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+ servings

French Onion Pizza

There are few foods more comforting than pizza—especially when that pizza is made in your very own oven and piled high with your very own homemade toppings. Enter Caramelized Balsamic Onions: A rich reduction of white onions and sugar simmered for hours with tangy balsamic.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients  

For Caramelized Balsamic Onions:

  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 2 medium white onions, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

For Pizza:

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups shredded gruyere
  • 1 recipe The Ultimate Pizza Dough, or 20 oz. store-bought pizza dough
  • Cornmeal, for dusting sheet tray or pizza stone
  • Chopped chives, for garnish

Instructions 

  • Begin by preparing the onions. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes.
  • Add the onions, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes until onions are soft.
  • Add the sugar and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook the onions, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes.
  • Add the balsamic vinegar and reduce the heat to low. Continue cooking the onions, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour until they are very soft and dry. Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 500ºF.
  • Roll out the prepared pizza dough on a lightly floured surface until it is roughly ¼-inch thick.
  • Invert a cookie sheet and sprinkle it liberally with cornmeal. Transfer dough to cornmeal-dusted sheet tray. (See Kelly's Notes.)
  • Combine the olive oil and garlic and brush it over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border along the edges. Top it with half of the shredded gruyere, then sprinkle on the prepared balsamic onions and top with the remaining cheese.
  • Bake pizza for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating half-way through, until crust is fully baked and golden brown.
  • Garnish with chopped chives, slice and serve.

Notes

  • You can use a pizza stone in place of the inverted cookie sheet.
  • If your dough keeps springing back, let it rest for a few minutes before rolling it out again. This allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to shape.
  • Sprinkle a generous amount of cornmeal on your baking surface before placing the dough to prevent sticking and aid in easy transfer in and out of the oven.
  • Don't overload the pizza with toppings, as this can weigh down the crust and prevent it from baking evenly.
  • Oven temperatures and positions may vary, so make sure you are baking your pizza on the middle rack and check it frequently.
  • ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!