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    Home » Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

    Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

    Published: Aug 22, 2020 · Modified: Oct 9, 2022 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This whole wheat pizza dough recipe is healthy, easy, delicious and made with only 7 ingredients! Whole wheat pizza crust is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, making it the perfect healthy alternative for pizza nights!

    overhead view of 5 slices of pizza with whole wheat pizza dough

    My first job at age 14 was working at a local pizza place. I got a workers permit from my junior high school, put on my Doc Martens and I was ready to start earning money. 

    Working at Angelo's taught me so much about life (I seriously wouldn't be the person I am today without that job), and equally importantly - it taught me all about great pizza. As a result, we almost never order pizza, and we always make our own homemade pizza from scratch (never without this homemade pizza sauce).

    Our homemade pizza dough is beloved my many, but I often feel the need to make a littler healthier alternative and whip up this Whole Wheat Pizza Dough instead. It's the best healthy pizza dough made with only seven ingredients that's crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside - just like a great pizza crust should be.  

    overhead photo of a homemade pizza with whole wheat pizza dough

    Whole Wheat Pizza Dough: Ingredients & Substitutions

    Let's chat about the ingredients in this whole wheat pizza dough, as well as possible substitutions. 

    • Whole Wheat Flour/All-purpose flour.  This recipe calls for an equal amount of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour. I find this 1:1 ratio yields the best texture. You can use only one or the other, but if you use all whole wheat flour I recommend using white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour for a lighter texture (it will be denser if you use only whole wheat flour). 
    • Olive Oil. Any neutral oil works well in this recipe, I'd recommend canola or avocado oils as the best substitutes if needed. 
    • Honey. Granulated sugar can be used in place of honey, or maple syrup. 
    • Active dry yeast. Instant yeast can be used in place of active dry yeast, you will just have a shorter rise time. 
    overhead view of the ingredients in this whole wheat pizza dough recipe

    How to make whole wheat pizza dough

    As always, well walk through this whole wheat pizza recipe step-by-step, and don't forget to watch the video!

    Activate yeast

    In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine water yeast and honey. Stir and let sit until foamy (about 5-10 minutes). Or in a large mixing bowl (if you will mix/knead by hand).

    Add ingredients

    Once it is foamy add olive oil, flours and sea salt use the dough hook to knead and mix the ingredients together.

    two overhead photos showing how to make whole wheat pizza dough

    Knead

    Using the dough hook, mix/knead the whole wheat pizza dough until a smooth and slightly tacky ball forms. Or mix by hand until a ball forms, then turn it onto a floured surface and knead by hand.

    Form a ball

    Once the dough is kneaded well, form it into a ball and place it in a large, lightly greased bowl. 

    two overhead photos showing how to make whole wheat pizza dough

    Rise

    Cover the dough in the greased bowl with a damp tea towel and let rise until doubled in size (about 60 minutes).

    two overhead photos showing how to make whole wheat pizza dough

    Roll out the whole wheat pizza crust

    Towards the end of the rise, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and place a pizza stone in the oven to heat up.

    After it has risen, punch the dough down and form it into a disc.

    Roll the dough out to the shape and size you want (we make a 14” round pizza). If transferring it to a pizza stone, roll it out on a piece of parchment paper. If baking it on a pizza pan, put the rolled-out dough onto the pan.

    two overhead photos showing how to make whole wheat pizza dough

    Add toppings

     Top with pizza sauce, cheese and toppings. You have to make this homemade pizza sauce. It's amazing. 

    overhead photo showing whole wheat pizza crust with toppings before baking

    Bake

    There are two options, you can bake this whole wheat pizza on a preheated pizza stone (preferred) or on a baking sheet. 

    If baking on a pizza stone, use a pizza peel to transfer the topped pizza to the preheated stone in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and golden-brown.  If baking on a baking pan, place it on the lowest rack in your oven and bake. 

    Cool slightly and enjoy

    Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before cutting and serving. 

    overhead photo of whole wheat pizza crust with toppings baked

    Store

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat: preheat oven to 350 degrees F, place pizza on a baking sheet and heat until warmed through. 

    To freeze: 

    You can freeze this whole wheat pizza dough in many different ways: 

    1. In a dough ball. You can freeze this whole wheat pizza dough after kneading before rising. Simply form it into a ball, lightly grease the inside of a freezer-friendly plastic bag, put the dough inside, squeeze out the air and freeze for up to 3 months. Let dough thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then let it rise at room temperature and follow the recipe. 
    2. Rolled out crusts. To freeze crusts, simply follow the recipe, roll out the dough and transfer to a large round baking sheet. Tightly wrap the whole wheat pizza crust with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. To use, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature. Top with sauce and toppings and bake according to the recipe instructions. 
    3. Unbaked pizza. After the second rise, roll out the dough, place it on a round pizza pan, add sauce and toppings. Tightly wrap the whole wheat pizza with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, preheat oven 450 degrees F, bake on the lower rack for 12-15 minutes. 
    Overhead photo of whole wheat pizza cut into pieces

    Recipe FAQs

    Is whole wheat pizza dough healthy? 

    In general whole wheat flour contains slightly more fiber and protein that all-purpose flour. This whole wheat pizza dough also uses honey instead of sugar, which is preferable to many! 

    Can you substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour in pizza dough?

    You can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour in a recipe with whole wheat flour and it will still taste great.

    Can I use almond flour instead of whole wheat flour?

    No, almond flour is not a suitable substitute for whole wheat flour in this recipe.

    What is the best alternative to wheat flour?

    Spelt flour, buckwheat flour and chickpea flour are my favorite alternatives.

    More recipes to try: 

    If you love this whole wheat pizza dough recipe, here are some more recipes to try? 

    • This homemade pizza dough is a reader favorite and so good!
    • You can't make homemade pizza without this pizza sauce recipe!
    • Want to try pizza in a different form, this pizza casserole is so delicious! 
    • Make this homemade basil pesto to use as sauce on your next pizza.
    • For a summery, veggie twist, try this zucchini pizza crust. 
    three pieces of whole wheat pizza with toppings

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

    Laura
    This whole wheat pizza dough recipe is healthy, easy, delicious and made with only 7 ingredients! Whole wheat pizza crust is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, making it the perfect healthy alternative for pizza nights!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Rising Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 30 mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 12 Servings
    Calories 107 kcal

    Equipment

    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • KitchenAid Mixer
    • glass batter bowl
    • pizza stone
    • Pizza Peel
    • Pizza Cutter

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup warm water 105 degrees F
    • 1 TBS honey
    • 1 TBS active dry yeast
    • 1 TBS olive oil
    • 1 ¼ cups whole wheat flour
    • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 tsp sea salt

    Instructions
     

    • In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine water yeast and honey. Let sit until foamy (about 5-10 minutes). Or in a large mixing bowl (if you will mix/knead by hand).
    • Once it is foamy add olive oil, flours and sea salt use the dough hook to knead and mix the ingredients together until a smooth and slightly tacky ball forms. Or mix by hand until a ball forms, then turn it onto a floured surface and knead by hand.
    • If the dough is too sticky, add up to 2 TBS more all-purpose flour (1 TBS at a time), until it reaches the proper consistency.
    • Form the dough into a ball.
    • Lightly grease a large bowl and place the dough into the bowl. Cover with a damp tea towel and let rise until doubled in size (about 60 minutes).
    • Towards the end of the rise, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and place a pizza stone in the oven to heat up.
    • After it has risen, punch the dough down and form it into a disc.
    • Roll the dough out to the shape and size you want (we make a 14” round pizza). If transferring it to a pizza stone, roll it out on a piece of parchment paper. If baking it on a pizza pan, put the rolled-out dough onto the pan.
    • Top with pizza sauce, cheese and toppings.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the bottom of the crust is lightly golden-brown and the cheese is melted.
    • Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
    • Cut, serve and enjoy.

    Notes

    Ingredient substitutions: 

    • Whole Wheat Flour/All-purpose flour. I find the 1:1 ratio yields the best texture. You can use only one or the other, but if you use all whole wheat flour I recommend using white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour for a lighter texture (it will be denser if you use only whole wheat flour). 
    • Olive Oil. Any neutral oil works well in this recipe, I'd recommend canola or avocado oils as the best substitutes if needed. 
    • Honey. Granulated sugar can be used in place of honey, or maple syrup. 
    • Active dry yeast. Instant yeast can be used in place of active dry yeast, you will just have a shorter rise time. 

    How to freeze pizza dough

    1. In a dough ball. You can freeze this whole wheat pizza dough after kneading before rising. Simply form it into a ball, lightly grease the inside of a freezer-friendly plastic bag, put the dough inside, squeeze out the air and freeze for up to 3 months. Let dough thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then let it rise at room temperature and follow the recipe. 
    2. Rolled out crusts. To freeze crusts, simply follow the recipe, roll out the dough and transfer to a large round baking sheet. Tightly wrap the whole wheat pizza crust with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. To use, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature. Top with sauce and toppings and bake according to the recipe instructions. 
    3. Unbaked pizza. After the second rise, roll out the dough, place it on a round pizza pan, add sauce and toppings. Tightly wrap the whole wheat pizza with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, preheat oven 450 degrees F, bake on the lower rack for 12-15 minutes. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pieceCalories: 107kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 195mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    The photos in this post were taken by the talented Jamie from Dishing Out Health!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Teesta

      September 24, 2022 at 7:35 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing amazing recipe! The most easy one. I am not a dough person. I don’t like to make dough as I don’t like my hands to get dirty. But this is so easy that I make it again and again. Thank you for this recipe… and oh yes, the pizza sauce recipe as well…just can’t go wrong!

      Reply
      • Laura

        September 25, 2022 at 7:12 am

        I'm so glad you love it Teesta!

        Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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