Authentic Halifax Donair Pizza

What is Donair Pizza?

Donair Pizza is a delectable fusion of the traditional pizza and the iconic Atlantic Canadian dish, the Halifax Donair. A donair is a popular street food that originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is similar to a gyro or shawarma. It consists of seasoned, spiced ground beef that is shaped into a loaf, roasted, and then thinly sliced. The meat is usually served wrapped in a warm pita with fresh vegetables and the signature creamy donair sauce.

In the case of Donair Pizza, the flavors of the classic donair are combined with the convenience of a pizza. This mouthwatering creation features a tender donair meat topping, delicious homemade donair sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkling of fresh onions and tomatoes.

To make authentic donair meat, follow the recipe found in this blog post. With these essential ingredients and a bit of assembly, you can enjoy the unique and delightful taste of Halifax Donair Pizza right in your own home!

Is donair pizza a Canadian thing?

Yes, Donair Pizza is indeed a Canadian thing, particularly associated with the Atlantic Canadian region. It is a fusion of traditional pizza and the iconic Halifax Donair, which originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The combination of donair meat, donair sauce, mozzarella cheese, chopped tomatoes and onions on a pizza crust creates a unique and delicious dish that showcases the flavors of this beloved Canadian street food.

What is Donair Pizza Made of?

The best toppings for a Donair Pizza combine the classic flavors of a Halifax-style donair with the convenience of a pizza. Start with thinly sliced, seasoned, and spiced donair meat as the main topping. Add a tangy and sweet homemade donair sauce. A generous layer of gooey shredded mozzarella cheese ties all the flavors together.

After baking, sprinkle chopped white onion for crunch and sharpness, and add chopped tomatoes without seeds for a refreshing and juicy contrast. These toppings work in harmony to create a delightful and unique taste experience that captures the essence of the classic Halifax Donair.

What exactly is donair meat?

Donair meat is a seasoned and spiced ground beef mixture that originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as a popular street food. It is an essential component of the Halifax Donair and Donair Pizza.

The meat is prepared by combining ground beef with a blend of spices and seasonings, which typically include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper and more. This mixture is then shaped into a loaf, roasted, and thinly sliced before being served. The flavors and preparation of donair meat are reminiscent of Middle Eastern dishes like gyro and shawarma, but with a distinct Atlantic Canadian twist.

Is a donair and a gyro the same thing?

Donairs and gyros, while similar, have distinct differences in origin, meat, sauce, and accompaniments. Donairs hail from Halifax, Canada, and feature ground beef with a sweet and tangy sauce. Gyros come from Greece, using a mixture of lamb, beef, or pork and a yogurt-based tzatziki sauce.

To learn more about the differences between donairs and similar recipes, check out my post on how to make donair meat.

How to Make Donair Pizza – Overview
The BEST Beef Donair Pizza Recipe

You can find the full recipe details, including ingredient amounts and the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but first, here's a quick overview of how to make homemade Halifax Donair Pizza from scratch!

To make a delicious homemade Halifax Donair Pizza, start by preparing the donair meat and donair sauce following the provided recipes. Allow the meat to cool, then slice it thinly. Refrigerate the sauce for a couple of hours to achieve the right consistency.

Preheat your oven and prepare your pizza crust, either store-bought or homemade. Spread a thin layer of donair sauce on the crust, leaving a small border around the edges, and save some sauce for drizzling later.

Layer mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then evenly arrange the thin slices of donair meat. Place the pizza in the oven on a pizza stone or baking sheet, and bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Top the sauce with mozzarella cheese and arrange the sliced donair meat evenly over the cheese.

Bake the pizza in the oven until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. While the pizza bakes, chop the white onion and tomatoes (seeds removed).

After removing the pizza from the oven, immediately sprinkle the chopped onions and tomatoes on top. Enhance the flavor by drizzling some more donair sauce over the pizza.

Now you're ready to slice and serve your mouthwatering homemade Halifax Donair Pizza! Enjoy it with extra donair sauce on the side for dipping, and share this delightful Canadian creation with friends and family.

What is the Sweet Sauce/Donair Sauce?

Donair sauce is a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce that originates from the Atlantic Canadian region. It is an essential component of the famous Halifax Donair and Donair Pizza.

The sweet donair sauce is made from a simple combination of sweetened condensed milk, vinegar, and garlic powder. The unique flavor of donair sauce complements the seasoned and spiced donair meat, as well as the other fresh toppings like onions and tomatoes. Typically, it is drizzled over the donair or pizza, and often served on the side for dipping.

You can get my recipe for homemade donair sauce here!

What kind of pizza dough should I use for this recipe?

For the Donair Pizza recipe, you can use either a store-bought or homemade pizza dough. Choose a dough that suits your preference for thickness and texture.

If you're using a pre-made crust, ensure it's at room temperature before assembling the pizza.

If you opt for homemade dough, you might want to try a classic pizza dough recipe or even an Italian-style thin crust to let the flavors of the donair meat, sauce, and toppings shine.

For personal sized donair pizzas, you may want to use pita bread instead of pizza dough!

How to Store Leftovers & Reheat

To store leftover Donair Pizza, let it cool, wrap in plastic or foil, and place it in an airtight container or resealable bag. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), remove wrapping, and heat pizza for 8-10 minutes or until cheese melts and crust is heated through. Alternatively, reheat in a covered skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Enjoy!

Donair Pizza can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To freeze, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place it in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, reheat directly from frozen in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and cheese is melted.