Whether baking in the oven or cooking on the grill, this easy whole wheat pizza dough is perfect for homemade pizza night!
There’s something comforting about knowing that Friday night at our house means pizza. I don’t have to go through the process of deciding what’s for dinner and the whole family enjoys pizza in almost every form, though Thai Chicken Pizza will always take first place in our hearts!
I’ll admit that I haven’t been as diligent about making homemade pizza over the last year. There are weeks when I’ve cooked so many recipes for my family and the blog that I just can’t fathom turning on the oven on Friday night.
Last week I decided it was time to drag myself out of the “Honey, will you please pick up a pizza for dinner?” rut (said in a slightly pathetic voice) and get back into the habit of making my own dough.
Several years ago, my longtime friend, Jen, and I went through our own version of America’s Test Kitchen, partly in person and partly via email and phone (we live in separate countries, after all). We were determined to come up with the perfect dough to use for our families’ respective Friday pizza nights.
After many flops and a whole lot of trial and error, Jen and I finally had the perfect recipe. The only change that I made to the recipe over the years was swapping whole wheat pastry flour for the all-purpose flour. I first tried regular whole wheat flour, but it just doesn’t make the grade in pizza crust, unless you use about a 3-to-1 ratio of all-purpose to whole wheat flour. Since I was going for a full-fiber experience, it was whole wheat pastry flour or bust!
The recipe below makes enough dough for one pizza crust, but the photos show a double batch, since we typically make two pizzas. When there are two growing boys in the house, and two adults who hold fond memories of cold pizza from their college days, a single pizza just doesn’t cut it.
Homemade pizza recipes:
Smoky Grilled Barbecue Chicken Pizza
Chicken Pesto Artichoke Naan Pizza (substitute pizza dough for naan)
How to Make Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 1 package 0.75 ounce package (2 1/4 teaspoon) dried yeast
- 1 cup warm water 105-115 degrees F
- 1 tsp agave nectar or honey
- 2 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- flour for kneading
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Pour the yeast into a large bowl. Add the water and agave nectar (or honey), and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit until foamy bubbles appear on the surface of the water, about 10 minutes.
- Add the flour, olive oil and salt, and stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Coat a large bowl with cooking spray, place the ball of dough in the bowl and lightly spray the surface with cooking spray.
- Cover the bowl with a dishtowel and let the dough rest in a warm, draft-free room for 1 hour.
- After 1 hour, the dough will have doubled in size. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll to the desired size for the pizza.
Notes
Nutrition
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Garlic Girl
Made for family when came for a visit. Made pepperoni pizza. It turned out great.
Dara
So great to hear that!
Terri
I currently use my kitchen aid mixer when I make homemade pizza dough. This recipe ‘s instructions call for hand mixing. Can I make it in my kitchen aid instead?
Dara
Absolutely! Nothing wrong with saving your hands by using a dough hook. 🙂
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
I just love making yeast doughs. Glad you went the whole wheat way. That’s my choice too.
kellie | The Suburban Soapbox
We eat a lot of pizza here so this dough will really come in handy. Thanks for doing all the legwork and testing for me. 🙂
Susan
I haven’t made pizza at home in forever! My husband bugs me once in awhile to do it, but then I give the excuse that we are surround by pizzerias let’s go buy one. LOL! This dough looks perfect, perhaps, just perhaps I’ll surprise him with pizza one night.
Heather | girlichef
We have pizza Friday every week, and I love having new recipes and ideas for switching things up! Added to my menu for next week. 🙂
Paula-bell'alimento
Homemade pizza dough is the way to go! Love this whole wheat version Dara.
Martha @ A Family Feast
I’m definitely trying this recipe Dara! Always great to make a pizza a little healthier!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
We make homemade pizzas every Friday! I used to make my own dough but lately I’ve had to buy mine at Trader Joe’s because my kids are so busy! This recipe looks easy enough for me to make, thank you!
The Food Hunter
We are pizza lovers at our house. I’m not sure I could get my husband to try whole wheat crust though
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
Do you know how long this will last in the fridge before making the pizza. Like if I make it on Sunday would it be ok Monday or Tuesday after work for the pizza making? Thomas loves pizza and I really want to make this for him but I’d love to be able to make the crust before.
Shirley
I like to make whole wheat pizza dough as well, & use about 1/2 & 1/2 so as not to put off young eaters. I’m so surprised that you use pastry flour, as it is typically low on gluten as you know. But congrats for pulling it off. ALSO— I hope someday you’ll discover the Danish. Wire whisk for mixing. Love this tool & have given to many young relatives starting out in life. My right hand & arm give me difficulty, but with it I can add those last ingredients to cookie dough Look for YouTube video. Fox run makes one in USA. The ones Lee Valley sells, c one from Poland. Two sizes. Please consider
claire @the realistic nutritionist
This is gorgeous!! Homemade pizza is my favorite but i’m so tired of using white flour.
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
We love making homemade pizzas! Love this whole wheat dough!
Ali @ Anything You Want
This looks so easy and I love that you use honey instead of sugar. Can’t wait to try it!