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Colorful and fun Kid Friendly Birthday Party Food arranged on a table, including fruit skewers, mini sandwiches, and cupcakes.

DIY Mini Pizza Bar

An interactive and fun DIY Mini Pizza Bar is the ultimate kid-friendly party food. Kids can customize their own mini pizzas using English muffins or pre-made crusts with a variety of sauces, cheeses, and toppings. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that allows for easy prep ahead of time.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings: 24
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 24 English muffins, split, or 24 pre-made mini pizza crusts
  • 2 cups pizza sauce
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup pepperoni slices
  • 1 cup diced ham
  • 1 cup chopped bell peppers assorted colors
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks
  • 1 cup cooked sausage crumbles
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for brushing
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano for sprinkling

Equipment

  • Baking sheets
  • Mixing bowls
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Cheese grater (if needed)
  • Pastry brush
  • Oven
  • Spoons for serving
  • Small plates or trays for assembly

Method
 

  1. Prep all toppings the day before: chop vegetables, dice ham, and cook sausage crumbles. Store in separate containers in the refrigerator. Shred cheese if not pre-shredded.
  2. About an hour before the party, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange English muffin halves or crusts on baking sheets.
  3. Set up an assembly station with bowls of pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and all prepared toppings. Provide spoons and small plates.
  4. Lightly brush each muffin half with a small amount of olive oil to create a moisture barrier and prevent sogginess.
  5. Let children assemble their pizzas: spread a spoonful of sauce on each base, sprinkle with cheese, and add desired toppings.
  6. Carefully transfer the assembled pizzas to the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and edges are golden.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool for 3-5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with dried oregano if desired.

Notes

To prevent soggy pizzas, use a light hand with the sauce and ensure the oil barrier is applied. For allergies, consider offering dairy-free cheese and sun butter-based sauces. Leftover baked pizzas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven. Unused toppings can be refrigerated for future use in salads or omelets.