It’s the pizza combo that divides the internet: pineapple and anchovies. We tried Joe Rogan’s favorite recipe to see if this salty-sweet pizza is genius or a crime.
Pineapple on pizza is controversial enough. But what happens when you add anchovies? You get a pizza that’s so bold, so polarizing, it could only be championed by Joe Rogan. On a now-famous podcast episode with Elon Musk, Rogan declared his love for a pizza topped with double pineapple and double anchovies. The internet was divided, but we were intrigued.
Is this salty-sweet combination a hidden gem or a culinary disaster? We fired up the Baking Steel to find out. In this post, we’re recreating the infamous Joe Rogan pizza, exploring why this unlikely pairing works, and giving you our honest verdict. If you’ve ever wondered what goes with anchovies on pizza, you’re in the right place.
What Joe Rogan Said About Pizza
It started as just another podcast listen. Joe Rogan was chatting with Elon Musk about life, technology, and everything in between when the conversation took a delicious detour. Out of nowhere, Rogan revealed his love for a bold pizza topping combo: double anchovies + double pineapple.
Sweet, salty, polarizing, it’s the kind of pizza that divides the internet. They even ordered one live on the show, and the clip quickly made its way to TikTok.
And like any curious home pizzaiolo, I thought: If Rogan and Musk are brave enough to try it, I have to make it too, on my Baking Steel.
Recipe: The Joe Rogan Pineapple & Anchovy Pizza
Yield: 1 pizza | Prep time: 3 hours (including dough rest) | Cook time: 5-7 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 ball of 72-Hour Pizza Dough (or your favorite dough)
- 2 tbsp crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup low-moisture mozzarella, shredded
- 1/4 cup fresh mozzarella, torn
- 1 can (2 oz) anchovy fillets, drained
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Steel: Place your Baking Steel on the top rack of your oven and preheat to 500°F for 1 hour.
- Prep Dough: Let your dough ball rest at room temperature for at least 3 hours before stretching.
- Assemble Pizza: Stretch your dough to about 12 inches. Top with crushed tomatoes, both mozzarellas, pineapple chunks, and anchovy fillets. Go for double if you’re feeling brave!
- Launch & Bake: Launch the pizza onto the preheated Baking Steel. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Finish & Serve: Remove from the oven, add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired, slice, and serve immediately
Verdict: Is Pineapple + Anchovy Pizza Actually Good?
Surprisingly… yes. The chewy crust, salty anchovies, and bursts of pineapple balanced in a way I didn’t expect. The intense saltiness of the anchovies is cut by the juicy, acidic sweetness of the pineapple, creating a unique umami bomb. Bold? Absolutely. Worth trying? 100%.
If nothing else, it reminded me why I love experimenting in the kitchen: pizza is about play, curiosity, and sometimes chaos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes well with anchovies on pizza?
Anchovies have a strong, salty flavor that pairs well with ingredients that provide contrast. Sweetness (like pineapple or caramelized onions), acidity (like tomatoes or capers), and richness (like mozzarella or olive oil) all balance the saltiness of the anchovies. Other good pairings include garlic, olives, and fresh herbs like parsley.
Is pineapple and anchovy pizza a real thing?
Yes! While not a common combination on most menus, pineapple and anchovy pizza has a dedicated following. It’s a classic example of a salty-sweet flavor profile, similar to prosciutto and melon. Joe Rogan’s mention of it on his podcast brought it into the mainstream spotlight.
What does anchovy pizza taste like?
Anchovy pizza is intensely savory, salty, and packed with umami. The anchovies melt into the sauce and cheese as they cook, providing a briny depth of flavor rather than a distinctly “fishy” taste. When balanced with other toppings, they add a complex, delicious saltiness to the pizza.
Should you put anchovies on pizza before or after cooking?
For the best flavor, put anchovies on the pizza before cooking. This allows them to soften and meld with the other ingredients, infusing the pizza with their savory flavor. If you add them after, they will have a stronger, more pronounced fishy taste and a firmer texture.
What is the Joe Rogan pizza?
The “Joe Rogan pizza” refers to a pizza topped with double pineapple and double anchovies. Joe Rogan mentioned it as his favorite pizza combination during a podcast episode with Elon Musk, sparking curiosity and debate among pizza lovers.
About the Author
Andris Lagsdin is the founder of Baking Steel. A former restaurant cook turned steel nerd, he invented the Baking Steel in 2011 to help people make better pizza and bread at home. He teaches simple, repeatable techniques focused on heat, timing, and confidence in the home kitchen.
