Making pizza on a Blackstone griddle is a game-changer. It delivers a uniquely crispy crust with a slightly smoky flavor that’s hard to achieve in a home oven. It’s essentially a hybrid between a classic pizza and a “Grandma Pie.”
Here’s a complete guide and recipe for perfect Blackstone Griddle Pizza.
Blackstone Griddle Pizza
The key is par-cooking the crust to get it crispy before adding toppings, preventing a soggy center.
Yields: One 22-inch large pizza or two 12-inch pizzas
Prep time: 15 minutes (plus dough rising time if homemade)
Cook time: 10-15 minutes total
Ingredients & Equipment
For the Crust:
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1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade), at room temperature
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All-purpose flour or semolina flour, for dusting
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Olive oil
For the Toppings:
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½ – ⅔ cup pizza sauce
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1 ½ – 2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
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Your favorite toppings (pepperoni, cooked sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.)
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Fresh basil or grated Parmesan for finishing
Equipment:
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Blackstone Griddle
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Large spatula or pizza peel
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Squeeze bottle for sauce (highly recommended for easy application)
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Basting lid or a large metal bowl (to help melt the cheese)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Station
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Take your pizza dough out of the fridge at least 1 hour before cooking to let it come to room temperature. This makes it much easier to stretch.
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Prepare all your toppings and have them ready to go next to your griddle. Speed is essential!
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Preheat your Blackstone griddle to medium heat (around 350-400°F). You want it hot, but not screaming hot, to cook the crust through without burning the bottom.
Step 2: Stretch and Launch the Crust
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Generously dust your work surface with flour or semolina. Gently stretch your dough into a large circle or rectangle that will fit on your griddle.
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Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil onto the preheated griddle.
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Carefully transfer the stretched dough onto the oiled griddle. It should sizzle gently.
Step 3: Par-Cook the Crust (The Most Important Step)
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Let the crust cook for 3-5 minutes, until the bottom is golden brown and has dark grill marks. You can lift a corner with your spatula to check.
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Once the bottom is set and crispy, flip the entire crust over.
Step 4: Add Toppings Quickly
Working quickly while the second side cooks:
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Sauce: Use a squeeze bottle or the back of a spoon to spread a thin, even layer of sauce, leaving a ½-inch border for the crust.
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Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
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Toppings: Add your other toppings evenly.
Step 5: Melt the Cheese and Finish Cooking
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Cover the Pizza: This is crucial for melting the cheese without burning the bottom. Place a basting lid or a large, inverted metal bowl over the pizza to trap the heat.
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Cook for another 3-5 minutes with the lid on, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly and the bottom crust is crispy. Peek underneath to check for doneness.
Step 6: Serve
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Use a large spatula to slide the pizza onto a cutting board.
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Let it rest for 1-2 minutes before slicing (this allows the cheese to set slightly).
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Garnish with fresh basil or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, slice, and serve immediately!
✨ Pro-Tips for Perfect Blackstone Pizza
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Dough Temperature is Key: Room-temperature dough is pliable and won’t spring back when you stretch it. Cold dough is difficult to work with and will result in a tough crust.
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Less is More: Do not overload with sauce or toppings. A heavy hand will lead to a soggy center. A thin layer is all you need.
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Low-Moisture Mozzarella: This is non-negotiable. Fresh, high-moisture mozzarella will release too much water and make your pizza soupy.
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The “Basting Lid” Trick: If you don’t have a basting lid, a large stainless steel bowl works perfectly. It creates a mini-oven to perfectly cook the top of your pizza.
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Get Creative with Shapes: The griddle is perfect for making multiple personal-sized pizzas or “pizza strips” for a party.
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Calzone/Turnover Method: For a fun variation, after par-cooking one side, add toppings to only one half of the crust. Fold the other half over, press the edges with a spatula, and cook until golden brown and heated through.
Enjoy your incredibly crispy, delicious, and fun-to-make Blackstone pizza