Sizzling Homemade Grilled Pizza Recipe: Backyard Flavor Magic

Pizza nights reach new heights when you master this homemade grilled pizza technique that breaks traditional kitchen boundaries.

Crispy crusts develop incredible flavor from direct flame contact.

Backyard cooking transforms simple ingredients into restaurant-quality masterpieces.

Fresh herbs and seasonal toppings create personalized culinary experiences.

Charcoal and wood chips infuse smoky nuances into every slice.

Weekend cooking becomes an adventure with this method.

Why Homemade Grilled Pizza Is a Hit

• Craft a Unique Culinary Experience: Grilling pizza transforms ordinary cooking into an exciting outdoor adventure, letting you create restaurant-quality pizzas with smoky, crispy perfection right in your backyard.
• Master Simple Homemade Dough: Making pizza dough from scratch is surprisingly straightforward, requiring just a few basic ingredients and minimal kitchen skills, perfect for beginner cooks wanting to impress family and friends.
• Customize Your Flavor Playground: This recipe offers total flexibility with toppings, allowing everyone to personalize their pizza and experiment with different combinations, making it an interactive and fun meal for gatherings or family dinners.
• Quick and Fresh Cooking Method: Grilling pizza takes significantly less time compared to traditional oven baking, delivering a crispy crust and melted toppings faster while keeping your kitchen cool during warm weather.

Ingredients for Homemade Grilled Pizza

• Warm Water: Essential liquid that activates the yeast and helps form the dough structure.
• Sugar: Provides food for the yeast to help it rise and create a soft texture.
• Active Dry Yeast: Crucial ingredient that makes the dough rise and develop a light, airy consistency.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary ingredient that creates the pizza dough's structure and body.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and helps control yeast growth.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds a rich, smooth flavor to the pizza dough.

• Cheese, Tomato Sauce, Vegetables, Meats: Customizable ingredients that allow personal pizza creation and flavor variation.

How to Grill Pizza at Home

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast.

Gently stir until the yeast dissolves completely.

Allow the mixture to rest for 5-10 minutes, watching it transform into a bubbly, foamy concoction that signals the yeast is alive and ready.

Step 2: Form the Pizza Dough

Sprinkle salt into the yeast mixture and gradually incorporate flour.

Mix thoroughly until a cohesive dough begins to take shape.

The ingredients will slowly blend into a unified mass that’s ready for the next stage of transformation.

Step 3: Knead the Dough to Perfection

Transfer the dough onto a flour-dusted surface.

Begin kneading with purpose, working the dough for 8-10 minutes.

Your goal is a smooth, elastic texture that feels soft and pliable beneath your hands.

The dough should become silky and responsive to your touch.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Place the kneaded dough into a lightly oiled bowl.

Drape a damp cloth over the top to create a nurturing environment.

Position the bowl in a warm, draft-free spot and allow the dough to expand and rise for 1-1.5 hours.

You’ll know it’s ready when the dough has doubled in size.

Step 5: Prepare the Grill

Fire up the grill to medium-high heat.

Ensure the cooking surface is clean and well-prepared for your pizza adventure.

Step 6: Shape the Pizza Bases

Punch down the risen dough to release trapped air.

Divide the dough into individual portions.

Roll out each section on a flour-covered surface, creating your desired pizza shape and thickness.

Step 7: Grill the First Side

Brush one side of each dough base with olive oil.

Carefully place the oiled side directly on the grill grates.

Cook for 2-3 minutes until crispy grill marks appear and the bottom turns golden brown.

Step 8: Flip and Finish the Base

Brush the top side with olive oil.

Flip the pizza base and continue grilling for an additional 2-3 minutes.

The goal is a perfectly crisp, slightly charred foundation.

Step 9: Add Toppings and Final Cooking

• Tomato sauce
• Cheese
• Herbs
• Vegetables
• Meats

Return the topped pizzas to the grill’s indirect heat zone.

Cook until the cheese melts and toppings are heated through, creating a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Tips for Perfect Grilled Pizza

• Check for a foamy, bubbly surface after 5-10 minutes to ensure your yeast is active and ready for pizza magic.
• Work the dough thoroughly for 8-10 minutes to develop gluten, creating a stretchy, smooth texture that guarantees a crispy crust.
• Generously brush olive oil on both sides of the dough to prevent burning and achieve beautiful golden-brown grill marks.
• After initial grilling, move pizza to cooler grill zones to melt cheese and cook toppings without charring the crust.
• Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot like near a preheated oven to help it rise faster and more consistently.

Flavor Variations for Grilled Pizza

• Whole Wheat Wonder: Replace half the white flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, more nutritious pizza crust that adds extra fiber and depth of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Grill Master: Swap traditional flour with a gluten-free blend made from rice flour, cornstarch, and xanthan gum to create a crispy crust suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Cauliflower Crust Creation: Substitute the traditional dough with a low-carb cauliflower crust by mixing riced cauliflower, eggs, and cheese for a lighter, vegetable-based alternative that's perfect for keto dieters.

Serving Homemade Grilled Pizza

• Pizza Party Platter: Create a colorful spread with multiple grilled pizza varieties to encourage sharing and tasting different flavor combinations.
• Backyard Barbecue Companion: Pair the pizza with fresh summer salads, grilled vegetables, or chilled craft beers for a complete outdoor dining experience.
• Family-Style Feast: Cut pizzas into smaller slices and arrange on a large wooden board, allowing everyone to sample different topping styles and enjoy a casual, interactive meal.
• Seasonal Topping Adventure: Use fresh, local ingredients like farmers market produce or herbs from your garden to customize pizzas and make each grilling session unique.

Storing Grilled Pizza Leftovers

• Store leftover grilled pizza in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between slices to prevent sticking. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen pizza stays good for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place pizza slices on a baking sheet, cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying. Warm for 8-10 minutes until heated through and crispy.

FAQs

• How do I know if my yeast is active?

Mix the yeast with warm water and sugar. If it becomes foamy and bubbly after 5-10 minutes, your yeast is alive and ready to use. If nothing happens, the yeast might be old or expired.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough a day before. After kneading, place it in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Let it come to room temperature before grilling.

• What temperature should the grill be for pizza?

Set your grill to medium-high heat, around 450-500°F. This ensures a crispy crust and nice grill marks without burning the dough.

Homemade Grilled Pizza Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Irresistible homemade grilled pizza brings Italian street flavor right to backyard cookouts. Crispy crust, melted cheese, and fresh toppings create a perfect summer meal you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pizza Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups warm water (95-110°F / 35-43°C)
• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Grilling and Finishing:

• 1/2 cup olive oil (for brushing before grilling)

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by mixing warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Allow the mixture to become frothy and bubbly for 5-10 minutes.
2. Incorporate salt and flour into the activated yeast, stirring until a cohesive dough forms.
3. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead vigorously for 8-10 minutes, developing a smooth and elastic texture.
4. Coat a clean bowl with light olive oil, place the dough inside, and drape with a damp cloth. Let the dough rise in a warm environment for 1-1.5 hours until it doubles in volume.
5. Heat the grill to medium-high temperature, creating an ideal cooking surface around 400-450°F.
6. Deflate the risen dough by gently pressing down, then separate into individual portions.
7. Stretch and roll each dough portion on a floured surface, creating thin, even circles.
8. Brush one surface of each dough circle with olive oil and carefully position the oiled side directly on the grill grates.
9. Grill the first side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown grill marks appear, then oil the opposite side and flip.
10. Cook the second side for an additional 2-3 minutes, then transfer to indirect heat zone.
11. Quickly add preferred toppings and continue grilling until cheese melts and ingredients are thoroughly heated.

Notes

• Check yeast freshness by ensuring it becomes foamy and bubbly, indicating active fermentation for perfect pizza dough rise.
• Work dough on a well-floured surface to prevent sticking and achieve smooth, elastic texture that stretches easily without tearing.
• Use high-heat resistant toppings like pre-cooked meats, quick-melting cheeses, and thinly sliced vegetables to prevent burning during grilling.
• Clean grill grates thoroughly and oil lightly to prevent sticking and create beautiful char marks without tearing delicate pizza crust.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 198
• Sugar: 4.5 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 3 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1.3 g
• Protein: 5.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg