After School Snack: Pizza Bagel

 I know I'm not alone in this - but my kids come home from school so hungry! I know lunch is hard for them, they get a limited time and they like to chat with friends too. So I'm sure they don't eat as much as they could. But since it's no good doing homework, or really anything, on an empty stomach - the first thing we do is have a snack.

Since today is both National Pizza Day and National Bagel Day (ok, officially Bagel with Lox Day -- but I'm dropping the Lox today) - I thought I'd share a favorite after school snack in our house.

We go through all the regular things - applesauce, dried fruit, chips, crackers - but I am always looking for something new to try. 

One day we were at one of Gus's soccer games and I grabbed Lucille a Pizza Bagel from a bagel shop across the street for a quick on the go lunch. She absolutely loved it. She starting asking to go this bagel shop all the time. So my at home version was born. And it quickly turned into the perfect snack for her after school.

Pizza Bagel

serving: one

Ingredients:

1 mini bagel

1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 teaspoons (sometimes more) of Pizza Sauce

Directions:

1.) Turn on your broiler (I use the medium setting on mine.) Cut the bagel in half and put the halves on a baking sheet. Put the sheet in the broiler for 1-2 minutes. The tops should be crispy to the touch but not browned much.

2.) Remove the sheet from the oven and divide the pizza sauce evenly over the halves. top with the mozzarella. Return to the oven and continue to broil for another 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully so the cheese doesn't burn - but in our house we do like some brown marks on the cheese.

3.) Remove from oven and serve!

Notes:

First off, this recipe is easy and might not even really need an official "recipe" but I'm going to tell you broiling the bagel before adding the sauce and cheese for a little does wonders. It doesn't make the bread soggy with pizza sauce.

Second, everyone's broiler is different keep an eye on it once you put it in. It will burn quickly.

Third (and final!) - I use the Contadina squeeze pizza sauce - because it's easy to just use a little bit when you need it.

Ok, that's it. It's easy and quick and the kids love it. 

{I’m probably linking this post up at one of the awesome link parties that are hosted by some amazing blogs. Check them out!}