It’s almost Father’s Day and time to show appreciation for the fathers in your life. At this time of year, we celebrate fathers, stepfathers, father figures, and the people in our lives that have shared their fatherly advice.
Fathers and other adult male role models are an important part of growing up and learning about the ways the world works. And being a strong masculine example in someone’s life is a special position that can change lives.
We definitely want to celebrate all versions of fathers this Father’s Day with homemade pizza for dad. Find another place for the kiddos, and you could even make it a romantic night for two.
Homemade pizza is a wonderful way to show you care. Dad doesn’t need another tie, another book on golf, or another T-shirt. Instead, show your love and appreciation by making a delicious homemade pizza for dad instead.
We rounded up four of our favorite dad-inspired pizzas to make this Father’s Day. They are simple and highlight a different style of dads. We have BBQ pizza, a Meat Lover’s, a Healthy pizza, and Gourmet style pizza.
So whether your dad is a fan of BBQ, is focused on his health, or loves to try specialty gourmet pizzas, we have you covered. All of these recipes are for two 12-inch pizzas. Use your favorite pizza dough recipe, store-bought crusts, or flatbread to make these Father’s Day pizzas.
Chicken BBQ Pizza for Dad
If you are a dad, chances are you love BBQ. This is a twist on the classic BBQ pizza with homemade smoky, tangy sauce and grilled chicken. It’s a tasty way to celebrate Father’s Day.
Homemade BBQ Sauce
There are so many different types of BBQ sauce on the market, from sweet to smoky to spicy. BBQ sauce is basically a combination of four elements sweet, spicy, salty, and tangy.
While there is a basic formula for a standard BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, white wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and paprika, you can also mix things up and use different elements to personalize your sauce. Here are some ideas for each category.
- Sweet – honey, brown sugar, molasses, or agave
- Spicy – black pepper, hot sauce, chipotles in adobe, fresh or dried chilies
- Salty – Worcestershire, soy sauce, celery salt, onion salt, or tamari
- Tangy – apple cider vinegar, lemon, limes, grapefruit juice, mustard, achiote paste
The BBQ sauce for our chicken pizza is a fairly mild one, but if dad loves hot and spicy flavors, you can add more hot sauce for some extra kick.
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Tabasco sauce to your preference
Add the ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil while stirring. Then simmer for five minutes. That’s it, so easy. Just let it cool before adding it to your pizza.
Spread your sauce on your pizza base and add the toppings.
- 1 cup grilled chicken shredded or chopped (rotisserie is fine)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup smoked gouda
- 1 small red onion sliced thin
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro
Add your toppings but save the cilantro to sprinkle on when the pizza comes out of the oven.
Store any leftover BBQ sauce in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Meat Lover’s Pizza
Meat lover’s pizza is a favorite among many. Something about a hearty meat pizza is so satisfying. Our meaty pie has six kinds of meat: Italian sausage, pepperoni, salami, bacon, ham, and ground beef.
This classic pizza starts with a marinara sauce base and keeps the cheese simple with mozzarella. Then, pile on your favorite artery clogging treats. It’s a celebration so let dad enjoy every last bite of his meat lover’s pizza.
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 package pepperoni
- 1 cup cooked crumbled Italian sausage
- 20 thinly sliced pieces of salami
- 1 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- 10 slices ham
- ½ cup cooked crumbled ground beef
Pro Tip: Never put raw meat on a pizza. Always thoroughly cook before adding to the pizza.
Healthy Pizza for Dad
Active dads take of themselves and exercise, and eat right. But that doesn’t mean a healthy dad cant enjoy a good homemade pizza too. Making a healthy homemade pizza for dad is easy peasy with healthy toppings on a thin crust.
Our healthy pizza uses less cheese and more veggies to create a Mediterranean-inspired pizza. This pizza works with a classic marinara, a simple white sauce, or a fresh basil pesto.
- 1 cup Sweet smoked red peppers
- ½ cup smoked mozzarella
- ½ cup Parmesano Reggiano
- ⅓ cup of Feta cheese
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 10 cherry tomatoes halved
- A handful of fresh arugula
Add the fresh arugula after the pizza is cooked for a tangy fresh flavor.
Gourmet Dad Pizza
Is your father or father figure a foodie? Does he know the difference between black olives and kalamata olives? Does he have a fine palate and appreciate a complex flavor profile?
Our take on gourmet pizza will make any foodie smile. We combine the smoky fish with salty capers and creamy cheese, creating the perfect combination for pizza lovers who live something a little fancier than your classic pizza.
- 1 ½ cup of thinly sliced smoked salmon
- ¼ cup of capers
- 10 tablespoons Mascarpone cheese
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for the crust
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- Serve with lemon slices
Brush the crust with olive oil and spread out the red onions. Bake for 8 minutes on 425°F. Then, remove the pizza and add the salmon, capers, and spoonfuls of mascarpone cheese.
Sprinkle with black pepper and bake for another 5 minutes. We suggest serving with lemon slices because a little squeeze brings it all together.
Pair your favorite homemade pizza for dad with his favorite beer or wine and give a celebratory toast to all the fathers and father figures and all of the amazing things they do for us.
What’s your favorite way to make homemade pizza for dad? How do you celebrate Father’s Day?
