This easy Pineapple Pizza recipe is a delicious combo of juicy pineapple, savory ham, red and green onions, rich BBQ sauce, and melty mozzarella cheese on a perfectly crispy crust. Fast and easy 30-minute dinner recipe for your next pizza night.
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Strong opinions abound on pineapple pizza. But I'm not sure what all the hubbub is about.
The blend of sweet pineapples with the savory flavor of the ham, tangy BBQ sauce, and melted cheese is a perfect combination -- and makes for one heckuva great pizza.
This easy Hawaiian pizza recipe has all the sweet, salty, tangy flavors pineapple pizza lovers crave and comes together faster than delivery.
And it's my favorite thing to make with leftovers from Roaster Oven Ham with Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze or Slow Cooker Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham.
Why You're Going to Love This Recipe
- Quick meal you can make in about 30 minutes
- Classic Hawaiian pizza with sweet and savory flavors
- Great way to use leftover ham
Who First Put Pineapple on Pizza?
The first Hawaiian pizza recipe was actually created in 1962 by Sam Panopoulos, a Greek immigrant to Canada, at the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario, Canada.
So, no connection to Hawaii at all.
The story goes that he was playing around with different flavor combinations inspired by Chinese cuisine, which often blended sweet with savory, and put pineapple, ham, bacon, and other pizza toppings together on the same pie.
The reaction was initially hit-or-miss but eventually took off locally. In time, it found its way to pizza ovens around the world.
Today, the idea of putting pineapple on pizza is polarizing -- some love it, and some think fruit has no business being on pizza.
As for the name? It came from the brand of pineapple he used.
Ingredients
Pizza dough. Use your favorite store-bought pizza dough or homemade pizza dough recipe. I like Rhodes frozen pizza dough.
Barbecue sauce. BBQ sauce is delicious with sweet pineapple and salty ham. Go ahead and use traditional pizza sauce or tomato sauce, if you prefer.
Ham. I used thinly sliced leftover ham, but you can also use Canadian bacon.
Pineapple chunks. Canned pineapple tidbits or fresh pineapple will both work. Just be sure to drain it well and blot it with paper towels to avoid adding excess moisture to the pizza.
Red onions. The mild oniony bite of red onion is a welcome bit of sharpness against the sweet flavors.
Green onions. Sliced green onions bring bright freshness.
Variations
Make this delicious Hawaiian pizza recipe your own by adding your favorite toppings. Just don't add too many. Too many toppings can cause a soggy crust or keep the crust from cooking evenly.
- Pepperoni
- Sausage crumbles
- Bacon
- Jalapeno slices
- Caramelized onions
- Fresh basil
- Bell peppers
How to Make Pineapple Pizza
1. Prep the oven and pizza pan.
Turn the oven to 475 degrees and let it heat up for 20 minutes. The high oven temperature is the secret to a nice crispy crust. Place the oven rack nearest the heat source -- top or bottom of the oven.
Grease a sheet pan large enough for a 12" pizza with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
2. Stretch the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle.
With oiled hands, flatten the pizza dough between your hands into a round disc. Stretch it out into a 12-inch circle by rotating it around in your hands like a steering wheel.
Place the dough onto the pan. Press down any thick edges, pinch together any holes, and shape it into a circle.
Brush the pizza dough with one tablespoon of olive oil.
3. Add the sauce and pizza toppings.
Spread the barbecue sauce over the pizza dough, leaving a ¼" border.
Add the cheese, red onion, ham, pineapple, then green onion -- in that order. Optional, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
4. Bake.
Bake until the crust is golden brown and the toppings are caramelized, 12-15 minutes. If desired, place under the broiler for a minute or two to brown the toppings.
Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Store leftover pineapple pizza wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat Pizza: 2 Ways
Our two favorite ways to reheat leftover pizza are in the oven or in a skillet. Which method we use depends on how much we're heating up.
Oven. Reheating pizza in the oven is a great option if you're warming up a partial pizza or many slices.
- Place the oven rack in the lowest position in the oven.
- Place the pizza on a rimmed baking sheet or in a 9 x 13 baking pan.
- Cover with aluminum foil and turn the oven on to 375. No need to preheat.
- Heat the pizza for 30-35 minutes or until it's warm and the cheese is melted.
Skillet. If you're reheating a slice or two, a frying pan is a great way to go.
- Heat a skillet over medium-low.
- Place the pizza in the pan and let it warm up until you see grease start to glisten on top.
- Add a few drops of water to the pan and cover it with the lid or aluminum foil.
- Warm for 1-2 more minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Success Tips
Drain the pineapple and blot it with paper towels to keep the moisture from making the crust soggy.
Use room temperature pizza dough. It's looser, easier to stretch, and will better hold its shape. If the pizza dough snaps back while you're stretching it, let it rest.
FAQs
Hawaiian pizza is a style of pizza that typically includes a combination of ham and pineapple as its main toppings. It is known for its contrasting sweet and savory flavors.
In addition to ham and pineapple, Hawaiian pizza typically includes tomato sauce or BBQ sauce and cheese. Additional toppings such as onions, bacon, peppers, or jalapeños may also be added.
Yes, the addition of pineapple as a pizza topping has sparked a long-standing debate among pizza enthusiasts. It is a highly controversial topic, with passionate arguments on both sides. Some people love the combination, while others strongly dislike it.
Stuff I Use
Nordic Ware's big sheet pan is plenty large enough for making this homemade Hawaiian pizza recipe and a great way to bake more chocolate chip cookies in one batch.
I use my silicone basting brush for everything from brushing oil on pizza crust to brushing glaze on roaster oven ham.
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How to Make Pineapple Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough, homemade or store-bought room temperature
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup sliced red onion
- ½ cup sliced ham or Canadian bacon
- ½ cup pineapple chunks drained and patted dry
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475 for 20 minutes. Place the oven rack nearest the heat source -- top or bottom of the oven.
- Grease a sheet pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- With oiled hands, flatten the pizza dough between your hands into a round disc. Stretch it out into a 12-inch circle by rotating it around in your hands like a steering wheel. Place the dough onto the pan. Press down any thick edges, pinch together any holes, and shape it into a circle. Brush the pizza dough with one tablespoon of olive oil.
- Spread the barbecue sauce over the pizza dough, leaving a ¼" border. Add the cheese, red onion, ham, pineapple, then green onion -- in that order. Optional, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
- Bake until the crust is golden brown, and the toppings are caramelized, 12-15 minutes. If desired, place under the broiler for a minute or two to brown the toppings.
- Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
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