Breakfast Pizza: Best Cheeses To Start Your Day

Breakfast pizza is a pizza-style dish typically eaten for breakfast. It usually consists of a pizza crust topped with scrambled eggs, cheese, and breakfast meats such as bacon, sausage, or ham. The type of cheese you choose for your breakfast pizza can elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Mozzarella is the classic choice for pizza due to its mild, creamy flavour and perfect meltability. However, you can also use cheddar for a sharper flavour, or a combination of both. For a tangier taste, you could try goat cheese, or smoked gouda for a smoky flavour. If you're feeling adventurous, experiment with different blends of cheese to find your favourite combination.

Mozzarella

When making breakfast pizza, you can use either fresh milk mozzarella or low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella. Fresh milk mozzarella is packaged in plastic and has a rich, fresh, milky flavour. Low-moisture mozzarella has a saltier, tangier flavour, almost like salted butter.

If you want to mix things up, you could try combining mozzarella with another cheese like sharp cheddar, for its assertive flavour, or provolone, for a more classic pizzeria taste.

Cheddar

For a well-rounded breakfast pizza, cheddar can be paired with mozzarella, which has a more neutral flavour and excellent melting properties. Mozzarella is also a good choice for those who like their pizza to have a good amount of stretch.

For a more complex flavour, a blend of sharp cheddar, Parmesan and Asiago can be used. This combination is soft and very meltable, and the saltiness of the Parmesan comes through after baking.

For a spicier pizza, Cabot Pepper Jack cheddar can be used, and for a richer flavour, Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar.

Monterey Jack

For example, one breakfast pizza recipe suggests a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, with breakfast bacon, ground beef, and Canadian-style bacon. The creaminess of the Monterey Jack will complement the saltiness of the meats, and its mild flavour will not overpower the other ingredients.

So, if you're looking for a versatile cheese with a creamy texture and mild flavour to use on your breakfast pizza, Monterey Jack is an excellent option. It can be used as a main cheese, part of a blend, or in a sauce, and will complement a variety of other toppings.

Parmesan

Some people prefer to add Parmesan under the mozzarella, creating a sharper taste. Others prefer to add it on top, allowing the cheese to brown and add a crunchy texture. It can also be sprinkled on after the pizza is cooked to add a salty kick.

When using Parmesan on a breakfast pizza, it is important to consider the other ingredients and flavours. Too much Parmesan can be overwhelming, so it is often used sparingly, or in combination with other cheeses such as mozzarella or cheddar.

The key to a great breakfast pizza is to experiment and find the combination of flavours and textures that you enjoy the most. So, feel free to get creative and make your perfect pizza!

Cream cheese

When using cream cheese on a breakfast pizza, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use a dough that can hold the weight of the toppings, such as a sturdy pre-made pizza crust or a homemade dough. Secondly, the cream cheese should be added in small amounts, such as dollops or balls, to avoid overwhelming the other flavours and to create a pleasing texture contrast. Finally, the baking time and temperature should be adjusted to ensure the cream cheese does not melt completely, as some people prefer to keep the cream cheese as is or only slightly warmed.

Some popular combinations for breakfast pizzas with cream cheese include:

• Jalapeno, bacon, and red onion: This combination creates a bold and flavorful pizza with a spicy kick from the jalapenos and a rich, savory touch from the bacon.
• Spinach, artichoke, and bacon: This option offers a blend of flavours and textures, with the artichoke providing a slightly nutty taste and the spinach adding a healthy boost.
• Sausage, egg, and cheese: This classic breakfast combination is elevated by the addition of cream cheese, creating a hearty and delicious meal.
• Bell peppers, onion, and sausage: This variation adds a zesty touch to the cream cheese and provides a range of textures with the crispy veggies and buttery crust.

Frequently asked questions