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Get ready for a bold and smoky twist on pizza night! This Barbecue Bacon Pizza combines crispy bacon, sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, melty cheeses, and a hint of smoke that makes each bite unforgettable. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for cookouts, game nights, or family dinners.
🕒 Prep Time & Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Total Time: ~30 minutes
- Servings: 4 (makes one 12-inch pizza)
- Skill Level: Easy
- Dish Type: Main Course, Pizza
🔧 Equipment Needed
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
- Rolling pin (if using fresh dough)
- Skillet or microwave (to cook bacon)
- Pizza cutter or sharp knife
- Oven or grill (for smoky option)
🧂 Ingredients
Base & Sauce:
- 1 ball of pizza dough (homemade or store-bought, about 12–16 oz)
- ½ cup smoky barbecue sauce (like hickory or mesquite-style)
Toppings:
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken (optional for extra protein)
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded smoked gouda or sharp cheddar
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish
- Optional: Pickled jalapeños or red pepper flakes (for spice)
📌 Ingredient Notes
- Bacon: Thick-cut is best for texture and flavor.
- Barbecue Sauce: Go smoky and bold. You can mix with a little hot sauce if desired.
- Smoked Cheese: Smoked gouda adds a deep flavor, but sharp cheddar works well too.
- Dough: Let it rest at room temp for 30 min if using refrigerated dough.
👨🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Prep Oven or Grill
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
- For a smoky flavor boost: grill the pizza over indirect heat with the lid closed.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
- On a floured surface, roll dough into a 12-inch round or rectangle. Transfer to a sheet of parchment paper.
Step 3: Build the Pizza
- Spread barbecue sauce evenly over the dough.
- Top with mozzarella and smoked gouda.
- Add cooked bacon, red onion slices, and optional chicken or jalapeños.
Step 4: Bake or Grill
- Transfer pizza (on parchment) to the hot pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- If grilling, cook over indirect heat for 10–14 minutes, checking regularly.
Step 5: Garnish & Serve
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro or parsley. Slice and serve hot.
🧮 Nutrition Facts (Per slice, based on 8 slices)
- Calories: ~310
- Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 28g
- Protein: 14g
- Sodium: ~600mg
(Estimated, varies by brand and portion size.)
💡 Tips
- Make it extra smoky: Add a few drops of liquid smoke to the BBQ sauce or use smoked meats.
- Crispier crust: Brush edges of dough with olive oil before baking.
- Spicy version: Add sliced jalapeños or drizzle with hot honey post-bake.
- Easy cleanup: Use parchment under the pizza to transfer and bake with less mess.
🔄 Variations
- BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza: Swap chicken for pulled pork for a Southern-style twist.
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the bacon and chicken; use grilled veggies and smoked cheese.
- Mini Pizzas: Use naan or pita rounds to make personal BBQ pizzas.
- Gluten-Free: Use a GF pizza crust or cauliflower base.
