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I was never a pineapple-on-pizza person. Ever.

That all changed the day a friend ordered the Hot Hawaiian pizza from Sidewall Pizza Co. I didn’t order it. I didn’t even want a slice. But they insisted and I’m glad they did. One bite was all it took to change my mind.

Sweet pineapple, salty pork, melty mozzarella and just enough heat from jalapeños to keep everything balanced. It wasn’t gimmicky. It worked. And it worked really well.

Inspired by that first bite, I decided to try recreating the Hot Hawaiian at home. Will it ever be as good as the real thing from Sidewall? No and I wouldn’t expect it to be. But this copycat version will absolutely get you through until your next visit.

(If you’re anywhere near Greenville, SC, do yourself a favor and go eat the original:
👉 https://www.sidewallpizza.com/)

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Why This Pizza Works

This pizza is all about contrast:

• Sweet from the pineapple
• Salty from the bacon and prosciutto
• Heat from the jalapeño
• Creamy from the mozzarella

Roasting the pineapple first concentrates the sweetness and removes excess moisture, which keeps the pizza from getting soggy and adds a subtle caramelized flavor that really makes this pie shine.

Each bite hits a different note, but nothing overpowers the others. It’s the kind of pizza that converts skeptics.

Ingredients

• Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Tomato sauce
• 8 slices of bacon, par cooked and chopped
• Prosciutto, torn
• Fresh pineapple, diced
• Jalapeño, thinly sliced (remove seeds for less heat)
• Low-moisture mozzarella, shredded

How to Make a Hot Hawaiian Pizza

Roast the Pineapple and the Bacon

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Spread diced pineapple on a sheet pan in a single layer.
3. Place the bacon strips on a separate sheet pan.
4. Roast the bacon until mostly rendered, remove and allow to cool.
5. Roast the pineapple for 15–20 minutes, until slightly caramelized. Remove and let cool slightly.

Prepare the Pizza

1. Place a pizza stone* on the middle rack of your oven and preheat to 550°F (or as hot as your oven will go) for at least 30 minutes.
2. Stretch the pizza dough into your desired shape. I like to parbake my dough for an extra crispy crust. Add the crust to a sheet pan and cook until slightly browned.
3. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough.
4. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.
5. Top with bacon, prosciutto, roasted pineapple and jalapeño slices.

Bake

1. Carefully transfer the pizza onto the hot pizza stone.
2. Bake for 8–12 minutes, until the crust is blistered and crisp and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
3. Remove and allow to rest. Slice and serve immediately.

Final Thoughts

This pizza surprised me and that’s saying something. If you’ve always said “no pineapple, ever”, this might be the one that changes your mind. And if you’re already a fan, you’ll feel right at home here.

Either way, don’t skip the original at Sidewall Pizza Co. when you get the chance.

Did you try the Hot Hawaiian pizza? Let us know in the comments. Check out some of our pizza recipes, other Sidewall posts or copycat recipes. Please consider leaving a comment or following us on IG, X, FB, PI, BSky or TT.

* Pizza Stone
If you don’t have a pizza stone and you make pizza often, get one.