheddar, pepper jack, or goat cheese for different flavor profiles.
- Egg Variations: Use just egg whites for a lighter option, or skip eggs entirely and double up on other toppings.
- Seasonal Add-ins: Fresh basil and sliced tomatoes in summer; roasted butternut squash and sage in fall.
- Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of pesto before serving.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Cut into quarters and let little ones create their own pizza faces using olives, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
Leftovers and Storage for these English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas
These breakfast pizzas are best enjoyed fresh from the oven when the cheese is gooey and the English muffin still has that perfect crunch. However, life happens, and sometimes we need options for leftovers.
- Refrigerator storage: Wrap cooled pizzas in aluminum foil or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer option: For meal prep, freeze completely cooled pizzas on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 1 month.
- Reheating: For crispy results, reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes (10-12 minutes from frozen). Avoid microwaving if possible, as it makes the muffins soggy.
- Pro tip: If you know you’ll have leftovers, consider slightly undercooking the eggs initially so they won’t become rubbery when reheated.
Final Thoughts
These English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas combine everything we love about breakfast and pizza into one perfect little package. The contrast between the crispy English muffin base, melty cheese, savory sausage, and that beautiful runny egg on top creates a morning masterpiece that feels special without requiring much effort. They’re ideal for those hectic weekday mornings when you need something substantial but don’t have time for a full breakfast spread, or for lazy weekend brunches when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. There’s something undeniably comforting about starting your day with a meal that’s both familiar and a little bit playful—exactly what these breakfast pizzas deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make the Components Ahead of Time?
I’d recommend pre-cooking the sausage and shredding cheese ahead of time. You can even toast the muffins, but I’d fry the eggs fresh and assemble everything right before baking for best results.
How Do I Prevent the English Muffins From Getting Soggy?
I’d recommend toasting your English muffins well before adding toppings. You can also create a barrier by brushing with olive oil or applying a thin layer of cheese before the sauce.
Are These Suitable for Freezing Before Baking?
Yes, I’d recommend freezing them before adding the eggs. Assemble with sauce, cheese and sausage, then freeze. When ready to eat, thaw slightly, add a fresh egg and bake until hot.
What’s the Best Way to Reheat These Breakfast Pizzas?
I’d recommend reheating them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes for crispy results. If you’re in a hurry, microwave for 30-45 seconds, though the muffin won’t be as crispy.
Can I Use Liquid Egg Whites Instead of Whole Eggs?
Yes, you can use liquid egg whites instead of whole eggs! I’d pour them carefully into a small well on each muffin and adjust baking time slightly since they’ll cook faster than whole eggs.