This easy Fall Harvest Pizza with Apples, Candied Bacon, Broccolini, + Kale is absolutely the most perfect family-friendly recipe for the Fall season! It comes topped with a spicy chipotle olive oil base and mild cheddar cheese, apple slices, sautéed broccolini, kale, and candied turkey bacon. So much savoriness and sweetness in one pizza pie. The best weeknight meal option for everyone. Making pizza at home is a great way to bond with loved ones bringing everyone together to enjoy the doughy, crispy goodness that is pizza.
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This time of year just evokes such nostalgia for me. When I was younger, I always loved it, and clearly, I still do. I would constantly come home from school to the aromas of my Mom cooking fresh pies, soups, and stews! I have recreated so many of those comforting warming dishes like my Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup recipe or my Apple Hand Pies recipe! But I'll hold off on sharing so I can share this crazy delicious pizza recipe with you.
While pizzas might not be the common theme for the Fall season, I wanted to create my own Fall-inspired version of this round goodness. Pizza is so adaptable that I've made it a personal mission not to limit my pizza-making to the warmer months. This is why I can't wait to break out my handmade Harvest Pizza and celebrate all that's great about Autumn. All the comforting flavors of Fall are here.
If you know me, you know I’m a pizza fiend. When it comes to pizza, I'm such a huge fan. Honestly, is there a better handheld food that exists? Ummm, I think not. Haha.
This Fall Harvest Pizza with Apples, Candied Bacon, Broccolini, + Kale is EVERYTHING! I mean absolutely EVERYTHING!!
If you've been an avid reader of Orchids + Sweet Tea, then you're probably already swooning over our previous pizzas. Honestly, I try to put a lot of love into my homemade pizzas and definitely try not to skimp on flavor.
The Best Homemade Vodka Pizza - It starts with a fluffy, crispy homemade crust, topped with roasted bell peppers, melted cheesy mozzarella, and the star of the show...Vodka sauce.
The Best Thanksgiving Pizza - This year, why not make a savory pizza for a delicious holiday twist? Topped with garlic parmesan sauce, melty mozzarella, smoky bacon, and colorful veggies.
Pumpkin BBQ Chicken Pizza with Butternut Squash - This is absolutely the most perfect family-friendly recipe for the Fall season! It comes topped with an easy pumpkin-infused pizza sauce, BBQ shredded chicken, mozzarella, chopped kale, and perfectly roasted butternut squash.
Buffalo Cauliflower Kale Grilled Pizza - Topped with buffalo sauce, mozzarella cheese, kale, and buffalo cauliflower bites and comes based with a crispy, fluffy gluten-free GRILLED crust. Bursting with savoriness and flavor.
Texas BBQ Sriracha Meatball Pizza - This is the best meatless pizza you’ll ever taste! It comes based in a spicy-sweet marriage of BBQ + Sriracha sauces, maple syrup and loaded with mozzarella cheese for a beautiful gooeyness in every bite.
When it comes to making the perfect pizza crust, it only really takes a FEW HACKS/TRICKS for this to happen. However, it is imperative that you follow these exact steps every time, so that the perfect crust is achieved!
It comes loaded with sweet + savory flavors.
No rising time required for crust.
Hearty + comforting.
MEGA flavorful!
Super easy to make and the perfect fun, family dinner-making activity.
Perfect hints of Fall spices.
PERFECTION in EVERY. SINGLE. BITE.
When it comes to the crust, rising the dough isn't at all required for this pizza. However, if you choose to rise the crust dough, then you'll have a much fluffier, larger crust which isn't a bad thing at all. If you want to keep your dough fairly thin and a bit more on the crunchier side, then rolling out and topping your dough once it's formed is your best bet.
Place the bacon on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and brush the tops of the bacon with maple syrup and sprinkle on some brown sugar. Bake in a pre-heated 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for 10-15 minutes or so, flipping the bacon and brushing the opposite side with maple syrup and sprinkling the brown sugar as well. Bake for another 10-15 minutes or until it is completely caramelized and crispy.
Fresh and seasonal food has the best flavor. Which is why this autumn-themed pizza is extra delicious this time of year!
Pizza Crust – I enjoy making my easy pizza crust from scratch. However, you can always use a store-bought pizza crust as well.
Mild Cheddar Cheese – Adds such bold, rich cheesy flavor. While Mozzarella cheese is the standard, I've found that mild cheddar creates a smokiness that works amazingly with the other ingredients.
Herbs + Seasonings – A great addition of flavor. Adds such savoriness nice + a beautiful kick of spice
Olive Oil – Used as a part of the base, which creates a light taste overall
Kale – A great addition of greens
Candied Bacon – Whether you choose to use turkey or pork bacon, they both will add a beautiful kick of savoriness
Sautéed Broccolini – Although regular broccoli can be used, I enjoy the mild, earthy taste of broccolini
Apples — The absolute star of this dish; I tend to mix Gala Apples with Granny Apples for a nice ying-yang of flavor
Honey — Used as a sweetener for both the crust and pizza base sauce
Simply put? Yes absolutely! I have the best gluten-free pizza dough recipe for all my gluten-sensitive friends! I wanted to be able to make all of my favorite pizza recipes to feed all diets and allergies without sacrificing flavor or texture in the crust.
That's why I developed my own easy gluten-free pizza crust recipe. It checks all of the right boxes:
You can check out my easy and tasty Gluten-free Pizza Crust Recipe HERE!
CAN I MAKE THIS AHEAD OF TIME?
Absolutely! You can always prep the ingredients separately and store them: cook the bacon and chop before storing, prep the veggies and store in an airtight container in the fridge, peel + slice your apples and added lemon juice (to prevent browning) along with spices for the perfect marination. You can also make your pizza dough and let it rise overnight.
WHAT OTHER TOPPINGS CAN I ADD?
Honestly, anything! The awesome thing about pizza is that you can add whatever topping you’d like. You can substitute the ingredients with pork bacon, caramelized onions, pears, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach---you name it.
HOW MANY CAN THIS PIZZA SERVE?
Typically, this pizza can serve 6-8 slices depending on how wide the slices are. For a bigger pizza size, I recommend allowing the dough to rise for an hour or so, which will allow you for a better stretch thus creating a bigger pizza.
HOW TO PREVENT THE BOTTOM OF PIZZA FROM GETTING SOGGY.
Thankfully, I've had great success with my airbake dish when making my homemade pizzas. Due to the perforated bottom, it allows for the pizza crust to fully cook through and be entirely crisp throughout once placed directly on the oven rack. To prevent a mess, I simply add a large piece of foil at the bottom rack so that any drippage is caught on there.
Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Fall Harvest Pizza. Everything from my fave pizza pan, baking sheets, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Get inspired to eat the pizza rainbow.. Trust me, your tastebuds are going to be so happy and satisfied come pizza night!
If you make this Fall Harvest Pizza: Apples, Candied Bacon, Broccolini, + Kale, tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea
Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea
Fall Harvest Pizza: Apples, Candied Bacon, Broccolini, + Kale.
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This pizza looks amazing!
Thanks so much, Shannon! 🙂