Pizza Toasts
Pizza toasts (Mediterranean-style) that are better than Hailey Bieber's. They are more budget-friendly, healthier, and super crispy with a mildly spicy sauce, melty mozzarella, and fresh vegetable topping, making one of the best quick and easy dinners, light lunches, or snacks for busy days without the hassle of making pizza.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 2 garlic cloves
- 4 large fresh basil leaves plus an extra for the topping and garnishing
- 2/3 cup arrabbiata sauce (or marinara or Pomodoro sauce if you prefer)
- Salt and freshly grated black pepper to taste
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella (quartered (or about 1 cup of shredded mozzarella if you prefer))
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes, red or different colors)
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives (halved (optional), or other olives of choice)
- A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional (skip if you don't enjoy spicy foods))
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (plus extra to toast the bread)
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- Grated parmesan cheese (to sprinkle on top (optional))
Instructions
- 1
For the pizza sauce: Using a mortar and pestle, smash garlic with a pinch of salt until forming a paste. Then, add the basil leaves and smash more until forming almost a paste, Stir in the arrabbiata sauce and some freshly ground black pepper and set aside. If you prefer, use just good-quality sauce and skip all the smashing and mixing to reduce prep time.
- 2
For the fresh veggie topping: In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, olives, 6 thinly sliced basil leaves, a pinch of salt and pepper plus red pepper flakes, 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, and lemon zest. Reserve!
- 3
Toast the bread: Heat a griddle or large cast-iron skillet over medium heat until very hot. Place the slices of bread onto the skillet and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil on both sides (about 2 tbsp for 4 slices). Let the bread toast for 2-3 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Then, flip the slices using a large metal spatula or tongs, and repeat the toasting process. Transfer them to a large baking sheet.
- 4
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- 5
Meanwhile, arrange the pizza toasts. Thinly spread about 2-3 tbsp of the prepared sauce on top of each toast (the amount will depend on the size of your bread slice), top each with 4 pieces of fresh mozzarella cheese, and spoon the fresh veggie topping evenly among them.
- 6
Bake for about 5 minutes or until the cheese melts. Remove them from the oven, sprinkle some grated parmesan on top, and serve them right away with a drizzle of EVOO if desired.