Breakfast pizza is a savory, hearty, and highly customizable dish that has gained immense popularity in recent years. By combining the best aspects of breakfast with the deliciousness of pizza, it’s ideal for weekend brunch, a family meal, or even a fun way to shake up your weekday mornings. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to create the ultimate breakfast pizza. From selecting the right crust to choosing the perfect toppings, you’ll soon have a flavorful, satisfying dish that’s sure to impress everyone at the table.
What Is Breakfast Pizza?
At its core, breakfast pizza blends classic breakfast ingredients with the structure of a pizza. Rather than traditional pizza toppings like tomato sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella, breakfast pizza features ingredients typically associated with the morning meal—such as eggs, bacon, sausage, and cheese. Additionally, while the crust often mirrors that of a regular pizza, many variations incorporate biscuit dough, crescent rolls, or even hash browns to emphasize the breakfast theme.
Moreover, breakfast pizza is highly versatile, allowing you to cater to dietary preferences or use up leftovers. Whether you’re looking for a high-protein option, a vegetarian-friendly version, or even something gluten-free, this dish can easily be adapted to meet your specific needs.
History of Breakfast Pizza
While pizza has been a beloved dish for centuries, the idea of eating it for breakfast is relatively new. Traditionally, pizza in Italy was enjoyed as a lunch or dinner food. However, as pizza gained popularity in the U.S., people began experimenting with different toppings and formats. As a result, the concept of adding breakfast ingredients to pizza likely grew out of the brunch culture that started gaining traction in the 1980s and 1990s. Consequently, breakfast pizza has become a popular menu item at many restaurants and brunch buffets. Fortunately, it’s just as easy to recreate at home, allowing you to enjoy this delicious dish whenever you want.
Choosing the Right Crust
To make the perfect pizza, you must first start with the crust. Breakfast pizza is no exception. Depending on the texture and flavor you prefer, there are several options to consider:
- Classic Pizza Dough: Traditional pizza dough provides the perfect balance between a soft interior and a crispy exterior. It’s a reliable base for any pizza, including breakfast variations.
- Biscuit Dough: Opting for biscuit dough gives the pizza a buttery, flaky texture that complements the richness of toppings like eggs and cheese.
- Crescent Roll Dough: For a lighter crust, crescent roll dough is an excellent choice. It bakes up flaky and airy, offering a nice contrast to heavier toppings.
- Hash Browns: If you want to fully embrace the breakfast theme, consider using hash browns as the crust. Simply press shredded potatoes into a thin layer, bake them until crispy, and voilà—you have a hash brown crust!
- Sourdough Base: Lastly, if you’re after a tangy flavor, using a sourdough recipe will elevate your breakfast pizza to the next level.
No matter which crust you choose, make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold your toppings without being too heavy.
Essential Breakfast Pizza Toppings
Undoubtedly, one of the best things about breakfast pizza is the wide variety of toppings you can use. The following ingredients are some of the most popular and work well together to create a delicious pizza:
1. Eggs
Eggs are the star ingredient in any breakfast pizza. You can either scramble them and spread them evenly across the pizza or crack whole eggs onto the dough before baking. Both methods work well, although scrambled eggs ensure more even distribution, while whole eggs add a stunning visual element.
2. Bacon and Sausage
Few breakfast foods are as universally loved as bacon and sausage. To get the perfect texture, cook them in advance and crumble them over your pizza. The salty, savory flavor of these meats pairs perfectly with eggs and cheese. Additionally, for those looking for a lighter option, turkey sausage works just as well.
3. Cheese
Cheese is the glue that holds everything together, adding both creaminess and flavor. Popular choices include cheddar, mozzarella, and monterey jack. However, you can also experiment with feta, gouda, or goat cheese for a more gourmet touch.
4. Vegetables
To balance out the richness of the meats and cheese, vegetables are a must. Some favorites include:
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Asparagus
5. Sauce
Unlike traditional pizza, breakfast pizza doesn’t require a tomato-based sauce. Instead, you can try:
- Gravy: For a Southern twist, sausage gravy is an excellent sauce base.
- Hollandaise: Adding hollandaise brings a luxurious, creamy element to the pizza.
- Cream Cheese or Ricotta: Both spread easily over the dough and add a mild, tangy flavor that complements eggs and vegetables. Furthermore, these options are great for those who want a lighter, non-traditional sauce.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Breakfast Pizza
Now that you’ve chosen your crust and toppings, let’s dive into the process of making breakfast pizza:
1: Prepare the Crust
- First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Next, roll out your chosen dough (pizza dough, biscuit dough, or crescent roll dough) onto a greased baking sheet or pizza stone.
- If using biscuit or crescent roll dough, pre-bake it for 5-7 minutes to ensure the crust stays crispy.
2: Prepare the Toppings
- Cook your meats: Fry bacon or sausage until crispy, then crumble them into small pieces.
- Sauté the vegetables: If you’re using vegetables like mushrooms or onions, give them a quick sauté to bring out their flavors.
3: Assemble the Pizza
- Spread your chosen sauce evenly across the crust.
- Then, sprinkle on a generous layer of cheese.
- Add the cooked vegetables, bacon, and sausage.
- Finally, top with scrambled eggs or carefully crack whole eggs in even spots across the pizza.
4: Bake the Pizza
- Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
5: Slice and Serve
- Allow the pizza to cool for a couple of minutes before slicing. Serve hot and enjoy!
Breakfast Pizza Variations
To keep things interesting, consider trying one of these variations:
- Low-Carb Breakfast Pizza: Swap the dough for a cauliflower crust or use a baked omelet as the base. This option is perfect for those looking to reduce their carb intake.
- Vegetarian Breakfast Pizza: Skip the meat and load up on vegetables. Spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes work especially well with feta or goat cheese. As a result, you get a pizza that’s flavorful and lighter.
- Gluten-Free Breakfast Pizza: Opt for a gluten-free pizza dough or use a potato-based crust. Hash browns are also an excellent gluten-free alternative.
- Mexican Breakfast Pizza: Add chorizo, black beans, salsa, and jalapeños for a spicy twist. After baking, top with fresh cilantro or avocado for extra flavor.
Meal Prepping and Storage Tips
One of the great things about breakfast pizza is that it’s perfect for meal prepping. Here’s how you can make it ahead of time and store it for later:
Freezing Breakfast Pizza
- Pre-bake the pizza: After assembling the pizza, bake it for about 10 minutes to par-bake the crust.
- Cool completely: Let the pizza cool before slicing it into portions.
- Freeze: Wrap each portion individually in plastic wrap and foil, then place them in a freezer-safe container. The pizza will keep for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to eat, reheat the pizza in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Additionally, be sure to thaw the pizza in the fridge beforehand for quicker reheating.
Storing Leftovers
If you plan to eat the leftovers within a few days, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave for a quick meal. Moreover, using the oven will help retain the crispy texture of the crust.
Breakfast Pizza for Kids
Kids love breakfast pizza, and you can make it even more exciting with these fun ideas:
- Mini Breakfast Pizzas: Use smaller rounds of dough to create individual pizzas. Kids will enjoy topping their own pizzas with their favorite ingredients.
- Fun Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into fun shapes like stars or hearts.
- Kid-Friendly Toppings: Keep it simple with cheese, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Let your kids help sprinkle on the toppings to get them involved in the cooking process. Additionally, allowing them to participate may encourage them to try new ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I make breakfast pizza the night before? Yes, you can assemble the pizza the night before and bake it fresh in the morning. This is especially helpful for busy mornings when you need a quick breakfast option.
- Can I use store-bought dough? Absolutely! Store-bought pizza dough, biscuit dough, or crescent roll dough all work great. However, if you prefer a homemade option, consider using a sourdough recipe for a more flavorful crust.
- How do I prevent a soggy crust? To avoid a soggy crust, pre-bake the dough for 5-7 minutes before adding the toppings. This will help create a crisp base for your pizza.
- Can I make a healthier version of breakfast pizza? Yes, use a whole wheat or cauliflower crust, load up on vegetables, and opt for lean proteins like turkey sausage to make a lighter, healthier version.
Conclusion
In conclusion, breakfast pizza is a delicious, fun, and versatile dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you stick to the classic combination of eggs, bacon, and cheese or experiment with more creative toppings, you’re sure to enjoy every bite. So why not give it a try and treat yourself to a flavorful start to the day?