Pizza is a beloved dish worldwide, cherished for its crispy crust, savory toppings, and melty cheese. For those following a gluten-free diet, enjoying a slice of traditional pizza can be challenging. However, with the right ingredients and techniques, you can make a delicious gluten-free pizza that everyone will love.
After spending an evening with one of my client’s family, I was amazed at how everyone was excited to make the dad’s gluten free pizza! It has since become a weekly ritual for their family. The kids were ready to go, making their own pizzas using dad’s pizza dough. Pressing it out into the desired shape and adding their toppings from the many wonderful choice’s mom had put out for them. I shared
some of her pesto sauce, as she loves that, and so did the kids!
I am so excited for you, if you are new to going gluten free, have a family member or dear friend who is gluten intolerant or celiac, because you are going to be amazed at how delicious and easy it is to make this pizza dough!
Michael worked with a local Italian restaurant chef, using his recommended Italian gluten free pizza flour blend. This wonderful chef became Michael’s guide on his journey finding the essentials for creating a fantastic gluten-free pizza at home. I loved how much he enjoyed making the dough, explaining his method, what it took, and the final recipe that worked for him and his new pizza oven! As Michael says,
the high heat from his pizza oven is what makes the pizza dough rise and do what we want it to do creating the perfect texture! The beautiful part, was the ritual this family created! Pure JOY to witness!
This summer, or really anytime, creating rituals for your family around food and eating together brings families closer. Pegs says, food is love and for kids and their families, it is a game changer!
Topping Ideas for Your Pizza
Now that you have a perfect gluten-free crust, it’s time to get creative with toppings. Here are some delicious and gluten-free topping ideas:
- Classic Margherita: Fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and tomato sauce.
- Vegetarian Delight: Peppers, onions, mushrooms, zucchini slices, olives, and spinach.
- Meat Lover’s: Pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham.
- Mediterranean: Feta cheese, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, and cherry tomatoes.
- BBQ Chicken: Grilled chicken, red onions, cilantro, and BBQ sauce.
Tips for the Best Gluten-Free Pizza
- Use a Pizza Stone: A pizza stone helps achieve a crispy crust by evenly distributing heat.
- Don’t Overload with Toppings: Too many toppings can weigh down the crust and make it soggy.
- Oven needs to be very hot. The high heat helps cook the crust so its crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside for that true Italian texture.
- Get a scale to measure the exact measurements for your pizza ingredients. It does make a difference.
- Allow the pizza dough to refrigerate overnight for at least 16-24 hours before cooking.
- This pizza dough can be made into balls, once wrapped, can be frozen and thawed to make your pizza crust anytime.
Gluten Free Pizza
Delicious Gluten-Free Pizza: A Guide to Enjoying a Classic Favorite
Ingredients
- 1 kg GF Flour
- 750 ml cold water
- 35 grams sea salt
- 35 grams olive oil
- 15 grams yeast
- 5 grams baking powder
Equipment:
- Scale to weigh in grams
- Pizza Peel
- Pizza Cutter
- Pizza stone
Instructions
- Mix in a bowl all dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt and yeast and olive oil
- Add water, pouring in slowly
- Mix 5-10 min
- Keep pizza dough in mixing bowl, covered with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 16-24 hours.
- Preheat pizza oven on high, after you make the balls (Michael’s was at 800-degrees),or regular oven. If using a regular oven, preheat to 500-degrees or as hot as it can go. Bake pizza on a pizza stone or a parchment lined pizza pan ( ***see important safety note below)
- Oil your hands
- Make Six 305-gram balls
- Wrap extra balls in plastic and store into freezer bags for later use.
- Now let’s make a pizza! Ready a large board with flour or corn meal
- Place dough ball on WELL floured board and start pressing out your pizza dough ball with well floured hands
- Once you have your desired shape, get creative, start adding sauce, cheeses and toppings of choice.
- Pound or slam side of the board to loosen your pizza so it slides and moves about on board . Important for transferring pizza to an oven…
- Once oven is preheated, Transfer pizza onto a pizza peel
- Carefully transfer pizza onto pizza stone, into oven. If sticking you didn’t use enough flour or corn meal to help it slide…
- Depending on if you’re using a pizza oven vs a regular oven, your times will vary. For a pizza oven it took between 3-5 min at 800-degrees, watching it closely and checking crust.
- If using a regular oven make sure heat it on the highest temp and place the pizza stone inside oven while preheating so it’s hot!
- Bake your pizza for 10-12 minutes or until hot and bubbles check crust for desired doneness by carefully lifting it up with a spatula.
- Be careful not to burn yourself.
- Keep kids away from hot ovens.
Notes
if using parchment lined pizza pan make sure parchment is not sticking out too far beyond pizza crust so it won’t burn while cooking at high heat.
Give your pizza at least 3-4 minutes to set up once removed from the oven. This helps to insure
a clean cut for your slices and not have all the toppings slide off.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought gluten-free pizza crust?
Absolutely! Many stores offer pre-made gluten-free pizza crusts that are convenient and delicious. Just follow the package instructions for best results.
How do I store leftover gluten-free pizza?
Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or on the stovetop to maintain its crispy texture.
Can I freeze gluten-free pizza dough?
Yes, you can freeze gluten-free pizza dough. After kneading the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling out and baking.
Check out other Pizza suggestions:
Gluten Free Pesto Pizza, or Damn Good’s Saturday Night Pizza Party recipe found in Peg’s Damn Good Gluten Free cookbook.
We can’t wait to see your creations! Happy Pizza Making!
Love,
Momma Pegs