Sizzling Homemade Grilled Pizza Recipe for Pizza Lovers

Crispy and delightful homemade grilled pizza has become my weekend obsession lately.

Summer evenings demand something special on the grill.

Backyard cooking reaches new heights when you slide a perfect pie onto those hot grates.

Dough stretches thin and golden, waiting to catch those smoky flavor notes.

Pizza crafted over open flames brings an unexpected twist to traditional recipes.

Neighborhood gatherings spark with excitement when this crisp, charred creation emerges.

Grab some fresh ingredients and spark your culinary adventure tonight.

Why Grilled Pizza Is A Crispy Backyard Favorite

• Elevate Outdoor Cooking: This grilled pizza recipe transforms your backyard barbecue into a gourmet pizza-making experience, bringing restaurant-quality flavors right to your grill.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: With just 20 minutes of total cooking time, this recipe offers a speedy solution for busy families craving a delicious, homemade dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize Your Culinary Creation: The method allows endless topping possibilities, making it perfect for picky eaters and creative cooks who love to experiment with different flavor combinations and ingredients.
• Interactive Cooking Experience: Grilling pizza becomes a fun, engaging activity that brings family and friends together, turning meal preparation into an enjoyable social event with hands-on participation.

What Goes Into Grilled Pizza

• Pizza Dough: Essential foundation for the pizza, stretchy and crisp when grilled. Homemade or store-bought work well, whole wheat adds nutrition.
• Flour: Helps prevent sticking when rolling out dough. All-purpose or bread flour recommended.
• Olive Oil: Prevents dough from sticking and adds golden crispness to crust. Extra virgin preferred for better flavor.

• Pizza Sauce, Marinara Sauce: Provides moisture and classic pizza flavor. Homemade or store-bought both work great.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully and creates signature stretchy pizza texture. Fresh or low-moisture versions available.

• Fresh Basil, Arugula: Adds fresh flavor and bright green color after grilling. Can be optional for personal preference.
• Optional Toppings: Allows customization like pepperoni, vegetables, or other cheese. Thin slices recommended for quick grilling.

How To Make Grilled Pizza On The Grill

Step 1: Fire Up The Grill

Crank your grill to a sizzling medium-high temperature around 450F. Scrub those grates clean and coat them with a light layer of cooking oil to prevent sticking. This prep work ensures a perfect pizza foundation.

Step 2: Shape Your Pizza Dough

Sprinkle your work surface with flour and roll out the pizza dough into a gorgeous round or oval shape. Aim for a size between 10-12 inches – the perfect personal pizza canvas.

Step 3: Oil The Dough

Grab a pastry brush and lightly coat one side of the dough with olive oil. This helps create a crispy, golden exterior and prevents the dough from clinging to the grill grates.

Step 4: First Grill Touchdown

Carefully place the oiled side of the dough directly onto the hot grill grates. Close the lid and let the magic happen for 2-3 minutes. Watch for beautiful bubble formations and distinctive grill marks developing.

Step 5: Flip And Top The Pizza

• Tomato sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni
• Mushrooms
• Fresh herbs

Step 6: Final Grill Session

Close the grill lid and let your pizza cook for another 3-5 minutes. You want the cheese to melt into a bubbly paradise and the crust to reach perfect doneness.

Step 7: Serve With Flair

Slide your masterpiece onto a cutting board. Garnish with fresh basil or arugula for an extra flavor punch. Slice immediately and serve while hot and crispy.

Tips To Get Your Grilled Pizza Just Right

• Choose the Right Dough: Use a slightly sticky, hydrated pizza dough that can withstand high grill temperatures without falling apart.
• Prep Toppings in Advance: Chop and arrange all ingredients before grilling to ensure quick topping during the short cooking window.
• Control Grill Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat around 450F to achieve crispy crust without burning the dough.
• Prevent Sticking: Generously oil grill grates and brush dough with olive oil to create a non-stick surface and enhance flavor.
• Work Quickly with Toppings: Add sauce, cheese, and toppings rapidly after flipping to prevent the crust from burning and ensure even melting.

How To Store Grilled Pizza Without Losing Flavor

• Wrap leftover grilled pizza slices tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain freshness.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
• Reheat slices in a preheated oven at 375F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispy crust and melty cheese texture.
• For best results, avoid microwaving, which can make the crust soggy and tough.
• Quick tip: Place pizza slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper during reheating to help crisp up the bottom.
• When freezing, separate individual slices with parchment paper and store in an airtight freezer bag for up to one month.
• Thaw frozen pizza in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for optimal taste and texture.

Best Matches For Grilled Pizza

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio cuts through the rich, smoky flavors of grilled pizza, offering a refreshing contrast that brightens each bite.
• Match with Hoppy IPA Beer: A bold, citrusy India pale ale complements the charred crust and provides a zesty counterpoint to melted cheese and grilled toppings.
• Cool Down with Arugula Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pizza's intense grilled flavors, adding a peppery freshness that cleanses the palate.
• Serve with Chilled Prosecco: Sparkling prosecco's light bubbles and subtle sweetness harmonize with the pizza's smoky notes, creating a delightful summer dining experience.

New Ideas For Grilled Pizza Toppings

• Smoky Mediterranean Grilled Pizza: Swap traditional toppings with feta cheese, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Breakfast Sunrise Pizza: Top the grilled crust with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese, and chives for a morning-inspired pizza experience.
• Vegetarian Garden Harvest Pizza: Load the pizza with grilled zucchini, roasted eggplant, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, and goat cheese for a veggie-packed version.
• Spicy Mexican Fiesta Pizza: Add seasoned ground beef, jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, black beans, and cilantro for a zesty southwestern style grilled pizza.

FAQs On Grilled Pizza

• How do I prevent my pizza dough from sticking to the grill grates?

Make sure to clean and oil the grates thoroughly before placing the dough. Use a high smoke point oil like vegetable or canola oil, and brush the dough with olive oil as well to create a protective barrier.

• Can I use store-bought pizza dough for grilling?

Absolutely! Store-bought pizza dough works perfectly for grilled pizza. Just let it come to room temperature and make sure to roll or stretch it evenly before grilling.

• What are the best toppings for grilled pizza?

Classic toppings like fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil work great. You can also try prosciutto, arugula, goat cheese, or grilled vegetables for unique flavor combinations.

• Do I need any special equipment to grill pizza?

No special equipment is needed beyond a clean grill grill grates. Tongs or a large spatula help with flipping the dough, but most kitchen tools you already have will work fine.

Grilled Pizza Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy homemade grilled pizza delivers wood-fired flavor straight from your backyard grill. Crispy crust, melted cheese, and fresh toppings create a perfect summer meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 g) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 ½ cups (340 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (120 ml) pizza sauce

Vegetable and Herb Toppings:

• ½ cup (75 g) sliced cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup (40 g) sliced red onion
• ¼ cup (40 g) sliced olives or mushrooms
• Fresh basil or arugula, for topping after grilling

Seasoning and Preparation:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil (for brushing)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Fire up the grill to a robust medium-high temperature, targeting around 450 degrees fahrenheit, ensuring the grates are meticulously cleaned and generously coated with oil to prevent sticking.
2. Transform the pizza dough into a rustic round or elongated shape, carefully working on a flour-dusted surface to prevent adhesion.
3. Delicately coat one surface of the dough with a light sheen of olive oil, creating a protective and flavor-enhancing layer.
4. Carefully transfer the oil-glazed dough directly onto the sizzling grill grates, positioning it with precision. Seal the grill lid and allow the dough to crisp and develop characteristic char marks for approximately 2-3 minutes.
5. Using tongs or a wide spatula, execute a swift dough flip, revealing the perfectly grilled surface. Swiftly distribute tomato sauce, scatter cheese, and arrange selected toppings across the heated foundation.
6. Reinstall the grill lid, allowing the pizza to continue cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes. Monitor the cheese as it melts into a luxurious, bubbling layer and the crust achieves a golden, crisp texture.
7. Extract the completed pizza from the grill’s intense heat. Garnish with vibrant fresh herbs like basil or peppery arugula, slice into inviting wedges, and serve immediately to capture the peak of grilled perfection.

Notes

• Ensure grill is preheated evenly to prevent hot spots that could burn the pizza crust quickly.
• Use a thin layer of olive oil to help dough slide smoothly onto grill grates and prevent sticking.
• Keep toppings light and pre-cooked to guarantee quick melting and prevent soggy center of pizza.
• Choose firm cheeses like mozzarella or provolone that melt beautifully and maintain structure on hot grill surface.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 340
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg