Pickle Pizza Is Real, It’s Delicious, and Yes—You Totally Need to Try It
Wait, Pickles? On Pizza?
You heard that right. Pickle pizza is officially a thing, and no—it’s not a prank or some weird pregnancy craving (though, respect if it is). It’s tangy, cheesy, garlicky, salty, and surprisingly addictive. If you love pickles and you love pizza, you’re about to experience a flavor crossover episode you didn’t know your taste buds needed.
So, why are people putting pickles on pizza? Does it actually taste good? And how the heck do you make it without ending up with a soggy dill disaster? Sit tight. I’ve got answers, tips, and plenty of opinions.
Why Pickle Pizza Works (And Why It Shouldn’t… But Does)
Pickles and Cheese Are Soulmates
Let’s break it down: Pickles are crunchy, vinegary, and salty. Cheese is rich, creamy, and melty. Put those together on a warm, garlicky base? Boom. Instant flavor bomb.
Kind of like how sharp cheddar and apple work. Or fries and ice cream. It sounds wrong until you try it—and then you can’t stop.
Garlic Sauce Is the Unsung Hero
Most dill pickle pizza recipes skip the red sauce and go with a creamy garlic sauce instead. IMO, it’s the secret sauce (literally). It gives you a buttery, savory layer that lets the pickles shine without being overpowered by tomato acid.
So yeah, it shouldn’t work—but it does. And it’s glorious.
What You’ll Need to Make Pickle Pizza
This isn’t one of those complicated, fussy recipes with weird steps like “ferment your own cheese.” It’s simple, fast, and ridiculously satisfying.
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 1 ball of pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
- Olive oil for brushing
For the garlic sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice (optional but adds extra tang)
For the toppings:
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Sliced dill pickle rounds (drained and patted dry)
- A few sprigs of fresh dill
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes or hot honey for a kick
- Optional: A sprinkle of Italian seasoning
- Optional: Small dollops of cream cheese for extra richness
FYI: Use cold, crunchy pickles, not the soft, sweet kind. Think deli-style dill slices or even spears sliced thin.
How to Make Pickle Pizza (Without Making It Weird)
Step 1: Make the Garlic Sauce
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds—don’t burn it). Stir in the flour and whisk until it forms a paste. Slowly add milk and pickle juice while whisking until smooth. Cook for a few minutes until it thickens, then stir in parmesan and salt. Remove from heat.
Pro tip: Let it cool a bit before using so it doesn’t melt the dough into a puddle.
Step 2: Prep the Dough
Preheat your oven to 475°F (or whatever your dough packaging says). Let your dough come to room temp—cold dough is annoying to stretch. Flour your hands, stretch it out on a baking sheet or pizza stone, and brush the edges with olive oil.
Step 3: Assemble Like a Boss
- Spread the garlic sauce evenly across the base.
- Sprinkle mozzarella generously over the top.
- Add sliced dill pickle rounds (don’t overlap them too much—you want them to crisp, not steam).
- Sprinkle a few crushed red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning if you like a little flair.
Step 4: Bake It
Slide it into the oven and bake for 10–13 minutes—total cook time should land you in crispy, golden perfection territory.
Step 5: Finish with Fresh Dill
Once it’s out, top with fresh dill and (if you’re a little extra like me) a drizzle of hot honey or ranch. Trust me—it slaps.
Best Pickles for Pizza (Because Yes, It Matters)
Not all pickles are created equal. And no offense to bread-and-butter pickles, but they have no place here. Sweet ones? Not gonna cut it. But according to iamhomesteader.com, thinly sliced dill pickles, proper pat‑dry technique, and a garlic sauce base topped with mozzarella and parmesan is the winning combo for homemade pickle pizza perfection.
Go For:
- Dill pickles – Tangy, salty, and classic
- Kosher dills – Bolder garlic flavor
- Spicy pickles – Adds heat without overwhelming the flavor
- Pickled jalapeños – For those who want their mouth to tingle (in a good way)
Avoid:
- Sweet pickles – They’ll make your pizza taste like regret
- Super-thick slices – They’ll steam instead of crisp
- Pickles straight from the jar – Pat them dry or they’ll drown your crust
Ever tried pickled red onions as a bonus pizza topping? Next-level.
Pickle Pizza Variations Worth Trying
Feeling creative (or reckless)? Here are some combos I’ve tried—and loved:
Dill Pickle Ranch Pizza
- Garlic sauce base
- Mozzarella + cheddar
- Pickles + fresh dill
- Ranch drizzle on top (try homemade ranch for bonus points)
Bacon Dill Explosion
- White sauce base
- Mozzarella + crispy bacon
- Pickles + a little crushed red pepper
- Drizzle of honey mustard
Vegetarian Dill Dream
- Garlic olive oil base
- Mozzarella + feta
- Pickles + red onion + artichoke hearts
- Fresh parsley + lemon zest to finish
Yes, I know. Pickles and artichokes? But don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
Where Did Pickle Pizza Even Come From?
You didn’t ask, but I’m telling you anyway.
Pickle pizza first made waves at county fairs and quirky pizzerias, with some credit going to bold menus at spots like Pizza Hut, where flavor mashups aren’t just accepted—they’re expected.
From there, it snowballed into viral TikToks, food truck menus, and now? It’s legit. Some restaurants even sell out of it daily. Wild.
NYC influencer and Caulipower founder Gail Becker also helped popularize the twist by developing a frozen dill pickle pizza inspired by Jewish delis around Manhattan, complete with a pickle‑flavored béchamel base and fresh dill.
What to Serve With Pickle Pizza
Because yes, pickle pizza deserves sides too.
- Garlic knots or pizza sliders
- A light salad with a creamy dressing
- A cold beer or a sparkling lemonade
- Something sweet after, like fruit pizza sugar cookie
Keep the rest of the meal chill. Pickle pizza already brings the party.
Tips for Pickle Pizza First-Timers
- Don’t overload on pickles – A little goes a long way
- Pat them dry – Can’t stress this enough
- Use a hot oven – It’ll crisp the crust and toast the cheese
- Balance the salt – Parmesan and pickles = salty. Skip the extra pinch.
- Try different cheeses – Mozzarella is safe, but white cheddar, fontina, or even gouda can add more character
The Pickle Pizza Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype?
Short answer? Yes.
Long answer? Heck yes.
It’s bold, it’s unexpected, and it somehow feels both gourmet and nostalgic. The garlic sauce adds richness, the pickles cut through the cheese, and every bite is a weirdly perfect mix of creamy, crispy, salty, and sour.
It’s not for everyone—but then again, neither is pineapple. And look how that turned out.
So if you’re a pickle lover and you’re not afraid to try something a little offbeat, this pickle pizza recipe should be on your “must bake” list ASAP.
Quick Recap Before You Grab the Pickles:
- Garlic white sauce > tomato sauce for pickle pizza
- Use dill pickles, thinly sliced and patted dry
- Bake hot and fast for a crispy, golden crust
- Add fresh dill after baking for a flavor boost
- Try a drizzle of hot honey, ranch, or mustard—you won’t regret it
Ready to join the pickle pizza fan club? Give it a try, and tag me if you make it—I want to see those cheesy, briny masterpieces. And if anyone gives you side-eye for putting pickles on pizza? Just smile and hand them a slice. They’ll understand after the first bite.
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