Healthy, Whole-Grain Pizza Crust Recipe

A crowd pleasing healthy and hearty pizza crust recipe.

Looking for a healthy and delicious pizza crust to tempt even the most ardent junk food enthusiast? Look no further. Here is a way to add a little whole-grain into one of your family’s favorite foods: pizza.

This tasty crust is relatively simple to make and uses many healthy ingredients to keep you fuller, longer.

Preparation Time:

• 25 to 45 Minutes

Makes:

• This recipe makes one pizza crust.

Cooking Utensils You’ll Need:

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cup for measuring liquids
• Food processor
• Wooden spoon
• Baking stone or one 9 by 9 by 2 cooking sheet for pizza crust
• Basting brush

Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups white flour
• ¼ teaspoon garlic salt or regular salt
• 1 package active dry yeast dissolved in 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil (preferably olive oil.)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ cup whole wheat flour
• ¼ cup old fashioned oats, finely ground in food processer
• 1 tablespoon flax seed

Optional Ingredients:

• Olive oil (to brush on crust)
• Corn meal
• Mixed dried Italian herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, etc.)

How to Make this Whole-Grain Pizza Crust

1. Begin by combining in a large mixing bowl 1 cup white flour, the ¼ teaspoon garlic salt or regular salt, 1 tablespoon honey, the 2 tablespoons of oil, and the one cup warm water with fully dissolved yeast. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined.
2. Using the wooden spoon, mix in the ¼ cup whole wheat flour, ¼ cup finely ground oats, and the tablespoon of flax seed. Once these ingredients are thoroughly mixed, add as much of the remaining white flour to the dough as you can.
3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until the dough is pliable and elastic, 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Cover and let the dough rise for 15 minutes.
5. Grease cooking sheet with olive oil brush, unless you are using a cooking stone.
6. Shape dough into crust, using fingers to push dough into the cooking stone or metal cooking sheet.
7. Let the crust rise for 8 to 10 minutes
8. Using the basting brush, brush oil onto the edge of the crust. Sprinkle corn meal and Italian herbs on the edges, if desired.
9. Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Add your favorite pizza toppings and cook for 25 to 35 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Serve and enjoy!

Whole-Grain Pizza Crust Variations

You also can add a few tablespoons of your favorite Italian seasonings such as basil, oregano, thyme, or rosemary, to the dough to make a more zesty, herby crust. Just add the few tablespoons of dried herbs during step one, while you are mixing the 1 cup white flour and the wet ingredients. You also can add a few tablespoons of freshly shredded parmesan cheese at this time to make a cheesy crust.

For tasty and healthy ideas for topping you healthy, whole-grain pizza crust, see my article on Healthy and Delicious Toppings for Pizza.