Blackstone Pizza Recipe (Crispy, Backyard-Style Flat Top Pizza)
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 pound prepared pizza dough, room temperature.
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, for dusting.
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal (optional, for extra crispiness).
- 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Pizza Sauce
- ½ cup pizza sauce.
Cheese
- 8 ounces shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese.
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese.
Toppings
- 20 slices pepperoni.
- ¼ cup sliced mushrooms.
- ¼ cup sliced bell peppers.
- 2 tablespoons sliced black olives.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
Optional Ingredients
- Crushed red pepper flakes.
- Fresh basil leaves.
- Garlic butter for brushing the crust.
- Cooked Italian sausage.
- Bacon crumbles.
- Diced onions.
- Jalapeno slices.
- Extra mozzarella cheese.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Use store-bought naan or flatbread instead of pizza dough for a faster meal.
- Marinara sauce works well if pizza sauce isn’t available.
- Provolone, Monterey Jack, or an Italian cheese blend can replace mozzarella.
- Turkey pepperoni makes a lighter option.
- Gluten-free pizza dough works if needed.
- Avocado oil can replace olive oil for higher heat cooking.
Equipment Needed
- Blackstone flat top griddle.
- Metal spatula.
- Pizza peel or large cutting board.
- Rolling pin (optional).
- Mixing bowl.
- Measuring cups.
- Measuring spoons.
- Bench scraper (optional).
- Long tongs.
- Cheese grater (if using block cheese).
- Pizza cutter.
- Cutting board.
- Instant-read thermometer (optional).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Remove the pizza dough from the refrigerator about 30 to 45 minutes before cooking so it can relax. Room-temperature dough stretches much easier and won’t spring back as much.
Lightly dust your work surface with flour and gently stretch the dough into a 10 to 12-inch circle or rectangle. Don’t press too hard because you want to keep some air bubbles in the dough.
The dough should stretch easily without tearing.
Using cold dough, which is difficult to shape.
Step 2: Preheat the Blackstone
Cooking Temperature: 425°F to 450°F.
Turn one side of your Blackstone griddle to medium-high heat while leaving another section on low heat. This gives you a hot cooking zone and a cooler finishing zone.
Lightly coat the cooking surface with olive oil.
A drop of water should quickly sizzle and evaporate.
Too much oil can make the crust greasy.
Step 3: Cook the First Side
Place the stretched dough directly onto the hot griddle.
Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes without moving it.
The bottom should develop golden brown spots while the top begins to puff slightly.
Brush the uncooked side lightly with olive oil.
The bottom should be crisp with light char marks.
Flipping too early before the crust sets.
Step 4: Flip the Dough
Using a large metal spatula, carefully flip the crust.
Immediately move the pizza to the lower-heat side of the griddle.
Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the cooked side, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edges.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Toppings
Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
Add Parmesan, pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, olives, and Italian seasoning.
Keep toppings fairly light so the crust cooks evenly.
Too many toppings can make the center soggy.
Step 6: Melt the Cheese
Close the Blackstone lid if available. If not, cover the pizza with a large metal dome.
Cook for another 4 to 6 minutes.
The trapped heat melts the cheese while finishing the crust.
Cheese should be fully melted and bubbling. The crust should feel firm and crisp underneath.
Step 7: Finish the Pizza
Remove the pizza from the griddle using a spatula.
Brush the crust with garlic butter if desired.
Top with fresh basil or red pepper flakes.
Let the pizza rest for about 2 to 3 minutes before slicing.
This short resting time helps the cheese set for cleaner slices.
Nutrition Facts
Cost To Make This Recipe
Item – Estimated Cost (USD).
Pizza dough – $2.50.
Pizza sauce – $1.25.
Mozzarella cheese – $3.50.
Parmesan cheese – $0.75.
Pepperoni – $2.50.
Vegetables – $2.00.
Olive oil, flour, and seasonings – $0.75.
Estimated Total Recipe Cost
Approximately $13.25 USD.
Estimated Cost Per Serving
Approximately $3.13 USD per serving.
