Two of my favorite words come together in this fun and decadent recipe: dessert and pizza. A twist on old-fashioned faves like apple pie and apple crisp, this apple pizza is delicious, simple to make and full of warm, seasonal flavors.
This may be a less traditional approach to baking with apples, but the result is totally classic: aromas of autumnal spices, warm butter-and-sugar goodness, oven-softened fruits. This recipe features a yeasted dough that needs just 15 minutes to rise, and the beautiful toppings include buttery, caramelized apples, a sweet cream cheese layer, and a golden, crumbly streusel.
Enjoy this indulgent apple pizza by itself, or serve it a la mode with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream. You’ll end up adding it to your repertoire of fall apple recipes, especially if a trip to the orchard leaves you with too much fruit! Of course, it’s a perfect dessert any time of year.
Ingredients for Apple Pizza
- All-purpose flour: One of the most popular types of flour, all-purpose flour works best for this dough. The gluten provides elasticity to the dough as it rises, and this helps the dough stretch and trap the gases formed by active dry yeast. This combination results in a thin, crispy, slightly chewy dough.
- Active dry yeast: Active dry yeast is used to help leaven breads and provide an airy, light texture. You need to dissolve it in warm water to activate the dry yeast first. If you need to replace active dry yeast with instant yeast, you’ll need to reduce the amount of yeast (use a quarter less than what the recipe calls for), and it can go right into the dough mixture. For more tips, here’s everything you need to know about how to use yeast.
- Apples: The best types of apples to use in this recipe include tart varieties, like Granny Smith, McIntosh or Pink Lady, all of which retain their texture nicely in baked goods. Don’t worry, the sugars in the recipe will balance out any tartness.
- Cream cheese: A sweetened cream cheese spread goes over the dough before the apples and streusel. Use cream cheese in the brick form, not the kind you buy in a tub; the latter is too soft. But do let the cream cheese soften at room temperature. It will combine with the ingredients better.
- Butter: On the flip side, when making streusel, the butter must be cold. If the butter is too warm, it will smear rather than break apart to form sweet crumbs. Once you’ve perfected your streusel skills, be sure to try more streusel-topped desserts.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the pizza dough
Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a saucepan, heat the water, milk and butter to between 120° and 130°.
Add the water mixture to the flour mixture, and beat for two minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough.
Step 2: Let the dough rest
Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Cover it loosely, and let it rest for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Cook the apples
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and stir the apples over medium heat for two minutes. Stir together the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a bowl, then stir into the skillet. Cook for three minutes. Reduce the heat to low. Cook, uncovered, four to six minutes, until the apples are tender, stirring frequently.
Step 4: Make the cheese topping
In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese, brown sugar and caramel ice cream topping until smooth.
Step 5: Make the streusel
In a small bowl, combine the flour and sugar, and cut in the cold butter until it becomes crumbly.
Editor’s Tip: What is streusel, anyway? This crumbly, buttery, sweet topping can be used in everything from apple crumb pie to muffin and coffee cake recipes. The key is to use cold butter so it forms chunks of streusel that crumble evenly over the pizza.
Step 6: Assemble the apple pizza
Pat the dough onto a greased 14-inch pizza pan, building up the edges slightly.
Spread on the cheese topping, then the apple topping.
Sprinkle with the streusel.
Step 7: Bake!
Bake the apple pizza for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Serve warm or cold. If desired, top with caramel ice cream topping just before serving.
Apple Pizza Variations
- Add cheese: Just because this is a fruit pizza doesn’t mean you can’t use cheese! Similar to apple pie with cheese, you can add some cheddar cheese or smoked mozzarella on top of the apple layer. It’s probably best to leave the streusel off at that point.
- Opt for a different fruit: Different types of stone fruits would make for delicious options in this fruit pizza. Peaches, cherries and plums are great to use because they’re a bit firm for baking and packed with sweet, slightly tart flavor.
- Use store-bought dough or puff pastry: If you don’t have the time or you feel intimidated by the idea of making your own dough from scratch, simply use premade pizza dough. You can also use puff pastry, which will yield a slightly thicker, layered, flaky base. Use any leftover sheets in these puff pastry recipes.
- Top with chocolate: If you’re looking for a different type of rich and decadent topping, substitute the streusel with a drizzle of melted chocolate or a few scoops of Nutella over the warm pizza.
How to Store Apple Pizza
Although apple pizza is best served fresh and warm from the oven, leftovers will still be delicious. Once the pizza is cooled to room temperature, store any remaining slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat the pizza in the oven to revive that crisp crust, or save time by using the microwave. We’ve got some expert tips for microwaving leftovers.
Tips for Making Apple Pizza
Can you use a different pan for apple pizza?
Yes, you can use any baking sheet for apple pizza. You can even make it oblong, square, oval or unevenly shaped. Any way you slice it, apple pizza will be delicious!
Can you use pie crust for apple pizza?
You can make apple pizza with pie crust, similar to this apple crisp pizza. Because the dough is thinner, though, it will bake up crispier. It won’t resemble pizza made with yeasted dough.
How do you serve apple pizza?
Much like your favorite apple pie, you can top warm apple pizza with a few scoops of vanilla, caramel or cinnamon ice cream. Serve your treat alongside a cup of steaming coffee or apple cider, or any of our favorite fall drinks.
