This might be the tastiest combination of sweet and savory you’ll find all day. The blend of smoky bacon, juicy pineapple, and melty cheese in this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe makes every bite a celebration. Let me show you how to make this pizza that feels like a little island getaway right from your own kitchen.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I first made this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe on a lazy weekend, and it instantly became a favorite. It’s so easy to throw together, plus the flavors are perfectly balanced between salty, sweet, and cheesy. Honestly, it’s one of those “wow, I made this?” moments every time I bake it.
- Perfect Flavor Combo: The sweet pineapple and smoky bacon create an irresistible harmony that keeps you coming back for more.
- Quick and Simple: From dough to table in about 30 minutes — ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner or casual get-together.
- Customizable: You can easily tweak toppings or add your own twist while keeping that classic Hawaiian vibe.
- Great for Leftovers: This pizza reheats beautifully and even freezes well, so you can enjoy it again later without losing that fresh-baked taste.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe plays a key role. Choosing the right dough and drying the pineapple are crucial to avoid sogginess, while quality cheese ensures that gooey melt everyone loves. Here’s why I use these particular ingredients and some tips to get the best results.
- Pizza Dough: Whether you use store-bought or homemade, make sure it’s at room temperature before stretching for easier handling and better texture.
- Pizza Sauce: A tangy, balanced sauce works best here—too sweet can clash with the pineapple, too acidic can overpower.
- Ham: Diced or sliced—leftover ham or Canadian bacon works wonderfully to add savory depth.
- Pineapple Chunks: Drain and pat them dry on paper towels to keep the crust crispy and prevent sogginess.
- Bacon: Crisp-cooked bacon crumbles bring smoky crunch that cuts through the sweetness nicely.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Go for low-moisture whole milk mozzarella shredded from a block for the perfect melty stretch; avoid fresh mozzarella as it’s too wet.
- Garlic Butter Parmesan Crust: This little brush of flavored butter adds a restaurant-quality touch, making your crust golden and savory.
- Garnishes: Red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and oregano bring brightness and a hint of spice to each slice.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I love adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper for extra zing, but you can also swap ham for Canadian bacon or add jalapeños if you like a little heat.
- Variation: I once tried a BBQ Hawaiian pizza by mixing half pizza sauce and half BBQ sauce—it brought a smoky tang that blew my family away. Definitely worth experimenting if you want something a bit different!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pineapple
Start by preheating your oven to 450°F. If you have a pizza stone, pop it in now so it heats up alongside the oven—that’s a game-changer for crust crispiness. While the oven warms, slice your drained pineapple chunks into thinner pieces and press between paper towels to soak up excess moisture. This little trick is key to preventing a soggy pizza.
Step 2: Shape and Dock Your Dough
Stretch or roll your dough out into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. I like to use my hands because it’s easier to keep a nice thickness. Then, poke holes across the dough with a fork—this helps steam escape and keeps your crust from puffing up unevenly in the oven.
Step 3: Layer Up the Toppings
Spread about half a cup of pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a little border for the crust. Sprinkle two cups of shredded mozzarella over the sauce, then scatter the ham, pineapple slices, and cooked crumbled bacon generously on top.
Step 4: Bake and Add Garlic Parmesan Crust
Bake the pizza in your hot oven for about 13 minutes—your cheese should be bubbling and the crust just golden. While it’s baking, mix melted butter, grated Parmesan, and garlic powder. When the initial bake is done, carefully brush that flavorful garlic parmesan mix over the crust edges, then pop it back into the oven for 2-3 more minutes until the crust has a gorgeous golden brown hue.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle on crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, and a pinch of oregano. Slice it up and enjoy that perfect balance of flavors—each bite is a little celebration.
Top Tip
Making this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe several times taught me a few tricks to make it shine every time, so listen up if you want that perfect pie!
- Dry Your Pineapple: I can’t stress this enough! Pat your pineapple dry on paper towels before using it to keep your crust crisp and avoid soggy patches.
- Use Low-Moisture Mozzarella: I made the rookie mistake once of using fresh mozzarella, and it made the pizza too wet. Low-moisture shredded cheese melts beautifully and gives you that classic pizza pull.
- Preheat Your Stone: If you have a pizza stone, preheat it inside the oven to get a crunchy crust that rivals your favorite pizzeria.
- Don’t Overload Toppings: It’s tempting, but too much can weigh down the crust and make baking uneven. Keep a good balance so everything cooks just right.
How to Serve Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
I love to add a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and oregano right after baking—it gives a fresh, herby pop that contrasts delightfully with the sweet fruit and smoky bacon. And if you like a little heat like me, don’t skip the red pepper flakes. It wakes up the whole pizza.
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs so well with a crisp green salad or some roasted veggies on the side. I often whip up a quick garlic parmesan roasted asparagus or a simple arugula salad for freshness to balance the richness of the pizza.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I've sliced this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe into bite-sized squares and served it on a platter stacked with fresh basil leaves—looks amazing and makes for easy finger food. You can also scatter some crispy bacon crumbles over just before serving to amp up the texture.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure it’s sealed well to keep the crust from drying out. I usually reheat it within a couple of days because that’s when it tastes almost as fresh as when it’s baked.
Freezing
This pizza freezes really well! I slice and wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. When I’m ready to eat, I thaw them in the fridge overnight for best results, although you can bake straight from frozen if you’re in a hurry.
Reheating
My go-to method for reheating leftover Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe is placing the slices on a baking sheet, loosely tented with foil, and warming in a 275°F oven for about 25-30 minutes. This restores that just-baked texture without drying it out or making the crust chewy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Fresh pineapple works but be sure to slice it thinly and pat dry really well to prevent sogginess in the crust. Canned pineapple is convenient because it’s already soft and sweet, but fresh adds a nice brightness if prepared carefully.
Drying the pineapple thoroughly on paper towels before adding it to the pizza is the biggest factor. Also, preheating a pizza stone and poking holes in the dough before baking help keep the crust crispy and avoid steam buildup.
Mozzarella is best because it melts evenly and has a mild flavor that complements the sweet and smoky toppings. If you want a twist, try blending it with a little provolone or gouda, but avoid cheeses that are too wet or strong-tasting, which can overshadow the pineapple and bacon.
From start to finish, including prep and baking, it takes about 30 minutes. Using pre-made pizza dough cuts down the time significantly, making this a quick and satisfying meal even on busy nights.
Final Thoughts
This Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Bacon Recipe is one of those comforting, crowd-pleasing dishes that always puts a smile on my face. Whether it’s a cozy night in or a casual party, it comes together quickly and delivers big on flavor. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—there’s something so satisfying about perfecting that balance of sweet, savory, and cheesy all in one bite. Give it a try, and I bet it will become one of your go-to homemade pizzas too!
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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
- Diet: Halal
Description
A classic Hawaiian Pizza featuring a crispy, golden crust brushed with garlic butter Parmesan, topped with savory ham, sweet pineapple, crispy bacon, and melted mozzarella cheese. This easy recipe yields a perfectly balanced sweet and savory pizza ideal for a family dinner or entertaining guests.
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
- 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 to heat up for more even cooking and a crispier crust.
- Prepare Pineapple Slice each pineapple chunk into two thinner slices and place them between paper towels to absorb excess moisture before adding to the pizza.
- Shape Dough Spread the pizza dough evenly into a 12-inch circle on a baking sheet or pizza peel. Use a fork to poke holes in the dough to prevent bubbling during baking.
- Add Toppings Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly. Top with ham, pineapple slices, and crumbled bacon.
- Bake Pizza Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 13 minutes, then carefully remove it.
- Apply Garlic Parmesan Crust Mix melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder together. Brush this mixture over the crust of the pizza to add flavor and color.
- Finish Baking Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 3 minutes or until the crust is nicely browned.
- Garnish and Serve Sprinkle the pizza with red pepper flakes, parsley, and oregano. Slice into 8 pieces and serve hot.
Notes
- Use store-bought refrigerated pizza dough for a convenient shortcut, or make homemade dough for fresher flavor.
- Opt for low moisture whole milk mozzarella shredded from a block to ensure ideal melting; avoid fresh mozzarella to reduce sogginess.
- Enhance flavor by mixing half pizza sauce with half BBQ sauce for a smoky twist.
- Use ham or Canadian bacon, making this a great way to use leftovers.
- Always dry pineapple thoroughly with paper towels to prevent a soggy crust.
- Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat cold pizza by placing it on a rimmed baking sheet covered loosely with foil, then bake at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes for best texture restoration.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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