Ultimate Crispy Potato Pizza: A Savory Twist on Classic Pizza Night

Forget your traditional pepperoni and mushrooms for a moment and prepare to embark on a truly unique culinary journey with this incredible Potato Pizza. This isn’t just a pizza; it’s a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring a delightfully crispy crust generously topped with thinly sliced potatoes, layers of gooey, melted cheese, and aromatic herbs, all complemented by the savory crunch of bacon. It’s a comforting, satisfying, and undeniably impressive meal that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends or simply treating yourself to something wonderfully different.

If the idea of potatoes on pizza sounds unconventional, you’re in for a seriously tasty surprise. Originating in Italy, particularly around Rome, potato pizza (or pizza con patate) has been a beloved staple for centuries. Historically, it was a resourceful and delicious way to feed many, transforming humble ingredients into a delightful and filling meal. Today, it stands as a testament to the versatility of the potato, proving it can be as at home on a pizza as it is in traditional dishes like Potato Tacos. This recipe takes that classic concept and elevates it, ensuring every bite delivers a harmonious blend of crispiness, creaminess, and rich flavor.

What makes this potato pizza so special? It’s the delightful contrast: the robust, crispy base, the tender, slightly caramelized potato slices, the rich melt of mozzarella, and the irresistible kick of garlic-infused olive oil, all brought together with a hint of smoky bacon and fragrant oregano. This isn’t just another dinner; it’s an experience that’s sure to become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire.

Gather Your Ingredients for the Perfect Potato Pizza

Crafting this savory potato pizza requires a few key ingredients, but the beauty lies in their simplicity and how they come together to create something extraordinary. For your convenience, a full printable recipe card with exact measurements can be found at the bottom of this post.

• Pizza Crust: The foundation of any great pizza! While store-bought pizza dough offers convenience, our favorite No-Knead Pizza Dough recipe yields a superior, perfectly chewy and crispy crust that truly elevates this dish. You’ll need enough for one 12-inch pizza.
• Small Potatoes: The star of our show! Waxy varieties like fingerling, red, or Yukon gold potatoes work best. The key is to select small, uniform potatoes that can be sliced incredibly thin. This ensures they cook thoroughly and develop a beautiful texture on the pizza.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is essential here. We’ll be infusing olive oil with its potent flavor, creating a fragrant base for our pizza. If you have pre-made garlic-infused olive oil, you can skip a step!
• Mozzarella Cheese: For that classic, melty goodness. Low-moisture shredded mozzarella is ideal as it melts beautifully without making the crust soggy. Feel free to experiment with a blend of Italian cheeses for added depth.
• Salt & Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the potatoes and cheese.
• Bacon (Optional, but Highly Recommended): Crispy, crumbled bacon adds an irresistible smokiness and savory depth that pairs wonderfully with the potatoes and garlic. Don’t skip it if you love that extra layer of flavor!
• Dried Oregano: A classic Italian herb that brings aromatic warmth to the pizza. A sprinkle on top before baking adds a lovely finish.
• Cornmeal: Your secret weapon for a truly crispy crust! Sprinkling cornmeal on your baking pan prevents sticking and creates a golden, crunchy bottom.
• Butter: Used for greasing the baking pan, adding richness, and helping the cornmeal adhere.

Beyond these core ingredients, this pizza is wonderfully adaptable. Many variations incorporate other delicious additions such as a dollop of sour cream after baking, fresh green onions (scallions), chives, or rich caramelized onions. For those who prefer a touch of tomato, a light layer of tomato sauce can be added for a pizza rossa (red pizza) twist, though traditionally this is a pizza bianca (white pizza). If you’re a fan of unique pizzas, you might also love our Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Delicious Potato Pizza

Creating this potato pizza follows many of the same techniques as a traditional pizza, but the homemade dough and unique combination of toppings elevate it to an absolute must-try. Follow these steps for a perfect pie every time.

Preparing Your Homemade Pizza Dough

While store-bought dough is an option, making your own pizza dough from scratch is incredibly rewarding and contributes significantly to the final flavor and texture. This recipe yields enough dough for two 12-inch pizzas, so you can easily freeze half for another night!

1. Bloom the Yeast: In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast into warm water. The water temperature is crucial here – it should be between 110°F and 115°F (43°C-46°C). Water that’s too hot will kill the yeast, while water that’s too cold won’t activate it. A digital thermometer is your best friend here. Stir gently and let it stand for approximately 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture becomes fragrant and frothy on top, indicating the yeast is active and alive.
2. Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bloomed yeast mixture with the bread flour, olive oil, salt, and sugar. Stir with a sturdy spoon or use a stand mixer with a dough hook until all ingredients are well combined and a stiff dough forms. Once formed, lightly knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
3. First Rise: Place the dough ball in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until it has noticeably increased in size. After the rise, divide the dough in half. Use one half for your potato pizza and wrap the other half tightly in plastic wrap before storing it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freezing it for up to a month.

Assembling and Baking Your Potato Pizza

With your dough ready, it’s time to bring your potato pizza to life! The key here is proper preparation and layering to ensure everything cooks perfectly.

1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to a blazing 475°F (245°C). A hot oven is crucial for achieving that coveted crispy pizza crust. While the oven heats, prepare your baking surface. Generously baste a large baking sheet or pizza stone with butter, ensuring good coverage. Then, evenly sprinkle cornmeal over the buttered surface. This creates a non-stick barrier and adds incredible crispness to the bottom of the crust.
2. Infuse the Garlic Oil: In a small saucepan, combine the olive oil and a lightly cracked garlic clove. Heat this mixture over very low heat for about 10 minutes. This gentle simmering allows the oil to become deeply infused with garlicky goodness, creating an aromatic base for your pizza. If you already have garlic-flavored olive oil, you can certainly use that and skip this step.
3. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one half of your pizza dough to your desired thickness and shape. Don’t worry about achieving a perfect circle; a rustic, free-form shape often adds to the charm! Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to your prepared baking pan. If you have a pizza peel, this process becomes much smoother.
4. Layer the Toppings: Now for the delicious part! Brush about half of your fragrant garlic oil evenly over the pizza crust. This recipe’s garlic oil quantity is enough for two pizzas, so save the rest if you only made one. Next, evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the oiled crust. If you’re using bacon, scatter the cooked and crumbled bacon pieces over the cheese. Finally, arrange your thinly sliced potatoes in a single layer across the entire pizza. It’s important to place them on top so they cook evenly, get beautifully tender, and develop a lovely golden color.
5. Final Seasoning and Bake: Brush the remaining garlic oil over the arranged potato slices. This not only adds flavor but also helps the potatoes crisp up. Season generously with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a sprinkle of dried oregano, if desired. You can also wait until after the pizza is cooked to add a final touch of fresh herbs.
6. Cook to Perfection: Transfer your loaded pizza to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, the cheese is bubbly and melted, and the potato slices are tender and slightly caramelized. Keep a close eye on it, as oven temperatures can vary.
7. Serve Hot: Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for just a minute or two before slicing and serving immediately. Enjoy the incredible flavors and textures of your homemade potato pizza!

Expert Tips for the Best Potato Pizza

Achieving potato pizza perfection is easy with these helpful tips and tricks designed to maximize flavor and texture:

• Master the Potato Slices with a Mandoline: The key to evenly cooked and tender potatoes on your pizza is consistent, paper-thin slices. A mandoline slicer is an invaluable tool for this, allowing you to achieve uniform thickness quickly and effortlessly. However, always exercise extreme caution when using a mandoline – safety gloves are highly recommended, as they are notorious for kitchen injuries. If you don’t have a mandoline, a very sharp knife and a steady hand will also work, just take your time. Some food processors also come with slicing attachments that make this step a breeze.
• Elevate Your Cheese Game: While mozzarella provides that essential gooey melt, don’t hesitate to experiment with your cheese blend! For a richer, more complex flavor profile, consider adding a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, a touch of provolone, or even some tangy Fontina. For the best results, always aim for low-moisture cheeses, as excessive moisture can lead to a soggy crust. If using fresh mozzarella, be sure to pat it very dry.
• Personalize Your Pizza Toppings: The thinly sliced potatoes are undoubtedly the star, offering a unique visual and textural appeal that we highly recommend keeping. However, the rest of your pizza is a canvas for customization! Feel free to add a variety of other vegetables like thinly sliced red onion, roasted bell peppers, or sautéed mushrooms. For meat lovers, cooked sausage, pepperoni, or even shredded chicken would make excellent additions. Just ensure any meat toppings are pre-cooked before adding them to the pizza.
• The Secret to a Crispy Crust: Don’t Skip the Cornmeal! This seemingly small step makes a significant difference. Sprinkling a thin layer of cornmeal (or semolina flour) on your baking sheet or pizza stone before placing the dough acts as tiny ball bearings, preventing the dough from sticking. More importantly, it creates an incredibly satisfying, golden, and perfectly crispy pizza pie crust that will make your homemade pizza truly shine.
• Choosing the Right Potatoes: For optimal results, select waxy potato varieties such as yellow or red fingerling potatoes, Yukon Golds, or even small red potatoes. These types hold their shape well when sliced thin and become tender and slightly caramelized during baking, without turning mushy. Starchy potatoes like Russets tend to break down more easily and are less suitable for thin-slice applications.
• Consider Pre-cooking Potatoes (Optional): If you find your potato slices aren’t cooking through to your desired tenderness, or if you prefer a softer texture, you can par-cook them slightly before adding them to the pizza. A quick blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, or a brief microwave steam, followed by patting them completely dry, can help. However, for thin slices and a hot oven, this step is usually unnecessary.

Serving Suggestions for Potato Pizza

While potato pizza is robust and satisfying enough to be a meal all on its own, sometimes you want to round out the spread or make those delicious slices stretch a bit further. Here are some fantastic recipes that complement its rich flavors and textures:

• Smoked Mac and Cheese: For the ultimate comfort food feast, pair your potato pizza with a side of creamy, smoky mac and cheese. The rich indulgence of both dishes creates a truly satisfying experience.
• Simple Tossed Salad: A crisp, fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing counterpoint to the savory pizza, adding brightness and a welcome crunch.
• Air Fryer Asparagus: Quick, easy, and healthy, air-fried asparagus provides a tender-crisp vegetable side that doesn’t overpower the main dish.
• French 75 Cocktail Recipe: If you’re turning pizza night into a special date night, a sophisticated and refreshing French 75 cocktail is the perfect spirited accompaniment.
• Roasted Vegetables: Beyond asparagus, consider serving a medley of roasted seasonal vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or zucchini. Their sweetness and slight char will pair wonderfully.
• Garlic Knots or Breadsticks: Sometimes, you just need more bread! Homemade garlic knots or cheesy breadsticks can be a fantastic addition, especially if you have extra dough from this recipe.

Storing and Reheating Your Potato Pizza

One of the best things about homemade pizza is enjoying the leftovers! Here’s how to properly store and reheat your potato pizza to maintain its deliciousness.

• Storage: Allow any leftover pizza to cool completely before storing. Once cool, place slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating in the Oven: For the best results, mimicking that fresh-baked crispiness, reheat in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place pizza slices directly on a baking sheet or on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Heat for 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is crisp again.
• Reheating in a Skillet: For an even crispier bottom crust, reheat on the stovetop. Place a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add pizza slices and cover with a lid. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the bottom is crispy and the cheese is melted. You can add a few drops of water to the pan (around the pizza, not on it) before covering to create some steam and help melt the cheese without overcooking the crust.
• Reheating in an Air Fryer: If you have an air fryer, it’s excellent for reheating pizza! Place slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket (do not overcrowd). Air fry at 325-350°F (160-175°C) for 3-6 minutes, checking frequently, until heated through and crispy.
• Freezing Leftovers: If you want to store pizza for longer, individual slices can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, and frozen for up to 1-2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a preheated oven (375°F/190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until hot and crispy.

More Easy Dinner Recipes to Explore

Looking for more culinary inspiration? Dive into our collection of simple yet sensational dinner recipes:

• Coconut Curry Shrimp
• BLT Salad
• Garlic Beef Noodle Bowls
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Ham and Cheese Sliders

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