There's something fun and nostalgic about making pizza at home, but when time is tight, I skip the dough and reach for sandwich bread instead. That's how this Pizza Toast recipe started for me. It was a quick fix for a pizza craving one busy afternoon, and now I find myself making it all the time. Whether it's a speedy lunch or a no-fuss dinner, this is one of those recipes that always delivers.
What makes it even better is the variety. I like to set up three different topping combos: Ham and Pineapple, Tuna and Anchovies, and Chorizo with Peppers and Onions, so everyone gets a bit of what they love. The base is always the same: slices of bread, a little tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of dried oregano. From there, you can get creative with the toppings. It's a fun way to use up leftovers, and it turns out delicious every time.
If I'm cooking with kids or just need something quick and satisfying, this is one of my favorite things to make. It's hard to go wrong with warm, melted cheese and toasty bread. Plus, cleanup is easy and the oven does all the work. Whether you're after a quick pizza toast recipe or just want something easy and comforting, this one's worth keeping in your back pocket.
This recipe is built around simplicity, and that's exactly why I keep coming back to it. With just a few ingredients and barely 10 minutes in the oven, it brings all the best parts of pizza, cheese, tomato, savory toppings, without needing any dough or special equipment. It's one of those kid-friendly pizza toast ideas that's just as satisfying for adults, too.
Each variation brings something different. The Ham and Pineapple version is a classic, and I like how the sweet pineapple balances the salty ham. It reminds me of the pizza nights we used to have growing up. The Tuna and Anchovies toast has a bit more boldness; it's a salty, briny combo I make when I want something with a Mediterranean twist. The roasted peppers add just enough sweetness to round it all out. And for the Chorizo, Onion, and Pepper version, I always go for spicy chorizo. The way it crisps up in the oven with the melting cheese is so satisfying.
This recipe also gives me flexibility. I can make just one toast, or I can fill a baking tray and serve them all at once, which makes it perfect for busy weeknight pizza dinners. I've made this with friends around the table, with everyone picking their toppings, and I've also made it when I was home alone and just needed a fast, hot meal.
There's no pressure to get anything perfect here. That's what makes this such a go-to: it's approachable, tasty, and endlessly adaptable. If you've got sandwich bread and a few ingredients in the fridge, you can make this. And once you do, I think you'll find yourself making it again and again, just like I do.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Pizza Toast
- Uses Sandwich Bread as the Base: No dough, no rolling, just layer and bake!
- Three Variations in One Recipe: Sweet, savory, or spicy, something for every craving.
- Quick to Prepare: It only takes about 10 minutes in the oven.
- Great for Kids and Picky Eaters: Everyone can customize their own toast.
- Works with Pantry Staples: A perfect way to use up cheese, canned tuna, or extra veggies.
🧾Pizza Toast Ingredients
Here's the breakdown of what's in this Pizza Toast recipe:
- Sandwich Bread: I like using thick sandwich slices; they hold up better under the toppings and get nicely crisp at the edges.
- Tomato Sauce: A couple of spoonfuls per slice are all you need for that familiar pizza flavor. I use plain tomato sauce and season it myself so it's not too salty.
- Salt and Pepper: Just a pinch on top of the sauce gives it a little boost and helps balance the cheese and toppings.
- Mozzarella Cheese: I go for shredded mozzarella because it melts quickly and gives that stretchy, gooey finish I love on pizza.
- Dried Oregano: This is my finishing touch. It brings that signature pizza aroma and ties everything together.
- Cooked Ham and Pineapple: I cut both into small chunks so they bake evenly. The salty-sweet combo is such a classic, and it always reminds me of pizza parties.
- Tuna and Anchovies with Roasted Pepper: This combo has big flavor, salty, briny, and a little sweet from the peppers. I use canned tuna and anchovies packed in oil for the best texture.
- Chorizo, Onion, and Green Pepper: I slice everything thin so it cooks quickly. The chorizo crisps at the edges while the onion and pepper soften into the cheese.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Pizza Toast
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1: Line a 47x39 cm baking tray with parchment paper.
2: Place sliced sandwich bread on a baking tray.
3: Spread tomato sauce evenly over each piece of bread slices and season with salt and pepper.
4: Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.
For Pizza with Cooked Ham and Pineapple Topping
1: Cut cooked ham into pieces, and place them over mozzarella cheese.
2: Cut pineapple slices in pieces, and place them over cooked ham.
For Pizza with Tuna and Anchovie Topping
1: Sprinkle with tuna, and top with anchovies and slices of roasted pepper.
For Pizza with Chorizo, Pepper, and Onion Topping
1: Cut onion, pepper, and slices of chorizo, and place them on top of mozzarella cheese.
2: Sprinkle with dried oregano.
3: Transfer the baking tray to the oven and bake in a preheated oven at 200 C(392 F) for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and just starting to brown.
4: Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly, and serve warm.
📖Variations
- Margarita Style: Swap the toppings for sliced fresh tomato and basil leaves. I sometimes drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil after baking for extra flavor.
- BBQ Chicken Toast: Use leftover shredded chicken mixed with a bit of BBQ sauce instead of tomato sauce. Add red onion slices and mozzarella, so good with a smoky twist.
- Veggie Lover's Version: I like to layer sautéed mushrooms, zucchini slices, and cherry tomatoes when I want a meat-free option that still feels hearty.
- Spicy Salami Toast: Replace chorizo with spicy salami or pepperoni for a more traditional pizza flavor; sometimes I add a pinch of chili flakes too.
- White Pizza Toast: Skip the tomato sauce and use a mix of ricotta and garlic as the base, then top with spinach and mozzarella for something creamy and rich.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Layer Cheese First for Better Melt: I like to add cheese directly over the sauce before the toppings; it helps everything melt together and keeps wetter ingredients like pineapple or tuna from soaking the bread.
Use Kitchen Scissors for Toppings: When I'm in a rush, I cut ham, peppers, or even anchovies with scissors right over the toast. It's quicker and less cleanup.
Let the Toasts Rest Before Serving: I give them a couple of minutes out of the oven before serving so the cheese sets slightly and the flavors settle.
Switch up the Base if You Like: Sometimes I use English muffins, baguette slices, or even pita when I want a change. They all work well with the same topping ideas.
Serve with a Simple Salad: If I'm turning this into a full meal, I'll toss together a quick green salad or cucumber salad; it balances the richness of the cheese and toppings.
Store Leftovers Right: I let the pizza toasts cool completely, then wrap them in parchment and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 2 days, and I reheat them in a dry skillet or toaster oven so the bottom stays crisp.
🍕More Pizza Recipes to Try!
If you're loving this pizza toast, don't miss these other delicious pizza-inspired recipes you'll enjoy just as much.
🍛More Appetizer Recipes!
Here are more of my favourite appetizer recipes! Try these:
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Recipe
Pizza Toast
Ingredients
Cooked Ham and Pineapple Pizza
- 3 Sandwich Bread
- 50 g Tomato Sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Pepper
- 75 g Mozzarella Cheese
- 50 g Cooked Ham - Chopped
- 2 Pineapple Slices - Chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon Dried Oregano
Tuna and Anchovies Pizza
- 3 Sandwich Bread
- 50 g Tomato Sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Pepper
- 75 g Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 can Tuna
- 1 can Anchovies
- 2 Roasted Pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon Dried Oregano
Chorizo, Pepper and Onion Pizza
- 3 Sandwich Bread
- 50 g Tomato Sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Pepper
- 75 g Mozzarella Cheese
- 50 g Chorizo - Chopped
- 50 g Onion - Chopped
- 50 g Green Bell Pepper - Chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon Dried Oregano
Instructions
- Line a 47x39 cm baking tray with parchment paper.
- Arrange the sandwich bread slices evenly on the tray.
- Spoon tomato sauce over each slice, spreading it all the way to the edges, then season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the top of each slice.
For the Cooked Ham and Pineapple Toast:
- Chop the cooked ham into bite-sized pieces and scatter them over the cheese.
- Cut the pineapple slices into chunks and place them on top of the ham.
For the Tuna and Anchovies Toast:
- Evenly distribute the tuna over the cheese, then add the anchovies and strips of roasted pepper.
For the Chorizo, Pepper, and Onion Toast:
- Slice the chorizo, onion, and green bell pepper, then arrange them over the cheese.
- Sprinkle dried oregano over all three toasts.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 390°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and just starting to brown at the edges.
- Take it out of the oven, let it cool for a minute or two, and enjoy it warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
Love how customizable this is! Everyone can pick their favorite toppings for a fun and delicious dinner.