Whole Wheat Pizza Dough Recipe

Are you looking to elevate your homemade pizza game to a healthier level without sacrificing the delicious taste? Look no further! We're going to take you through the art of making whole wheat pizza dough from scratch. Whole wheat flour adds a hearty, nutty flavor and a nutritional boost to your pizza base, making it a healthier choice for pizza enthusiasts who want to enjoy their favorite comfort food with a nutritious twist.

Creating your own whole wheat pizza dough allows you to have full control over the ingredients, ensuring a dough that's free from preservatives and artificial additives. Plus, it's surprisingly simple to make, even for those who may be new to the world of pizza dough. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, follow along as we share our tried-and-tested whole wheat pizza dough recipe, guaranteed to result in a crisp and flavorful crust that will have you savoring every bite.

Whole Wheat Pizza Base Recipe Ingredients

1. 3 and ¼ cups (420g) Whole Wheat Flour - All ratios are by this quantity of flour. Spoon the flour in a cup and level it before adding it to the mixer bowl.
2. 1 and ½ Cups (360ml) Warm Water – Warm up one and a half cups of tap water (between 100-110°F, 38-43°C) to knead your dough. Whole wheat flour absorbs more water than all-purpose flour, so adding enough water is essential. 360ml is the perfect quantity of water to add to 3 and ¼ cups or 420 grams of whole wheat flour. This quantity is good for two medium size pizza bases.
3. 1 Tablespoon Active Dry or Instant Yeast - Use a powerful variety of instant or active dry yeast when working with whole wheat flour. Usually, pizza dough recipes use less yeast, but yeast needs to work harder to make whole wheat rise – therefore, the recommended quantity is 8.5 grams or 1 tablespoon.
4. 1 Tablespoon (21g) Honey or Sugar - It works to liven up the yeast and tenderize the dough when you leave it to rise.
5. 2 Tablespoons (30ml) Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Extra virgin olive oil adds a lovely fragrance and flavor to the dough. If you do not have extra virgin oil, you can use regular olive oil, too. Do not forget you will need a few extra teaspoons of olive oil to brush the dough and grease the pan.
6. 1 Teaspoon Salt – An essential ingredient for savory dishes. You may adjust the quantity as per your taste
7. A Sprinkle of Cornmeal for Dusting the Pan – Dusting your baking pan with a pinch of cornmeal can give your pizza some extra flavor and crispiness.
8. Optional Additions – To enhance your pizza crust's flavor, add chopped garlic, garlic powder, and/or dried basil, oregano, or an Italian seasoning blend to the flour before kneading it.

Whole Wheat Pizza Recipe

Once you gather all the ingredients, follow the steps listed below to make a delicious homemade whole wheat pizza dough. Then, you can roll it out into a base and top it with your favorite toppings. Finally, all you have to do is bake it and devour it!

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Combine one tablespoon of active dry yeast with honey and water in a mixing bowl. Whisk them together and let them rest for 5-10 minutes or until it turns foamy.

Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients & Oil

Add the whole-wheat flour, salt, and olive oil once the yeast is activated. Combine them with your hands or a dough mixer until it forms a soft dough ball. Then, plop the dough out of the bowl on a floured surface and knead it with your hands for 5 minutes or until smooth.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Wash out the mixing bowl from the previous step and spray it with oil. Place a dough ball in the greased bowl, then cover it with a damp towel or aluminum foil. Let the dough rest for thirty to forty minutes or until it rises to double the size.

Step 4: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 450° F or 230° C. If you are using a pizza stone, place it in the cold oven before you begin the preheating process. If you are using a baking tray, you do not need to preheat it.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

After rising, your dough is ready to be rolled. You can make one thick-crust or two thin-crust pizzas with this dough. If you want thin-crust pizzas, divide the dough into two and roll them out individually. Flatten the dough into a disc shape on a floured working surface with your hands or a rolling pin. The rolled-out dough should be 12 to 14 inches in diameter. Pinch the outer edges to make a rim.

Step 6: Add Toppings

Now for the fun part! Lightly dust a baking tray with cornmeal. Transfer the rolled-out pizza base to the baking tray and brush the outer rim of the pizza with olive oil for a golden-brown crust. Spread some sauce on the base and add your favorite toppings, including vegetables, meats, and cheese. Get creative or stick to the basics; it is really up to you! 

Step 7: Bake

Place your prepared pizza in the oven and bake for 16-18 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted. 

Step 8: Serve

Cut the healthy homemade pizza into slices and serve. 

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough and Base Using the Rotimatic

Making pizza at home is a fun culinary experience, but it does take time and effort and most of us are not really cut out for it. So, what to do?

For those seeking the utmost convenience in making homemade whole wheat pizza dough and bases to make pizzas at home, there's the Rotimatic. This automated wonder machine, originally designed to effortlessly churn out fresh rotis or flatbreads, has now found its way into the hearts of pizza enthusiasts as a game-changer in pizza base preparation. 

With the Rotimatic's precision and speed, crafting a wholesome, whole wheat pizza dough becomes a breeze, promising consistent results that rival traditional handmade dough. Let's delve into how you can harness the power of the Rotimatic to create the perfect canvas for your next homemade pizza masterpiece.

Whole Wheat Homemade Pizzas - the Rotimatic Way

 

Step 1: Select the Pizza Option in the Rotimatic

From the Rotimatic menu, select the pizza option.

Step 2: Select the Flour brand

Choose the flour brand you want to use from the options given in the Rotimatic list.

Step 3: Fill the Flour Container

Add 2 cups of whole-wheat flour, 1 cup of all-purpose flour, and 2 teaspoons of instant yeast in the flour container. Place the container in the Rotimatic.

Step 4: Add Salt

Fill the Rotimatic's water container with drinking water and add 1 and ½ teaspoons of salt to the water.

Step 5: Add Oil

Fill a neutral flavor oil to the oil container in the Rotimatic.

Step 6: Set the Preferences

For pizza, the recommended settings are –

• Thickness – 1
• Oil – 1
• Roast – Disabled
• Number of pizzas – As needed

Step 7: Click Play 

Step 8: Collect

Collect the shaped-out pizza bases in a casserole lined with a cloth or paper towel. Immediately cover the casserole with a lid to keep the dough fresh.

Step 9: Add Toppings

Top the pizza with a delicious pizza sauce, vegetables, meat, cheese, and any other toppings you like.

Step 10: Bake

Preheat the oven to 250° C or 475° F. Grease the baking tray with oil and place the prepared pizza bases on the baking tray. Bake for 4-6 mins. 

Mastering the art of whole wheat pizza dough opens up a world of culinary possibilities, allowing you to savor a healthier, homemade pizza experience like never before. Whether you choose to knead it by hand, whip it up with the Rotimatic, or explore your own creative variations, the foundation of a great pizza starts with a fail-proof pizza dough recipe. From here, the possibilities are endless—top it with your favorite sauce, cheeses, and toppings to create a customized pizza that suits your palate.

So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and embark on a pizza-making adventure that's as satisfying to your taste buds as it is to your culinary soul. With this whole wheat pizza dough recipe in your repertoire, you'll be well on your way to pizza perfection in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is whole wheat pizza dough better?

   Whole-wheat pizza dough has more proteins and fiber than pizza dough made from all-purpose flour. It is easier to digest and helps you stay full for longer. Generally, whole-wheat foods are considered better and healthier than foods made with all-purpose flour.

2. Is whole wheat pizza healthier than regular pizza?
   

   Pizza crust made with whole wheat is considered healthier than regular pizza as it contains whole grains, proteins, and fiber content. It takes longer to digest whole-wheat pizza crust, and it supplies more energy to the body.

3. Can I use regular active yeast?
   

   When making pizza in Rotimatic, it is best to use instant/rapid-rise yeast. The pizza crust may be crackly and dense with regular yeast. 

4. Can I omit the honey/sugar?
   

   The sugar or honey activates the yeast and creates air pockets in your dough. Without it, your dough may have smaller air pockets and not be soft enough.