Pickle Pizza Crème Fraîche

Featured in: Vegetarian & Plant-Based Grill

Tangy dill pickles, rich crème fraîche sauce, and gooey mozzarella come together on a golden, crisp crust for an unforgettable pizza experience. This easy vegetarian dish uses fresh dill and lemon zest to boost flavor, while pickles add crunch and zest. Customize with extra spice or alternate cheeses, then pair with a refreshing beverage. Ready in just over half an hour, it’s ideal for anyone seeking a unique twist on classic pizza with bold, unexpected ingredients.

Updated on Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:02:00 GMT
Tangy Pickle Pizza topped with creamy sauce, mozzarella, and crunchy dill pickles.  Save
Tangy Pickle Pizza topped with creamy sauce, mozzarella, and crunchy dill pickles. | bitegrill.com

A tangy, creamy pizza topped with a rich crème fraîche sauce, mozzarella, and crunchy dill pickles. Perfect for adventurous pizza lovers seeking a unique flavor combination.

My first encounter with pickle pizza was at a quirky local pizzeria, and it was truly unforgettable. Recreating it at home quickly became a favorite weekend ritual for my family.

Ingredients

  • Dough: 1 ball (250 g) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
  • Sauce: 150 g (about 2/3 cup) crème fraîche, 1 clove garlic (minced), 1 tsp fresh dill (finely chopped), ½ tsp lemon zest, salt and black pepper (to taste)
  • Toppings: 200 g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese, 80 g (about 1/2 cup) sliced dill pickles, 1 tbsp red onion (thinly sliced, optional), 1 tbsp fresh dill (for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 250°C (480°F) or as high as it will go. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
Shape Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll out the pizza dough to a 30 cm (12-inch) round. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza peel.
Prepare Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix crème fraîche, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Assemble Pizza:
Spread the crème fraîche sauce evenly over the pizza base, leaving a 1 cm (½-inch) border.
Add Cheese and Toppings:
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the sauce. Arrange the sliced pickles and red onion (if using) over the cheese.
Bake:
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Finish:
Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh dill, slice, and serve immediately.
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Sharing pickle pizza always brings the family together, sparking laughter and curiosity over the unexpected combination. Even the skeptics end up reaching for a second slice!

Required Tools

Oven, baking sheet or pizza stone, rolling pin (optional), mixing bowl, knife and cutting board.

Allergen Information

Contains milk/dairy (crème fraîche, mozzarella) and gluten (pizza dough, unless using gluten-free dough). Always check ingredient labels for allergies.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 370, Total Fat 18 g, Carbohydrates 37 g, Protein 14 g.

Deliciously unique Pickle Pizza, featuring gooey cheese and zesty flavors bursting through.  Save
Deliciously unique Pickle Pizza, featuring gooey cheese and zesty flavors bursting through. | bitegrill.com

Slice and serve the pickle pizza fresh from the oven, paired with sparkling water or crisp lager for the perfect meal.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use sour cream instead of crème fraîche?

Yes, sour cream is a good substitute for crème fraîche and will offer a similar creamy texture and tanginess.

What kind of pickles work best?

Dill pickles are recommended for their tart, salty flavor and crisp texture, but you can experiment with your favorite pickles.

Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, all listed ingredients are vegetarian. Just check labels for any added animal products in cheese or dough.

Can I make the dough gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the pizza dough with a gluten-free version to accommodate dietary needs.

Which cheese alternatives can I use?

Smoked gouda or provolone offer interesting variations. Try different cheeses for new flavor profiles.

What’s a good beverage pairing?

A crisp lager or sparkling water with lemon are perfect complements to the bright, zesty flavors.

Pickle Pizza Crème Fraîche

Crispy dough meets tangy pickles and creamy cheese. A bold, vegetarian twist for flavor seekers.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
15 min
Complete duration
35 min
Created by Ethan Walker


Skill Level Easy

Heritage American

Output 4 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-Free

Components

Dough

01 1 ball (9 oz) pizza dough, store-bought or homemade

Sauce

01 2/3 cup crème fraîche
02 1 clove garlic, minced
03 1 teaspoon fresh dill, finely chopped
04 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
05 Salt and black pepper, to taste

Toppings

01 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
02 1/2 cup sliced dill pickles
03 1 tablespoon red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
04 1 tablespoon fresh dill, for garnish

Method

Phase 01

Preheat Oven: Set oven to 480°F or the highest temperature available. Preheat pizza stone if using.

Phase 02

Prepare Dough Base: On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll pizza dough into a 12-inch round. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza peel.

Phase 03

Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, blend crème fraîche, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper until smooth.

Phase 04

Spread Sauce: Evenly distribute crème fraîche mixture over the pizza base, leaving a 1/2-inch border.

Phase 05

Add Cheese Layer: Top the sauce evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Phase 06

Arrange Toppings: Place sliced dill pickles and red onion over the cheese.

Phase 07

Bake: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.

Phase 08

Finish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh dill, slice, and serve immediately.

Tools needed

  • Oven
  • Baking sheet or pizza stone
  • Rolling pin (optional)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Knife and cutting board

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult with healthcare providers if you're uncertain about sensitivities.
  • Contains dairy from crème fraîche and mozzarella.
  • Contains gluten unless using gluten-free dough.

Nutritional information (each portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 370
  • Fats: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Proteins: 14 g