How to Make Whole Grain Pizza Dough

Pizza lovers who are conscious of good nutritional value can have their pie and eat it too, if their pizza crust is made with whole grains and then topped with wholesome ingredients.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Whole wheat flour
• Oatmeal
• Cracked wheat
• Olive oil
• Active dry yeast
• Mozzarella cheese
• Pizza stone
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cup
• Rolling pin
• Pizza cutter
• Oven

1. 

   Heat 1/2 cup water in a mixing bowl for 15 seconds in a microwave oven, so water is lukewarm. Add 1 rounded teaspoon active dry yeast, 1/4 cup oatmeal, 1/4 cup cracked wheat, 1 tablespoon olive oil and stir together.

2. Mix in one cup of whole wheat flour, and then gradually add and mix in more flour until the mixture forms a soft lump of dough that you can knead. Knead dough on a floured surface for few minutes, sprinkling flour as needed, until dough has a smooth and uniform texture.

3. 

   Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a diameter just smaller than that of the pizza stone, and let it rest for five minutes. Place pizza stone in oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Remove stone from oven and place pizza crust on stone.

4. 

   Spoon tomato pizza sauce or alphredo sauce on the pizza and spread it with the back of the spoon to within 3/4 inch of the outer perimeter.
   Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese (about 12 oz.) on top of the sauce, and add your favorite toppings, such as pepperoni, green peppers, pineapple chunks, onions, mushrooms, etc.

5. 
   Mouth Watering Wholesome Goodness

   Place stone with pizza back into the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese just begins to brown along the edges. Remove from oven, cut into pieces on the stone with a pizza cutter, and serve pieces on plates.

Tips & Warnings

• A pizza stone is a great investment and cooks perfect crusts every time.
• An empty parmesan cheese container is useful for sprinkling flour.
• Other grain products may be mixed in, such as bulgur wheat and oat bran.
• Cracked wheat or other grains may be sometimes be found in the hot cereal aisle.
• Shredded Mozzarella cheese may be purchased in bulk at the big club stores and frozen in smaller freezer bags for future pizzas.

[82lisa]

on 11/17/2009 Can't find cracked wheat. Can i use wheat bran? if so will it change the teats

[alltrails]

on 10/31/2009 Nice article on how to make whole grain pizza dough. I love pizza, and this is a way to make it a little more healthy. 5 stars - thanks!

[thimbletack]

on 9/19/2009 I had never heard of a pizza stone, so I went to my local walmart and sure enough, they had one and boy did it really improve cooking pizza at home, my family loved it, thanks, 5 stars

[jrofosho1]

on 7/27/2009 real good advice for healthy eater thanks from me 5 * and rec

[edwarde]

on 7/2/2009 We love homemade pizza. We'll have to try this. Thanks.