This might be the richest and most satisfying Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe you'll ever try, balancing sweet and salty with a perfectly crispy crust. I can't wait to show you how to make it just right in your own kitchen.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
When I first made this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe, I immediately fell in love with its playful mix of flavors and textures. It's more than just a pizza; it's a perfect combo of smoky bacon, juicy pineapple, and melty cheese that always hits the spot.
- Perfect Balance: The sweet pineapple and salty bacon create that classic Hawaiian pizza flavor everybody debates about — but everyone secretly loves.
- Crispy Garlic Butter Crust: Brushing the crust with garlic butter and Parmesan adds an irresistible extra layer of flavor that turns this pizza into something special.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t need fancy or hard-to-find ingredients, just good quality ham, bacon, and pineapple to make a memorable meal.
- Quick and Easy: From room temperature dough to bubbling hot out of the oven in under 30 minutes, this recipe fits perfectly into busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe plays its role in creating that sweet, savory, and crispy magic. Choosing the right ones makes all the difference, so here’s a quick rundown with my tips.
- Pizza Dough: I prefer a good quality store-bought dough or my homemade recipe for that chewy, airy base.
- Pizza Sauce: Use your favorite tomato-based pizza sauce; mixing in BBQ sauce adds a smoky twist if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Ham: I like diced cooked ham or Canadian bacon—it's savory without overpowering other flavors.
- Pineapple Chunks: Fresh or canned work fine, but be sure to pat them dry to avoid soggy crust.
- Bacon: Cooked until crisp and crumbled generously—adds the smoky salty punch that’s essential.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Low moisture whole milk mozzarella melts beautifully without releasing too much water.
- Butter, Parmesan & Garlic Powder: These create that addictive garlic butter Parmesan crust that you’ll want to savor crust-first.
- Garnishes (Red Pepper Flakes, Parsley, Oregano): They bring a fresh herbaceous note and a hint of heat that elevates every bite.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Whether you like extra cheese or want a smoky BBQ twist, there’s room to customize.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap out ham for Canadian bacon or add caramelized onions for extra sweetness — it’s always delicious.
- Spicy Kick: Adding a drizzle of sriracha after baking gives it a spicy-sweet zing that surprises guests.
- Vegetarian Twist: Skip the bacon and ham, and add bell peppers and jalapeños for a vegan-friendly Hawaiian pizza experience.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free pizza crust to satisfy dietary needs without compromising flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pineapple
Heat your oven to 450°F (if you have a pizza stone, go ahead and place it inside to preheat too). Meanwhile, slice pineapple chunks thinner and blot them between paper towels. This little tip keeps your crust from getting soggy—a game changer every single time.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough and Layer
Stretch your dough into a 12-inch round and prick it lightly with a fork to stop bubbles. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce, sprinkle that lovely mozzarella, and then scatter ham, pineapple, and crispy bacon evenly across the top. This layering helps balance flavors and ensures every bite has a bit of everything.
Step 3: Bake and Add the Garlic Butter Crust
Bake your pizza for 13 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is firm. Mix melted butter with Parmesan cheese and garlic powder, then brush this heavenly combo around the edge of the crust. Pop it back in the oven for another 2-3 minutes so the crust crisps up beautifully and sings with flavor.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Take the pizza out and sprinkle with red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and dried oregano. These finishing touches add a fresh, bright note that contrasts nicely with the rich toppings. Slice it up and enjoy!
Top Tip
I’ve made this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe dozens of times, and a few tricks always lead to success. These tips helped me avoid soggy crust and bland flavors—I hope they help you too!
- Dry Your Pineapple: Patting pineapple chunks dry on paper towels prevents water from soaking the crust.
- Crispy Bacon First: Make sure your bacon is cooked crispy before adding it on top — it adds the perfect texture.
- Garlic Butter Brush: Don’t skip brushing the crust — it makes a huge flavor impact and creates a golden, crispy edge.
- Use a Hot Oven: Baking at 450°F ensures the crust cooks quickly and the toppings meld perfectly.
How to Serve Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing my pizza with a sprinkling of red pepper flakes for heat, fresh parsley for color, and a pinch of oregano to bring herbal notes. It really elevates the final presentation and taste.
Side Dishes
Pair this pizza with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette or some roasted garlic Parmesan broccoli. It balances out the richness and keeps the meal fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to cut the pizza into smaller squares and serve on a wooden board with little bowls of extra chili sauce, ranch, and even pineapple salsa. It makes the meal interactive and fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Whenever I have leftover Hawaiian pizza, I store it in an airtight container in the fridge—it stays great for up to 3 days. Make sure to cool it before sealing to keep the crust from getting chewy.
Freezing
If I want to save some for later, I wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil before freezing. This keeps it fresh for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
Heating cold pizza on a rimmed baking sheet covered loosely with foil at 275°F for 25-30 minutes is my favorite method. It restores the crispy crust and melty cheese without drying out the toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Fresh pineapple works wonderfully. Just slice it thin and be sure to pat it dry well to avoid excess moisture so the crust stays crispy.
Low moisture whole milk mozzarella cheese is best as it melts perfectly without releasing too much water. Avoid fresh mozzarella for this recipe because it's too wet and makes the pizza soggy.
Yes! You can assemble the pizza and keep it covered in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Just add the garlic butter crust and bake it fresh for best results.
The key step is drying the pineapple well with paper towels and pricking holes in the dough to avoid bubbles. Also, baking the pizza at a high temperature ensures the crust crisps up nicely.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe that doesn’t disappoint—crispy, flavorful, and easy to make—this one’s for you. I’ve shared the little tricks I’ve learned after making it countless times, so I’m confident you’ll love every bite just as much as I do. Give it a go, and don’t forget to invite friends over to share in the fun—pizza always tastes better when it's shared!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Hawaiian Pizza recipe features a perfectly crispy crust topped with savory ham, sweet pineapple, crispy bacon, and melted mozzarella cheese. Finished with a garlic butter Parmesan crust and sprinkled with red pepper flakes and herbs, it's an irresistible combination of flavors that's easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients
Pizza
- 1 lb. pizza dough, at room temperature
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- ½ cup sliced or diced cooked ham (3-4 oz.)
- 8 oz. pineapple chunks, drained and sliced thin
- 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, whole milk/low moisture
Garlic Butter Parmesan Crust
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
To Garnish
- Red pepper flakes
- Parsley
- Oregano
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven during the preheat to help achieve a crispier, browner crust.
- Prepare Pineapple: Slice each pineapple chunk into two thinner slices. Then, place the slices between paper towels to absorb excess moisture, preventing a soggy crust.
- Shape Dough: Spread the pizza dough into an even 12-inch circle on your baking surface. Use a fork to poke holes in the dough to stop it from bubbling up while baking.
- Add Toppings: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Layer the ham, pineapple slices, and crumbled bacon on top.
- Bake Pizza: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 13 minutes, then carefully remove it.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Topping: Mix melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder together. Brush this mixture over the pizza crust edges.
- Bake Again: Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 3 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove pizza from oven, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, parsley, and oregano. Slice into 8 pieces and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use store-bought refrigerated pizza dough for convenience or make your own homemade dough for best results.
- Use low moisture whole milk mozzarella shredded from a block for optimal melting; avoid fresh mozzarella as it contains too much moisture.
- For pizza sauce, brands like Rao’s or Ragu work well. For a smoky twist, mix half pizza sauce with half barbecue sauce.
- Ham or Canadian bacon are excellent choices for this pizza. Leftover ham works perfectly.
- Pat pineapple slices dry thoroughly to prevent the crust from getting soggy.
- Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, cover pizza with foil on a baking sheet and bake at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes to restore crispness and moisture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
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