This Hawaiian pizza recipe is all about the great combination of sweet fruit and rich, savory flavors layered over a crisp, golden crust. Fresh pineapple, melty mozzarella, and smoky bacon come together in a way that tastes vibrant and deeply satisfying. It brings everything people love about pizza night into one easy, reliable recipe that you can make with minimal effort. The result is a perfectly balanced pizza that comes out hotter, fresher, and better than takeout every single time.
Ian and I have spent plenty of time working in pizza kitchens, and despite the ongoing debate around pineapple pizza, we’ve always been fans. Fresh pineapple chunks add a vibrant sweetness that complements the salty toppings in this Hawaiian Pizza Recipe. We also add crispy bacon, which brings a smoky depth you don’t always find in classic versions. It is a simple twist that makes this pizza stand out.
If you enjoy fruit on pizza as much as we do, try our Caramelized Onion and Pear Pizza Recipe next, or go for something more savory with our Anchovy and Olive Pizza Recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Pizza Recipe
- Perfect for Pizza Night: Sweet pineapple chunks, savory ham, and crispy bacon come together in a balanced, crowd-pleasing pizza that will make pizza night extra special.
- Easy to Make at Home: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can have a homemade pizza on the table in no time, no special equipment required.
- Popular with Kids and Adults: The sweet and savory combination is universally loved, so everyone at the table will be reaching for seconds.
Ingredients (and Easy Swaps)
This Hawaiian pizza recipe makes 2 12-inch pizzas. If you want to make just one pizza, use half of the total amounts listed in the recipe card.
- Pizza dough: Homemade pizza dough is the best option for flavor and texture, but fresh or frozen dough from a bakery or grocery store works well if you want to save time.
- Olive oil: Brushing the crust with olive oil helps it crisp up beautifully, but it’s optional and can be skipped if you prefer.
- Tomato sauce: Our homemade 2-ingredient pizza sauce is perfect for this recipe, but in a pinch, store-bought sauce works just fine.
- Mozzarella cheese: Shredding your own fresh mozzarella is best, as pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as nicely. You can also mix in provolone or fontina for a slightly richer flavor.
- Ham: High-quality deli ham works beautifully, and Canadian bacon is a great alternative. Thick-cut ham adds extra texture, but leftover cooked ham works just as well.
- Fresh pineapple: Fresh pineapple gives a bright, juicy sweetness, but canned pineapple chunks can be used in a pinch. Drain well to avoid soggy pizza.
- Cooked bacon: Adds smoky, savory crunch. You could swap with pancetta or omit entirely for a simpler version.
- Red onion: Adds a mild bite that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the pineapple. Yellow onion is a good substitute if needed.
How to Make this Hawaiian Pizza Recipe
Stretch Pizza Dough: Preheat your oven to 500℉ and place a rack in the lower third. Working on a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll your pizza dough to fit a 12-inch pizza pan, then brush the surface with a little olive oil if you like a crispier crust.
Sauce the Pizza: Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. Start in the center and work outward in gentle circles to cover the surface, leaving 1/2 inch bare at the edges for the pizza crust.
Add Ham: Sprinkle a light layer of mozzarella over the sauce to help the ham stick, then arrange the ham evenly across the pizza.
Add Cheese: Add the remaining mozzarella over the ham for a melty, golden layer.
Add Remaining Toppings: Top with pineapple chunks, cooked bacon, and red onion, spreading them evenly so each bite has a mix of flavors.
Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown. Let the pizza rest for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.
Expert Tips & FAQs to make the Best Hawaiian Pizza
How can I prevent the pizza from getting soggy from the pineapple?
Pat the pineapple chunks very dry with paper towels before adding them to your pizza. Avoid overloading the pizza with too many toppings, and spread everything out evenly. For extra protection, add the pineapple on top of the cheese to create a barrier between the fruit and the dough. These small steps help keep the crust crisp and prevent extra moisture from making the pizza soggy.
Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
Yes! Fresh pineapple gives the brightest flavor, but canned pineapple chunks work perfectly in a pinch. Just be sure to drain and pat them dry so they don’t release too much liquid while baking.
Do you have any ideas for other topping substitutions or flavor tweaks on Hawaiian Pizza?
Try swapping the ham for Canadian bacon for a leaner, slightly smoky flavor. You can also mix cheeses, like provolone or fontina, with mozzarella for extra richness. For a twist, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, sliced jalapenos, or a light brush of garlic butter on the crust after baking to elevate the flavors.
How do I store leftover Hawaiian pizza?
Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm slices in a 275°F oven for 25–30 minutes, or gently in a skillet to keep the crust crisp.
Homemade Hawaiian Pizza Recipe with Crispy Bacon
Equipment
- 1 12 inch pizza pan
Ingredients
- 2 pizza doughs each large enough for a 12 inch pizza
- 1 tsp olive oil divided
- 1 cup pizza sauce see note 1, divided
- 3 cups mozzarella shredded, divided
- 16 slices high quality deli ham divided
- ⅓ cup fresh pineapple chopped, divided
- ⅓ cup cooked bacon chopped, divided
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced, divided
Instructions
- Preheat: Set your oven to 500℉ and position a rack in the lower third. This recipe makes two 12-inch pizzas, ingredient totals are for both pizzas. When baking, cook them one at a time for the best results.
- Shape Pizza Dough: Stretch or roll each dough ball to fit a 12-inch pizza pan. Transfer the dough to the pan, then brush the surface with ½ teaspoon olive oil.
- Sauce the Pizza: Using a ladle or flat bottomed measuring cup, cover the stretched pizza dough in sauce. Start in the middle of the pizza by pouring the sauce then using the bottom of the ladle work in a circular motion pushing sauce outward to cover the dough in sauce, leaving ½ inch at the edges bare.
- Add Ham: Sprinkle a light handful of mozzarella over the sauce, this helps anchor the toppings, then arrange 8 slices of ham evenly over the pizza.
- Add Toppings: sprinkle the remaining cheese overtop of the ham. Sprinkle pineapple, bacon and red onion over top of the cheese ensuring it is evenly distributed.
- Bake: place the pizza in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and crust is golden brown. Allow to sit for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.
