Potato Pizza Recipe – Garlic & Thyme Baked Potato Perfection

Last Updated on 4 months by Neha Deshmukh

Potato Pizza Recipe – Garlic & Thyme Baked Potato Perfection

Hey everyone! I’m so excited to share this recipe with you – it’s a total game-changer. I stumbled upon the idea for potato pizza a while back, and honestly, it’s become a regular in my kitchen. It’s surprisingly delicious, super easy to make, and a fantastic way to use up potatoes. Trust me, you need to try this!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This isn’t your typical pizza. It’s a comforting, flavorful explosion with a crispy crust, tender potatoes, and a fragrant garlic-thyme drizzle. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a fun weekend snack, or even a unique party appetizer. Plus, it’s a brilliant way to get the whole family involved in the kitchen!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this amazing potato pizza:

• 1 pizza base
• 1 large potato (about 250-300g)
• Mozzarella cheese, quantity to your liking
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients! A few little things can make a big difference.

Potato Varieties – Choosing the Right Potato

I find that a good all-rounder like a Maris Piper or Yukon Gold works beautifully. They hold their shape well when cooked but still get wonderfully tender. Avoid waxy potatoes like new potatoes, as they won’t soften enough.

Thyme – Fresh vs. Dried

Fresh thyme is amazing in this recipe, offering a bright, herbaceous flavour. If you can’t get your hands on fresh, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme will do the trick. Just remember dried herbs are more concentrated, so use less!

Mozzarella – Exploring Different Types

Low-moisture mozzarella is your best bet for pizza – it melts beautifully without making the pizza soggy. You can use fresh mozzarella, but pat it dry with paper towels first. I sometimes like to add a little grated Parmesan for extra flavour!

Olive Oil – Quality and Flavor Profile

A good quality extra virgin olive oil really shines here. It adds a lovely fruity note to the garlic and thyme. Don’t be afraid to splurge a little – you’ll taste the difference.

Pizza Base – Homemade vs. Store-Bought

Totally up to you! A store-bought base is super convenient, especially on a busy weeknight. But if you’re feeling ambitious, a homemade pizza dough is always a treat.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking!

First, scrub your potato and slice it into thin rounds – about 2-3mm thick. You want them thin enough to cook through quickly, but not so thin they fall apart. Now, partially cook those slices. You can either microwave them for about 5 minutes with a little water, or gently simmer them on the stove until they’re almost tender. Don’t fully cook them, as they’ll finish cooking in the oven.

Next, preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). While it’s heating up, arrange the potato slices evenly over your pizza base.

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper. Give it a good mix, then drizzle this fragrant mixture generously over the potatoes.

Now for the fun part – the cheese! Dot the pizza with chunks of mozzarella cheese. I like a generous amount, but feel free to adjust to your preference.

Finally, bake for about 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted. Let it cool for a minute or two before slicing and serving warm. A simple side salad makes a lovely accompaniment!

Expert Tips

Want to take your potato pizza to the next level? Here are a few of my secrets:

Achieving Perfectly Tender Potatoes

The key is not to overcook them during the pre-cooking stage. You want them slightly firm, as they’ll continue to cook in the oven.

Preventing a Soggy Pizza Base

Make sure your potato slices aren’t too wet after pre-cooking. Pat them dry with paper towels if needed. Also, don’t overload the pizza with too much cheese or oil.

Enhancing the Garlic & Thyme Flavor

Don’t be shy with the garlic and thyme! I sometimes add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the oil mixture for a little kick.

Cheese Distribution for Optimal Melt

Breaking the mozzarella into smaller pieces helps it melt more evenly.

Variations

Let’s get creative!

Vegan Potato Pizza

Swap the mozzarella for a vegan mozzarella alternative. Nutritional yeast can also add a cheesy flavour.

Gluten-Free Potato Pizza

Simply use a gluten-free pizza base. There are some fantastic options available in most supermarkets.

Spice Level – Adding a Chili Flake Kick

My friend loves adding a generous pinch of red chili flakes to the garlic and thyme oil. It adds a lovely warmth!

Festival Adaptation – Diwali Snack-Sized Potato Pizzas

For Diwali, I’ve made mini potato pizzas using small naan breads as the base. They’re a huge hit with the kids!

Serving Suggestions

This potato pizza is delicious on its own, but here are a few ideas to complete the meal:

• A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette
• A side of roasted vegetables
• A bowl of creamy tomato soup

Storage Instructions

Leftover potato pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers!

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan would all be delicious.

How can I make the potato slices cook faster?

Using a mandoline to get super-thin slices will speed up the cooking process.

Can this pizza be made ahead of time?

You can assemble the pizza ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a few hours before baking.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover potato pizza?

I recommend reheating it in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 5-10 minutes to restore the crispiness.

Can I add other vegetables to this pizza?

Definitely! Roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, or spinach would all be fantastic additions.

Enjoy! I really hope you love this potato pizza as much as I do. Let me know in the comments if you give it a try!