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Crispy Outdoor Pizza Party Recipe Easy Homemade Dough and Fresh Toppings

crispy outdoor pizza party recipe - featured image

A simple and delicious recipe for homemade pizza dough grilled outdoors, featuring fresh toppings and a crispy yet chewy crust perfect for backyard gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm water (around 110°F / 43°C)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) canned crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 8 ounces (225g) mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced
  • 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • Olive oil for drizzling
  • Optional toppings: sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by combining warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast in a large mixing bowl. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add flour sparingly if dough is too sticky.
  4. Lightly oil the mixing bowl, place dough inside, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours until doubled in size.
  5. While dough rises, simmer crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until thickened. Stir in chopped fresh basil and remove from heat.
  6. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 450°F / 230°C). Place pizza stone on grill if using.
  7. Punch down dough and divide into two equal portions. Roll or stretch each into a 12-inch (30cm) circle on a floured surface.
  8. Lightly oil one side of dough and place oil-side down on grill or pizza stone. Close lid and cook for 2-3 minutes until grill marks appear and crust firms.
  9. Flip dough carefully, spread a thin layer of sauce, add mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, red onion slices, and other toppings. Close lid and cook for 4-5 minutes until cheese melts and edges crisp.
  10. Remove pizza from grill, drizzle with olive oil and fresh basil leaves. Let rest for a minute before slicing. Repeat with second dough ball.

Notes

Keep grill grates lightly oiled to prevent sticking. Use a spray bottle of water to control flare-ups on charcoal grills. Don’t overload toppings to avoid soggy dough. Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. If no grill is available, bake pizzas on a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in a 475°F (245°C) oven for 10-12 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: outdoor pizza, grilled pizza, homemade pizza dough, backyard party, fresh toppings, easy pizza recipe, crispy crust pizza