Pear Pizza With Fried Sage

Pizza dough: The base of your pizza, it can be store-bought or homemade and provides a soft, chewy crust.

Pears: Sliced fresh pears add a sweet and juicy flavor that pairs perfectly with cheese.

Mozzarella cheese: A mild, melty cheese that covers the pizza and helps hold everything together.

Gorgonzola cheese: A crumbly blue cheese with a strong, tangy taste that adds depth.

Fresh sage: Leaves that become crispy and aromatic when fried, giving the pizza a unique flavor.

Olive oil: Used to fry the sage leaves and add a bit of richness.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors on the pizza.

Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a little spicy kick to finish the dish.

One of the coolest parts of making this Pear Pizza With Fried Sage is getting those sage leaves perfectly crispy. Frying sage might seem tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it really adds a fun crunch and a burst of flavor to your pizza. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. You want the oil hot but not smoking.
2. Carefully place the fresh sage leaves in the pan in a single layer. Don’t crowd them, or they won’t get crispy.
3. Fry the leaves for about 1 to 2 minutes. You’ll see them start to bubble and crisp up quickly—watch closely so they don’t burn.
4. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to take the leaves out and put them on paper towels. This helps soak up extra oil and keeps them crunchy.

Doing this makes your pizza taste extra special because the crispy sage adds a lovely texture and a slightly peppery, herbal kick that goes perfectly with the sweet pear slices and melty cheese. Plus, frying the leaves brings out their flavor in a way that just tossing them on raw can’t match.

I remember the first time I tried frying sage, I left the leaves in too long and ended up with burnt, bitter bits. Now, I keep a close eye on them and take them out as soon as they turn crispy and a little darker. Also, don’t skip the paper towels—they really help keep the leaves from getting soggy.

Once you’ve got this down, you’ll find that fried sage is a simple trick that makes your homemade pizza feel fancy and delicious every time!

• pizza dough - Substitute with flatbread: Flatbread provides a similar base and texture for the pizza, making it a convenient alternative.

• sliced pears - Substitute with sliced apples: Apples offer a similar sweetness and texture, complementing the other ingredients well.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone has a similar melting quality and mild flavor that works well on pizza.

• crumbled gorgonzola cheese - Substitute with crumbled blue cheese: Blue cheese has a similar strong, tangy flavor that can replace gorgonzola.

• fresh sage - Substitute with fresh thyme: Thyme provides a different but complementary herbal note to the pizza.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and can be used in the same way.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt provides the same seasoning effect with a slightly different mineral content.

• freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar spiciness with a slightly different flavor profile.

• Allow the pear pizza to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
• Wrap the pizza slices individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures that each slice is well-protected and maintains its flavor.
• Place the wrapped slices in an airtight container or zip-top bag. This helps to keep the pizza fresh and prevents it from absorbing any unwanted odors from the refrigerator.
• Store the pizza in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing.
• To freeze, place the wrapped slices on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid, about 2-3 hours. This prevents the slices from sticking together.
• Once frozen, transfer the slices to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
• When ready to eat, reheat the pizza in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. For a quicker option, use a microwave, but note that the crust may not be as crisp.
• If reheating from frozen, allow the pizza to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before following the reheating instructions.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the leftover pear pizza on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from over-browning. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove the foil for the last 2 minutes to crisp up the top.

• Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the pizza slice in the skillet and cover it with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. This method helps to keep the crust crunchy while ensuring the cheese is gooey.

• Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pear pizza slice directly on the rack or on a small baking sheet. Heat for about 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Microwave Method: This method is quicker but may result in a softer crust. Place the pizza slice on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to trap steam and prevent drying out. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the pear pizza slice in the air fryer basket. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. This method provides a quick and efficient way to reheat while maintaining the crust's texture.

• Oven: Used to bake the pizza at a high temperature to achieve a crispy crust and melted cheese.

• Rolling pin: Essential for rolling out the pizza dough to your desired thickness.

• Floured surface: Provides a non-stick area to roll out the dough without it sticking.

• Pizza stone: Helps to evenly distribute heat and create a crispy crust. Alternatively, a baking sheet can be used.

• Small frying pan: Used to fry the sage leaves in olive oil until crispy.

• Paper towels: Drains excess oil from the fried sage leaves.

• Knife: Necessary for slicing the pears.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for slicing the pears.

• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate measurement of the cheeses and olive oil.

• Spatula: Useful for transferring the pizza dough to the pizza stone or baking sheet.

• Oven mitts: Protects your hands when placing and removing the pizza from the hot oven.

• Pizza cutter: Makes it easy to slice the pizza into serving pieces.

• Serving plate: A plate to serve the finished pizza.

Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the ingredients to save time.

Use pre-made dough: Opt for store-bought pizza dough to cut down on preparation time.

Slice pears in advance: Slice the pears ahead of time and store them in the fridge to streamline the process.

Fry sage leaves first: Fry the sage leaves before assembling the pizza to have them ready for topping.

Assemble ingredients: Gather and measure all ingredients before starting to ensure a smooth cooking process.