If you haven't tried grilled flatbread before, you are in for a treat! This recipe for Grilled Flatbread with Pesto and Mozzarella is great if you are looking for party appetizer ideas or outdoor recipes.
The combo of crispy grilled dough, creamy mozzarella, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes is hard to beat, especially when it’s all tied together with fresh, garlicky pesto. You can serve it as a quick appetizer, a light lunch, or part of dinner.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love Basil Pesto Flatbread
- Ingredients for Pesto Mozzarella Flatbread
- Pesto Recipes
- Tools Needed To Make Grilled Flatbread
- How to Make Grilled Flatbread with Pesto and Mozzarella
- Tips for Basil Pesto Flatbread
- FAQs for Cheesy Flatbread with Pesto
- Recipes to Make on a Grill
- Recipes with Mozzarella
- 📖 Recipe
For more outdoor recipes, check out these Camping Recipes to Cook Outdoors.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love Basil Pesto Flatbread
- Ingredients for Pesto Mozzarella Flatbread
- Pesto Recipes
- Tools Needed To Make Grilled Flatbread
- How to Make Grilled Flatbread with Pesto and Mozzarella
- Tips for Basil Pesto Flatbread
- FAQs for Cheesy Flatbread with Pesto
- Recipes to Make on a Grill
- Recipes with Mozzarella
- 📖 Recipe
Why You'll Love Basil Pesto Flatbread
- Quick and easy – Serve it as an appetizer, snack, or a simple weeknight dinner.
- Grill-friendly – Perfect for summer cookouts or casual outdoor dinners.
- Vegetarian favorite – Pesto, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes bring big flavor.
- Kid-approved – Let them roll out the dough and add their own toppings. So fun!
Ingredients for Pesto Mozzarella Flatbread
- Flour - All-purpose flour is fine for this recipe.
- Yeast - Make sure your yeast hasn't expired.
- Pesto - You can make your own pesto with fresh basil, pine nuts, and olive oil, or use store-bought pesto.
- Fresh mozzarella cheese - I highly recommend using fresh mozzarella as opposed to shredded bagged cheese. It makes a real difference in the way this tastes.
- Sun-dried tomatoes - Provide color and a subtle tartness to the flatbreads.
Pesto Recipes
If you can’t get enough of pesto, it's no wonder. There are so many fun ways to cook with it! These Cheesy Pesto Crescents are a quick and kid-approved snack made with buttery crescent rolls and gooey cheese. For something heartier, try this Chicken with Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomatoes.
If you love pasta, try this rich Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta with Pancetta or the creamy, comforting Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake that’s perfect for busy nights. However you use it, pesto adds instant flavor.
Tools Needed To Make Grilled Flatbread
You don’t need much to make delicious grilled flatbread at home! A grill or grill pan gives the dough charred spots and crisp edges. You’ll also want a rolling pin to flatten the dough, plus tongs for easy flipping.
Blackstone 1883 Original 28” Griddle with Integrated Protective Hood and
Cuisinart GG30-20 GreenGourmet Hard-Anodized Nonstick 11-Inch Square Grill PanChefAide Set of 2 Cooking Tongs,600ºF High Heat-Resistant,Kitchen Utensils,Cooking UtensilsWalfos Marble Rolling Pin With Wooden Handles & Wood Cradle,
How to Make Grilled Flatbread with Pesto and Mozzarella
1. Combine flour ingredients: You'll start by making an easy dough. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. Add water: Heat water and add it to the flour mixture.
3. Let dough rise: Stir until a dough forms, then cover it and let it rise for about an hour, or until it’s doubled in size. Then place the dough on a floured surface and form into a ball.
4. Roll out dough: Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each portion on a floured surface so it is fairly thin and 6-7 inches in diameter.
5. Brush with oil: Preheat your grill or stovetop griddle to medium-high heat. Roll each dough ball into a thin flatbread, about ¼ inch thick. Brush one side with olive oil to help keep it from sticking while it cooks.
6. Grill and flip: Place the dough on the grill and cook for 2–3 minutes per side. Flip it once the bottom is golden and the dough looks cooked through.
7. Add pesto: When the bread is cooked, remove it from the grill and spread pesto sauce on one side.
8. Add mozzarella and tomatoes: Cover with sliced mozzarella and sprinkle on sun-dried tomatoes.
9. Let cheese melt: Place the flatbread back on the grill and lower the heat. Close the lid and let it cook for a few minutes, just until the cheese begins to melt. The fresh mozzarella melts beautifully with the top of the grill closed.
10. Slice and serve: Take the flatbread off the grill and transfer it to a cutting board. Slice it into smaller pieces and serve while it’s warm and melty.
Tips for Basil Pesto Flatbread
Tip 1: You can use this same dough recipe to make pizza dough. It works for flatbread or pizza.
Tip 2: You can also try this with goat cheese instead of mozzarella, and the results would be equally fantastic!
Tip 3: These cook up fairly quickly, making them a great party appetizer that your guests can personalize.
FAQs for Cheesy Flatbread with Pesto
This flatbread pairs well with Mediterranean dishes like Greek salad, hummus, olives, and grilled vegetables.
You can add some grilled chicken for protein. Additional toppings include roasted vegetables, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes for some spice, red onion, garlic, and balsamic glaze.
Recipes to Make on a Grill
There’s something special about cooking outside. Grilling gives food adds a smoky, charred flavor you just can’t get indoors. Outdoor recipes are perfect for keeping the kitchen cool and enjoying more time in the fresh air. Here are some yummy ones to try:
- Grilled Summer Charcuterie Board
- Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Grilled Crab Cakes
- Grilled Vegetables
Whether you're serving it as an appetizer or as part of a fun family dinner, Grilled Flatbread with Pesto and Mozzarella is a simple way to bring flavor to the table. Don’t be surprised if it disappears fast!
Recipes with Mozzarella
📖 Recipe
Grilled Flatbread with Pesto and Mozzarella
Video
Ingredients
For flatbread
Topping
- 16 tablespoons pesto
- 16 slices fresh mozzarella
- 16 tablespoons sun dried tomatoes
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, yeast and salt.
- Heat water to 120-130 degrees and add it to the flour mixture.
- Mix to form into dough,
- Knead on a floured surface and form into a ball.
- Cover the dough and let it rise for an hour until it has doubled in size.
- Return dough to a floured surface and divide into 8 equal portions.
- Preheat a grill or stovetop griddle on medium-high heat. Roll out each dough ball into a thin flatbread, about ¼ inch thick. Brush one side of the flatbread with olive oil. This will prevent it from sticking to the grill.
- Cook dough on a hot grill for 2-3 minutes on each side. Turn flatbread over when the dough starts getting darker and appears cooked.
- When the bread is cooked, remove from grill and spread on pesto. Cover with sliced mozzarella and sun dried tomatoes.
- Return to grill and set heat to low. Shut the cover and leave the flatbread in for a few minutes until the cheese starts to melt.
- Remove the flatbread from the grill and place on a cutting board. Slice the flatbread into smaller pieces and serve while they're warm.
Notes
- This dough works great for both flatbread and pizza, so feel free to use it for either.
- You can also swap the mozzarella for goat cheese if you’re in the mood for something a little tangy.
- Since these cook up quickly, they make a fun and easy party appetizer that guests can customize with their favorite toppings.
amy liu dong says
I love the flavors of this grilled flatbread recipe. It is so easy to make and so delicious!
Vicky says
Happy to hear you enjoyed it! Grilled flatbread is so easy and yummy!
Krystle says
We love this on nights it's too hot to turn the oven on! Easy and delish.
Vicky says
And we will be getting plenty of those nights soon!
Nicole says
I absolutely love the simplicity of this recipe. It's so simple and SO GOOD.
Vicky says
Right? Sometimes the simplest recipes really are the best. So glad you loved it Nicole - it’s one of our go-tos when we want something easy and delicious!
Claudia says
This grilled flatbread with pesto and mozzarella is so easy and tasty—perfect for a quick meal or snack!
Vicky says
Totally agree Claudia! It’s one of those recipes that comes together fast but still feels a little special. So glad you enjoyed it!
Paula says
This flat bread was FANTASTIC Love the flavor combination from the pesto & mozzarella, delish!
Vicky says
Yay, I’m so happy you loved it! That combo is such a winner—so much flavor with barely any effort. Thanks for trying it Paula!