# Smoked Pizza with Smoked Mozzarella > A wood-smoked pizza that combines the gentle smoke of fruitwood with creamy smoked mozzarella for a deep, savory flavor. The method uses a brief par-bake then a finish in a smoker to get a crisp crust, melted cheese, and a subtle wood-fired aroma. Canonical URL: https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/smoked-pizza-smoked-mozzarella ## Author Jake Woods https://www.topshelf.recipes/chef/jake-woods Published: June 26, 2026 Last Updated: September 28, 2026 ## About This Recipe This smoked pizza is a small exercise in balance: the quick, sweet smoke of fruitwood (apple or cherry) layers itself over creamy smoked mozzarella, then meets a crunchy, blistered crust and finishing brightness from fresh basil and a dusting of Parmesan. The smoked cheese deepens the savory profile so you don’t have to overwhelm the pie with heavy toppings—think restraint, not abundance. The result is a pizza that tastes like a wood-fired takeout but built with equipment most home cooks already have: a smoker or pellet grill and a hot stone or steel. The technique—an intentional par-bake followed by a short smoke finish—lets you achieve two things at once: a crisp bottom and a pronounced but gentle wood aroma. Par-baking firms the dough so sauce won’t make it soggy under the smoke, and finishing on the hot stone in the smoker melts the cheese while adding that bakery-to-ember edge. This is a pizza for weekend cooks who like tactile work and layered flavors, for backyard dinners when you want something special but not precious, and for anyone who loves the interplay of smoky, creamy, and herbal notes on a perfectly textured crust. ## Recipe Information - Prep Time: 35 minutes - Cook Time: 20 minutes - Total Time: 55 minutes - Servings: 4 - Difficulty: Medium - Category: Smoking ## Ingredients ### Shape the dough - 1 lb Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade) ### Par-bake and assemble the pizza - 8 oz Smoked mozzarella, shredded - 1 cup Pizza sauce (crushed tomatoes or prepared pizza sauce) ### Preheat the smoker and prepare wood chips - 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil - 1 cup Fruitwood chips (apple or cherry), soaked 20–30 minutes - 1 tsp Salt & freshly ground black pepper ### Finish, rest, and serve - 12 leaves Fresh basil leaves - 2 tbsp Grated Parmesan ## Ingredient Guide ### Smoked mozzarella, shredded Smoked mozzarella is a fresh Italian-style cheese (often sold as scamorza affumicata when smoked) that’s been cold- or hot-smoked to give the mild, milky cheese a gentle smoky aroma and flavor. It keeps the soft, elastic texture of fresh mozzarella but adds a subtle savory smoke note rather than the intense bite of aged smoked cheeses. Find it at cheese counters, specialty markets, or larger supermarkets; if unavailable, substitute with fresh mozzarella plus a small amount of smoked provolone or smoked gouda, or a tiny dash of liquid smoke for the smoky element. ### Fruitwood chips (apple or cherry), soaked 20–30 minutes Fruitwood chips are small chunks of apple or cherry tree wood used for smoking and grilling to impart a light, sweet, fruity smoke to foods — common in American barbecue and wood-fired cooking. They’re soaked briefly before use to slow burning and generate more smoke; sold at BBQ stores, hardware stores, or online. If you don’t have fruitwoods, substitute with other mild woods like alder or pecan, use hickory for a stronger smoke, or approximate the effect with smoked salt or smoked paprika in recipes. ## Instructions ### 1. Shape the dough Bring the dough to room temperature for 30–45 minutes so it relaxes. On a lightly floured surface, press or stretch the dough into a 12–14-inch round, leaving a slightly thicker rim for the crust; transfer to a well-floured pizza peel or parchment. ### 2. Preheat the smoker and prepare wood chips Soak fruitwood chips for 20–30 minutes, then preheat your smoker (or pellet grill with indirect heat) with a pizza stone or steel in place to 500°F (260°C). Drain the chips and add them per your smoker's instructions; brush the dough lightly with olive oil and season the edge with a pinch of salt and pepper to help it brown during the brief smoke. ### 3. Par-bake and assemble the pizza Slide the oiled dough onto the hot stone and par-bake for 3–4 minutes until it begins to set but is not fully browned. Remove briefly, spread an even layer of pizza sauce over the base, then top with shredded smoked mozzarella, leaving the rim clear. ### 4. Smoke the pizza until done Return the pizza to the smoker and cook for 6–10 minutes, rotating once if needed, until the cheese is bubbly and the crust develops a golden to lightly charred edge. Watch closely: higher temps and fresh chips will give more smoke flavor quickly, so avoid over-smoking which can make the pizza bitter. ### 5. Finish, rest, and serve Remove the pizza and let it rest 2–3 minutes, then scatter fresh basil leaves and a light dusting of grated Parmesan over the top; finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a crack of black pepper. Slice into 4 portions and serve immediately to enjoy the smoky, melty cheese and crisp crust. ## Nutrition Estimated nutrition per serving (1 serving): - Calories: 571 kcal - Protein: 23.6 g - Carbohydrates: 66.9 g - Fat: 23 g - Saturated Fat: 9.5 g - Fiber: 3.5 g - Sugar: 8.2 g - Added Sugars: 3.8 g - Cholesterol: 42.4 mg - Sodium: 1738.9 mg - Potassium: 367.3 mg - Calcium: 360.6 mg - Iron: 4.6 mg - Vitamin D: 0.2 mcg ## Tips ### Room‑temperature dough Let the dough relax at room temperature for 30–45 minutes so it stretches easily and forms an airy rim without springing back. ### Dry the smoked mozzarella Pat shredded smoked mozzarella with a paper towel to remove excess surface moisture so the cheese melts cleanly without pooling. ### Control smoke intensity Use fruitwood chips and a short smoking window—freshly soaked chips and higher temps smoke faster—so the pizza picks up sweetness rather than harsh bitterness. ### Par‑bake for crispness Don’t skip the 3–4 minute par‑bake: it sets the base and prevents a soggy center when you return the pie to the smoker. ### Rotate for even char Rotate the pizza once during the finish so the crust browns evenly where heat hotspots might otherwise char one side. ### Use a stone or steel A preheated pizza stone or steel stores heat to crisp the bottom quickly; place the peel on the cold edge of the smoker for safe transfers. ## Variations and Substitutions ### White Pizza with Garlic Skip the tomato sauce and brush the base with a thin garlic‑olive oil mixture, add smoked mozzarella and spoonfuls of ricotta for a creamy, smoky white pie. ### Fruit & Prosciutto Top with thinly sliced grilled peaches or figs after smoking and finish with torn prosciutto and arugula for a sweet‑salty contrast that complements fruitwood smoke. ### Spicy Salami or Pepperoni For a bolder, crowd‑pleasing option, add spicy salami or pepperoni before the smoke finish so the edges crisp and render into the cheese. ### Gluten‑free or Cauliflower Use a store‑bought gluten‑free crust or a well‑made cauliflower crust; par‑bake slightly longer to ensure it holds up during the smoke finish. ## Notes This recipe shines for weekend dinners or backyard gatherings when you want the flavor of a wood-fired pizza without a wood-fired oven. Home cooks will love how a few minutes in the smoker elevates a simple pizza into something special. ### Storage and Make-Ahead Store leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours; the smoky aroma will mellow over time. Reheat in a 375°F oven or a skillet for best texture—avoid the microwave, which makes the crust soggy. You can freeze slices wrapped in parchment and foil for up to 1 month and reheat from frozen in a hot oven until warmed through and crisp. ### Serving Suggestions Serve this pizza with a bright, simple salad—arugula tossed with lemon, shaved Parmesan, and a splash of olive oil—to cut through the richness. Complement the fruitwood smoke with a dry hard cider, an unoaked rosé, or a crisp pilsner; for nonalcoholic options, try sparkling apple or ginger soda. Present slices on a warm board and offer extra basil and chili flakes at the table. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I use fresh mozzarella instead of smoked? Yes—pat fresh mozzarella dry and use it sparingly to avoid excess moisture; you can also mix fresh and smoked mozzarella to get a milder smoke note and a creamier melt. ### What if I don’t have a smoker? You can simulate the effect on a gas grill by setting up indirect heat, using soaked wood chips in a smoker box or foil packet, and placing a preheated stone inside; a pellet grill works best if you have one. ### How do I prevent a soggy center? The par‑bake step is crucial—make sure the base is just set before adding sauce and cheese, use a hot stone or steel, and avoid overloading the sauce or toppings. ### Which woods should I avoid? Avoid very strong woods like mesquite or hickory for this pie—they can overpower the smoked mozzarella and turn bitter; fruitwoods (apple, cherry) or mild oak are ideal. ### My crust browns too fast—how do I adjust? Lower the smoker temperature slightly and give the pizza a longer finish time, or move it to a less direct heat zone so the interior has time to cook without burning the rim. ## Related Recipes and Guides - [Smoked Chex Mix](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/smoked-chex-mix) - [Smoked Coffee-Chile Rubbed Pork Roast for Pellet or Offset Smokers](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/smoked-coffee-chile-rubbed-pork-roast-pellet-offset) - [Smoked Pulled Pork Meal Prep](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/smoked-pulled-pork-meal-prep) - [Eggs Benedict Pulled Pork](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/eggs-benedict-pulled-pork-smoked) - [Smoked BBQ Beef Meatballs with Cherry Chipotle Glaze](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/smoked-bbq-beef-meatballs-cherry-chipotle-glaze) - [Traeger Burnt Ends from Brisket Tips with Molasses Glaze](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/traeger-burnt-ends-brisket-tips-molasses-glaze) - [Labour Day Smoking Playbook](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/labour-day-smoking-playbook) - [Traeger Tips: Mastering Pellet Smoking and Grilling](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/traeger-tips-pellet-grilling-smoke-masterclass) - [Gluten-Free Weeknight Grilling Plan](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/gluten-free-weeknight-grilling-plan)