This might be the most satisfying twist on a classic you’ll ever try—sweet pineapple meets savory ham and crispy bacon on a delightfully crunchy crust. With this Hawaiian Pineapple Pizza with Crispy Crust Recipe, you’ll have a lively, flavorful pizza that’s both easy and impressive.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m telling you, this Hawaiian Pineapple Pizza with Crispy Crust Recipe holds a special place in my heart (and stomach!). It’s that perfect blend of sweet, salty, and smoky, all on a crust that’s crispy in just the right way, making every bite exciting. Plus, it’s super approachable even if you’re new to making pizza at home.
- Crispy Crust Magic: Using a pizza stone or a hot oven gives you a crust that’s golden and crackly without being tough.
- Balanced Toppings: The ham and bacon bring in smoky, savory notes while the pineapple adds just the right amount of sweetness—no sogginess here thanks to my pineapple prep tip!
- Garlic Butter Parmesan Kick: Brushing the crust with this luscious combo right at the end turns it into a flavor bomb that’s addictive.
- Simple Yet Customizable: Whether you want to add a little spice or swap toppings, this base recipe leaves plenty of room for creativity.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Let’s talk ingredients—each one plays its part to make this Hawaiian Pineapple Pizza with Crispy Crust Recipe truly shine. I like to pick quality items that balance moisture and flavor, so the crust stays crisp and toppings taste fresh.
- Pizza dough: It’s crucial to start with dough at room temperature so it stretches easily without snapping back.
- Pizza sauce: A thick, flavorful pizza sauce adds that tangy base you can build on. My favorite combos sometimes sneak in BBQ sauce for a smoky twist.
- Ham: Choose cooked ham or Canadian bacon; it’s salty and hearty, which pairs beautifully with pineapple.
- Pineapple chunks: Patting them thoroughly dry helps prevent soggy crust—trust me, this is the difference-maker!
- Bacon strips: Crisply cooked and crumbled for that irresistible crunch and smoky flavor pop.
- Mozzarella cheese: Low moisture whole milk mozzarella melts beautifully and gives that gooey cheese pull we all love.
- Garlic butter: Mixing melted butter with Parmesan and garlic powder creates a flavorful finishing touch on the crust.
- Garnishes (red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano): These add fresh color, brightness, and a little kick that wakes up the whole pizza.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Hawaiian Pineapple Pizza with Crispy Crust Recipe depending on mood or occasion—sometimes I add jalapeños for heat or swap ham for grilled chicken. The key is to have fun and make the flavors your own.
- Spicy Variation: Adding thinly sliced fresh jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne really kicks up the flavor, and I’ve found it balances the sweet pineapple perfectly.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the ham and bacon, double up on pineapple and add red onions and bell peppers for a colorful, veggie-packed pie.
- BBQ Twist: Mixing half pizza sauce with half smoky BBQ sauce gives a lovely tangy depth and is a personal favorite for weekend cookouts.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hawaiian Pineapple Pizza with Crispy Crust Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Preheat Like a Pro
First thing, set your oven to 450°F and let it heat fully—if you’ve got a pizza stone, pop it in now. That hot stone or baking sheet is the secret weapon for a crust that crisps up beautifully without drying out. This step makes all the difference between “meh” pizza and something you’ll crave.
Step 2: Dry Your Pineapple Chunks
Slice each pineapple chunk in half to make thinner pieces, then blot them between paper towels. Pineapple is juicy, and that moisture can turn your crust soggy if you don’t take this crucial step. I always double-check here—it’s totally worth the extra minute.
Step 3: Stretch and Dock Your Dough
Roll or stretch your dough out into a 12-inch circle. Then poke holes lightly with a fork; this “docking” prevents air bubbles from inflating too much and helps the crust stay even and crisp.
Step 4: Layer on the Flavors
Spread your pizza sauce over the dough evenly, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Next come the ham pieces, pineapple slices, and crumbled bacon. Don’t overload it—balance is key to avoid a soggy, heavy pizza.
Step 5: Bake, Butter, and Bake Again
Bake for about 13 minutes to get that cheese melted and crust set. Then whisk together melted butter, Parmesan, and garlic powder and brush it on the crust edges. Pop the pizza back in for 2-3 minutes to get that golden, flavorful crust finish.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, parsley, and oregano to brighten it up. Slice it fast, though—it won’t last long around here!
Top Tip
Having made this Hawaiian Pineapple Pizza with Crispy Crust Recipe countless times, I’ve learned the little details really count—those subtle touches are what make the pizza restaurant-worthy at home.
- Hot Oven & Stone: Always preheat your oven fully, and if you have one, use a pizza stone—it creates a dry heat that crisps the crust perfectly.
- Pat Your Pineapple Dry: Excess moisture is the #1 enemy of a crispy crust. A quick pat with paper towels goes a long way.
- Dock the Dough: Prick dough with a fork before adding toppings to prevent big air bubbles from ruining your pizza’s shape.
- Finish with Garlic Butter: Brushing the crust after the first bake adds flavor and encourages a nice golden-brown edge that’s irresistible.
How to Serve Hawaiian Pineapple Pizza with Crispy Crust Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish mine with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat, fresh chopped parsley to brighten things up, and a sprinkle of dried oregano that adds that classic Italian pizza vibe. It’s these little touches that surprise guests and keep things fresh.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides include a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness and a cold, crisp cucumber salad for extra crunch. Sometimes I throw out crispy garlic knots if I want to keep the mood indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party, I assemble mini Hawaiian pineapple pizzas on small naan breads, letting everyone customize their own. It’s a big hit with kids and adults alike, plus it makes serving easy and social.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover pizza tightly in foil or store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. I always make sure slices are cool before covering to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
This Hawaiian Pineapple Pizza with Crispy Crust Recipe freezes surprisingly well. I wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and then foil for best protection, and they keep in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheating
For reheating, I avoid the microwave because it makes the crust chewy. Instead, place pizza on a rimmed baking sheet, tent loosely with foil, and bake at 275°F for about 25-30 minutes. It restores that crispy crust better than anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Fresh mozzarella can be too watery and might make the crust soggy. For this Hawaiian Pineapple Pizza with Crispy Crust Recipe, I recommend using low-moisture whole milk mozzarella to achieve the perfect melt without excess moisture.
The key is to slice the pineapple into thinner pieces and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess juice before adding to your pizza. This step keeps your crust crispy and avoids it getting soggy.
Absolutely! You can either grab store-bought dough for convenience or make homemade dough if you’re up for it. Fresh dough tends to stretch better and gives a more personalized flavor to your Hawaiian Pineapple Pizza with Crispy Crust Recipe.
Baking time is about 13 minutes initially, then 2-3 more minutes after brushing the garlic butter Parmesan mixture over the crust. Make sure your oven is preheated to 450°F for the best crust texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself making this Hawaiian Pineapple Pizza with Crispy Crust Recipe again and again. It’s just that kind of dish that feels both classic and fresh, easy yet fancy enough to impress friends and family. Trust me, once you nail that crispy crust and balance of flavors, it becomes your go-to weeknight pizza and weekend crowd-pleaser all in one. Give it a try—you’ll thank me later!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Hawaiian Pizza recipe features a crispy pizza crust topped with tangy pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, savory ham, sweet pineapple chunks, and crispy bacon, finished with a flavorful garlic butter Parmesan crust and a sprinkle of herbs and red pepper flakes. Perfect for a delicious homemade pizza night!
Ingredients
Pizza
- 1 lb. pizza dough, at room temp
- 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, shredded
Garlic Butter Parmesan Crust
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
To Garnish
- Red pepper flakes
- Parsley, chopped
- Oregano, dried
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven during preheating for an evenly cooked and crispier crust.
- Prepare Pineapple: Slice each pineapple chunk into thinner pieces. Place them between paper towels to absorb excess moisture to prevent a soggy pizza.
- Shape Dough: Spread the pizza dough into an even 12-inch circle on a baking surface. Poke holes throughout the dough with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.
- Assemble Pizza: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Distribute diced ham, pineapple slices, and crumbled cooked bacon evenly on top.
- Bake Pizza: Place the assembled pizza in the oven and bake for 13 minutes until the crust is mostly cooked and the cheese is melted.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: While baking, mix melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder together.
- Brush Crust and Finish Baking: Remove pizza from oven and brush the garlic butter Parmesan mixture over the crust edges. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 3 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the pizza with red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and dried oregano. Slice into 8 pieces and serve hot.
Notes
- You can use store-bought refrigerated pizza dough for convenience or homemade dough for freshness.
- Use low moisture whole milk mozzarella shredded from a block for best melt and minimal moisture; avoid fresh mozzarella as it is too wet.
- Recommended pizza sauces include Rao’s or Ragu; for a smoky flavor, mix half pizza sauce with half BBQ sauce.
- Ham or Canadian bacon works well; leftover ham is a great option.
- Pat pineapple slices dry on paper towels to prevent excess moisture making the pizza soggy.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheat pizza in the oven at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes covered with foil to maintain moisture and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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