Pizza on the grill – more than just a trend

In addition to steaks, sausages and vegetables, ingredients for homemade pizzas are increasingly on the shopping list in Germany before the grill evening. Whether it’s pizza on the gas grill or on the electric grill – preparation requires barely any effort and is guaranteed to leave everyone enjoying the Italian way of life. And another advantage: There are virtually no limits to the variety of recipes.

Requirements for grilling pizza 

You need a certain amount of basic equipment to make pizza. These include: a grill with lid and a pizza stone, a pizza tray or a pizza oven for the grill.

Pizza accessories such as a pizza cutter and pizza peel are also recommended. This allows you to transfer the dough to the pizza stone with ease, remove finished pizzas undamaged and cut them into perfect pieces.

Pizza stone, pizza tray or pizza oven – which is better?

The choice between a pizza stone, pizza tray or pizza oven depends on your preferences. All versions can be prepared with a grill lid in place.

Classic Italian pizza dough

For 4 people you need the following ingredients:

• 1,000g flour type 00
• 500 ml water Mineral water
• 24 ml olive oil
• 30g salt
• 1.2g fresh yeast 

Use the pizza oven on the grill: This is how it works

Our guide explains the most important steps for cooking with our pizza oven:

1.      Prepare the pizza dough: The pizza dough becomes particularly smooth and fluffy with a mixture of lukewarm water, fresh yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured work surface and cover it.

2.      Preheat the grill and pizza oven: Place our pizza oven with pizza stone on the hot grill for 20 to 30 minutes to preheat with the grill lid closed. As a result, the stone later releases the temperature evenly and prevents the pizza from sticking. To make it easier to release the pizza later, dust the stone with flour before placing the pizza on top of it.

3.      Put the pizza in the oven: Once the pizza has reached operating temperature, slide it onto the hot pizza stone. A pizza peel is suitable for this.

Pizza on the gas grill, electric grill or charcoal grill

The following differences should be noted when preparing pizza with different types of grill:

Inspiration for delicious pizza toppings

Be inspired by our creative recipe ideas:

Classic pizza toppings

For traditional pizza toppings, you need a classic tomato sauce made from tomatoes, tomato puree, olive oil, salt, pepper and sugar. You can also combine the following ingredients, which are also suitable for vegetarian toppings:

• Fresh tomatoes
• Mild or spicy cheese
• Savoury salami
• Cooked ham or cured ham
• Mushrooms
• Artichokes
• Seafood
• Fish
• Olives
• Onions
• Paprika
• Aubergines
• Courgette

Unusual pizza ideas

Can it be more unusual? Then try out some unusual pizza toppings:

• Combine toppings made from fish such as zander with sun-dried tomatoes and use dough made from spelt flour
• Instead of salami or ham, use a sauce made from cream cheese and ajvar pepper paste, as well as minced meat plus chopped peppers
• Creative vegetarian: Enjoy a savoury topping with gorgonzola, radicchio, pear slices and herbs – such as rosemary plus thyme

Our Char-Broil special recipe “Mario’s Nightmare”

In our recipe “Mario’s Nightmare” you use an original topping consisting of sour cream, grilled tomato, wild herbs and beef fillet carpaccio.

Our guide offers you essential tips on how to avoid grilling mistakes, achieve the best flavour and serve pizza perfectly:

1. Avoid grill mistakes

Clean pizza stones regularly and preheat them. This prevents sticking and guarantees even baking all round. Use suitable grill accessories – such as a pizza peel and pizza cutter. Particularly important: Indirect heat only for pizza baking.

2. Refine flavour

For an aromatic pizza flavour, we recommend fresh ingredients – such as tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, courgettes, artichokes and peppers. Melting, mild cheese such as mozzarella or spicy cheese such as Parmesan or Pecorino and homemade tomato sauce also enhance the overall flavour profile. Salt, pepper, olive oil, oregano or other herbs are suitable for adding flavour to the dough.

3. Serving tips for pizza

For clean slicing, leave the pizza to cool briefly before serving. It is best to cut them on a chopping board that serves as a serving platter. Garnish with decorative basil leaves or ham as desired. Why not complement the pizza with delicious salads, bread, baguettes and dips or sauces.

Fresh pizzas offer greater variety on the grill

Pizza, fresh from the grill – no problem with the right pizza stone, pizza tray or pizza oven. With nicely browned, crispy pizza, you can provide culinary variety, because everyone can top their own pizza as they wish. As there is even space on the grill next to the pizza stone or oven, you don’t have to do without sausages or grilled vegetables.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about “Grilling pizza”