Garlic Scape Olive Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella: The Bright, Garlicky Summer Pizza You’ll Crave All Season
If you’ve ever wandered through a farmers’ market in early summer and spotted those long, curly green stalks that look like scallions on steroids, you’ve met garlic scapes. They’re the flower stalks of hardneck garlic, harvested before they bloom, and they have the most incredible mild garlic flavor with a fresh, grassy, almost garlicky-chive vibe.
This garlic scape olive pizza with fresh mozzarella is hands-down one of the best ways to celebrate them. Tender, slightly charred scapes woven across a bright tomato sauce, briny olives, and big, creamy pillows of fresh mozzarella that melt into gooey perfection. It’s bright, savory, a little rustic, and ridiculously addictive.
I first made this pizza a few years ago when I came home with way too many scapes from the market. One bite and I was hooked. The scapes keep their vibrant green color and gentle crunch even after baking, the olives pop with saltiness, and the fresh mozzarella creates those Instagram-worthy cheese pulls. It’s the kind of pizza that makes people ask for the recipe before they’ve even finished their first slice.
If you’ve never cooked with garlic scapes before, this recipe is the perfect introduction. Let’s make the ultimate summer pizza together.
What Are Garlic Scapes and Why Are They So Special?
Garlic scapes are the curly green shoots that grow from the top of garlic plants in late spring and early summer. Farmers cut them off so the plant puts all its energy into the bulb. The season is short — usually just 4–6 weeks — which makes them feel like a true seasonal treat.
Unlike regular garlic cloves, scapes are milder and brighter. They taste like a cross between garlic, scallions, and asparagus. You can chop them, grill them, pickle them, or — my favorite — lay them whole across a pizza so they get lightly charred and caramelized at the edges while staying tender in the middle. Check Your resource
This pizza highlights everything that’s wonderful about scapes: their fresh garlic flavor, beautiful green color, and that slight snap that contrasts with the soft cheese and chewy crust.
Why Fresh Mozzarella + Olives + Garlic Scapes = Pizza Perfection
Fresh mozzarella (the soft, water-packed kind) is non-negotiable here. It melts into creamy puddles rather than stretching like low-moisture mozzarella, and its mild flavor lets the scapes shine. The olives bring briny contrast — I love a mix of Kalamata and Castelvetrano for both color and flavor. A simple tomato sauce or even just good olive oil keeps everything clean and bright.
The result is a pizza that feels both rustic and elegant. It’s vegetarian, but meat lovers can add prosciutto or spicy sausage. It’s also incredibly forgiving — perfect for beginners or when you want something impressive without hours of work.
Ingredients for Garlic Scape Olive Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella
(Makes one large 12–14 inch pizza or two smaller ones)
For the Dough (or use 12–16 oz store-bought)
- 2½ cups (300 g) bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml) warm water
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes or simple marinara
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
Toppings
- 8–10 fresh garlic scapes (trimmed, washed, and patted dry)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella (the big rounds or a ball torn into pieces)
- ½ cup mixed olives (Kalamata, Castelvetrano, or your favorites), pitted and halved
- 2–3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves (for finishing)
- Optional: grated Parmesan or pecorino, chili flakes
Step-by-Step: How to Make Garlic Scape Olive Pizza
- Make the Dough (or Skip Ahead) Mix flour, yeast, salt, and sugar. Add warm water and olive oil. Stir until shaggy, then knead 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Let rise 1–2 hours (or overnight in the fridge for better flavor). Pro tip: Many pizza shops sell fresh dough — just ask!
- Prep the Scapes Trim the tough ends and the very tips of the scapes. Cut the long ones into manageable lengths (about 8–10 inches) so they fit nicely on the pizza. You can leave them whole and curly for that dramatic look, or chop into 2-inch pieces.
- Preheat the Oven Place a pizza stone or heavy baking sheet on the lowest rack. Heat to 500°F (260°C) for at least 45 minutes. The hotter the better for that perfect leopard-spotted crust.
- Make the Sauce While the oven heats, gently warm the crushed tomatoes with garlic, oregano, chili flakes, and salt. No need to cook it long — just 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Shape and Assemble Stretch the dough into a 12–14 inch circle on parchment paper. Brush the entire surface with olive oil. Spread a thin layer of sauce, leaving a ½-inch border. Tear or slice the fresh mozzarella and scatter it evenly. Arrange the garlic scapes in a beautiful swirling pattern — this is where the pizza gets its wow factor. Tuck the olives into the gaps.
- Bake Slide the pizza (still on parchment) onto the hot stone. Bake 10–14 minutes until the crust is golden, the cheese is bubbly, and the scapes have beautiful char marks.
- Finish Remove from oven. Drizzle with good olive oil, scatter fresh basil, and add a sprinkle of flaky salt or Parmesan. Let rest 2 minutes, then slice.
Pro Tips for the Best Garlic Scape Pizza
- Don’t overcrowd the scapes — they need space to caramelize.
- Fresh mozzarella releases water, so pat the slices dry and use a thin sauce layer.
- Want extra garlic punch? Make a quick garlic-scape pesto and use it instead of red sauce (recipe below).
- Grill version: Medium-high heat, 8–10 minutes with the lid down for smoky flavor.
Garlic Scape Pesto Variation (Next-Level Delicious)
If you have extra scapes, blitz 1 cup chopped scapes, ½ cup basil, ⅓ cup pine nuts or walnuts, ½ cup Parmesan, ½ cup olive oil, and lemon juice. Use this bright green pesto as the base instead of tomato sauce. It’s stunning.
More Delicious Variations
- White Pizza Style: Olive oil base, fresh mozzarella, scapes, olives, and lots of black pepper.
- Spicy Version: Add Calabrian chili paste or hot honey drizzle after baking.
- Meat Lovers: Crispy prosciutto or Italian sausage.
- Vegan: Use plant-based mozzarella and skip the cheese or use nutritional yeast.
What to Serve With Garlic Scape Pizza
A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette, a chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, or even a light Italian red like Chianti. For non-alcoholic, sparkling water with lemon and a few fresh scapes as garnish.
How to Store and Use Leftover Garlic Scapes
Garlic scapes keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Chop and freeze in oil for later use, or pickle them for a tangy snack. They also make incredible compound butter, pesto, and stir-fries.
FAQ: Your Garlic Scape Pizza Questions Answered
Where can I find garlic scapes? Farmers’ markets, specialty grocery stores, or grow your own! They’re only available for a few weeks each summer.
Can I use regular garlic instead? You can, but it won’t be the same. Scapes are milder and have a unique texture.
Is fresh mozzarella necessary? Yes — the soft, milky kind is what makes this pizza special. Low-moisture shredded mozzarella won’t give the same creamy puddles.
How do I prevent a soggy crust? Use a hot stone, thin sauce, and pat the mozzarella dry.
Can I make this gluten-free? Absolutely — use your favorite gluten-free dough or crust. The toppings work beautifully.
Final Thoughts: Why This Pizza Will Become Your Summer Tradition
There’s something magical about cooking with ingredients that have such a short season. Garlic scapes remind us to slow down, visit the farmers’ market, and celebrate what’s fresh right now. This garlic scape olive pizza with fresh mozzarella captures all of that in one gorgeous, shareable pie.
It’s bright, garlicky, salty, creamy, and just a little bit fancy — yet it comes together in under an hour once the dough is ready. Make it once and you’ll find yourself counting down the days until scape season returns next year.
Have you cooked with garlic scapes before? What’s your favorite way to use them? Drop a comment below — I read every single one and love hearing your twists!
More Garlic Scape Inspiration & Resources
- The original inspiration: Art of Natural Living Garlic Scape Pizza
- Beautiful white version: Thursday Night Pizza Garlic Scape Pizza
- How to grow your own: Garden Betty guide
- Classic pizza dough tips: Serious Eats
- Garlic scape pesto recipe: Abma’s Farm
Fire up the oven, grab those curly green scapes while you can, and treat yourself to this bright, beautiful pizza. Your kitchen is about to smell like summer.
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