| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 45 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 275 | 7g | 1g | 48g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 10g | 3g | 6g | 0.9g |
Why I Love American BBQ Jackfruit Pizza
There’s something magical about the BBQ Jackfruit Pizza. It’s a dish that combines the unexpected with the familiar, taking the comfort of pizza and elevating it with ingredients that might not usually grace the top of a doughy pedestal. This is more than just a recipe; it’s a chance to play with flavors in ways you might not have thought of before, which is why I’ve fallen head over heels for it.
An Ode to Untraditional Tastes
This BBQ Jackfruit Pizza might not be the first thing you’d expect from a native New England gal. Seafood is my home turf, but I’ve always been an explorer at heart, drawn to unique and mouthwatering delights that push the boundaries of my culinary world. While the jackfruit on this pizza would typically be a secondary character in my regular seafood scripts, it takes center stage here, and it truly shines.
Courtesy of a Whimsical Wanderer
The idea of using jackfruit as a main ingredient in a BBQ pizza came from a renowned chef and food explorer, Jamie Oliver. Known for his untraditional approach to classic dishes, Oliver often takes the culinary world on adventures through unexpected flavor profiles. Although this pizza isn’t a traditional New Englander’s catch, it has a unique appeal that entrances the tastebuds in the way only food fusion can.
If you’re a fan of BBQ Chicken Pizza, you’ll find a comfortable home in BBQ Jackfruit Pizza. The BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, and chili powder create an irresistible smoky-spicy-sweet combination that makes this recipe a perfect companion for a lighthearted movie night with the kids or a casual get-together with friends. Erin and Samantha, my daughters, are devoted fans of this dish and assure me that no pizza party is complete without it.
Complementary Companions
BBQ Jackfruit Pizza is splendid on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple mixed greens salad dressed lightly with extra virgin olive oil or perhaps an earthy quinoa salad. Follow it up with a classic vanilla ice cream for dessert to cool down the heat from the jalapenos, and you’ve got yourself a dining experience filled with an experience that dances between comfort and adventure.
In the end, this BBQ Jackfruit Pizza dish is an invitation – to experiment, to explore, and to taste something out-of-the-box yet comfortably familiar. That’s precisely why I love this recipe and why I can’t wait for you to try it for yourself!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups young jackfruit, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 homemade or store-bought pizza dough
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded vegan mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh pineapple
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Slices of fresh jalapeno (optional)
Method
Step One
Preheat your oven to the highest setting. If you’re using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well. Meanwhile, drain and rinse the jackfruit.
Step Two
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and the minced garlic, and sauté until the onion starts to become translucent.
Step Three
Add the jackfruit, BBQ sauce, water, smoked paprika, chili powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the pan. Stir well to combine, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. The mixture should reduce and become a bit sticky.
Step Four
Pull apart the jackfruit fibers using two forks, so you get a texture similar to pulled pork. If necessary, add more BBQ sauce to taste.
Step Five
Roll out your pizza dough and spread the pizza sauce over it. Sprinkle half of the shredded vegan mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
Step Six
Spread the BBQ jackfruit over the cheese, then sprinkle over the remaining mozzarella. Add the sliced red onion, chopped pineapple, and fresh jalapeno slices if using.
Step Seven
Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven (or onto your pizza stone if using) and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the crust and cheese are golden and bubbly.
Step Eight
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes before sprinkling fresh chopped cilantro over the top. Cut into slices and serve warm.
