Pav Bhaji Pizza is a quick to make snack or light dinner with leftover pav bhaji masala and basic pantry essentials. Customisable as a Gluten Free or Vegan snack too.
Have lemons ? Make lemonade. Have leftover pav bhaji , make Pav bhaji pizza. Kids like pizza (and moms like lesser work). Win win ? Absolutely.
What was a leftover makeover at home is now a favourite with the kids..
Pssst !! we make extra pav bhaji these days on purpose to use leftovers to make this pizza the following day (or even 2 days later).
5 reasons to make this Pav bhaji pizza –
- A simple no-fuss snack / light dinner in under 20 mins (think bachelors / hungry kids / late night binges / simply too tired to cook)
- Totally customisable toppings / veggies including options to make this Gluten Free & Vegan (head to the Notes section below 👇 )
- Feeds a crowd (recipe can be easily doubled / tripled)
- Loaded with lots of veggies sneaked in the pav bhaji – optional : Serve it with some Lentil Scallion Soup for a complete meal … win win win !!
- Fridge cleaner (cleans up most of the leftovers including day old chapati in place of bread :p)
FAQs to make this Tasty Pav Bhaji Pizza..
Can I make this Gluten Free or Vegan ?
You can try this on a gluten Free base like a cauliflower crust / millet based Gluten Free flat bread. I haven’t tried. Please do leave comment if you do. Similarly feel free to sub the cheese here with a vegan version. Pls note that any variation of the base recipe will vary the bake time accordingly.
I don’t have bread. Can I still make it ?
Absolutely. Use store-bought Naan / Thick chapatis. Again, bake time would differ.
I don’t have an oven. How to make this?
Use a thick cast iron skillet or Air fryer to make this. Bake time would differ.
Can I use this base as spread for a sandwich ?
The pav bhaji mixture is quite moist, dehydrating it enough to spread on a sandwich may not be recommended, unless the sandwich can be consumed immediately.
Are the veggies mandatory?
Absolutely not. Play around with what you have – seasoned corn / zucchini / broccoli / cauliflower
Similar quick snack or light dinner ideas you would love on this blog:
Prep time – 10 mins | Cook time – 10 mins | Serves – 3 generously
What you need to make this Pav Bhaji Pizza
- 8 slices bread (I used wholegrain, you can use white / brown too)
- 200 ml Pav bhaji (click here for the Mumbaiyya pav bhaji)
- 1/4 cup zucchini
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper. Minced
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 TBSP Olive oil
- 1 tsp Tabasco (this is fiery hit, dont miss this especially for adults or older kids with moderate spice tolerance)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp Pav bhaji masala powder
- 2 TBSP Pizza sauce (store bought / homemade)
- 1 tsp pizza seasoning
- 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 TBSP cottage cheese – cubed fine (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust according to how salty the leftover pav bhaji is)
How to make this Pav Bhaji Pizza
- In a pan, heat half the olive oil. Saute half of both the onions and bell pepper
- Once slightly translucent, add the zucchini and saute for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove to a plate.
- Now in the same pan, add the rest of the oil, add the leftover pav bhaji masala, pizza Sauce, tabasco, red chilli flakes, pav bhaji masala powder, pizza seasoning.
- Let it thicken a bit and any extra water evaporate making it to a spreadable consistemcy
- Now add the sautéed veggies and mix well
- Check for salt and mix well.
- Let this mixture cool fully.
- Meanwhile, grate the cheese and cube the paneer (if using)
- Butter the bread (trim them if you need to)
- Pre heat an oven or Air fryer (you can also use a stove top cast iron skillet if you don’t have either)
- Spread the prepared pav bhaji masala on the buttered slices and top with rest of the veggies & cheese (add paneer cubes if using)
- Sprinkle the oregano , pizza seasoning and bake in a lined tray for 6-7 mins per batch (or till cheese dissolves)
- Serve hot
PIN FOR LATER
This was sent to cooking with Dairy challenge by Mayuri. The secret ingredients given by my partner Renu was Tabasco and Pav bhaji masala.
Pav Bhaji Pizza | 20 minute Dinner Ideas
Equipment
- Oven (Sub with Air fryer / Skillet -see Notes for details)
- Pots and Pans
Ingredients
- 8 slices bread I used wholegrain, you can use white / brown too
- 200 ml Pav bhaji click here for the Mumbaiyya pav bhaji
- 1/4 cup zucchini
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 bell pepper. Minced
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 TBSP Olive oil
- 1 tsp Tabasco this is fiery hit, dont miss this especially for adults or older kids with moderate spice tolerance
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp Pav bhaji masala powder
- 2 TBSP Pizza sauce store bought / homemade
- 1 tsp pizza seasoning
- 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 TBSP cottage cheese – cubed fine optional
- 1/2 tsp salt adjust according to how salty the leftover pav bhaji is
Instructions
- In a pan, heat half the olive oil. Saute half of both the onions and bell pepper
- Once slightly translucent, add the zucchini and saute for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove to a plate.
- Now in the same pan, add the rest of the oil, add the leftover pav bhaji masala, pizza Sauce, tabasco, red chilli flakes, pav bhaji masala powder, pizza seasoning.
- Let it thicken a bit and any extra water evaporate making it to a spreadable consistemcy
- Now add the sautéed veggies and mix well
- Check for salt and mix well.
- Let this mixture cool fully.
- Meanwhile, grate the cheese and cube the paneer (if using)
- Butter the bread (trim them if you need to)
- Pre heat an oven or Air fryer (you can also use a stove top cast iron skillet if you don’t have either)
- Spread the prepared pav bhaji masala on the buttered slices and top with rest of the veggies & cheese (add paneer cubes if using)
- Sprinkle the oregano , pizza seasoning and bake in a lined tray for 6-7 mins per batch (or till cheese dissolves)
- Serve hot
Usually my left over pav bhaji masala is converted into a tawa pulao. What a wonderful idea to make the filling into a pizza. I like the suggestion of using naan as a base.
Thank you, Mayuri. Hope you try it soon
I use leftover pav bhaji in dosa or masala pav. Using it in pizza is such a great idea! Love the way it looks, loaded with cheese.
Thank you, Priya
Totally agree! I too make extra to spin leftovers into many other avatars. This pav bhaji pizza is loved here. Its a while and now I want to make it again.
Yay! Go for it, Radha
Pav bhaji pizza looks very tempting, please pass me some😋. Loved the pav bhaji taste in pizza, add some extra cheese for me🤩
Yes Aruna.. more cheese,more yummy for sure
A good way to use left over pav bhaji or bread and the win-win is kids would love to eat it :-). Looks tempting
Thanks Renu. Yes kids do love it surely
Pav Bhaji pizza sounds incredible for quick snacking or dinner . I am surely going to make extra Bhaji to make these insanely delicious Pav bhaji pizza. Love the tips you have shared Kalyani .
Thanks,Preethi. DO try when possible- surely you would like it
Pav bhaji pizza looks very tempting. My boy will love to have a lot of these.
Thanks Sasmita.Am sure your kid would love this when you make it