Dinner indecision meets its match with these cheeky little bread baskets that taste suspiciously like pizza but take less time than arguing over toppings. They start with everyday sandwich bread, get nudged into a muffin tin, and are loaded with tomato sauce, olive oil, cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano. Ten minutes later, you’ve got crisp-edged, saucy, cheesy bites that are great for after-school hunger or a last-minute party platter.
What Are Pizza-Style Pancarrè Baskets?
These quick-fire baskets borrow inspiration from Italian pancarrè, a soft, crustless sandwich bread popular across Italy. Instead of rolling dough, slices of bread are pressed into little cups, acting as instant pizza bases. Bread-based pizza shortcuts have popped up in kitchens, from toast pizzas to baguette melts. But this recipe leans into portion control and crisp edges, giving each bite a neat, self-contained structure.
Pro Tips for the Best Pizza Toast Cups
- Fresh bread works, but day-old slices hold their shape better and crisp up nicely without collapsing in the pan.
- You want a defined cup shape, but not torn bread. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to ease it into the tin.
- Don’t overload the sauce, and a tablespoon per cup is plenty. Too much liquid can make the base soggy before it crisps.
- Grate your own mozzarella if possible. It melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents.
- Serve immediately, as these are at their best right out of the oven when the edges are crisp, and the cheese is just set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use whole wheat or seeded bread instead?
Whole wheat adds a nuttier flavor and slightly firmer texture, while seeded bread brings extra crunch. Just note that denser breads may need an extra minute in the oven to crisp properly.
Can I add toppings like vegetables or meat?
Yes, but keep them finely chopped and light. Since the cooking time is short, anything you add should either be pre-cooked or quick to heat through, like mushrooms, peppers, or cooked chicken.
What if I don’t have a muffin tin?
You can improvise with small oven-safe bowls or ramekins. The shape may vary, but the concept remains the same, that is, bread pressed into a cup and filled.
How do I keep them from sticking to the pan?
Lightly grease the muffin tin with oil or butter before adding the bread. This helps with easy removal and adds a bit of extra crispness.
How to Store Leftovers
Let them cool completely before storing, and refrigerate for up to two days. To reheat, pop them back into the oven for a few minutes, or microwave them, but this can soften the texture. Freezing isn’t ideal, as the bread can lose its structure when thawed.
Ingredients
How to Make Pizza Toast Cups
Take each slice of bread and gently press it into the cups of a muffin tin, forming a basket shape.
Take each slice of bread and gently press it into the cups of a muffin tin, forming a basket shape.
Spoon about a tablespoon of tomato sauce into each bread cup and drizzle in olive oil. Top each basket with mozzarella, and sprinkle oregano over the top.
Spoon about a tablespoon of tomato sauce into each bread cup and drizzle in olive oil. Top each basket with mozzarella, and sprinkle oregano over the top.
Place the tray in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) and bake for 10 minutes.
Place the tray in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) and bake for 10 minutes.
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