Crispy golden crust paired with that tangy kick of pineapple and a surprising touch of heat—this Sweet and Spicy Hawaiian Pizza Recipe hits all the right notes. It’s one of those dishes that brings a tropical vibe to your kitchen with such ease!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t stop coming back to this Sweet and Spicy Hawaiian Pizza Recipe every time I want a comforting, yet adventurous twist on classic pizza. It’s so satisfying to bite into juicy pineapple balanced with savory ham and crispy bacon, all drizzled with a garlicky, cheesy crust glaze.
- Perfect Flavor Balance: The sweet pineapple and spicy red pepper flakes create an unforgettable combo that’s both bright and bold.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of these pantry staples on hand, so it’s an easy go-to for weeknight dinners.
- Customizable Toppings: Whether you want it spicier or more savory, adjusting the ingredients to fit your mood is a breeze.
- Homemade Touch: You can whip up your own dough or use store-bought to save time—both work beautifully.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Sweet and Spicy Hawaiian Pizza Recipe thrives on the harmony between sweet and savory, with ingredients that bring texture, moisture control, and flavor punch. Picking the right cheeses and drying the pineapple properly are key—trust me, I learned this the hard way after soggy experiments!
- Pizza dough: The sturdy base for your pizza—room temp dough stretches easier and produces a crisp crust.
- Pizza sauce: Use a quality sauce, or even half BBQ sauce for a smoky twist that pops on the palate.
- Ham: Adds a salty, smoky savory note to balance the pineapple.
- Pineapple chunks: Dry these thoroughly on paper towels to avoid sogginess—a simple step with big payoff.
- Bacon: Crispy bits bring texture and savory depth to every bite.
- Mozzarella cheese: Low-moisture whole milk mozzarella shreds melt perfectly without making the pizza watery.
- Butter, Parmesan, and garlic powder: The magic trio for brushing the crust — it seals in flavor and adds a golden finish.
- Red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano: Fresh garnishes for a pop of color, heat, and herbal brightness.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with this Sweet and Spicy Hawaiian Pizza Recipe by swapping out ham for Canadian bacon or throwing in some jalapeños for an extra kick. The best part? You can tweak it to your taste and still nail that signature sweet and spicy vibe.
- Variation: One time, I added a drizzle of honey on top after baking—it was unexpectedly delicious and amplified the sweet and spicy contrast.
- Dietary twist: For a vegetarian version, simply skip the ham and bacon, and load up on grilled veggies along with the pineapple.
- Seasonal change: In summer, I like adding fresh basil instead of parsley—it gives a lovely bright herbal note.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet and Spicy Hawaiian Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prep your oven and pineapple
First, set your oven to 450°F. If you have a pizza stone, pop it in now so it gets nice and hot—that's a game changer for a crispy bottom crust. Meanwhile, slice your pineapple chunks in half lengthwise and blot them between paper towels to soak up their juicy moisture. Trust me, this little extra step keeps your crust crisp instead of soggy.
Step 2: Shape your dough and add toppings
Stretch out your dough into an even 12-inch circle on a floured surface. Use a fork to prick holes gently all over the base—this stops pesky bubbles from forming during baking. Spread on your pizza sauce evenly, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the top. Next, scatter your diced ham, pineapple slices, and crumbled bacon with love, making sure every slice will get a bit of everything.
Step 3: Bake and brush crust
Pop your pizza in the oven for 13 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the toppings have melded nicely. While it’s baking, whisk together melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. When the timer goes off, carefully brush this garlicky buttery blend all over the crust edges—yum! Slide the pizza back in and bake for 3 more minutes so the crust gets that perfect golden brown.
Step 4: Garnish and slice
Once out of the oven, sprinkle red pepper flakes across the pizza for that signature kick, then add finely chopped parsley and oregano for fresh pops of color and flavor. Slice it up, serve hot, and watch your guests delight as those sweet and spicy Hawaii vibes hit their taste buds!
Top Tip
After making this Sweet and Spicy Hawaiian Pizza Recipe a bunch of times, I've discovered a few little hacks that make all the difference between a good pizza and a great one.
- Dry your pineapple: Excess moisture can quickly ruin the crust texture, so always drain and pat dry your pineapple chunks before adding.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella can turn soggy—go for low-moisture shredded for the best melt and texture.
- Preheat your pizza stone: If you have one, it crisps up your crust like a professional pizzeria.
- Brush the crust late: Applying garlic butter after the first bake keeps those edges tender but golden without burning.
How to Serve Sweet and Spicy Hawaiian Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
I always add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat and fresh chopped parsley or oregano for color. The herbs lend a wonderful brightness that balances out the richness of the cheese and ham. A final drizzle of good olive oil can also elevate it!
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette or some tangy coleslaw. If you want to keep the island vibe going, a simple mango salsa on the side is fantastic too.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I sometimes cut the pizza into small squares for bite-sized servings and garnish each piece with a tiny pineapple chunk and a little jalapeño slice on top—makes it fun and festive!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep really well stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find that reheating them carefully is the secret to retaining that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Freezing
I’ve frozen leftover slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil with great results. They freeze well for up to 3 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To bring back that perfect crust texture, I place the pizza on a rimmed baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and bake at 275°F for about 25-30 minutes. This gentle reheating keeps the crust from drying out or becoming chewy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Fresh mozzarella tends to have a higher moisture content which can make your pizza soggy. For this recipe, I recommend using low-moisture shredded mozzarella for a better melt and crisp crust.
The key is to drain the pineapple chunks thoroughly and then pat them dry with paper towels before placing them on the pizza. This step removes excess juice that can soak into the dough.
Absolutely! Use a gluten-free pizza dough along with the other ingredients. Just make sure your pizza sauce and other toppings are also gluten-free, which most naturally are.
Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, cover it loosely with foil and warm in the oven at 275°F to keep the crust crispy and cheese melty.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet and Spicy Hawaiian Pizza Recipe is genuinely one of my favorite ways to mix things up without complicating dinner. Its mix of bright pineapple, smoky ham, crispy bacon, and that garlicky crust glaze makes it comforting yet thrilling all at once. I hope you’ll try this recipe soon—I promise it’s a crowd-pleaser, whether it’s a weeknight treat or a weekend indulgence with friends.
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Sweet and Spicy Hawaiian Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Hawaiian Pizza recipe features a homemade or store-bought pizza dough topped with savory ham, juicy pineapple chunks, crispy bacon, and melted mozzarella cheese. The crust is brushed with a flavorful garlic butter Parmesan mix and baked to golden perfection. Garnished with red pepper flakes, parsley, and oregano, this pizza balances sweet and savory flavors for a delicious meal perfect for any pizza night.
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
- 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 the oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a pizza stone, place it inside the oven while it heats up to ensure a more evenly cooked and crispier crust.
- Prepare the pineapple: Slice each pineapple chunk into two thinner slices and place them between paper towels to absorb excess moisture. This step prevents a soggy pizza crust.
- Shape the dough: Spread the pizza dough into an even 12-inch circle on a baking surface. Use a fork to poke holes in the dough to prevent bubbling during baking.
- Add toppings: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese. Add the sliced ham, prepared pineapple slices, and crumbled bacon on top.
- Bake the pizza: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 13 minutes. Remove the pizza carefully from the oven afterward.
- Brush the crust: Mix the melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder together. Brush this mixture generously over the pizza crust and return the pizza to the oven.
- Finish baking: Bake the pizza for an additional 3 minutes or until the crust starts to brown beautifully.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle red pepper flakes, parsley, and oregano over the pizza, slice it into 8 pieces, and serve hot.
Notes
- For pizza dough, store-bought refrigerated dough can be used for a quick and easy approach, or try making your own homemade dough.
- Use low moisture whole milk mozzarella shredded from a block for the best melting quality; avoid fresh mozzarella as it contains too much moisture.
- Try mixing half pizza sauce and half BBQ sauce for a smoky tangy twist on the sauce.
- Use ham or Canadian bacon as a savory protein option; leftover ham works perfectly.
- Pat pineapple chunks dry thoroughly on paper towels to avoid sogginess.
- Store leftover pizza in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, place pizza on a rimmed baking sheet, cover with foil tented to avoid sticking, and bake at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes to restore texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
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