On a garlicky herb crust!

chipotle candied bacon and smoked blue cheese pizza by @howsweeteats I howsweeteats.com

That’s a mouthful. In the best way possible. Are you ready to be flavor punched in the face?!

chipotle candied bacon and smoked blue cheese pizza by @howsweeteats I howsweeteats.com

Here’s the rundown:

crispy, candied, spicy bacon bits.

blankets of melty, smoked blue cheese.

lots of fresh herbs.

a thin and crispy crust! studded with herbs and garlic and lots o’ love.

How am I even still aliiiiive?!

chipotle candied bacon and smoked blue cheese pizza by @howsweeteats I howsweeteats.com

GUYS THIS PIZZA.

No seriously. This pizza.

It is like… wowza. There are no words. It doesn’t seem like much, based on two ingredients and all, but it has so much ridiculous flavor. So much that I just keep repeating myself and have no idea how to explain just exactly how phenomenal this tastes. Annoying.

chipotle candied bacon and smoked blue cheese pizza by @howsweeteats I howsweeteats.com

It’s my at-home version of a local bar/restaurant’s pizza, one where I don’t necessarily prefer to frequent unless I’m getting this pizza every single time. It also comes in a salad version and – um – hello, I think I might remake that for the blog too while I’m at it.

chipotle candied bacon and smoked blue cheese pizza by @howsweeteats I howsweeteats.com

This is a double duty pizza for me. It makes for an AWESOME appetizer for happy hour, a dinner party or small gathering with a few cocktails. You can even slice it in to little squares and take it to parties come holiday season. (what. no. not yet.)

My point is that it is just SO versatile.

It’s also hearty enough to be your MEAL meal. Your pizza meal. I like it with a little salad – something wacky about the pizza and salad combo, right? It’s fantastic. Cold, crisp and refreshing meets warm, rich and hearty. It would probably be my last meal request. If we’re being real.

chipotle candied bacon and smoked blue cheese pizza by @howsweeteats I howsweeteats.com
Also. If I’m being REALLY real. You might want to make two. Two pizzas. For two people. Maybe. I mean… it’s that good.

chipotle candied bacon and smoked blue cheese pizza by @howsweeteats I howsweeteats.com

Chipotle Candied Bacon and Smoked Blue Cheese Pizza

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Ingredients

  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 ounces fontina cheese, freshly grated
  • ounces smoked blue cheese, plus extra for topping (my favorite brand is rogue creamery)
  • fresh herbs for topping

crust

Instructions 

  • Place a pizza stone inside you oven on the middle rack. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. You most definitely need a pizza peel for this – or at least something to easily transfer your dough to your stone.
  • Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until some of the fat has rendered but the bacon is NOT crispy yet. In a bowl, whisk together the sugar and chili powder. Sprinkle it over the bacon and toss and stir. Cook until the bacon is just STARTING to get crispy – you do not want it very crispy at all or else it will burn in the oven. But you do want the fat released. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel to drain any excess grease and slightly cool.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the water, yeast and honey. Let that sit and get foamy, about 10ish minutes. During that time, measure out and prep your ingredients – because this dough doesn’t have to rise! You want everything measured out and ready to top so you can quickly transfer the dough to the stone.
  • After 10 minutes, stir the flour and salt into the yeast mixture. Stir until the dough comes together, first using a spoon and then using your hands. If the dough is REALLY sticky, use a little more flour until it becomes silky, adding 1 tablespoon of flour as needed. Flour your workspace and knead the dough a few times with your hands. Let it sit for a few minutes while you finish making the bacon or prep the pizza dough.
  • Roll the dough out as thin as you possible can – at least 10 inches. If the dough keeps springing back, let it rest another 5 or 10 minutes. Flour your pizza peel VERY well. To transfer the thin dough to your peel, I gently and quickly fold the dough in half and then in half again, pick it up, and unfold it on the floured peel. Quickly add your toppings. Brush the dough with olive oil. Sprinkle the fontina cheese on the dough as a “base” cheese to help everything stick. Add on the bacon and the blue cheese crumbles (I use about all but 1 ounce, save it for topping) evenly.
  • Open the oven and gently slip the pizza from the peel to the stone – I use a spatula to help if needed. Bake the pizza for 10 to 15 minutes – just keep and eye on it since the oven is so hot and stones can differ. It will be done when the crust is crispy and cheese is golden.
  • Remove the pizza by sliding it back onto the pizza peel with the help of a spatula. Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing. Top with the extra blue cheese and fresh herbs. Serve immediately!
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chipotle candied bacon and smoked blue cheese pizza by @howsweeteats I howsweeteats.com

Crunch.