This might be the most surprisingly delicious pizza you'll make all year — a perfect balance of savory ham and sweet bursts of pineapple in my Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe. Let me show you how to nail this classic combo every time!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, Hawaiian pizza sometimes gets a bad rap, but trust me, when you use fresh, quality ingredients and a little know-how, it becomes an irresistible flavor party. I'm so excited to share this recipe because it really hits that sweet-savory spot perfectly every single time.
- Perfect balance: The juicy pineapple combined with salty ham and crispy bacon gives a flavor combo that never disappoints.
- Homestyle crust hack: Brushing garlic butter and Parmesan on the crust puts this pizza way above the rest.
- Easy but impressive: Whether you buy dough or make it yourself, this recipe comes together quickly and looks stunning.
- Great for leftovers: This pizza reheats beautifully — so you get to enjoy those flavors again without hassle.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in my Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe plays an essential role — from the dough that forms a crispy yet tender base to the pineapple that adds a perfect hint of sweetness. Here’s why I pick these ingredients and a few tips to elevate your pizza game.
- Pizza dough: Use either store-bought or homemade dough at room temperature for stretchability and a perfect rise.
- Pizza sauce: A simple, lightly seasoned tomato sauce contrasts beautifully with the sweet toppings.
- Cooked ham: Diced or sliced, ham brings a smoky saltiness. Canadian bacon works great, too!
- Pineapple chunks: Drain well and slice thin to avoid sogginess but keep that juicy pop.
- Bacon strips: Crisp and crumbled for extra savory crunch that amps up the flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese: I swear by shredded low-moisture whole milk mozzarella — it melts evenly without making the pizza wet.
- Butter, Parmesan & garlic powder: Together they make a crust brushing that adds richness and flavor depth.
- Red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano: These garnishes brighten and add a little kick once the pizza’s out of the oven.
Make It Your Way
I love how versatile this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe is. You can easily tweak it to suit your cravings — I often swap the bacon for spicy sausage or add a little jalapeño for heat. Feel free to make it your own!
- Variation: Adding a drizzle of barbecue sauce with the pizza sauce gives a smoky twist I adore.
- Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free pizza crust — I’ve tried a cauliflower base and it worked surprisingly well!
- Cheese swap: A blend of mozzarella and sharp cheddar amps up the flavor complexity.
- Vegan option: Swap ham and bacon for smoked tempeh, use vegan cheese, and you’re set for a plant-based treat.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Stone
First things first, preheat your oven to 450°F. If you have a pizza stone, pop it in now to get it piping hot. I can’t tell you how much this helps get that gorgeous, crispy crust that’s chewy and golden without any soggy spots.
Step 2: Dry Those Pineapple Slices
Don’t skip this step — slice your pineapple chunks thinner and then press them gently between paper towels. Pineapple has tons of juice, and if you don’t dry it, your pizza can get watery.
Step 3: Shape and Dock Your Dough
Roll or stretch your dough into an even 12-inch circle. Use a fork to prick the surface lightly to prevent perfect little air bubbles from puffing up unevenly during baking — unless bubbly crust is your thing, of course!
Step 4: Layer the Flavors
Spread your pizza sauce evenly over the base, then sprinkle on mozzarella. Distribute the ham, pineapple, and crumbled bacon evenly. This layering ensures every bite has a little bit of everything you love.
Step 5: Bake and Butter That Crust
Bake the pizza for about 13 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together melted butter, grated Parmesan, and garlic powder. Take your pizza out, brush the crust edges generously, then slide it back in for 2-3 more minutes until the crust is golden and flavored just right.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once out, sprinkle red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and oregano on top. Slice it up and get ready for some serious flavor happiness!
Top Tip
After baking this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned some pro tricks that make a world of difference. These will help you get that restaurant-worthy pizza at home without any fuss.
- Dry pineapple thoroughly: Moisture is the enemy of a crispy crust — this simple step solves soggy pizza issues every time.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella is tempting, but it’s too wet and will make your pizza watery.
- Preheat the stone: It may take extra time, but a hot pizza stone gives you a beautifully blistered crust that feels professionally done.
- Brush the crust after initial baking: Garlic butter and parmesan elevate your crust from good to unforgettable.
How to Serve Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping my Hawaiian pizza with fresh parsley and oregano because they add a nice color contrast and fresh herbal notes. Red pepper flakes are my go-to for a little heat that cuts through the sweetness of the pineapple — but if you’re sharing with kids, feel free to skip those.
Side Dishes
Serving this pizza with a crisp green salad or a simple garlic butter green bean side dish balances out the richness perfectly. A lightly dressed arugula salad with lemon is another favorite on busy weeknights.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve sliced this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe into sticks for easy dipping in extra sauce. You can also stuff the crust with mozzarella for a cheesy surprise everyone loves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I recommend storing leftover pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I’ve found that wrapping slices individually in parchment before refrigerating helps prevent sogginess.
Freezing
This Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe freezes surprisingly well. Wrap cooled slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat, place pizza on a baking sheet and tent loosely with foil so it won’t dry out. Warm it in a 275°F oven for about 25-30 minutes. This method restores crunch and melty cheese better than the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, fresh pineapple works wonderfully in this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe. Just be sure to cut it into thin slices and dab off the excess juice with paper towels to prevent soggy crust.
Low-moisture whole milk mozzarella is the best choice for an ideal melt and stretch without adding extra moisture that can make the crust soggy. Avoid fresh mozzarella for this recipe.
Absolutely! Swap the regular pizza dough for a gluten-free crust of your choice. Just keep in mind some gluten-free doughs have different textures, but flavor-wise this recipe works great with any crust.
The key is to slice the pineapple thin and pat it dry aggressively with paper towels before placing it on the pizza. This step removes excess moisture that would otherwise seep into the crust and make it soggy.
Final Thoughts
I still remember the first time I nailed this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe and how my family’s faces lit up at the perfect sweet-savory bite. It’s easy, fun to personalize, and always hits the spot. Give it a try — I promise you’ll be craving it again before you know it!
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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 Hawaiian Pizza recipe combines a crispy pizza dough base topped with savory ham, sweet pineapple, crispy bacon, and melted mozzarella cheese. The crust is brushed with a flavorful garlic butter Parmesan mixture and finished with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and herbs, delivering a perfect balance of sweet and savory in every bite.
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 thinner
- 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 while it preheats to ensure 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, preventing a soggy pizza.
- Shape Dough: Spread the pizza dough into an even 12-inch circle on a baking surface. Use a fork to poke holes throughout the dough to prevent bubbling during baking.
- Add Toppings: Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Distribute the ham, pineapple slices, and crumbled bacon evenly on top.
- Bake Initial Pizza: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 13 minutes, then remove it.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Crust: Mix melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Brush this mixture over the edges of the pizza crust.
- Finish Baking: Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 3 minutes or until the crust begins to brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle with red pepper flakes, parsley, and oregano. Slice and serve immediately.
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; avoid fresh mozzarella as it contains too much moisture.
- Rao’s or Ragu pizza sauces are great choices. For a smoky twist, try mixing half pizza sauce with half BBQ sauce.
- Ham or Canadian bacon works well; leftover ham is a great option.
- Pat down pineapple slices thoroughly to remove excess moisture and prevent sogginess.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, cover cold pizza with foil, place on a baking sheet, and bake at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes to restore texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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