Thursday, August 16, 2012

Healthier Homemade Pizza Crust ~ Printable Recipe


This pizza crust is a snap to make and is a lot healthier (without compromising taste) than the average recipe.

Add into your mixer the following:
  • 1 tbsp. "instant" yeast (I use saf-instant) mixed with 2 cups of warm water (let sit a minute together in a glass measuring cup before adding to mixer)
  • 2 tsp. sugar
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 6 tbsp. oil (such as olive oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower)
Then add one of the following flour combinations to your mixer bowl (Both taste good, it just depends on what you have available.):
OR
  • 3 cups regular bread flour
  • 2 cups "regular" whole wheat flour


Mix on medium speed for about five minutes, until dough starts to clump together and is no longer sticking to the sides of the mixer. If the dough is still too sticky and sticking to the sides, add a bit more flour and mix until you get the desired result. The dough should resemble above (clumped together like).

Coat a large bowl with baking spray and drizzle some olive oil into bottom of bowl (about 2 tbsp.). Place your dough inside and flip it over in order to grease both sides of dough with oil. Place a cloth on top and let dough rise in a warm spot for an hour (or until doubled in size). 


Then, divide dough into three equal parts and press into three round pizza pans. I have fallen in love with this dough roller which is such a time savor but you can also just use your hands and press into place.


Now, it is time to decide what you want to put on your pizzas! We like to start off with some homemade pizza sauce but you can use your favorite.


It is really tasty to sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top of the sauce for an authentic flavor. This is your choice as it is *your* pizza.


We like to sprinkle veggies on top which have been sautéed in olive oil first (grilled is good too). Our favorite is an onion and bell pepper combination along with lots of mozzarella (Grilled chicken and mushrooms are a favorite too but we didn't have any this time). I like to use freshly shredded cheese as the pre-shredded ones have yucky anti-caking agents in them which also hinder the cheese from melting nice and golden-like.


Now, bake the pizzas in a 450 degree oven for 10 - 14 minutes depending on how dark and crispy you like it. If you are baking two at one time, then switch pans on oven shelves half-way through baking time to ensure even baking. If you are baking one at a time, then check the pizza after 7 minutes. 

Pizza is ready when bottom and sides are golden and cheese is starting to brown.

Serve with a crispy, fresh green salad and a smile :)

Idea: Any leftovers can be frozen individually for quick, to-go lunches.

Note: This recipe can be doubled to make 6 round pizzas.

* Here is a printable recipe should you like to add it to your Recipe Book *

9 comments:

  1. This looks yummy. I have a recipe, but I don't like it because it is all white flour. I am printing this recipe to use this winter.

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    1. Great! Let me know how you like it. I played around with the ratios for a while and this is the best one that doesn't hinder the taste because a strong wheat flavor and Italian flavor mixed isn't my idea of tasty. This recipe works out well as it is a good balance of flavor.

      Have a wonderful weekend :) ~ JES

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. I will print it out and think of your kindness when I trying your way when I make pizzas next.
    Love your writings and such a pretty feminine blog.
    Blessings Gail

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    1. Thank you Gail for your thoughtful words! They made my day :)

      Have a lovely weekend. ~ JES

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  3. Have you ever tried to freeze the dough? We are just a family of three so we don't need 3 pizzas at a time. This would be nice to have as a quick dinner from the freezer though.

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    1. I haven't frozen the dough but I am sure you can. Also, you can just make all three while the mess is out and then freeze the extra pieces for outings and quick meals.

      Hope this helps ;) JES

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  4. This is very Good & Healthier homemade pizza crust recipe. Keep going on with your effort to write more posts.
    Must read my Pizza Dough Recipe How To Make Pizza Dough
    visit: http://chowtomake.com/ here many pizza ideas...

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  5. I am trying this tonight! I totally agree…whole wheat and Italian food just don’t cut it, so I’m super excited! I do have a very good crust recipe already; it’s a “healthy” one too, but only uses white flour. I’m satisfied with that one, but intrigued by the whole wheat. Hopefully Hubs will like it—he’s more of a hard sell when it comes to whole wheat than I am. Thanks for sharing!
    Love, Joy

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    Replies
    1. Hi Joy, If your hubby is more "sensitive" to the whole wheat taste, then I highly recommend the WHITE whole wheat flour. Highly unnoticeable and there is a link above so you can see exactly what I am referring to. You can find it at Trader Joe's or health food stores I believe. Hope it comes out tasty :)

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