Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham – Sweet & Savory Delight

This might be the most deliciously surprising combo you’ll ever try—sweet pineapple mingling with savory ham on a melty cheese canvas. If you’re searching for that perfect balance, this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe has got you covered with tips and tricks straight from my kitchen.

A pizza is shown with five slices, each topped with a golden-brown crust at the bottom layer, spread with a smooth red tomato sauce layer, followed by a melted white cheese layer that slightly bubbles and browns on top. Small chunks of pink ham and yellow pineapple pieces are evenly spread over the cheese, with bits of green herbs sprinkled on top for color. The pizza rests on a crinkled white parchment paper, which is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I know that Hawaiian pizza can be a bit divisive, but honestly, when done right, it’s a flavor combination that’s hard to beat. What I love about this particular Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe is how every bite hits that perfect sweet, salty, and cheesy note. Plus, it’s really simple to make from scratch or adapt with store-bought ingredients.

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The juicy pineapple chunks paired with savory ham and smoky bacon create a mouthwatering contrast.
Customizable and Easy: Whether you’re a kitchen pro or just starting out, this recipe is flexible and forgiving.
Crunchy Garlic Parmesan Crust: That garlic butter brushed crust adds an amazing depth of flavor and crispiness.
Great for Any Occasion: Weeknight dinner, game day, or casual get-togethers—this pizza always impresses.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Getting your ingredients right really makes this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe shine. Each component brings something special to the table, from the tangy sauce to the melty cheese and sweet pineapple that isn't too wet.

Flat lay of a smooth round ball of pizza dough, a small white bowl of bright red pizza sauce, a few slices of fresh pink cooked ham, several golden yellow pineapple chunks, four crispy cooked bacon strips crumbled into pieces, a small mound of shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese, a small white bowl with melted butter, a small white bowl of finely grated Parmesan cheese, a small white bowl with pale garlic powder, scattered bright red pepper flakes, a few sprigs of fresh green parsley, and a few sprigs of fresh green oregano placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pizza dough: Using a good quality dough—homemade or store-bought—gives you the perfect chewy base that crisps nicely in a hot oven.
Pizza sauce: A flavorful tomato-based sauce acts as that essential backdrop, balancing the sweet and salty toppings.
Ham: Choose cooked ham or Canadian bacon for that tender, smoky meatiness that pairs beautifully with pineapple.
Pineapple chunks: Make sure to drain and pat these dry—excess moisture can make your crust soggy, and who wants that?
Bacon: Crispy cooked and crumbled bacon amps up the savory factor and adds textural contrast.
Mozzarella cheese: Low moisture, whole milk mozzarella melts beautifully without turning runny, giving that perfect gooey layer.
Melted butter, Parmesan, garlic powder: These turn the crust into an irresistible garlic parmesan crust—seriously, don’t skip this step!
Garnishes: Red pepper flakes, parsley, and oregano add the final touch of flavor and color.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I enjoy most about this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe is how easy it is to tweak depending on what you have on hand or how adventurous you’re feeling. I love trying little changes that keep it fresh every time I make it.

Variation: Sometimes I swap ham for Canadian bacon or even prosciutto for a different salty kick—it’s delicious either way.
Spice it up: Adding a drizzle of BBQ sauce mixed in with the pizza sauce gives it a smoky twist I can’t get enough of.
Vegetarian option: Leave out the ham and bacon, and load up on mushrooms or roasted red peppers for a veggie-packed pizza.
Cheese choices: Mixing in some sharp cheddar or smoked gouda with the mozzarella adds a wonderful depth to the melt.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe

The image shows a round pizza with six slices placed on white parchment paper on a round wooden board. The pizza has a thick golden crust. The first bottom layer is red tomato sauce spread evenly, topped with a layer of melted yellowish cheese. On top, there are various toppings including chunks of yellow pineapple and square pieces of brown ham. There are also small bits of crisp bacon scattered throughout. The cheese is slightly browned in places, with small spots of green herbs sprinkled on top for garnish. The pizza looks warm and fresh. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Get that oven blazing hot & prep your pineapple

I always preheat my oven to 450°F (or 230°C). If you have a pizza stone, pop it in now to get nice and hot—that really helps the crust brown evenly and crisp up beautifully. Meanwhile, slice your pineapple chunks thinner and lay them between paper towels to soak up any extra juice. Trust me, this step makes a big difference in keeping your crust crisp rather than soggy.

Step 2: Shape the dough and add your toppings

Roll or stretch your room temp pizza dough out into a 12-inch circle. I like to lightly poke holes in it with a fork—this stops those annoying big air bubbles from puffing up too much while baking. Spread your pizza sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle on the mozzarella. Add the ham, pineapple, and bacon bits on top, distributing them evenly. This layering ensures every bite is bursting with flavor.

Step 3: Bake and brush on that garlic parmesan crust

Pop your pizza in the oven and bake for about 13 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown. While it’s baking, mix melted butter with Parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Once you pull the pizza out, brush this mixture generously over just the crust edges. Then bake for another 2-3 minutes to get that crust golden and crispy with a garlicky kick.

Step 4: Garnish and enjoy

Right after it comes out of the oven, sprinkle red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and oregano leaves on top. These little touches brighten the flavors and add freshness. Slice it up and serve hot—you’ll want to savor every bite!

Top Tip

From all the times I’ve made this Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe, a few simple tips saved me from common pitfalls—especially dealing with soggy crusts or bland flavors. Here are my go-to pointers to help you nail it every time.

Dry Pineapple Thoroughly: Always slice and pat pineapple dry with paper towels; leftover juice is the #1 reason for soggy crust.
Use Low Moisture Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella may sound fancy but it releases too much water—low moisture shredded mozzarella melts better and keeps your pizza flawless.
Preheat Your Baking Surface: For a crispy crust, heat your pizza stone or inverted baking sheet in the oven before baking the pizza.
Brush the Crust Late: Adding the garlic butter crust coating after the main baking prevents burning and ensures maximum flavor without sogginess.

How to Serve Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe

The image shows two stages of making a pizza on a white marbled surface. On the left, there is a round, flat dough with a soft, pale beige color, and a woman's hand holding a spoon spreading bright red tomato sauce over the upper half of the dough. The texture of the sauce is smooth with some visible herbs. On the right, the same round dough covered halfway with the same red tomato sauce is topped with an even layer of shredded light cream cheese being placed by a woman's hand, spreading the cheese mostly over the sauced half in thin, stringy pieces. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping the pizza with fresh parsley and oregano because they brighten up the rich flavors. Red pepper flakes add a little heat and a nice pop of color, but I keep them optional for the kids. A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the crust can also elevate the savory notes beautifully.

Side Dishes

To balance the pizza, I usually serve a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some garlic roasted broccoli. On game day, simple carrot sticks and a ranch dip fit perfectly with the casual vibe. If you want to go all out, a side of tangy coleslaw cuts through the richness of the cheese and ham.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like slicing the pizza into smaller bites and placing them on a wooden board with little bowls of extra red pepper flakes and fresh herbs for guests to add. Layering the pizza on a bright colorful platter with pineapple leaves adds a tropical feel that’s fun and festive!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After you’ve enjoyed your pizza, wrap any leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or put them in an airtight container. I keep mine in the fridge for up to 3 days and usually reheat slices individually so the crust stays crisp. Make sure the pizza is completely cooled before storing—that prevents condensation and sogginess.

Freezing

This Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe freezes wonderfully if you want to prep in advance. Flash freeze individual slices on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating for best results.

Reheating

The best way I found to reheat pizza without losing that fresh-baked quality is to place slices on a rimmed baking sheet, cover loosely with foil (to keep moisture in), and bake at 275°F for about 25-30 minutes. This reheats evenly and keeps the crust crisp without drying out the toppings.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Absolutely! Fresh pineapple can be even better, but make sure to slice it thin and pat very dry. Fresh pineapple tends to have higher moisture, so the drying step is crucial to avoid a soggy crust.

What’s the best cheese to use for this pizza?

Low moisture, whole milk mozzarella is the way to go because it melts evenly without releasing too much water. Avoid fresh mozzarella unless you make sure it’s very well drained, as it can make the pizza watery.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Definitely! You can prepare your pizza dough up to 24 hours ahead and keep it refrigerated, just bring it to room temperature before shaping. Store-bought dough also works great for saving time, especially if you’re short on time.

How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?

The biggest trick is to drain and pat dry your pineapple to remove excess juice. Also, brushing garlic butter on the crust near the end of baking adds a barrier that helps it stay crisp. Baking on a hot surface like a pizza stone makes a big difference too.

Final Thoughts

This Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of laid-back nights with family and friends, sharing good food and laughter. It’s approachable, comforting, and has just enough twist to keep things interesting. I really hope you give it a try—you may just discover your new favorite pizza combo!