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!
Begin by making the flatbread crust. This can either be done right before assembling and grilling pizzas or make a batch, cool completely, securely wrap, to store at room temp one day or freeze up to 2 months.
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.
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.
¾ cup warm water, 1 teaspoon active dry yeast, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
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 on speed.
1 ⅓ cup gluten free all purpose flour, 3 tablespoons potato starch, 2 teaspoons psyllium husk powder, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
Add in the yeast / water 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.
1 tablespoon olive oil
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.
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 over medium heat.
Move the balls to the side, keeping covered. On the parchment 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.
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. Make sure to cook just as long on second side, or they will be dense and not as fluffy (even if they look "done.") 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
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.
Move the pre-charred crusts to a baking sheet or pizza peel to assemble the pizzas. Make sure the grill marks are facing up, which is where the toppings will be added.
Spread on a thin layer of sauce, sprinkle with toppings (see recipe notes), and top with cheese. Return to the grill, placing directly on the grate. Close the lid and cook for 2-3 minutes, checking after 2 minutes to make sure the bottom isn't burning. If the crust becomes too scorched before the cheese has melted, turn off the grill and let the residual heat finish melting the cheese. Use a long spatula to remove and serve immediately.
I use and recommend Cup4Cup gluten-free flour for the softest texture, and other brands may affect the texture. If using King Arthur Measure-for-Measure flour, make these adjustments:
Measure 1 ⅓ cup KA flour, then remove 2 tbsp. Replace with 2 tbsp. cornstarch.
Use a little more oil when rolling out to add a touch more fat / moisture.
Cook less. I found the best results when cooking 1 minute / side versus 1 ½-2 minutes.
Note About Toppings
Since the pizza has of short cook time, 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.Fresh herbs, such as oregano or basil leaves should be added after the pizza has been removed from the grill.
Using a Pizza Stone
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.