easy whole wheat thin crust pizza

Skip pizza delivery because this thin crust whole wheat pizza is all you need in life (wouldn’t that be nice??)!
Plus, it takes minutes to prepare (no waiting for the dough to rise!).

We do take-out on Friday nights and I used to feel deprived. The rest of the family gets cheesesteaks, hoagies or pizza but I would refrain because I don’t like to eat refined carbs. I finally decided that I would make food on Friday nights that I could just as excited about.

I started making my own pizza and I definitely don’t feel like I’m missing out!

With homemade pizza, you can control how it’s made so it’s easy to stay on track with your health goals AND make a fantastic pizza!

pizza on my terms

I refuse to feel deprived on family take-out night.
I refuse to give up pizza.
There’s no need because there are delicious, healthy options.
That is what forkfreedom.com is all about: eating foods that aren’t highly-palatable (addictive) and processed so your blood sugar and insulin don’t spike. It’s about nutrient-dense substitutions like those listed below.

whole wheat crust

These days there are many options for pizza. For crusts you can use whole wheat flours versus refined white flour. There are also low-carb crusts like almond flour or cauliflower as well as vegan cheeses to top them off.

I use whole wheat and almond crust flours interchangeably, mixing it up weekly! Both provide nutrients which is stripped in white flour.

Whole wheat flour has fiber and vitamins which have been removed from white flour. Also, whole grains are digested more slowly than refined grains, which has beneficial effects on blood sugar and insulin (keeping levels of both down). I like to use King Arthur White Whole Wheat flour.

sauce

I like to use low-sugar sauces when I make pizza. Brands like Raos marinara sauce or Muir glen’s pizza sauce are both low in sugar. Many jarred sauces have high amounts of sugar so it’s always a good practice to check.

Another great option for pizza is to drain and crush whole tomatoes.

cheese

I’ve switched to grass-fed dairy because of the benefits produced when cows eat grass versus grain.

Basically, the chemistry of the fat molecules change when cows are fed grass instead of grain. When they are fed grain, omega-6 fats are produced and when they are grass-fed, omega-3 fats are produced. Omega-6 fats can cause inflammation which I’ve experience first hand. Ideally we get equal amounts of both in our diet.

In general, I try to limit my dairy intake but when I do have it, my body responds better to grass-fed!

how to make whole wheat thin crust

This dough is SO easy! You can come home on a weeknight and make it without waiting for it to rise! Another option is to make one half and freeze the other half (half dough makes about a 14 inch pizza).

To make this dough, simply combine the yeast, warm water (should be almost hot), oil and honey into a bowl, place a towel over it and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Next, pulse the flour, parmesan and salt in the food processor until it’s combined. Pour the water combo in slowly from the top of the processor until a ball of dough forms.

If you don’t have a food processor, combine the flour, Parmesan, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk to combine, then drizzle the yeast and water mixture into the bowl while stirring with a large spoon. Stir until all of the flour has been incorporated and the dough comes together, then proceed with the next step.

Take the dough and knead it on a floured workspace. Use a rolling pin to spread the dough until it’s thin. I don’t worry about creating the perfect circle – it looks more rustic if you just roll it out!

Spread the sauce, cheese and toppings on top of the rolled dough.

Serve with your favorite garnishes like fresh basil, sea salt, red chili pepper flakes or shaved Parmesan!

Enjoy!

Related recipes:

• chicken sausage penne in easy tomato sauce
• turkey bolognese
• insanely good crispy parmesan chickpeas
• mouth-watering homemade croutons
• herb-infused olive oil

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