Gluten-Free Grilled Pizza (Easy Tips, Best Results)

Tired of missing out grilled pizza with gooey cheese, smoky flavor, and a golden, slightly charred crust? It’s time to enjoy this delicious, quick dinner again with an effortless gluten-free grilled pizza recipe! As an experienced gluten-free cook and baker, I have perfected the process of making gluten-free pizza on the grill with easy tips for making a soft, fluffy GF crust, which toppings work best, and how to achieve perfectly grilled results every time!

gluten-free pIzza on the grill

When transitioning to a gluten-free diet, the list quickly grows of forlorn foods with subpar stand-ins, such as dry, crumbly sandwich bread and cardboard pizza crusts.

As I have perfected recipes for soft, tender gluten-free bread and crisp, yet fluffy gluten-free pizza dough, more and more beloved foods have made a welcome resurgence, thanks to incorporating my tried-and-true gluten-free baking tips.

Making delicious grilled gluten-free pizzas became a priority as I searched for more gluten-free dinner ideas. After making these one bowl, gluten-free flatbreads that cooks in minutes, I became obsessed with all the ways to use it. The grilled gluten-free pizza recipe was born!

Serve as a quick weeknight dinner when you don’t want to turn on the oven, or use for an entertaining pizza night with choose-your-own-toppings. Typically I have the flatbreads prepared and ready to go in my freezer. After a quick thaw, they are ready to serve in less than 10 minutes!

Here you will learn how to make gluten-free pizzas on the grill with perfected results every time. Optimal heating and cook times are shared, along with the best gluten-free pizza toppings, different crust options and cooking methods. It’s all here!

Ingredient Notes

The flatbread gluten-free pizza dough uses no dairy, so those on a dairy-free or vegan can also adapt the pizzas by using non-dairy cheese and veggie toppings.

Gluten-Free Pizza Crust:

• Gluten-free flour – I use and recommend Cup4Cup gluten-free flour blend for the softest texture. However, this blend does contain milk powder. For a dairy-free, vegan recipe, use King Arthur Measure-for-Measure, but you will have to slightly adapt the recipe. I’ll include those adaptations in the recipe notes.
• Potato starch (not flour) – Instead of relying on additional flour to structure the dough, I substituted another gluten-free starch for added softness. This works well in any GF baked goods that have to be shaped, like cheesy gluten-free pizza rolls. Use potato starch for best results, but tapioca starch may be substituted.
• Psyllium Husk Powder – An essential gluten-free binding agent ingredient for any dough that requires shaping, such as naan or gluten-free rolls. It helps help mimic the elasticity and crumb structure of wheat baked goods.
• Active Dry Yeast – Activate the yeast by mixing together with the warm water and a little sugar. If using instant yeast, this step may be omitted and add the yeast with the dry ingredients.
• Baking powder – Helps add rise and loftiness as it cooks on the stove top. I like using a combination of baking powder and yeast to help with lift in GF breads.

Grilled Pizzas:

• Cheese – Mozzarella is best for melting and gooey, stringy slices. However, a variety of cheeses may be used, such as fresh mozzarella, ricotta dollops, cheddar, havarti, parmesan, and gouda. Some will be better for melting, while others offers unique flavor.
• Sauce – Use marinara or any preferred gluten-free pizza sauce. Another option would be to brush the crust with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and freshly minced garlic.
• Toppings – Choose your favorite pizza toppings, as long as they are gluten-free! However, there are important tips for success, especially when picking toppings for grilled pizza. Jump to, or scroll down to, “Toppings For Grilled Pizza” for the essentials!

how to make Gluten-free Grilled Pizza

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

Gluten-Free Pizza Crust Recipe:

1. Begin by making the flatbread. This can either be done right before assembling and grilling the pizzas or make a batch, cool completely, securely wrap, and store for later use.
2. To make the GF flatbread crust begin by heating the oven to 150ºF. Once it reaches temperature, turn it off. This will serve as an extra warm place for the dough to rise.
3. In a small bowl combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Whisk and set aside for 5 minutes to activate. When ready it will be frothy on top.
4. In a large bowl of stand mixture with paddle attachment, combine the gluten-free flour, potato starch, psyllium husk, salt, and baking powder. Mix on low speed. Add in the water / yeast mixture and oil. Mix on medium speed for 3 minutes. If you do not have a stand mixer, mix with a wooden spoon to combine well.
5. Scrape the dough into the middle of the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the warm oven, leaving the door slightly ajar for 5-10 minutes before closing. Let rise for 45 minutes.
6. When read to shape, pour a little additional olive oil to dip your fingers in if the dough sticks. Place a large sheet of parchment paper on a workspace. Use slightly greased fingers to divide the dough into 5 equal-sized balls. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a dry nonstick skillet pan over medium heat.
7. Move the balls to the side, keeping covered. On the other side spread a very, very light sheen of olive oil. Place one ball in the middle and flatten into a thick disc. Use a rolling pin to shape into a 6½-inch circle, rotating quarter turns as you roll to maintain a round shape.
8. Use a spatula to lift the flatbread onto the hot skillet. Cook, undisturbed, for 1½ – 2 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 1½ – 2 minutes. As the flatbread cooks, roll out the next one. Transfer to a cooling rack and cook remaining flatbreads before assembling the pizzas and warming the grill.

Assembling and Grilling Pizzas:

1. When ready to grill, preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-low. Once it is heated place the crusts directly on the grill grate and cook one side only for 90 seconds. This will slightly char the crust.
2. Move the pre-charred crusts to a baking sheet or pizza peel for assembly. Make sure the grill marks facing up, which is where the toppings will be added.
3. Spread on the sauce, toppings (see notes for toppings), and cheese. Return to the grill, placing directly on the grate. Close and cook for 2-3 minutes, checking after 2 minutes to make sure the bottom isn’t burning. If it is becoming too browned, before the cheese has melted, turn off the grill and let the residual heat finish melting the cheese.
4. Use a long metal spatula to remove and serve immediately.

Click here to see the
step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!

More options for Grilling Pizzas

Cooking Pizza Dough On Grill:

When testing grilled flatbread pizzas, I experimented with cooking the dough on the grill as well. While it worked, I found the stove top method easier to control the temperature.

However, if you would like to completely cook on the grill, roll out the crusts and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. Spray a sheet of heavy-duty foil with nonstick cooking spray and place on the grill.

Transfer the rolled flatbreads to the foil and cook, undisturbed, for 90 seconds, flip, and cook for an additional 90 seconds. Remove the foil and grill one side directly on grates for 90 seconds. Transfer back to baking sheet for toppings and grill again as directed in the recipe.

Using a Pizza Stone:

If you worry about scorching pizzas on the grill, than using a pizza stone is a great option! Since the stone provides a barrier, you will use a higher grill temp.

Place the stone on the cold grill and then preheat to medium-high heat. You want the stone to heat with the grill to prevent dangerous breakage.

Slide your assembled cooked crust with toppings (no need to grill on one side first) to the heated stone. Close the grill and cook for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and the crust starts to brown underneath.

Toppings for grilled pizza

The important thing to remember when picking toppings for grilled pizzas is the short cook time. Because of this, all meats should be precooked and veggies that have a longer cook time, such as mushrooms, onions, thin-sliced potatoes, eggplant, and broccoli should be roasted or grilled ahead of time.

If you would like to add tomatoes, char or roast cherry tomatoes before adding to the pizza. You may also thinly slice larger tomatoes and blot with paper towels to soak up extra moisture. This prevents excess water releasing, making a soggy pizza.

Add fresh herbs, such as oregano or basil leaves after the pizza removing the pizza from the grill.

Tip for Perfectly melted cheese

Since the grilled pizzas cook quickly, it’s tricky to time out a perfectly grilled crust with melted cheese. However, I have a trick for you!

If the cheese is not melted fully before it has to be pulled from the grill, turn the burners off, keep the grill closed, and let it sit for an extra minute or two in the hot grill. If you grill has a second level, further away from the heat, they can also be moved to finish melting the cheese.

More gluten-free pizza crust Options

Looking for something to use besides flatbread? Try one of these tasty options! Similar to pizza crust recipe shared here, all the crusts will be precooked before transferring to the grill.

For best results, these crusts would work better grilled on a pizza stone, rather than directly on the grate.

• Socca Flatbread – Made with chickpea flour for another vegan option.
• Traditional Gluten-Free Pizza Dough – Makes pizzeria-style pizza in a large size.
• Almond Flour Pizza Crust – Perfect for grain-free or low carb pizza lovers.

Save this recipe for Gluten-free Grilled pizza to your pinterest board!

Let’s be friends on Pinterest! I’m always sharing great recipes!

This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policy here.