Grilled Beer Can Chicken
If there is a caprese salad on the menu, I am probably ordering it. So it was a no brainer when our ooni pizza oven arrived, I wanted to make this caprese inspired pizza. Which thinking about it, maybe all pizzas are caprese inspired since nearly all pizzas include tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella? However, this one includes blistered tomatoes, chunks of mozzarella and balsamic glaze. And if we are being real, balsamic glaze is the best part of the caprese and not traditionally part of pizza, so caprese inspired pizza it is.
For this recipe I used an ooni pizza oven and an air fryer but that's because I I love buying kitchen gadgets. However, I don't want you to feel like you have to buy a specialty appliance so rest assured you can make this with just an oven.
The Ingredients
The Dough: My husband was sent a pizza dough kit from Dellallo foods which was super simple to follow directions to make and what we used here. However, you can also find simple pizza dough recipes online or use one of my personal favorite hacks of getting premade dough from Traders Joes. Nothing fancy here, you just need a basic pizza dough.
The Tomatoes and the Sauce: Before putting the tomatoes on the pizza I like to blister them to sweeten the tomato flavor. I did by spraying with cooking oil and then tossing in the air fryer until they started to char and popped open. For this pizza you almost don't even need a sauce but you can add a store bough marinara or pesto as the base. Either way you can't go wrong.
Cheese: For most pizzas, I love taking a blend of cheeses (Parmesan, Mozzarella, and/or Monterey Jack) and mixing the shredded cheese with fresh herbs (Pasley/Thyme) and chopped garlic to add flavor to the pizza.
After it's Cooked Toppings: A trick to a good pizza is adding a topping and/or drizzle of sauce once it's cooked to add just a little more depth to the pizza. For this one to get that caprese feel, I added fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Assemble and Cook
Make sure pre blister your tomatoes. Then, I normally pre-heat my Ooni pizza oven once I have all my ingredients out and the pizza is ready to assemble. You will want to stretch the dough out really good and, if using the Ooni pizza oven make sure its on a well floured surface, (I do on the transfer paddle) to be able to transfer into the pizza oven. Once the dough is stretched out, layer with a drizzle of oil, your sauce, cheese blend, then add cherry tomatoes. Next you will want to cook in the pizza oven (or normal oven - see instructions below). Let it cool slightly before slicing and adding fresh basil leaves and balsamic glaze.
Meet Margot Searls
Hi, I'm Margot Searls and my hope is to turn around recipes from my table to yours. I truly believe the food you are putting on your table can turn around your lifestyle for the better (hence turned around table).
Easy Caprese Pizza with Blistered Tomatoes
Equipment
- Ooni Pizza Oven or Normal Oven
- Air Fryer or Normal Oven
Ingredients
- ½ Lb. Pizza Dough We used the delallo foods pizza dough kit but you can also make your own or buy premade
- ⅛ Cup Flour
- ½ Cup Monterey Jack Cheese, Shredded
- ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese, Shredded
- 8 Balls small mozzarella balls (halved - 16 total)
- ⅛ Cup Pizza Sauce We used the delallo pizza sauce but you can also make your own or buy premade
- 1 Bunch Basil Leaves Approx. 10 leaves
- 10 Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 Drizzle Balsamic Glaze Approx. 1 Tbsp.
- 1 Sprig Fresh Thyme Leaves
- 1 Tbsp. Fresh Chopped Parsley
- ½ Clove Grated Garlic Fresh or Frozen
- 1 Tsp. Olive Oil
Instructions
- Make pizza dough (either pre-made, using a packet, or from scratch) according to instructions. Pre-heat air fryer or oven to 400℉
- Coat cherry tomatoes in ½ Tsp. Olive Oil and throw in air fryer (or oven) at 400℉ for 10 minutes (can also be done in the over just need to pre-heat the oven prior).
- Preheat Ooni Pizza Oven (or keep oven on if using).
- In a bowl, mix together Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheeses with thyme leaves, parsley, and chopped garlic.
- Toss the dough forming a 12-inch pizza (use a well floured surface to prevent sticking). Place on a well floured Ooni pizza transfer paddle or a metal pan.
- Drizzle olive oil on top of the pizza dough and spread with hands. Evenly spread on the pizza sauce. Evenly sprinkle on cheese mixture and toss on mozzarella cheese ball halves.
- Throw the pizza in the Ooni oven for about 60-90 seconds, rotating a quarter rotation every 20-30 seconds. Or stick into the oven for about 15-20 minutes
- Once the pizza is cooked pull out of the oven, let cool slightly and top with basil leaves and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Slice and serve.