German Bacon and Onion Pizza (Flammkuchen) Recipe
This traditional German pizza, known as Flammkuchen, features a thin, crispy crust topped with creamy creme fraiche, savory thick-cut bacon, and sweet onions. It is quick to prepare and bakes in a very hot oven for a perfectly golden and flavorful tart, garnished with fresh chives for a bright finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2 cups (250g) flour (spooned and leveled, not scooped)
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup (120g) very warm water
Topping
- 1/2 cup (150g) creme fraiche
- 7 oz (200g) thick-cut bacon or German Speck, cut into small cubes
- 1 small/medium onion, thinly sliced
- Pinch of salt (for onions)
- Chives, thinly sliced (to garnish)
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a medium to large mixing bowl, combine the flour with salt. Add the olive oil and very warm water. Stir with a wooden spoon until roughly combined. Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment for a couple of minutes until the dough is soft and smooth. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and set aside to rest at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to its highest temperature setting, approximately 500°F (250°C), to ensure a crispy crust.
- Prepare the toppings: Cut the bacon into small cubes. Slice the onion thinly and sprinkle with a pinch of salt to help soften them and prevent burning during baking. In a small bowl, mix the creme fraiche with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste until combined.
- Assemble the tart: Roll the rested dough very thinly into an oval or rectangular shape. Place it on a baking sheet lightly greased with olive or vegetable oil. Spread the seasoned creme fraiche evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Distribute the bacon cubes and onion slices evenly on top, squeezing out any excess moisture if necessary.
- Bake: Bake the Flammkuchen in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp. Depending on your oven’s true temperature, baking time may extend to 15 to 18 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with freshly sliced chives if desired. Cut into squares and serve immediately to enjoy the pizza at its best.
Notes
- Ensure the dough is rolled very thin for the characteristic crispy texture.
- If your oven doesn’t reach 500°F, increase baking time to achieve a golden crust.
- Squeezing out moisture from the onions will prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
- This recipe can be adapted by substituting creme fraiche with sour cream if preferred.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor as the crust loses crispness over time.
Keywords: German pizza, Flammkuchen, bacon pizza, creme fraiche pizza, thin crust pizza, German cuisine, quick pizza recipe
