Grilled flatbread pizza is one of my favorite summertime meals. I try to avoid heating up the oven as much as I can when the mercury is rising, so each Friday in the spring and summer, I head outside and cook our weekly pizza dinner on the grill! The combination of fresh veggies with smoky grilled dough and melty cheese—it’s just the perfect summer dinner.
When I make flatbread pizza on the grill, I want a crust that is light, airy, thin, and has a bit of a sourdough tang to it—and that’s exactly what this flatbread dough will you get you. The dough does take some time to put together— for a chewy and tangy crust, it requires three hours of rising time—but the time is totally worth it. I can safely say that this is the absolute best pizza we’ve ever made.
Grilling pizza is a bit different from oven-baking it, and it definitely requires some getting used to. I’m an old pro at it now, but if you’re new to it, here are a few tips:
- Oil. Lots of oil. Before your dough touches the grill, it needs to be well covered in olive oil. And again when you flip it. I use a pastry brush to make sure to coat every nook and cranny.
- Mise en place. Make sure all of your toppings, cheese, and sauce are ready to go before you start grilling. Once the bread hits the grill, the cooking process moves very fast. If you are making multiple pizzas, having a plate ready for each pizza helps to make things move more smoothly.
- Cook your toppings. The pizza will only be on the grill long enough to melt the cheese, so any toppings that need to be cooked will need to be done beforehand. Sauté your peppers and onions, and brown or cook any meat.
- Embrace the rustic look. These pizzas won’t be perfectly round or perfectly formed. They are going to be gloriously rustic and organic—which I think makes them look even more beautiful!
As far as toppings go, you’re only limited by your imagination and what’s stocked in your fridge! Some of my favorite combos are:
- Marinara with bacon, caramelized onions, goat cheese, and mozzarella
- Pesto with cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella
- Marinara with mushrooms, spinach, and goat cheese (this is the one that’s pictured here)
- Barbecue sauce, chicken, and red onions
When we’re camping, we’ve even been known to make these pizzas over a grate on the campfire! You have to make sure the coals are really well-established (no big flames!) and keep a close eye on them, but it’s the best darn camping meal you’ll ever have! It’s also great for camping because you can have everything prepped ahead of time and stashed in baggies in the cooler—just pull out your dough and toppings and get going. Enjoy!
Grilled Flatbread Pizza
Grilled Flatbread Pizza will put all your pizza delivery options to shame. Choose any toppings you like to customize your grilled masterpiece!
Ingredients
For the Flatbread:
- 1 1/2 cups (350 grams) warm water
- 2 teaspoons (16 grams) honey
- 1 teaspoon (4 grams) active dry yeast
- 4 cups (460 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (6 grams) kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons (27 grams) olive oil
For Grilling and Topping the Pizzas:
- Olive oil
- Toppings of your choosing
Instructions
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Mix the water and honey in the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle the yeast on top and set aside for 10-15 minutes, until foamy.
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Add two cups of the flour and gently mix until thoroughly incorporated. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place for an hour.
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Add the salt, oil, and remaining two cups of flour, and mix with a dough hook for 5-7 minutes to knead the dough. Coat the dough in oil, place it in a clean bowl, and cover it with plastic wrap. Set the dough in a warm place to rise for about an hour, or until approximately doubled in size.
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Punch the dough down with floured hands and divide it into four discs. Place the discs on a lightly floured baking sheet, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and set aside to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
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When you are ready to cook, preheat the grill to high. Flour your hands and spread each dough disc into a thin oval, allowing a little thickness around the edges. Brush olive oil onto the top of each dough oval. Carefully place pizza dough on the grill, oiled side down. Close the grill and let cook for 2-3 minutes.
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Brush the tops of the dough with oil, carefully flip, and layer on your desired toppings.
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Close the grill and cook for 2-3 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Remove from the grill, slice, and serve hot.
Notes
You can use any combination of toppings that you like. Just make sure all meats and vegetables (other than tender baby greens) are cooked beforehand, since they will not have time to cook fully on the grill. Have all your toppings ready to go right next to the grill since the cooking process moves very quickly once the dough hits the grates.
If your pizza is starting to look charred on the bottom but is not as browned as you like on top, transfer it to a broiler-safe pan and finish under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, checking frequently.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 flatbreadAmount Per Serving: Calories: 550Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 152mgCarbohydrates: 96gFiber: 4gSugar: 0gProtein: 13g
At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.
