How to Make Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

To make a whole wheat pizza dough you will need…

1 tbsp sugar (no, we don’t usually recommend sugar, but in this case it is necessary to activate the yeast)
10 fl oz (1 1/4 cup) lukewarm water
1 package of dry, active yeast
5oz (1 1/4 cup) all purpose (or plain) flour
8oz (2 cups) whole wheat flour
2 fl oz (1/4 cup) olive oil

Dissolve the sugar in the warm water, then sprinkle in the yeast.

Set aside for a few minutes, until the mixture looks a little foamy.

Mix all of the whole wheat flour with one cup of the all purpose flour, then add the olive oil and the yeast mixture.

Knead the dough, adding the remaining flour a little at a time if the dough feels sticky.

Keep kneading for around 10-12 mins until the dough feels smooth and elastic (it’s a good idea to make this dough during baby’s nap time to achieve a whole 10 minutes of uninterrupted kneading!).

Grease a bowl with oil, form the dough into a ball and place it in the bowl.

Turn it over several times until the dough’s entire surface is covered in oil.

Set aside in a warm place, covered with a clean tea towel, for 45 mins. The dough should double in size.

Punch the dough down and divide it into two.

On a pizza tray or baking sheet, shape each piece into a 12 inch pizza base, using your hands. It doesn’t have to be a perfect circle… we think the rustic, homemade look is best!

Set aside in a warm place for a further 30 mins.

Top with the cheese and additional toppings of your choice.

Bake for 15-20 mins at 425 deg F (220 deg C) until the crust is golden and the cheese has melted.

Baby Pizza Cooking Tips

• Some babies don’t like – or don’t react well to – tomato sauce on their pizza. But tomato sauce is by no means essential – try drizzling the dough with olive oil and a sprinkling of fresh herbs instead! Add a little crushed garlic, too, if your baby likes it. Alternatively, try a homemade alfredo – or simple white – sauce.

 

• If you DO want to use a tomato sauce, but store bought sauces are too strong for your baby, make your own by sauteing chopped, fresh plum tomatoes in a little olive oil until tender. Either spread them on the dough at this point – or puree them first.

 

• Don’t forget to leave an inch ‘untopped’ all the way around the pizza, to make it easier to pick up.

 

• Try making smaller, ‘personal’ pizzas rather than two larger ones.

 

• To save time for a future meal, make just one 12 inch pizza and freeze the remaining dough. Simply thaw it thoroughly and it’s ready for topping. Don’t freeze the cooked pizza – the taste and texture of the cooked veggies will be affected and it just won’t taste the same as a pizza that’s been freshly topped.

 

• Suggested pizza toppings include mozzarella cheese, grated cheddar (learn more about safe cheeses for baby here), chopped bell peppers, chopped onion, sliced mushroom, lean ground beef, thin strips of chicken breast, extra firm tofu and sliced tomato.

 

• Avoid processed meat toppings like pepperoni and ham – they are too salty for your baby.