Simple Recipe for Whole Wheat Pizza Dough at Home

Homemade Whole Wheat Pizza Dough: A Simple and Satisfying Alternative to Store-Bought

In a quest to enhance family vacations and homemade meals, one enthusiast discovered an easy-to-make, five-ingredient whole wheat pizza dough recipe. This versatile dough has since become a staple, offering both a healthier alternative and a more filling experience compared to store-bought options.

The origins of this recipe can be traced back to family gatherings at Smith Mountain Lake, where the writer's sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law would fashion their own dough creations. Inspired and intrigued, the writer decided to try their hand at homemade pizza dough and found the process surprisingly straightforward.

The foundation of this recipe requires active dry yeast, warm water, whole wheat flour, sea salt, and extra virgin olive oil. To begin, yeast is combined with warm water and allowed to sit for approximately ten minutes until it develops a foamy texture. This bath enables the yeast to activate and bubble, signaling that it's ready for further preparation.

For the kneading process, a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook simplifies the labor by handling the bulk of the work. Following the initial 10-minute rest, the dough requires an additional 30 minutes to rise in a covered mixing bowl placed inside a warm (170°F) oven that has been preheated and then turned off. After doubling in size, the dough is punched down, re-kneaded by hand for a minute, and given another 15 minutes to rise.

Once the dough has risen to optimal size, it can be rolled out to create a thin pizza crust. This recipe works particularly well for whole wheat pizza dough, as a thinner crust prevents the dough from becoming excessively chewy. When baked in a super-hot oven, the whole wheat pizza dough yields a deliciously crispy and chewy crust that offers extended fullness and can effortlessly support diverse toppings.

This recipe generates enough dough to create eight personal-sized pizzas. The writer recommends using four immediately and saving the remaining four for future pizza nights. When frozen, the dough thaws out overnight in the refrigerator but can also be quickly thawed in the microwave during particularly hectic times.

With the dough prepared, it's time to assemble the pizza. The writer's most recent iteration features fresh mozzarella, local organic crimini mushrooms, and organic scallions from their last Hometown Harvest small fixed bag. These ingredients combined create a mouthwatering pizza that showcases the versatility and flavors available in whole wheat dough.

In conclusion, this easy homemade whole wheat pizza dough recipe requires only five ingredients and delivers a delightful, filling alternative to store-bought options. The simple steps involved make it accessible for both beginners and seasoned pizza enthusiasts alike, ensuring that homemade pizza nights are both enjoyable and satisfying.

Recipe

Makes 8 personal-sized pizzas

Ingredients:

1 packet active dry yeast
1-1/3 cups very warm water (110°F/45°C)
3-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons sea salt
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Instructions:

In a bowl, combine yeast and warm water. Let sit until creamy or bubbly, about 5 minutes.
In a separate large bowl, combine whole wheat flour and salt.
Add yeast mixture and olive oil to dry ingredients, stirring until a sticky dough forms.
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky, about 5–8 minutes.
Lightly grease a bowl and place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 to 2 hours.
Punch down the dough to release air, shape it into a pizza crust, and add desired toppings. Bake at approximately 350°F (175°C) until the crust is golden and toppings are cooked, about 20 minutes. Enjoy!

This easy homemade whole wheat pizza dough recipe is part of a healthier and more fulfilling food-and-drink lifestyle, providing an appealing alternative to store-bought dough. With the minimal ingredients of active dry yeast, whole wheat flour, sea salt, extra virgin olive oil, and warm water, cooking up a batch of this dough can improve your home-and-garden gatherings with a satisfying homemade pizza experience, promoting a healthy-cooking approach.