You'd put grapes on your cheeseboard so why not nectarine on a pizza? Scroll down for my recipe for Kale and Nectarine Pizza!
Fruit on pizza
I know, I know. If someone said the words "fruit pizza" to you it would probably conjure up imagines of dessert pizzas topped with Nutella and strawberry. Nectarine and kale probably wasn't the flavour combination you were expecting.
This pizza was inspired by some of the savoury fruit salads that also appear on my blog:
- My Vegan Waldorf Salad uses apples
- I have a Brussels Sprouts, Squash and Cranberry Salad
- This Winter Citrus Salad pairs bitter leaves with tangy grapefruit and orange
If these combinations work as a salad why wouldn't they work as pizza toppings?
Jump to:
Ingredients
Dough
I started off this recipe with a simple wholemeal pizza dough. I used to always use a white flour dough but you get so much more texture and flavour from a wholemeal base. And if it's healthier for you on account of all the fibre then that's a plus!
Sauce
There's no real magic in the tomato topping. I like to keep things simple with a good quality passata which I add a few dried herbs to (basil and oregano a must).
Make sure you get a good quality passata. You don't want anything too bitter!
Cheese
Things start to get really good when you move to the cheese. For me a pizza isn't a pizza if it doesn't have some mozzarella on it. This mild, creamy cheese is the perfect base for bolder flavours. You also can't deny that its wonderful stringy texture makes eating the pizza all the more fun.
But, I didn't stop there. To balance out the sweet nectarines I knew I'd need to add another cheese. I didn't want to overpower the nectarine, I just wanted to compliment it so I went for a soft and salty goats cheese. It melted into these wonderful puddles of savouriness (is that even a word?!)) Taking a bite with both nectarine and goats cheese is just dreamy.
Fruit
To give the nectarine a bit more character grilling the slices first adds a wonderful caramel flavour to the fruit. It also makes sure that the slices are fully cooked through as the pizza doesn't get all that long in the oven.
Kale
To make sure this pizza recipe is firmly in the savoury camp I also added kale. Cavolo nero works particularly well but any kale will do! It crisps up in the oven too which also adds wonderful texture.
Garnish
Finally, a couple of fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of honey sends this pizza from good to epic.
Step-by-step Instructions
This recipe starts with making dough from scratch so there are quite a few steps but I promise it's worth it:
How to make the dough
- Dissolve the sugar in warm water before adding the yeast and giving it a whisk. Leave the yeast for 15 minutes or until it starts to get frothy. This is how you know the yeast is working
- Add the flour, olive oil, seasonings and yeast mix into a large bow and mix until you have a ball of dough.
- Knead the dough for 10 - 15 minutes on a clean surface until its smooth and springy.
- Leave it to prove for 1 hour or until its doubled in size.
- Start prepping the rest of the pizza while it proves.
How to make the pizza
- Start by charring the nectarines in a griddle pan.
- Stretch out the dough then spread over the passata and dried herbs.
- Add on the cheese then the griddled nectarine slices.
- Finally add the kale.
- Cook in a hot oven for 10 minutes or until the pizza is golden and the cheese melted.
- Add a few basil leaves to the top of the pizza along with a drizzle of honey immediately before serving.
Make it vegan
There are some fantastic vegan cheeses on the market now which mimic their dairy counterparts.
Julienne Bruno make a fantastic vegan buratta and I am Nut OK do a very convincing vegan mozzarella. You can also get a vegan goats cheese called G.O.A.T which is also from I am Nut OK. All are available on Ocado as well as other online stores.
You can replace the honey with maple syrup so you still get the sweetness but without the exploitation of bees!
Top Tip
You want your oven to be piping hot. If your oven doesn't go up to 300 C just have it as hot as possible.
FAQ
Yes! You don't have to make your own dough. Pizza Express sells pre-made pizza dough in the supermarkets in the UK or you can get a pre-made base. There are lots of different ones available and they make a great shortcut.
The recipe
Nectarine and Kale Pizza
Ingredients
For the dough
- 7 grams fast action dried yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 150 millilitres warm water
- 250 grams wholemeal flour
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper
For the toppings
- 4 tablespoon passata
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs
- 120 grams mozarella
- 75 grams goats cheese
- 10 slices nectarine
- 1 handful kale
- Basil
- Honey
Instructions
- To make the dough, activate the yeast by dissolving the sugar in the warm water, adding the yeast and giving it a whisk. Leave the yeast for 15 minutes or until frothy.
- Sift the flour into a large bowl and add the yeast, olive oil and salt and pepper to season.
- Stir until the mix forms a dough ball.
- Turn out onto a clean surface and knead for 10-15 minutes or until the surface of the dough is springy.
- Put the ball of dough back into the bowl, cover and allow to prove for 30 mins - 1 hour (or until doubled in size).
- Pre-heat your oven to 300C and place a baking stone or baking tray inside.
- Place the nectarine slices onto a hot griddle pan and allow to char slightly.
- Roll out the dough boy and stretch thin.
- Spread the passata over the dough and sprinkle the dried herbs over evenly.
- Tear the mozarella into pieces and dot over the passata. Repeat with the goats cheese.
- Place the griddled nectarine slices over the cheese.
- Finish with strips of kale.
- Cook in a hot oven for 10 minutes or until the pizza is golden and the cheese melted.
- Add a few basil leaves to the top of the pizza along with a drizzle of honey immediately before serving.
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
I would love this pizza. I like using grilled fruits in recipes, it really brings out their flavour and I love how you have added mozzarella and goats cheese. Makes a welcome change from the usual toppings :))
Dannii says
I love Kale on a pizza, but I have never had nectarine on it. That is definitely one to try for our next pizza night.
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
This is genius! Lovely idea!
Patty says
Such a pretty pizza, it sure is a surprising combo but that looks delicious!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
What a fun combination! I love kale on a pizza (especially when it gets a little crispy) but I've never tried it with nectarines! Yum!
Jen says
I’m of the opinion that don’t knock it until you try it, and if you can have exotic pineapple on pizza, then I’m sure the less fancy nectarine also works. I actually imagine the flavours of the kale and fruit are really nice together. Certainly worth trying.
Jagruti says
What a creative pizza, I would never have thought about using fruit on pizza, looks so delicious and tempting.
Lauren says
This pizza looks delicious, but it is also so beautiful!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
What a combo! I would have never thought of this, but now I want to try it before nectarines go out of season!
Padmajha PJ says
Dessert pizza does make you think of nutella and strawberries, but never made one though! Grilled fruits does added to the appeal!
Lauren says
Such a beautiful pizza! Will definitely be trying!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
I will admit when I read the title I though REALLY??? I know where you are coming from here. I had the similar experience with my husband. He didn't think one of my recipes would work either. Once it was made he loved it. I have only had pineapple on pizza....so this is new to me. Interesting combination for sure.
Adriana Lopez Martin says
This is just perfection in a bite. All the things I love together and in a pizza! Your pictures are also mouthwatering =)
Carmen says
I am drooling over here! Goat cheese and nectarines are divine when paired! I think the only thing that threw me was using pasatta. I've never thought to pair nectarines and tomatoes. I wonder if sun dried tomatoes would be good on it, too.
Helene D'Souza says
My husband would pull a face too and I doubt I could convince him about the idea to add a fruit on a pizza, but then he is always difficult with food. I would bake and eat this pizza, and I would definitely enjoy each bite!
Noel Lizotte says
This pizza looks wonderful. What a creative way to use kale! I'm so tempted by these pictures, I want to run out now and buy the ingredients ... it's 8:00 pm! LOL
Emma Walton says
It's never too late for pizza 😉
Veena Azmanov says
I love kale on Pizza but the nectarine is new to me. I do love pineapple on pizza so why not nectarine! Sounds delicious. Definitely going to try. Love how pretty it looks!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Veena! If you do make it I'd love to see a picture. You can tweet me at @Supper_Suburbs!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I love this pizza. I am a big lover of whole meal flours as they are definitely more flavorful than the white flour. Roasting the nectarines sounds like a great idea to bring out the natural sweetness.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
The char you got on those nectarines - yum! This looks like a great twist on the regular pizza flavors.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Joanna! You can't beat that caramelised sugar!
Karyn Ryan says
Wow what a combination. It looks so amazing and tasty.I have never had nectarine on a pizza before
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
What a nice switch from the meat/cheese/tomato based pizza. Now, I have to admit that I'll take a pizza any way I can get it. This would be delicious as a nice lunch. I'm pinning.
Emma Walton says
Haha I'm the same Marisa, if someone mentioned pizza I'm there! I do like to have a play around with flavours though
Catherine says
Loving the flavors of this pizza...such an elegant and gourmet take. I definitely want to give this a try sometime!
Emma Walton says
Catherine you've made my day! Not sure that my recipes have ever been called gourmet!
Jessica (swanky recipes) says
This pizza has all my favorite ingredients. Whenever the hubs and I go out to a gourmet pizza joint, we always try a unique slice and it's always amazing. Can't wait to try this one!
Emma Walton says
I'm like you! Always trying the most weird and wonderful toppings on offer. I reckon this could work well with some cured ham too.
Teri Stephens says
This is so creative, and I love the sweet + savory elements of this pizza.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Teri!
Swathi says
Never thought making a pizza with kale and nectarine, you made it so easy this unique combo I will try it for me Kale is only for chips, you changed my opinion now.