Hawaiian pizza is the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors, loaded onto a crispy crust. Delicious, melty mozzarella cheese locks in layers of salty bacon and juicy pineapple pieces in each slice.
Jessica’s Recipe Science
- Thoroughly drain canned pineapple to remove excess juice that can soften the crust.
- Brushing the crust edges with olive oil promotes even browning and crispness, while sprinkling cornmeal on the pan reduces sticking and adds a subtle crunch for texture contrast.
- Bake Hawaiian pizza in a very hot oven so excess moisture from the pineapple evaporates quickly, helping the crust stay crisp.
Featured Comment 11
“This Hawaiian pizza was so good, everyone ate it up, no leftovers! Thanks.”—Armando
Why It Works
Adding pineapple to pizza, are you a fan? The answers can be polarizing. For those who have embraced it like me, Hawaiian Pizza tends to be an acceptable option when ordering or making a pie. Salty Canadian bacon slices are the perfect complement to the tangy and sweet pineapple. Plus, a little bit of smoky bacon takes each bite to the next level.
For this recipe, you have a few options for preparation. It comes down to your availability and whether you need a quick meal or have the time to make the components from scratch for pizza night. Either way, this classic Hawaiian pizza is like a trip to the islands and a luau for your taste buds.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
- Pizza Dough: If you haven’t tried making pizza from scratch yet, now’s the time. I’ve been obsessed with making my best homemade pizza dough recipe, and you’ll be surprised how easy it is! Just flour, salt, yeast, water, and olive oil. It just takes about an hour from start to finish to let the dough ferment. Plus, it makes two pizzas!
- Oil: Olive oil is used to grease the baking sheet and brushed on the dough to create a crispier, more flavorful crust.
- Corn Meal: Cornmeal prevents sticking and adds a delightful crunch to the bottom of the crust.
- Pizza Sauce: I like to make a simple homemade marinara sauce, which doubles as an excellent pizza sauce.
- Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese gives the best melt-ability to lock all of the pizza toppings together.
- Bacon: I use two types of bacon for this recipe; round slices of lean Canadian bacon and crispy strips of bacon chopped into small pieces. This gives a nice, deeper cured flavor with smoky notes. You can roast the raw bacon in the oven or pan-fry a smaller batch until crunchy.
- Pineapple: If you’ve got fresh pineapple, cut it into bite-sized chunks, about ½-inch in size. Alternatively, use canned pineapple chunks drained of the juice.
- Herbs: A sprinkle of dried oregano right before baking adds herbaceous notes to the pie.
See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).
Ingredient Substitutions
This Hawaiian pizza recipe is easy to customize! Try these delicious options:
- Pizza Dough: Use 1 pound raw store-bought pizza dough if you’re short on time. Alternatively, pre-baked crusts are another option. Just make sure to follow the package directions.
- Sauce: Use store-bought pizza sauce or marinara, or canned crushed tomatoes for a more Neapolitan-style flavor. Try Alfredo sauce for a creamy taste or barbecue sauce for a tangy twist.
- Cheese: Add slices of fresh mozzarella, cheddar, or smoked gouda. For extra flavor, sprinkle some Parmesan on top right before serving.
- Meat: Add honey ham, bacon crumbles, diced or shredded chicken, or make it like a meat-lover’s pizza with Italian sausage and pepperoni.
- Add Vegetables: Sliced onions, pickled red onions, roasted bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or jalapeño slices for a spicy kick.
How to Make Hawaiian Pizza
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheating the oven to a blazing 500ºF (260ºC) ensures a super-crisp bottom crust, a golden surface, and perfectly melted cheese.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
If the dough was refrigerated, let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to make it easier to stretch for the Hawaiian pizza crust.
Step 3: Prepare the Pan
Use a large baking sheet or a pizza pan, lightly greased with olive oil, for a crispier bottom. Sprinkle cornmeal over the pan to add a rustic texture and help prevent sticking.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
Use your hands to gently stretch the dough into a 10-inch circle. If it feels sticky, lightly dust with flour—adding too much can make the crust tough from excess protein. Press the dough into a 12-inch circle or rectangle in the pan. Brush the edges with oil to promote golden, crispy browning.
Step 5: Add the Toppings
Evenly spread the pizza sauce, cheese, Canadian bacon, pineapple, and chopped bacon on top.
Pro Tip: I sprinkle dried oregano on top because it blooms in the oven, releasing aromatic oils that add a classic pizza flavor without overpowering the sweet and savory toppings.
Step 6: Bake
Bake the pizza on the lowest rack of the oven, where it is hotter. This will ensure the bottom is dry and crisp, like using a pre-heated pizza stone. Cook until the pie is golden brown and the cheese is hot and bubbling.
Step 7: To Serve
I am not shy to admit that Hawaiian pizza is my absolute favorite- I love the contrast of sweet and savory all in one slice. Cut it up and serve while still hot, and the cheese is melty.
If you are having an island-inspired dinner, try my Spam musubi, Hawaiian macaroni salad, or huli huli chicken for a feast!
Frequently Asked Questions
Although the name might suggest Polynesian origins, Hawaiian pizza originated in Canada. In the 60s, you could find delicious ham and pineapple-topped pies at Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario. The cook, Sam Panopoulos, had the fruit on hand and wanted to introduce more diverse flavors to traditional menu items for customers. We’re so glad he did.
Hawaiian pizza toppings typically include a red tomato sauce such as marinara, shredded mozzarella cheese, Canadian bacon or ham, and pineapple. It can also include diced bacon for extra savory flavor.
Hawaiian pizza is the classic combination of tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, and pineapple, known for its sweet-savory balance. Aloha pizza is a variation on Hawaiian pizza that adds extra toppings like bacon, pepperoni, chicken, mangos, peppers, or barbecue sauce for a bolder flavor.
More Pizza Recipes
If you tried this Hawaiian Pizza, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Hawaiian Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough, or homemade dough
- olive oil, for brushing
- 2 teaspoons cornmeal, optional
- ½ cup pizza sauce, or homemade marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 ounces Canadian bacon, about 4 to 5 slices
- ½ cup diced pineapple, fresh or canned
- ¼ cup chopped cooked bacon, about 4 slices
- dried oregano, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven – Set the oven rack to the lower position and the temperature to 500ºF (260ºC).
- Prepare the Dough – Allow the prepared pizza dough to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Pan – Lightly brush a large baking sheet with olive oil. Evenly sprinkle cornmeal on the pan if desired for a crunchy crust.
- Shape the Dough – On a lightly floured surface, stretch and shape the dough into a 10-inch circle, then transfer to the baking sheet. Press into a 12-inch circle. Leave the edges slightly thicker, about ½-inch tall and wide. Brush olive oil on the edges to make the crust crispier when baked.
- Add the Toppings – Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, followed by the mozzarella cheese, Canadian bacon, pineapple, and chopped bacon. Sprinkle the oregano on top (if using).
- Bake – On the lowest oven rack, cook until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Serve – Immediately slice with a pizza cutter and serve while still hot.
Notes
- Homemade Dough: My pizza dough recipe makes enough for two pizzas. Double the topping ingredients, or use one crust and save the other for later.
- Storing: Cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Place on a sheet pan and broil on the lowest rack until cheese is hot and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Alternatively, microwave in 15 to 30-second intervals until the cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
rvhbgszjesgcrs says
very good
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you!
Becky D says
Is there another sauce I can make that is not tomato based?
Jessica Gavin says
You can try my alfredo sauce or pesto to add to the pizza.
John Lauer says
this is very helpful to my essay on why pineapple should always be on pizza
Jessica Gavin says
Haha, I love it! Good luck with your article, John!
Travis says
I am missing something for my pizza
Armando Mares says
This Hawaiian pizza was so good, everyone ate it up, no leftovers! Thanks. I also suggest placing the pineapple in the broiler to caramelize the sweet juices for a better tasting pizza and also prevent soggy crust.
Jessica Gavin says
Carmelizing the pineapple in the broiler sounds delicious!
rachel says
Hi Jessie Hey! Thank so much for the Hawaiian Pizza You know what! I’m not gonna queue for expensive pizza anymore Can’t wait to make my own
Jessica Gavin says
I can’t wait to hear what you think about the homemade pizza!