Traditional pizza dough isn’t the only way to get a great slice on the table. Plenty of other bases work just as well, and some make the process a whole lot easier. From crisp, sturdy alternatives to softer, more indulgent options, these recipes cover all the bases—literally. Not having to wait for dough to rise or wrestle with sticky flour-covered hands is a bonus too.
BBQ Black Bean & Chicken Tortilla Pizza
Kind of like a quesadilla, but better. Crispy tortillas hold layers of BBQ chicken, black beans, and plenty of cheese for an easy dinner that’s hard to beat.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Black Bean & Chicken Tortilla Pizza
Chorizo Naan Pizza
Naan makes the perfect base for this chorizo and ricotta combo. Spicy, creamy, and way too easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Chorizo Naan Pizza
Garlic Pizza Bread
Garlic bread meets pizza in the best way possible. A crispy loaf topped with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni—this is what Friday nights are made for.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Pizza Bread
Hawaiian Flatbread Pizza
Flatbread steps in for the usual dough, and honestly, it might be the better choice. This one loads up ham, pineapple, and gooey cheese on a crisp, chewy base that’s ready in no time. Great for weeknights when you want pizza without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Flatbread Pizza
French Bread Pizza
Frozen French bread pizzas had their moment, but making them fresh is just better. Slice up a loaf, throw on your favorite toppings, and let the air fryer or oven do the work. Quick, crispy, and completely customizable.
Get the Recipe: French Bread Pizza
Pork Banh Mi Flatbread Pizza
A banh mi sandwich and a pizza walked into a kitchen, and this was the result. Crisp flatbread holds tangy pickled veggies, seasoned pork, and fresh herbs for a great take on pizza night.
Get the Recipe: Pork Banh Mi Flatbread Pizza
Levantine Socca Pizza
Chickpea flour turns into a crispy, golden crust that holds bold flavors without the usual pizza dough. Baked in a cast iron skillet, this one brings something new to the table. Load it up with fresh toppings and call it dinner.
Get the Recipe: Levantine Socca Pizza
Italian Polenta Pizza
Polenta firms up into a sturdy, golden crust that’s perfect for layering on classic Italian toppings. Olives, fresh basil, tomatoes—it’s all here, just without the usual dough.
Get the Recipe: Italian Polenta Pizza
Dutch Oven Pizza Pasta
Not quite pizza, not quite pasta, but a whole lot of cheesy goodness in one pot. Pepperoni, marinara, and plenty of melty cheese come together in this comfort food mash-up.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Pizza Pasta
Blueberry and Honey Caramelized Onion Naan Pizza
Naan makes this one easy, but the real star is the mix of sweet and savory. Caramelized onions, juicy blueberries, ricotta, and feta give this a flavor boost that works way better than it should.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry and Honey Caramelized Onion Naan Pizza
Pizza Zucchini Boats
Zucchini halves get stuffed with sauce, cheese, and all the usual pizza toppings. No crust needed, and it’s a great way to use up that pile of summer squash.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Zucchini Boats
BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza
French bread makes a great shortcut crust, and when you load it up with BBQ chicken, cheese, and red onions, it’s an easy win for dinner. A great way to shake up pizza night.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza
Naan Pizza
When all else fails, naan has your back. A simple flatbread, fresh tomatoes, burrata, and garlic make this pizza a quick fix when the craving hits. Ready in 20 minutes with an oven or air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Naan Pizza
Pizza Monkey Bread
Pull-apart pizza? Yep. This monkey bread bakes up golden brown with layers of cheese, pepperoni, and garlic butter. Perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Monkey Bread
Chicken Crust Pizza
Yes, the crust is made of chicken. No, it’s not weird. Mixed with cheese and seasonings, it bakes into a sturdy base for any toppings you want. A protein-packed take on pizza night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Crust Pizza
Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Cauliflower steps in as the crust, crisping up into a golden, cheesy base. It’s a great swap when you want something different but still packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Buffalo Chicken Crust Pizza
This crust isn’t just made of chicken—it’s packed with Buffalo wing flavors. Shredded chicken, Parmesan, eggs, and Buffalo sauce form the base, and it only gets better from there.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Crust Pizza
Meatza Pizza
If crust is just a delivery system for meat and cheese, why not make the crust out of meat? Ground beef, sausage, and seasonings form the base for this heavy-hitter. Definitely not your average pizza.
Get the Recipe: Meatza Pizza
Pizza Toast
The easiest way to get pizza in your mouth fast. Bread, sauce, cheese—toast it up, and you’re good to go. Perfect for when you want pizza without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Toast
Potato Crust Pizza with Mozzarella
Mashed potatoes get pressed into a crispy crust, then topped with melty mozzarella and whatever else you’re craving. Think of it as pizza and loaded potatoes mashed into one.
Get the Recipe: Potato Crust Pizza with Mozzarella
Tortilla Pizza
A tortilla gets crispy in minutes, making it the fastest “crust” you can get your hands on. Load it up, pop it in the air fryer, and dinner’s ready.
Get the Recipe: Tortilla Pizza
Hawaiian Roll Pull-Apart Pizza Sliders
Sweet Hawaiian rolls get layered with pepperoni, mozzarella, and homemade pizza sauce, then baked until melty. Pull them apart and dig in.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Roll Pull-Apart Pizza Sliders
Pepperoni Pizza Potato Skins
Take loaded potato skins, add a pizza twist, and you’ve got these. Crispy potato shells packed with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni make them a hit for any snack or meal.
Get the Recipe: Pepperoni Pizza Potato Skins
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
