If you’re searching for the ultimate morning comfort food mashup, let me introduce you to the Full English Breakfast Pizza. This dish takes everything you love about a hearty English breakfast—crispy bacon, savory sausages, golden eggs, and all the classic fixings—and lands it right atop a homemade pizza crust. It’s fun, filling, and impossibly satisfying, making it perfect for a weekend brunch or a playful breakfast-for-dinner. Trust me, once you taste that gooey cheddar mingling with smoky meats and runny yolk, this might just become your go-to way to start the day!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best thing about Full English Breakfast Pizza is how its ingredients are both simple and crucial—each one delivering bold flavors, textures, or eye-catching colors that guarantee every bite feels special. Here’s what you’ll need, along with my favorite tips for each component:
- All-purpose flour: The base for your pizza dough, it gives the crust its signature chewy texture.
- Salt: Enhances every other flavor and ensures your crust tastes delicious, not bland.
- Sugar: Helps activate the yeast and adds a hint of sweetness.
- Olive oil: Adds richness to the dough and helps achieve that lovely golden brown finish.
- Warm water: The right temperature encourages the yeast to work its magic; aim for just warm to the touch!
- Instant yeast: Ensures the dough rises quickly and reliably.
- Large eggs: They’re the star, adding a stunning visual appeal and that luscious, runny yolk.
- Back bacon: Tendery and meaty, it’s a classic in a Full English and crisps up beautifully on pizza.
- Breakfast sausages: Bring that familiar, herby, and juicy bite typical of a proper English breakfast.
- Mushrooms: Provide a lovely earthy depth and soak up all the savory flavors around them.
- Red bell pepper: Adds vibrant color and a gentle sweetness with every bite.
- Cherry tomatoes: Their juiciness and brightness cut through richer toppings perfectly.
- Grated cheddar cheese: Melts into bubbling, gooey pockets that hold everything together.
- Baked beans (optional): For traditionalists, they deliver that sweet-savory note you only get with a Full English.
- Salt and pepper: The final seasoning that ties all the flavors together.
- Fresh parsley or chives: Sprinkled on top for a burst of freshness and gorgeous color.
- Olive oil (for brushing): Helps achieve a crispy, golden crust and enhances flavor.
How to Make Full English Breakfast Pizza
Step 1: Make Your Pizza Dough
Start by activating your yeast: combine it with sugar and warm water and let it sit for a few minutes until frothy. This step is key for a light, airy crust. In another bowl, stir together the flour and salt, then add in your yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic—think of it as a mini arm workout! Cover with a cloth and let rise for about an hour, or until it doubles in size. This is when you’ll see the magic of homemade pizza begin.
Step 2: Prepare the Toppings
While the dough is rising, let’s multitask! Cook the back bacon, sausages, and mushrooms in a skillet with a splash of olive oil until browned and cooked through. The kitchen will start to smell amazing. If you like, gently sauté the bell peppers and cherry tomatoes—this draws out their sweet flavors and prevents sogginess on your pizza. Set all the toppings aside, ready for assembly.
Step 3: Assemble the Full English Breakfast Pizza
Once your dough has risen, preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F). On a floured surface, roll out the dough to your preferred shape and thickness. I love a slightly rustic edge! Place it on a parchment-lined tray and brush the surface with olive oil. This not only crisps up the crust but also adds lovely flavor. Start with a layer of grated cheddar, then evenly scatter your cooked toppings. If you’re a fan of tradition, dollop on some baked beans here and there. Carefully crack the eggs directly on top, ensuring you leave space for each yolk.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pop the assembled pizza into the hot oven and bake for 12–15 minutes. Keep an eye on it toward the end: you want a golden crust, melted cheese, set egg whites, and (if you like) slightly runny yolks. The kitchen will smell like the best breakfast café in town!
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Remove your Full English Breakfast Pizza from the oven and immediately shower it with fresh parsley or chives. The herbs add a final pop of green and garden-fresh flavor. Slice up—making sure everyone gets some yolk—and get ready for big, happy smiles at the table.
How to Serve Full English Breakfast Pizza
Garnishes
For a final flourish, I love topping this pizza with a scatter of vibrant chopped parsley or chives. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a grind of black pepper just before serving takes it up a notch. If you’re feeling extra decadent, try a dollop of HP sauce or ketchup on the side—true to the spirit of a British breakfast!
Side Dishes
Since the Full English Breakfast Pizza already packs a punch, keep sides simple. A crisp green salad or some lightly dressed arugula perfectly complements the savory richness. For drinks, a freshly brewed pot of English breakfast tea or a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice makes a fantastic pairing.
Creative Ways to Present
Who says pizza has to be round? Make individual minis for a brunch party, or bake your Full English Breakfast Pizza in a sheet pan and cut it into fun squares. Another idea: serve slices with small ramekins of baked beans or grilled tomatoes for dipping. Presentation can be as laid-back or as playful as you want!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra slices (lucky you!), simply cool the Full English Breakfast Pizza to room temperature and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays tasty for up to two days, though the eggs are best enjoyed fresh.
Freezing
While this pizza is at its best right out of the oven, you can freeze leftovers. Place cooled slices on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. For the very best texture, try to eat within a month.
Reheating
To reheat, pop your slice in a moderate oven for 8–10 minutes, or until hot and the crust crisps again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the crust soggy and the eggs rubbery—the oven keeps it more deliciously like the original.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pizza dough instead of homemade?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, a good quality store-bought pizza dough works wonderfully. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before stretching it out, and the rest of the Full English Breakfast Pizza process stays the same.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Definitely! Skip the bacon and sausage, and add vegetarian alternatives or extra veggies like sautéed spinach or grilled zucchini. The Full English Breakfast Pizza is incredibly adaptable to your tastes.
How can I keep the egg yolks runny?
The trick is to bake just until the whites are set but the yolks still shimmer. If your oven runs hot, check the pizza a minute or two early; you can also crack the eggs on halfway through baking for ultra-runny yolks.
What other cheeses work well?
While mature cheddar is classic, feel free to experiment with mozzarella, Red Leicester, or a sprinkle of crumbled feta for a twist. Mixing in a little mozzarella gives more melt, while sharp cheeses add punchy flavor to the Full English Breakfast Pizza.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes! After the first rise, punch the dough down, wrap it tightly, and tuck it into the fridge overnight. Bring it back to room temperature before assembling your Full English Breakfast Pizza the next day for easy, stress-free brunch prep.
Final Thoughts
The Full English Breakfast Pizza is one of those dishes that’s as fun to make as it is to eat—bringing together the comfort of a classic breakfast with the shareable joy of pizza. Next time you want to wow your family or treat yourself to something a little different, give this recipe a go and savor each bite. Happy baking!