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If you’re into pickles (and let’s be honest, you are), this dill pickle pizza recipe just gets it. Fresh dill and shallots keep things bright and punchy, while a Caesar dressing base adds just the right amount of richness. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and yes—pickle people will lose their minds.
It probably goes without saying, but yes—I’m one of those dill pickle people. If it’s pickle-flavored, I want it. I’ve already turned up the volume on ranch with a dill pickle buttermilk version, and yes, pickle juice makes a killer chicken brine (see: my air fryer chicken tenders). So, of course, it makes a great dill pickle pizza. Obviously. And of course I have a recipe for it.
While you’re here, might I suggest a few more slightly chaotic (but very delicious) pizza night ideas? Like grandma pie, where the cheese goes under the sauce (trust me). Or a Hawaiian pizza with crispy prosciutto (pineapple is totally fine on pizza). Or, for my garlic bread purists, a melty herb and garlic cheese pizza situation that checks all the boxes.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Pickle Pizza
- It’s different. It’s a rule-breaker. It snubs the usual red sauce for a creamy, tangy Caesar base (I use my homemade Caesar dressing for it, but you can use your favorite bottled version if you prefer), and it merges all of that dill pickle-y goodness with our favorite food—pizza!
- It’s easy. This awesomely weird pizza requires no special prep and just 8 simple ingredients.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Ingredients
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
- Pizza dough—If you don’t have your own tried and true recipe, check out my easy one-hour homemade pizza dough. Or you could get a fresh ball from your local bakery.
- Mozzarella—I recommend a low-moisture mozzarella. We’ve already got moisture from the pickles, so we don’t want to end up with a soggy pizza. A blend of mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan cheese is great, too.
- Caesar dressing—This makes for such a dreamy pizza base! It’s also great for crust dipping. Use my homemade Caesar dressing recipe or your favorite bottled kind.
- Pickles—Just your regular ol’ jarred dill pickle slices will do! You know, the good stuff we grew up with. No need to get fancy with any small-batch hipster pickles. You could try sweet pickles if you want, but I can’t guarantee that it would taste good.
Swaps
- If ranch is more your vibe, this dill pickle buttermilk ranch dressing is a great base to use. Not a fan of white pizza sauces? Go for marinara.
- Dried dill will work in place of fresh dill.
- If you’re feeling extra lazy, a premade pie crust is fine. Note that cooking time will be different, so go by what the packaging says.
- Add some protein! The flavors here welcome shrimp, chicken (shredded chicken breast works nicely), or pork (think: Canadian bacon or crumbled sausage).
- More vegetarian toppings like zucchini, chopped broccoli, spinach, and mushrooms can work. However, I wouldn’t add too much. You don’t want to take the spotlight away from the pickles.
- Like it spicy? Sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top of the pizza.
How to Make Pickle Pizza
Step 1: Preheat the oven
The best pizzas come out of high-heat ovens, so crank that baby to 450-500º F. Unless you’re using a premade crust, then don’t listen to me. Do as the package says.
Step 2: Form the pizza
Brush your pizza pan with a bit of oil (unless you’re using a pizza stone), then sprinkle a bit of cornmeal over the surface of it (optional). Lightly oil your hands for easier dough handling (the stuff can get sticky), and work the dough out onto the pizza pan.
Step 3: Add the toppings
Brush some olive oil around the perimeter of the pizza where the crust will be; season with some garlic salt if you’d like. (Trust me, you’d like.) Spread the Caesar dressing over the center of the pizza in an even layer, but leave about an inch from the edges for your crust. Sprinkle the cheese on top, then add the shallots, pickle slices, and the dill.
Step 4: Cook the pizza
Pop the pizza into the oven and let it bake for 12-15 minutes undisturbed—that means do not open the oven door to check on it! Only once the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and turning slightly golden can you open that oven door. Though every oven is different, so cooking time may vary.
Step 5: Let the pizza sit
Let the pizza sit out for about 10 minutes before slicing into it. I know, it’s hard to wait. But nobody likes burning the roof of their mouth.
What to Pair With Your Dill Pickle Pizza…
- Chicken wings—My favorite pizza companion. Try my air fryer Buffalo wings, they’re perfect!
- Salad—Some crisp veggies to balance things out. I’ve got a recipe for the best side salad for pizza, inspired by that universal pizza parlor salad. This loaded Greek salad with feta is also a hit.
- Appetizers—These air fryer mushrooms act as a great little snack next to a slice of ‘za.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bases range from your usual tomato sauce to a garlic sauce made up of sour cream, mayonnaise, and garlic powder. This recipe uses Caesar dressing. For toppings, pickles are the star, so things are kept simple with cheese and maybe a veggie or two.
Yes, they’re fantastic together. The acidity and briny flavor from the pickles help cut through the richness of the creamy base and the cheese.
Pickle pizza has been kicking around for a bit, popping up on a few quirky restaurant menus here and there. But it really had its moment in 2018, when a video of someone slinging one in New York went viral. Some say Rhino’s Pizzeria upstate was ahead of the curve. Others give credit to QC Pizza in Minnesota, which took a cue from the classic Midwestern “pickle roll”. Either way, it’s dill-forward and here to stay.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- You can pop leftovers in the freezer for up to 3 months. Once the pizza has cooled, wrap each slice individually with tinfoil, then place the slices into a freezer-friendly container. Transfer them to the fridge the night before you want to reheat them.
- You can reheat leftover pickle pizza in the microwave in 25-second increments until heated through, or in an air fryer in 2-minute increments to keep the crisp.
Dill Pickle Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 fresh dough ball, Or 1 premade pizza shell
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots
- 3/4 cup thinly sliced dill pickles
- 2 TBSP chopped fresh dill
- Olive oil
- Garlic salt—just a few sprinkles
Instructions
- For fresh dough: preheat the oven to its highest temp.For a premade pizza shell: preheat the oven as per the directions on the packaging.
- Lightly oil your hands and work your dough out onto your pizza pan or stone.
- Lightly brush some olive oil around the perimeter of the pizza (where the crust will be) and then sprinkle the crust with a bit of garlic salt. (This is optional, but a seasoned crust is a delicious crust!)
- Spread the Caesar dressing over the center of the pizza evenly; leave about an inch from the edges for your crust.
- Sprinkle the cheese on top of the dressing, then add the shallots, pickle slices, and dill.
- Place the pizza into the hot oven cook for 12-15 minutes undisturbed—do not open the oven door! Once the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and starting to slightly brown, then it's ready. Every oven is different, so cooking time will vary.
- Let the pizza sit for about 10 minutes before slicing into it.
I LOVE pickles, so I was very excited to try this pizza last night. It came out perfectly! My whole family loved it and I can’t wait to make it again!
Awesome! Really glad it was a hit, Tayler. We loved it!
I can’t believe how good this was! The caesar dressing with the dill pickles is an amazing combination! Loved it.
I’m glad you think so too, Casey!
This looks so delicious. I never thought I’d say that about dill pickle pizza!
Haha, sometimes we surprise ourselves don’t we?
What an interesting twist on pizza! My daughter loves dill pickles and absolutely loved this.
Awesome to hear!
Wow! The combination of dill pickles and pizza, two of my favorite things, is something I never would have thought of. Like all of your creations, this one rocks! Thank you!
Thanks, Traci! I’m so glad you’re into it.
This looks so good! Before reading this and looking at your photos, if someone had said, “eat some dill pickle pizza!” I would have run the other direction. This looks amazing, though!
Haha, it’s different, that’s for sure. But the good kind of different :)
This recipe is going to be a huge hit at our next “Friday Night, Pizza Night”! Delicious!
Love it! We do Friday night pizza night too. Wonderful weekly family tradition :)
Whoa! This pizza is made for me! I think I could devour the whole thing in one sitting. Yummy!
Haha, I feel the same about most pizzas ;)
As they say, any pizza is a personal pizza if you believe in yourself.
What an ingenious twist on pizza! I’m a big fan of dill pickles so I was intrigued when I saw this recipe. The pickles, Caesar dressing, and mozzarella are such a unique flavor combination. I’d like to try experimenting with using Ranch dressing too!
Ranch would totally work! I think I’m going to give that a show next time I make this.
OMG Yesssssssss this is soooo good! I love dill pickles, I could eat this every day it’s absolutely delicious.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Justine!