Thin-Crust Iberian Ham
Arugula Pizza

By CookFrames
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A quick gourmet pizza featuring a crisp tortilla base topped with savory Iberian ham, peppery arugula, and a dusting of sharp Parmesan cheese.

↓ The ingredients ↓ The steps

Iberian ham, or Jamón Ibérico, is a Spanish delicacy celebrated for its complex, nutty flavor and buttery texture. By using a thin tortilla as the base, this recipe creates a light, cracker-like crust that allows the premium toppings to shine without the heaviness of traditional dough. It is an elegant yet remarkably simple dish that brings Mediterranean flair to any lunch or appetizer spread.

A gourmet tortilla-crust pizza topped with fresh arugula and delicate slices of Iberian ham
A gourmet tortilla-crust pizza topped with fresh arugula and delicate slices of Iberian ham
Prep5 mins
Cook3 mins
Total8 mins
Yield1 pizza
DifficultyEasy
Calories550 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1Spread the pizza sauce
    A chef in a blue uniform spreading red tomato sauce onto a thin, round tortilla base using the back of a spoon.

    Take a 10-inch tortilla crust and place it on a baking sheet. Use a spoon to spread a layer of pizza sauce evenly across the entire surface, making sure to cover the crust right to the edges.

    Tip: Apply the sauce in a thin, even layer; since tortilla crusts are very thin, too much sauce can make the base soggy.
  2. 2Add mozzarella cheese
    A hand sprinkling white shredded mozzarella cheese over a tortilla pizza base covered in red sauce.

    Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the tomato sauce. Ensure the cheese is distributed evenly to create a consistent melty base for the toppings.

    Tip: For the best melt and flavor, use low-moisture mozzarella cheese rather than fresh mozzarella which can release too much water.
  3. 3Bake the pizza
    A thin pizza with melted cheese baking on a wire rack inside a hot professional oven.

    Slide the baking tray into a preheated oven. Bake at 220°C top heat and 200°C bottom heat for approximately 3 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the crust is golden.

    Tip: Watch the oven closely; tortilla crusts bake much faster than traditional dough and can go from golden to burnt in seconds.
  4. 4Top with fresh arugula
    Fresh green arugula leaves being placed onto the center of a sliced, freshly baked cheese pizza.

    Once the pizza is baked and removed from the oven, cut it into slices. Then, place a handful of fresh green arugula leaves onto the center of the warm cheese.

    Tip: Always slice the pizza before adding the fresh greens to keep the arugula crisp and avoid crushing it with the pizza cutter.
  5. 5Add the Iberian ham
    Thin, red slices of cured Iberian ham layered over fresh green arugula on a baked tortilla pizza.

    Carefully layer thin slices of savory Iberian ham or Parma ham on top of the arugula. The residual heat from the pizza will gently warm the ham, intensifying its flavor.

    Tip: If the ham slices are very large, tear them into bite-sized pieces so they are easier to eat with each slice of pizza.
  6. 6Add Parmesan to finish
    Fine white Parmesan powder being sprinkled over a baked pizza topped with green arugula and red ham slices.

    Finish the pizza by sprinkling fresh Parmesan cheese powder directly over the top. The fine white flakes add a sharp salty finish that perfectly complements the ham.

    Tip: Serve the pizza immediately while the base is still crisp and the cheese is warm for the best experience.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator
2 days
Store in an airtight container. Remove fresh arugula before storing to avoid wilting.
Reheating
3 to 5 minutes
Reheat in a dry skillet or toaster oven to restore the tortilla crispness. Avoid the microwave.

Burn It Off

Running
~55 minutes at a steady jog (~8 kmh).
Brisk Walking
~1 hour 50 minutes of brisk walking (~5 kmh).
Badminton
~70 minutes of high-energy play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but you will need to adjust the baking time to 8–12 minutes at 230°C. The tortilla is used here specifically for a light, cracker-like crunch and speed.
Adding them after baking preserves the delicate texture of the ham and keeps the arugula peppery and crisp. The residual heat from the cheese is enough to gently warm the ham.
Prosciutto di Parma or Jamón Serrano are the best alternatives as they share the same salt-cured, air-dried profile.
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