BBQ Pork and Mozzarella Pizza with Jalapeños
Equipment
- Pizza Stone or Baking Sheet A pizza stone gives a crispier crust, but a sturdy baking sheet works fine too.
- Rolling Pin To roll out the dough evenly. You can also use a wine bottle in a pinch.
- Mixing bowls For dough and pork preparation.
- Pizza cutter or sharp knife For easy slicing.
- Oven mitts and spatula Always helpful for safe and easy handling.
Ingredients
For the Dough (or use store-bought if in a pinch)
- 2¼ tsp 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- ¾ cup warm water about 110°F
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the BBQ Pork
- 2 cups cooked pulled pork leftover pulled pork or freshly made
- ½ cup barbecue sauce your favorite brand or homemade
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Toppings
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 –2 jalapeños thinly sliced (remove seeds for less heat)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Additional barbecue sauce for drizzling optional
Instructions
Make the Pizza Dough (Skip if Using Store-Bought)
- In a small bowl, mix the warm water with sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil, then mix until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes. Let it rise in a lightly oiled bowl, covered, for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat the Oven
- Place your pizza stone in the oven (if using) and preheat to 475°F (245°C). Let it heat while you prep your toppings.
Prepare the BBQ Pork
- Mix the pulled pork with barbecue sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. This is where your pulled pork leftovers get a second life. If you’re starting from scratch, you can use slow-cooked pork shoulder or even repurpose meat from last night’s bbq pork tacos or bbq pork nachos.
Roll Out the Dough
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a parchment-lined pizza peel or baking sheet.
Assemble the Pizza
- Spread a thin layer of barbecue sauce over the dough. Evenly distribute the bbq pulled pork mixture over the sauce. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, sliced red onions, and jalapeños.
Bake
- Slide the pizza (with parchment if using a pizza stone) into the oven. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Garnish and Serve
- Remove from oven, drizzle with extra barbecue sauce if desired, and sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.