Lemon Pizza Recipe
This refreshing Lemon Pizza combines the zest and juice of fresh lemons with creamy mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, baked on a crisp, homemade pizza dough crust. The bright, tangy flavors create a unique and vibrant twist on traditional pizza, making it perfect for a light meal or appetizer.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 medium pizza (serves 2-4) 1x
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Dough:
- 1 ball Easy pizza dough (or store-bought dough)
For the Lemon Brine:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 small garlic clove, grated
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Toppings:
- 5 oz (150 grams) fresh mozzarella (or ⅓ to ½ cup shredded firm mozzarella)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for topping after baking)
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Pizza Dough: Follow your easy no-knead pizza dough recipe through step 5, including shaping the pizza and preheating your oven to the required temperature, ideally with a pizza stone inside.
- Prepare the Cheese: If using fresh mozzarella packed in water, slice it into ½ inch thick pieces. Pat dry gently with paper towels to remove excess moisture if needed to avoid soggy pizza.
- Shape the Dough: On a sheet of parchment paper, starting from the center, gently press the dough outward with your fingers until it measures approximately 9×13 inches. Transfer the dough on the parchment paper to a pizza peel or the back of a rimmed baking sheet for easy handling.
- Make the Lemon Brine: In a glass jar with a lid, combine extra virgin olive oil, water, chopped fresh parsley, grated garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Shake vigorously until well emulsified.
- Add the Brine and Toppings: Create a few dimples evenly over the stretched dough with your fingers. Pour the lemon brine over the dough, filling the dimples carefully for even flavor distribution. Scatter the mozzarella cheese evenly over the surface.
- Bake the Pizza: Using the pizza peel, slide the pizza with the parchment directly onto the preheated pizza stone in the oven. Bake for about 8-10 minutes in a hot, fan-forced oven or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Keep an eye on it as times may vary.
- Finish the Pizza: Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and immediately drizzle with the additional lemon juice. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley on top. Add freshly ground black pepper or a pinch of chili flakes if desired.
- Serve: Slice the pizza into portions and serve immediately while warm and fresh.
Notes
- Patting the fresh mozzarella dry is crucial to prevent a soggy pizza.
- Using a pizza stone and preheating it ensures a crisp crust.
- If you prefer a spicier option, chili flakes are a great addition.
- The lemon brine adds a unique burst of flavor so evenly distributing it over the dough is important.
- Try to use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best flavor impact.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 pizza
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: lemon pizza, fresh mozzarella pizza, citrus pizza, easy pizza, homemade pizza dough, Italian pizza, vegetarian pizza