This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
If you love salty-sweet and savory flavors, then Hawaiian Pizza is nearly impossible to resist. It features the combination of pineapple and ham paired with plenty of mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of smoky bacon puts those flavors over the top. You can start with my super simple no-knead gluten free pizza dough, or your favorite recipe or pre-made crust.
Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Pizza Recipe
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: Oven
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
I know this is a polarizing topic, but what do you think about pineapple on pizza?
Some people think it is a crime against pizza. And as a Jersey girl for the first 35 years of my life (trust me, we know our pizza), I tend to be a pizza purist. So you’d think I would be with the anti-pineapple crowd who claim it is too sweet or too acidic or just too weird.
But I just can’t help it, that side of me that loves sweet and savory wins out. Yes, I’m officially a fan of pineapple on pizza. And if you think I like it, well, I am nothing compared to my kids who want nothing other than Hawaiian Pizza. Naturally that means I had to start making it myself, and you can too! And here’s why this is the recipe for you…
- Salty-sweet flavor. I love sinking my teeth into all that cheesy pizza goodness and getting little juicy bursts with that salty ham. And if that isn’t good enough, add the smoky flavor of bacon. Trust me.
- Easy to make gluten free. If you are a fan of pineapple on pizza but haven’t been able to find a wheat-free version to enjoy, then you have to start with my easy gluten free pizza crust. It only requires a few simple ingredients, no rising time or kneading, and just 5 minutes of elbow grease. You’ll create a pliable dough that you can press into a circle and bakes into a tasty, crisp crust that doesn’t get soggy or disintegrate.
- Customizable. You can use a crust made without dairy and vegan cheese if you need a dairy-free pizza. Fresh or canned pineapple will both work. And there are lots of options for the meat. Keep reading for more info on classic Hawaiian pizza and variations.
Hawaiian Pizza Toppings
Hawaiian Pizza starts with the three main elements of any good pizza – crust, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Then, of course, you add the pineapple. After that is where things do vary a bit. Many people use sliced or cubed ham or Canadian bacon. Others even make a Hawaiian pizza with pepperoni. And bacon can be used instead of or in addition to any of those toppings.
It was actually created by Sam Panopoulos at the Satellite Restaurant in Ontario, Canada. While it is now known as the combination of ham and pineapple, his original creation was simply the addition of the pineapple with any other toppings to introduce that sweet and salty pairing. The name came from the brand of canned pineapple he used!
Recipe Ingredients
If you’ve read this far, you probably know exactly what you need. But I’m going to give you a bit more detail about the ingredients and even substitutions so that you end up with the best final product. For the full amounts, scroll to the recipe card.
- Pizza dough or crust: As mentioned above, you can use the recipe here for an easy gluten free crust, or choose your favorite. The quantity of toppings is based on a crust that is about 10 inches in diameter.
- Pizza sauce: Make your own marinara sauce or keep it simple and buy a small jar of pizza sauce. About a quarter cup gives a nice thin coating on a 10-inch crust, but you can always use more.
- Mozzarella cheese: The classic pizza cheese. You could use fresh mozzarella, but the regular blocks you can shred are really the best for Hawaiian pizza. Don’t skimp on the cheese!
- Ham: This is a great way to use up leftover ham, whether you’ve made a big baked ham for a holiday or a smaller boneless ham in your air fryer. However, slices from the deli, a cubed ham steak, or even Canadian bacon will work.
- Pineapple tidbits: Yes, like the original, I use canned pineapple. If you can’t find tidbits, just cut chunks or slices into smaller pieces.
- Bacon: This is optional, but adds a nice smoky flavor.
- Parsley or Cilantro: A little sprinkle as an optional garnish adds a pop of color and a little freshness toi balance all of the rich ingredients.
Feel free to use your favorite crust recipe, gluten free or not. You can also use a mix, such as the Bob’s Red Mill Pizza Crust Mix, or purchase a pre-made crust, like the ones from Cauli-Power.
How to Make Hawaiian Pizza
We are going to start with making the crust, but if you have a different recipe or bought a pre-made crust, just skip ahead. And you’ll find the detailed instructions in the recipe card.
- Prep for baking. Preheat oven to 450°F or as required by the recipe or crust you are using. Line your baking sheet or pizza stone with parchment paper. Prepare and par-bake the crust as directed.
- Make pizza dough. If you are following my recipe, dissolve the yeast in some warm water. Set aside while you whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the yeast mixture and oil, then stir for about 5 minutes to form a dough.
- Par-bake the crust. Follow the directions for your dough. For this recipe, press it into a 10-inch circle on the prepared pan (you can also make two 5-inch pizzas). Par-bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Add the toppings. First spread a nice layer of sauce, then add the cheese. Next, you’ll scatter on the ham and pineapple, and then add the bacon if you are using it.
- Bake and serve. Finish baking the pizza for about another 10-15 minutes. Garnish with the fresh herbs, if desired, slice, and serve.
Tips for Success
- Bake on a pizza stone: You definitely don’t have to have a pizza stone to make this super easy recipe! But if you do have one, they really help crisp up that crust! Set it in the oven while it preheats then slide your dough onto it to bake.
- Try parchment paper. If you are using a pan, this will ensure your pizza doesn’t stick. And if you have a pizza stone, you can easily slide the crust right onto that hot stone for baking.
- Use the right flour. I’ve used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 and King Arthur Measure For Measure Flour successfully. But the best results are with Cup4Cup or King Arthur All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour (not the 1:1 blend) with an extra 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum.
- Customize your pizza. Some people like to combine the mossarella with a little cheddar or Monterey jack when making Hawaiian pizza. You can also use just ham or just bacon. Adding red onions or sliced scallions is also a tasty idea!
Proper Storage
Leftover pizza is great for lunch! I’ll often just grab a cold slice, but here’s what you need to know to store and reheat your extra slices of Hawaiian pizza.
- Fridge – Store any leftover pizza slices in the fridge, either wrapped or in an airtight container. It will last for up to 3 or 4 days.
- Freezer – Once the crust is par-baked and after the toppings are added, homemade pizza is great to freeze before baking. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil. Just thaw and follow the baking instructions or bake from frozen and add a few minutes to the baking time. You can also freeze leftover slices by wrapping them as instructed. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat – I like to reheat pizza slices on a sheet pan in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes or in my air fryer at 400°F for 3-5 minutes since it helps the crust to crisp up again. Alternatively, you can quickly zap leftover pizza slices in the microwave to warm them.
Make it a Meal
I always like to balance out my gluten free pizza with a veggie side dish. Sometimes I go for a classic Caesar salad or side salad with Italian dressing, but here are some other ideas for what to serve with Hawaiian pizza.
- Mozzarella Parmesan Cauliflower Tots are what I call “pizza tots” that you can dunk in extra sauce.
- Spinach Artichoke Cheesy Cauliflower Bread Sticks will add plenty of veggies even though it’s like eating breadsticks with your pizza.
- Air Fryer Asparagus is simple to make while the pizza is in the oven, and you can even add a tasty parmesan crust.
More Hawaiian-Inspired Recipes
Gluten Free Hawaiian Pizza
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoon instant dry yeast
- 2 cups gluten-free 1:1 baking flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
For the Pizza
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce or more, if desired
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cubed ham (or about 2-3 ounces, if you are using slices of ham or Canadian bacon)
- 1/4 cup pineapple tidbits, from a can and drained (if you only have chunks or slices, cut them into tidbits)
- 1 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- Minced parsley or cilantro for garnish, if desired
Instructions
For the Crust
- Preheat oven to 450°F, arrange a rack in the bottom third of the oven, and line a baking sheet with baking paper.
- In a small bowl or jug, combine the warm water and instant dry yeast. Let sit for about 5 minutes to allow the yeast to dissolve and become foamy.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.
- Using a wooden spoon, create a well in the middle of the combined dry ingredients.
- Pour in the yeast mixture and oil and mix together.
- Stir the dough until it is smooth and well combined, about 5 minutes.
- Once dough is ready, place on the prepared baking sheet and press into a thin, even 10-inch circle (or 2 5-inch circles).
- Par-bake for 8 – 10 minutes, or until the top of the base is dry and starting to brown.
For the Pizza
- Prepare and par-bake the crust as directed above or following the directions of your favorite homemade or storebough crust.
- Spread an even layer of sauce over the crust and cover with the mozzarella cheese. Scatter the ham, pineapple, and bacon, if using, over the top of the pizza.
- Return to the oven and bake for a further 10 – 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, garnich with parsley or cilantro, if desired, and slice and serve.
Notes
Did you make this?
Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips
