Top 5 Best Pizzas of 2025
- Hawaiian Pizza
- Margherita Pizza
- Quattro Stagioni
- Pepperoni Pizza
- Vegetarian Delight
- BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Seafood Special
- Four Cheese Pizza
- Spicy Arrabbiata
Pizza enthusiasts around the world engage in heated debates about toppings, but none has sparked as much controversy as the pineapple-topped creation. Whether you love it or loathe it, the pineapple pizza has certainly made its mark on culinary history. With its distinctive sweet and savoury profile, this unique creation continues to divide pizza lovers everywhere while simultaneously growing in popularity across the globe.
The Origin and Evolution of Pineapple Pizza
Contrary to what many believe, the Hawaiian_pizza did not originate in Italy or Hawaii. This iconic combination was actually created in Canada in 1962 by Sam Panopoulos, a Greek immigrant who owned a restaurant in Chatham-Kent, Ontario. Inspired by Chinese dishes that combined sweet and savoury flavours, particularly sweet and sour chicken, Panopoulos decided to experiment by adding canned pineapple to pizza. He paired it with ham, creating what would become known as the Hawaiian pizza. Interestingly, the name ‘Hawaiian’ was derived from the brand of tinned pineapple he used, rather than any connection to the Pacific islands.
The Hawaiian Pizza’s Controversial Birth Story
The concept of fruit on pizza was not entirely new when Panopoulos created his famous combination. In fact, early references to pineapple appearing on pizzas date back to the mid-1950s. In 1955, German television chef Clemens Wilmenrod introduced ‘Toast Hawaii’, a similar open-faced sandwich with ham, cheese, and pineapple. By 1957, pizzerias in Portland, Oregon were already serving pizzas topped with pineapple and green pepper, although without the ham that would later become standard. Despite these earlier iterations, it was Panopoulos who successfully popularised the specific combination that became globally recognised, earning the Hawaiian pizza its place in Time magazine as one of the 13 most influential pizzas of all time in 2014.
How Pineapple Pizza Gained Global Popularity
Despite its controversial status, the Hawaiian pizza has achieved remarkable popularity in several parts of the world. In 1999, it claimed the title of most popular pizza in Australia, accounting for an impressive 15% of all pizza sales. The United Kingdom showed similar enthusiasm, with data from Just Eat revealing it was the most commonly ordered pizza from UK takeaways in 2015. This widespread appeal exists despite fierce opposition from pizza purists and notable figures. In 2017, the President of Iceland jokingly suggested he would ban pineapple as a pizza topping, inadvertently causing a minor international incident that drew support from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. On the other side of the debate, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson publicly defended the controversial topping. The pizza’s divisive nature reached new heights in 2025 when a pizzeria in Norwich made headlines by charging an astonishing £100 for a pineapple pizza, perhaps capitalising on its notoriety.
The Perfect Flavour Balance of Sweet and Savoury
The enduring appeal of pineapple pizza lies in its unique combination of contrasting flavours. The juicy sweetness of pineapple creates a delightful counterpoint to the saltiness of ham and the richness of melted cheese. This sweet-savoury interplay breaks the monotony of traditional pizza toppings, offering an exciting flavour experience that many find irresistible. While a 2017 YouGov poll revealed that 82% of people generally liked pineapple as a fruit, only 53% approved of it as a pizza topping, with 29% expressing strong dislike. This stark division underscores how the combination creates strong reactions by challenging conventional pizza expectations.
The Science Behind Why Pineapple and Cheese Work Together
The appeal of pineapple pizza goes beyond mere preference, with actual scientific reasons supporting the pairing. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps break down proteins, making it particularly complementary with cheese and meat. The fruit’s natural acidity also cuts through the richness of mozzarella and ham, creating a balanced eating experience. When prepared in a wood-fire oven like those offered by premium brands such as Dome, Arc XL, or Roccbox, the pineapple caramelises slightly, intensifying its sweetness while developing deeper, more complex flavours that blend harmoniously with the smoky notes imparted by the oven.
Complementary Ingredients That Enhance Pineapple Pizza
While traditional Hawaiian pizza features ham as the primary accompaniment to pineapple, creative chefs have discovered numerous complementary ingredients that enhance this controversial topping. Bacon provides a smokier alternative to ham, adding depth and intensifying the sweet-salty contrast. Spicy elements like jalapeños or hot honey create a delightful three-way flavour profile of sweet, salty, and spicy. Some innovative approaches, such as that of renowned chef Franco Pepe, involve using fresh rather than canned pineapple, served cold alongside prosciutto on a hot base, earning critical acclaim even from sceptics. For home cooks looking to experiment with pineapple pizzas using portable outdoor pizza ovens, combining these elements with high-quality dough can transform this controversial dish into a gourmet experience, regardless of whether they choose gas or traditional wood-fire cooking methods. The versatility of pineapple allows it to work within various pizza styles, from traditional Italian to contemporary fusion approaches.