One of America’s favorite foods is fast becoming one of the country’s favorite breakfasts. Many of us want a tasty start to the morning, but breakfast doesn’t have to be limited to traditional fare such as cereal, eggs, yogurt, and pancakes. The lines between what we eat at specific mealtimes are blurring, which makes breakfast pizzas the perfect way to energize your day.
What is a breakfast pizza?
Short answer: anything you want it to be.
When you get down to it, pizza is comprised of a crust, sauce, and toppings. Cheese and sauce can even be optional.
Crusts are especially versatile. Sure, you can use a standard pizza crust. But bagels, flatbreads, biscuits, and more can serve as a tasty base for your pizza. (We’ll mention some other options below.)
That’s the wonderful thing about pizza: Every component is completely customizable. However you choose to change it up or stick to the basics—whether you want to pounce on pepperoni or feast on fruit—you can find or make an amazing breakfast pizza to start your day, your way.
For example, in 2017, 7-Eleven added hot, ready-to-eat breakfast pizzas to their menu. Instead of what you might envision at your favorite pizza place, their breakfast pizza’s toppings, sauce, and crust were reminiscent of a diner breakfast platter. The pizza started with a flaky biscuit crust, swapped tomato sauce for peppered cream gravy, and was topped with mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, scrambled eggs, hickory-smoked ham, breakfast sausage, and smoked bacon.
How is breakfast pizza different from regular pizza?
The biggest difference between breakfast pizza and conventional pizza is that breakfast pizza is pizza you eat in the morning. It’s really that simple.
After all, breakfast foods are increasingly available all day. The concept of breakfast in general is also expanding beyond the idea of a bowl of cereal, a plate of pancakes, or good old bacon and eggs.
Breakfast pizza can be healthier and more balanced than other breakfast foods
Just as lunch or dinner pizza can be a well-balanced meal, a breakfast pizza can be a healthy, filling way to start your day. And whether at home, in the office, or on the go, people increasingly want indulgent foods to be more nutritious and balanced. In one study, 25% of participants said that if pizza were healthier, they’d eat it more often.
And who can blame them?
Health is where breakfast pizza can really shine. For starters, pizza can contain less sugar than a lot of other breakfast food options, such as cereal. Fat and protein from toppings can also help you stay full longer, which can prevent hanger and help you maintain productivity throughout the day. And whether you make your pizza at home or order one out, plenty of recipes and pizzerias offer options that meet a wide array of dietary needs, helping you eat a tasty, balanced pizza that’s right for you.
Breakfast pizza ideas
Whether sweet, savory, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or any other dietary preference or restriction, there are endless ways to make breakfast pizza your way (don’t be afraid to raid your leftovers either!). Here are 10 ideas to help you “pizzafy” your breakfast.
Cereal, fruit, and yogurt
Cereal is made from various grains such as wheat, barley, and oats. You can even incorporate your favorite cereal or granola into a pizza crust. The cereal will add crunch, texture, and some sweetness—something you can easily complement or counter with different sweet or savory toppings. Top with a yogurt sauce and your favorite fruit, and you’ve transformed your favorite yogurt breakfast bowl into pizza.
Pancake
Host a pancake bar for team breakfast with spreads like Greek yogurt and an array of nut butters plus toppings like sliced fruit, cinnamon, whipped cream, and more.
Hash
Host a make-your-own pizza party at the office with breakfast-themed toppings such as hashbrowns (you can even make the crust out of fried hash for a gluten-free option), fried or scrambled eggs, crumbled sausage and bacon, diced ham, sauteed peppers, mushrooms, and onions.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas provide plenty of nutrients—from fiber and protein to impressive levels of vitamins like B6 and magnesium. Whether you top a pizza with roasted or sautéed chickpeas or make a chickpea flatbread like this, the humble chickpea pairs well with a fried egg, some tomatoes, and baby spinach.
Pita
At its core, pizza is a topped flatbread. While you may first think of a thick or thin pizza crust, you can use any sort of flatbread such as naan, lavash, or pita as a base for your pizza.
Instead of stuffing the pocket, add meat and veggies straight on top of a pita. Herbs, pesto, stewed tomatoes, greens, and fried eggs make a savory, palate-pleasing combo. Spice things up with a dash of chile flakes.
Blueberry cheesecake
Love blueberry cheesecake? This timeless dessert can also inspire a fruit-forward breakfast pizza. The “sauce” combines orange juice, blueberries, and your favorite sweetener (such as honey or maple syrup). Start with a whole-wheat crust, and then top this sweet pizza with whipped cream cheese infused with lemon juice and zest.
Bacon ’n eggs
The perennial breakfast favorite moves from the plate to the pie. When adding scrambled eggs to pizza, keep them on the soft side so they don’t overcook or get rubbery. Crumble the bacon, or layer on strips in rows or patterns for an artistic touch. Especially combined with a cheesy sauce, you’ll get the salty, savory satisfaction of bacon and eggs all in one bite.
The salad
Vegetables can be a component of any breakfast pizza—even the crust. Sliced mushrooms add a punch of umami flavor. Tomatoes bring bright, juicy sweetness. Even greens such as arugula wilt and char in the oven, adding tasty dimension.
Avocado
The ever-versatile avocado is the pizza companion you never knew you were missing. Instead of tomato-based pizza sauce, avocado can be mashed and mixed with lemon juice, extra-virgin olive, oil, and garlic. Spread like pesto on your pizza crust, then add cheese and other toppings. Or create a healthy green cheese sauce by whipping avocado with a soft cheese such as goat cheese. You can also slice or dice an avocado while your pizza is in the oven. Once the pizza cools slightly, place the avocado on your pizza before slicing.
Apple streusel
Prefer a sweeter touch on your favorite slice? Baked apples, sweet streusel, and a vanilla glaze combine for a soft crunch that makes for a sweet start to your day.
Pizza … it’s the most important meal of the day
While pizza has traditionally been thought of as a dinner or lunch food—and for celebrations, work outings, or a movie or game night—that attitude is changing fast. Enjoy pizza for breakfast with these ideas!
