Indulge in Autumn’s Best: Apple, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Pizza

Step into a realm of savory sweetness with our incredible Apple, Bacon, and Caramelized Onion Pizza. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of fall, perfectly encapsulated in every crisp, chewy, and utterly delicious bite. Imagine the comforting embrace of autumn flavors: the crisp sweetness of fresh apples, the smoky crunch of bacon, and the deep, complex sweetness of perfectly caramelized onions, all nestled on a golden crust with a rich blend of fontina and sharp white cheddar cheese. It’s a sophisticated yet incredibly comforting pizza that promises to elevate your next pizza night from ordinary to extraordinary.

Forget your preconceived notions of pizza toppings. While pepperoni and plain cheese hold a special place, there’s a world of culinary adventure waiting for you. This unique combination of ingredients creates a symphony of textures and tastes that dance on your palate. The apples soften beautifully in the heat, releasing their natural sugars to complement the savory bacon and the earthy, nutty notes of fontina cheese. A touch of sharp white cheddar adds the perfect tangy counterpoint, rounding out a flavor profile that is both unexpected and deeply satisfying. This pizza is more than a recipe; it’s an experience, designed to bring the vibrant essence of the season right to your dinner table.

Next time you’re craving something truly special for Pizza Friday, consider exploring new horizons. While traditional choices are always reliable, sometimes the most memorable meals come from daring to try something different. If you enjoyed this savory creation, you might also love our Autumn Harvest Pizza, another autumnal delight designed to inspire and satisfy.

The Joy of Homemade Pizza: Beyond Tradition

Friday nights often mean pizza night in our household, a cherished tradition. While ordering from our favorite local spot is always an option, there’s something incredibly rewarding about crafting a pizza from scratch. And if you’re like me, someone who enjoys pushing the boundaries of conventional toppings, then homemade pizza offers limitless possibilities for culinary creativity.

I often find myself making two pizzas: one for the traditionalists in my family, and another for my more adventurous palate. What my family might call “weird” toppings, I consider gourmet discoveries. For instance, this Apple, Bacon, and Caramelized Onion Pizza is a masterpiece of flavor, yet my family usually won’t touch it. Their loss is my gain, as it means more slices of this extraordinary pie for me to savor. They truly don’t know what they’re missing!

The thought alone of crisp, sweet apples mingling with salty, savory bacon, tender caramelized onions, and the rich, nutty notes of fontina and sharp cheddar cheese is enough to make my mouth water. The balance of flavors and textures is simply divine, creating a pizza experience unlike any other. If you’re ready to embark on a delightful culinary journey, this Apple, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Pizza is an absolute must-try.

Mastering Caramelized Onions: A Sweet Transformation

Have you ever taken the time to caramelize onions? If not, you’re in for a treat that will fundamentally change your perception of this humble vegetable. Caramelized onions are a world apart from their raw counterparts. Through a slow cooking process, their sharp, pungent notes transform into a deeply sweet, tender, and incredibly complex flavor profile. They become a versatile ingredient that elevates everything from burgers and soups to—you guessed it—this extraordinary pizza.

The secret to perfectly caramelized onions lies in patience and proper preparation. My key trick is to slice the onions as thinly and uniformly as possible. This ensures they cook evenly and achieve that desirable soft, jam-like consistency without burning. For this task, a high-quality paring knife is indispensable. My Swiss Diamond Paring Knife is always my go-to, making quick work of slicing onions with precision and ease.

Once thinly sliced, I sauté the onions in a combination of oil and butter over medium-low heat for about 30 minutes. This gentle heat allows the onions to slowly break down and release their sugars, transforming into a beautiful golden-brown hue. Stirring occasionally ensures they cook evenly and develop that rich, sweet flavor. Once they’re done, a simple sprinkle of salt enhances their natural sweetness, creating a perfect topping for this savory pizza. This knife also proves invaluable for achieving those perfectly thin apple slices, ensuring they cook through and integrate seamlessly into the pizza’s flavor profile.

When this Apple, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Pizza emerged from the oven, the aroma alone was intoxicating. I was so eager to slice into its cheesy, bubbly goodness that I couldn’t wait another second, leading to a minor (but totally worth it!) burn on the roof of my mouth. The flavors, however, more than compensated for the slight discomfort. What truly makes this pizza shine is the transformation of the apples; they become incredibly juicy and tender, offering a delightful sweetness that perfectly cuts through the richness of the cheeses and savory bacon. It’s a harmonious blend that creates an unforgettable culinary experience.

Crispy Crust and Apples Paired with Bacon, Caramelized Onions and Sharp Cheeses Become One Epic Apple, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Pizza

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Apple, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Pizza

Prep 25 mins

Cook 15 mins

Total 40 mins

Author Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yield 6 servings

This Apple, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Pizza is the epitome of fall in one delicious savory pie.  It’s crisp, salty, sweet, and packs a cheesy punch with fontina and sharp white cheddar cheese!

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 Package Fleischmann’s Pizza Crust Yeast
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup very warm water
• 3 tablespoons oil
• oil for brushing
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Caramelized Onions

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon oil
• sprinkle of salt

For the Pizza

• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 cup fontina cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup gorgonzola cheese
• 3 basil leaves roughly torn

Instructions

Crust

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. 
2. Combine 1 cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt into a large bowl.  Add water and oil and mix until blended.
3. Gradually add enough flour* until a soft dough ball is formed.
4. Knead on a floured surface, adding additional flour if needed, until smooth and elastic.  With a floured rolling pin, roll out pizza into 14 x 10 inch rectangle.  Place onto parchment lined paper and brush with oil and sprinkle with garlic powder.

Caramelized Onions

1. Place butter and oil into a medium pan set over medium low heat.
2. Add onions and stir to coat in oil and butter.  Arrange in a single layer and cook stirring occasionally until golden brown.
3. After cooking, sprinkle with salt.

For the Pizza

1. Top crust with 1/4 cup fontina and 1/4 cup white cheddar cheese.
2. Arrange apple slices all over the top of the cheese.  Add caramelized onions and bacon.
3. Sprinkle with remaining fontina and white cheddar cheese.  Sprinkle with gorgonzola cheese and bake 15-18 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. 
4. Sprinkle with torn basil leaves, cut and serve.

Courses Dinner

Cuisine American

Cook’s Tip: For the best possible pizza crust, I highly recommend Fleischmann’s pizza crust yeast. My best friend’s stepmom, Gale, introduced me to it, and it has been an absolute game-changer. This specific yeast significantly simplifies the pizza-making process, helping you achieve a perfectly crisp, chewy, and flavorful crust every time. Look for it in your local grocery store – once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s become a staple in my kitchen. Thanks, Gale, for sharing this amazing secret!

This Apple, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Pizza truly embodies the flavors of fall in every glorious, satisfying bite. It’s the perfect dish to gather around with loved ones, celebrating the season’s bounty and the simple pleasure of good food.

Discover More Apple Inspirations

If you’ve been following along this week, you know our blog has been buzzing with delicious apple-themed recipes. In case you missed any of these delightful creations, be sure to check them out below and add them to your autumn cooking repertoire:

• Apple Cinnamon Scones
• One Pan Pork Chops with Apples and Cinnamon
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
• Apple and Plum Crumble
• Stuffed Apples with Cheddar and Sausage

Now, I’d love to hear from you! What are your go-to pizza toppings? Are you a purist who sticks to traditional combinations, or are you part of “team weird,” always eager to experiment with unique and exciting flavors? Share your preferences in the comments below!

Exclusive AppleWeek Giveaway: Win Fabulous Prizes!

This incredible week of apple-inspired recipes was made possible by our generous sponsors, who have provided not only the products for our recipe creations but also a fantastic selection of prizes for you, our valued readers! Don’t miss your chance to win some truly amazing kitchen essentials and gourmet ingredients. Scroll down to learn more about each sponsor and enter the giveaway!

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Throughout this week, myself and all my wonderful blogger friends have been showcasing an array of creative and delicious apple recipes. Be sure to visit their blogs each day to discover even more culinary inspiration and unique ways to enjoy apples!

Friday’s Apple Recipe Roundup: More Sweet & Savory Delights

• Apple, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Pizza by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
• Apple Bakewell Tart by Books n’ Cooks
• Apple Cider Pulled Pork with Apple Slaw by Simple and Savory
• Apple Cinnamon Baklava by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Apple Cream Pie with Oatmeal Crust by Savory Moments
• Easy Apple Crisp Pie with Oats by The Anthony Kitchen
• Apple Gingerbread Cakelets by The Monday Box
• Apple Oatmeal Muffins by House of Nash Eats
• Apple Pie Crepes by The Bitter Side of Sweet
• Apple Pie Moonshine by Cookaholic Wife
• Apple Snack Cake by Caroline’s Cooking
• Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash by Palatable Pastime
• Baked Apple Donuts with Oatmeal Crumble Topping by Girl Abroad
• Baked Cinnamon Apple Doughnuts by Jonesin’ For Taste
• Braised Chicken with Apples by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Buttery Apple Streusel Thumbprint Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love & Luck
• Caramel Apple Stuffed Waffles by 4 Sons R Us
• Caramel Apple Cider Vodka Slush Cocktail by Everyday Eileen
• Caramel Drizzled Apple Pie Egg Rolls by The Freshman Cook
• Chai Apple Multigrain Pancakes by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
• Chai-Spiced Baked Apple Oatmeal by The Redhead Baker
• Crumbly Apple Cranberry Casserole by Who Needs a Cape
• Easy Apple Dumplings by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
• Gingered Apple Trifles by Culinary Adventures With Camilla
• Individual Apple Croissant Bread Pudding by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Instant Pot Applesauce by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Marlborough Apple Custard Pie by Karen’s Kitchn Stories
• Maple Apple Crisp by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Overnight Apple Pie Steel Cut Oatmeal by Tip Garden
• Prairie Apple Crunch by Family Around the Table
• Ricotta Tart with Apples and Prosciutto by Cooking With Carlee
• Shaved Apple Salad by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Spiced Apple Cider Charlotte Cake by Love and Confections
• Vegan Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls by The Baking Fairy

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Disclaimer: A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible AppleWeek Sponsors: Swiss Diamond, Nordic Ware, Envy Apples, Imperial Sugar, The Spice House, Rodelle Vanilla, Flahavan’s Irish Oats, and Nairn’s. They generously provided the prizes for this giveaway free of charge and supplied the bloggers with samples and products to use for creating these delicious AppleWeek recipes. All opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. The AppleWeek giveaway is open exclusively to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries submitted by the winner will be thoroughly checked and verified to ensure fairness. By entering this giveaway, you grant the right to use your name and likeness for promotional purposes. The number of eligible entries received will directly determine the odds of winning. Seven (7) distinct winners will be selected to receive the prize packages. Please note that the prize packages will be shipped directly from the individual giveaway sponsors. The AppleWeek Bloggers, including myself, are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of these prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members residing in their households are not eligible to enter or win the giveaway. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. This promotion is void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or any other social channel mentioned in the AppleWeek posts or entry forms.