Yes, it can be polarizing, but this Hawaiian
pizza recipe just might be the one to bring us all together. With chunks of fresh, sweet pineapple and salty ham, plus gooey melted mozzarella cheese and savory tomato sauce, this homemade pie is a breeze to make (with a store-bought crust!) and will be a welcome addition to any pizza party. Pineapple on pizza lovers—keep reading on to learn how to make this iconic pizza at home:
The dough:
This pizza recipe has just six ingredients, plus semolina flour to prevent sticking. Despite looking and sounding fancy, homemade Hawaiian pizza is easier than you think (but we won’t tell your guests that). The secret to every great pie is to start with a high-quality crust. If you’re buying pizza dough at the store, be sure to choose a source you trust. Or take matters into your own hands and make our foolproof homemade pizza dough recipe.
The sauce:
On top of the dough, you’ll need a basic pizza sauce for this recipe. You can also find great pizza sauce at the grocery store; just be sure it doesn’t contain added sugar since you’ll be adding plenty of sweetness to your pie with the pineapple. Our popular homemade pizza sauce recipe is also quick to put together and wonderfully savory.
The toppings:
You know the drill for the toppings: crispy ham, pineapple, and mozzarella. We strongly recommend fresh pineapple over canned, as it has a brighter, more naturally sweet flavor. You can use pre-shredded mozzarella or shred your own, but you’re better off not using the fresh stuff that comes packed in water, as it adds a lot of moisture to the pie that can leave your crust soggy.
Top tips for making Hawaiian pizza:
If you want to ensure that your pie stays crisp and golden, not floppy and sad, keep these tips in mind:
— First, preheat your oven for an hour before you put the pizza in. Since home ovens can’t reach the same blazing temperatures as wood-fired pizza ovens, it’s important to give yours enough time to get as hot as it can.
— Use plenty of semolina flour. This keeps the dough from sticking to anything and helps let hot air under the crust so it can crisp up.
— Pre-cook your ham and pineapple on the stove. This removes excess liquid, concentrates their flavors, and adds some nice caramelized flavors to your crust.
— Use a pizza stone if you have one. These absorb heat so your pizza starts cooking from the bottom up as soon as it hits the oven.
If you make this Hawaiian pizza recipe, let us know your thoughts with a rating and review below!