Barbecue Bacon Pizza

This pizza happened when I was trying to recreate that amazing BBQ pizza from this little place near my college that I'd been craving for years. I remembered it had this perfect balance of smoky barbecue sauce, crispy bacon, and just the right amount of tangy red onion that made every bite incredible. After several attempts at getting the flavors right, I finally nailed it with this combination that tastes even better than I remembered. The barbecue sauce replaces traditional pizza sauce and creates this sweet-smoky base that pairs perfectly with salty bacon and sharp cheddar cheese. Each slice delivers that perfect pizza shop taste but made in your own kitchen.

My brother-in-law, who's pretty traditional about pizza and usually only wants pepperoni, tried this at our game day party and ended up eating three slices. He kept saying he couldn't believe how good barbecue sauce was on pizza and asked me to make it again for his birthday. Even my teenage daughter's friends, who are normally pretty picky, were asking if I could teach them how to make it.

What Goes Inside

• Good pizza dough - I buy the fresh stuff from the grocery store deli counter because it tastes way better than frozen
• Smoky barbecue sauce - This replaces regular pizza sauce and is really the star of the whole thing
• Crispy bacon - Cooked until it's nice and crunchy so it adds texture instead of being chewy
• Two kinds of cheese - Mozzarella for that classic pizza stretch and cheddar for sharp flavor
• Red onion - Sliced thin so it gets slightly caramelized and adds that perfect tangy bite

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Getting It Perfect

Prep Work

Heat your oven to 475 degrees, and if you have a pizza stone, stick it in there to get screaming hot. This high heat is what creates that crispy, bubbly crust that makes homemade pizza actually taste professional instead of like cardboard.

Dough Preparation

Roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface to whatever thickness you prefer - I like mine somewhere between thin and thick crust. Transfer it to parchment paper because this makes getting it in and out of the oven so much easier without making a mess.

Pre-baking Step

Here's the key step that most people skip - pre-bake the crust for 5 to 7 minutes until it's just starting to turn golden. This prevents the bottom from getting soggy when you add all those wet toppings, and it's what separates good homemade pizza from disappointing homemade pizza.

Building the Pizza

Spread your barbecue sauce evenly over the pre-baked crust, leaving about an inch border around the edges for that perfect crust. Don't go crazy with the sauce - you want enough for flavor but not so much that it makes everything soggy. Sprinkle the cooked bacon pieces all over, then add both cheeses, and finish with the thinly sliced red onion.

Final Baking

Slide the whole thing, parchment paper and all, onto your hot pizza stone or just put it on a regular baking sheet if that's what you have. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden and the crust looks perfect.

Finishing Touches

Let it cool for just a few minutes before slicing - this keeps the cheese from sliding off in one big sheet when you cut it. If you want to get fancy, sprinkle some fresh cilantro or parsley on top for color and freshness.

I used to skip the pre-baking step thinking it was unnecessary, but after ending up with soggy, disappointing pizza too many times, I learned it really does make all the difference. Also, I used to put way too much barbecue sauce on thinking more was better, but it just made everything slide around and taste overwhelming.

Perfect Pairings

This pizza is rich and flavorful enough to be the star of any meal, but it's great with a simple green salad to cut through all that smoky, cheesy goodness. Cold beer is basically mandatory with barbecue pizza, though iced tea or lemonade work great too. For parties, I like to make this alongside a regular pepperoni pizza so everyone has options.

Creative Variations

Try adding some grilled chicken for extra protein and to make it more like traditional barbecue chicken pizza. Different barbecue sauces create completely different flavors - try a spicy one or a sweeter Kansas City style. Some people love adding pineapple for that Hawaiian twist, and I have to admit it's pretty good. Jalapeños add heat if that's your thing.

Storage Solutions

This is definitely best eaten fresh and hot, but leftovers reheat really well in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes to crisp the crust back up. Never microwave pizza if you can help it because it makes the crust chewy and gross. You can also freeze individual slices wrapped in foil for quick lunches later.

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This barbecue bacon pizza has become our family's signature homemade pizza because it tastes like something from a real pizzeria but we can make it exactly how we like it. It proves that sometimes the best comfort foods come from just experimenting with familiar ingredients in new ways. The combination of sweet, smoky, and salty flavors creates something that satisfies everyone around the table. Every time I make it, I'm reminded that homemade pizza can actually be better than takeout when you use good ingredients and the right techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use store-bought pizza dough?

Absolutely! Store-bought pizza dough works perfectly for this recipe and saves time. You can find it in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores.

→ What type of barbecue sauce works best?

A smoky barbecue sauce works best for this pizza, but you can experiment with different types like sweet, tangy, or spicy BBQ sauce to find your favorite.

→ Do I need to pre-cook the bacon?

Yes, make sure to cook the bacon until crispy before adding it to the pizza. This ensures it doesn't make the pizza soggy and gives you that perfect crispy texture.

→ Can I add other toppings?

Sure! Try adding grilled chicken, pineapple, jalapeños, or bell peppers. Just be careful not to overload the pizza or it may not cook evenly.

→ How do I get a crispier crust?

Pre-bake the crust for 5-7 minutes before adding toppings, use a pizza stone if you have one, and brush the edges with olive oil before the final bake.