Not Pepperoni, Not Ham: Add Hot Dogs To Pizza For 10x The Flavor

Pizza is a ubiquitous food — you can find it in some form in just about every country, and there's a wide variety of styles available, be it Sicilian style, New York style, Chicago style, Detroit style, or many others. And though there are multiple styles of pizza, there are even more potential pizza toppings (check out our slideshow of the weirdest pizza toppings around the world). While you may have taken a walk on the wild side with some controversial pizza ingredients like pineapple and ham, there's another topping that you may never have even considered: the humble hot dog. 

Yes, while hot dogs on a pizza might sound a little strange, they're actually a great addition to this classic Italian dish (even though the addition of wieners might make this a little less traditional). When we explored ways you never thought of to use hot dogs, putting them into a pizza was a particularly delicious suggestion. Sausage of other varieties is common on a pizza, and the combination of chewy hot dog and melty cheese can be a winning mixture in a similar way. 

Despite being off the beaten path, the idea of hot dogs on a pizza is not a new one. Italians, it turns out, have been doing it for years. There is a style of pizza in Italy that is served with hot dogs and French fries on the top known, ironically, as an "American Pizza."

Social media is full of people conferring about wieners on a slice, and the reaction is decidedly mixed. As one fan points out, the very idea of this combination grosses some people out: "I have made it a few time[s] and every time it has turned out really good but, [whenever] I try offering it to other people they give me the face of disgust." 

However, those who have actually tried hot dogs on a pizza sometimes have a more positive reaction. Users chimed in to share their particular way to make hot dog pizza work. One remembered: "I used to work at a pizza place and my manager told me I could make whatever kind of pizza I wanted so I made a [chili dog] pizza [and] it was fantastic." Another said, "I love to do homemade Michigan style coney dogs. The next day I'll use the leftovers to make a coney dog pizza that's just awesome." If you find yourself intrigued by this combination but don't have the supplies to make a pizza with hot dogs on it, why not try the inverse — a hot dog with pizza on it?