Grilled Pizza Bread: Halal Beef Bacon and Vegetable Flatbread
This grilled pizza bread uses a soft French-style bread loaf as a base for tomato pizza sauce, mozzarella, and halal beef bacon. It is an Italian-inspired appetiser that combines the crunch of charred bread with a savoury blend of red and yellow bell peppers, onion, and black olives. You get a firm, toasted exterior and a soft centre where the cheese bubbles under the heat of the grill.
Control your heat and timing to ensure the bread does not burn before the cheese melts. Pre-heat your grill to 215°C (420°F) to sear the bread quickly. You must let the bread rest for 1 minute after removing it from the grill. This pause allows the toppings to set, which prevents the crust from sogging. Without this rest, the moisture from the vegetables and sauce can soften the crisp base.
Grilled Pizza Bread: Halal Beef Bacon and Vegetable Flatbread
Recipe cardIngredients
Watch how it's made
Instructions
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Heat the grill
Pre-heat your grill to 215°C (420°F) using medium heat. If you prefer indirect heat, move the burners to one side and leave the centre off. This ensures the bread toasts without burning too quickly.
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Toast the bread
Brush each bread half with 25 ml of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Lay them cut-side down on a grill mat or baking sheet. Grill for 2 minutes until a faint char develops, then flip and brush the raw side with the remaining 25 ml olive oil for 1 minute.
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Apply the base
Spread 80 ml of tomato sauce over the raw side of each bread half. Sprinkle 90 g of shredded mozzarella on top. The oil from the previous step helps the sauce adhere to the crust.
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Add the toppings
Arrange the sliced beef bacon, red and yellow bell pepper, onion, and black olives over the cheese. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan and dried oregano evenly across the surface for a savoury finish.
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Melt the cheese
Close the grill lid. Cook for 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned. Closing the lid traps heat to melt the toppings without overcooking the base.
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Rest and serve
Remove the bread and let it rest on a cutting board for 1 minute. This prevents the toppings from sliding and stops the bread from sogging. Slice into wedges, drizzle remaining tomato sauce on the edges, and garnish with basil.
Avoid overcrowding the grill. Use thin slices of the loaf to ensure heat circulates properly. If you see steam rising from the bread rather than a crisp char, move the pieces further apart to prevent the crust from becoming soft.
Getting the texture right
Avoid overcrowding the grill to allow heat to circulate. Use thin slices of the loaf to prevent the bread from steaming. Let the bread rest for 1 minute after grilling to set the toppings. This prevents the crust from sogging and keeps the base crisp under the cheese.
Storing and reheating
Store leftovers wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 2 hours. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for 2 to 4 days. Reheat on the grill for 2 minutes or in a pre-heated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes to restore crispness.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 500
- Protein
- 30.0 g
- Carbs
- 50.0 g
- Fat
- 20.0 g
- Fiber
- 4.5 g
- Sugar
- 6.2 g
Estimated, and offered as a guide rather than a medical figure.
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Questions people ask
What kind of bread is used for pizza bread?
Use a soft French-style bread loaf. This choice provides a sturdy yet airy structure that supports the sauce and cheese without becoming too hard when grilled at 215°C (420°F).
How do I make pizza bread?
Brush sliced bread with olive oil and grill until charred. Add tomato sauce, mozzarella, beef bacon, and vegetables. Cook with the lid closed for 5 minutes until the cheese bubbles and browns.
Can I make pull-apart pizza bread without a bundt pan?
No. This specific recipe uses a sliced loaf grilled flat rather than a pull-apart method. To achieve a similar effect, slice the loaf partially and fill the gaps with the cheese and toppings.