Creative Tailgating: Grilled Pizza

Grilled Pizza Editor’s Note: This is a Guest Post by Jennifer Sbranti, Founder of Hostess with the Mostess, Inc.

__________________________

Looking for a unique idea for your tailgating menu – or just want to add another option to the mix? Try tossing some pizzas on the grill!

Grilling pizza gives it a nice smoky flavor and is surprisingly fast and easy, especially when you prep your toppings ahead of time and use ready-made BOBOLI pizza crusts. The basic rule of thumb to remember for grilled pizza is to grill each side of the crust for 2-4 minutes over indirect heat (no flames!), add your toppings, then grill for another 8-10 minutes to heat. Get guests involved in the process by setting the toppings up buffet-style and letting them create their own pizza, just the way they like it.

Gotta have chicken or steak at your tailgate? Do some slices of grilled veggie pizza as a creative side dish, or try your hand at a gourmet grilled pizza recipe like Sweet & Sassy BBQ Chicken Pizza or Flank Steak & Blue Cheese. One of my personal favorites is Grilled Chicken Teriyaki Pizza (recipe below).

The great news about grilled pizza is that you can keep things as simple or gourmet as you want – and there are so many recipes available it won’t ever get boring. You can even grill up a Smores Pizza or Chocolate-Peanut-Pretzel Pizza for dessert, which should be especially popular with young tailgaters!

Also – since BOBOLI crusts are individually sealed and ready-to-go (no cooler required) – transport to the game is a breeze, which is always a plus.

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Pizza
12″ BOBOLI 100% Whole Wheat Crust
2 Grilled Chicken Breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup Teriyaki Glaze
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese
1 Sweet Onion, thinly sliced
12 oz pineapple chunks

Coat chopped, grilled chicken with 3/4 cup teriyaki glaze and set aside. Brush the top of the pizza crust lightly with olive oil. Place oiled side down on a medium-heat grill. Make sure the crust never directly touches a flame, or it will burn. Cook until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove crust from grill, flip over, and top the grilled side with cheese, onions, teriyaki chicken, and pineapple chunks.

Return pizza to grill. Close lid or cover pizza loosely with foil. Grill until cheese melts, 2-4 minutes. Remove pizza to cutting board, drizzle with remaining teriyaki glaze, and cut into wedges.