gluten free pizza
Deliciously Crisp Homemade Gluten Free Thin Crust Pizza Recipe
If you’ve recently switched to a gluten free diet or have been gluten free pizza for years, you know the struggle of finding a good pizza that meets your dietary needs. Fortunately, the gluten free pizza market has evolved, offering options that satisfy both your taste buds and health requirements. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything from the best gluten-free frozen pizza to making your own gluten-free pizza dough at home. Whether you’re looking for a “gluten-free pizza near me” or exploring popular gluten-free pizza brands, we’ve got you covered.
Why Choose Gluten Free Pizza?
Gluten-free diets have gained popularity due to various health issues, including celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Regardless of dietary restrictions, everyone deserves to enjoy delicious pizza. Making your own gluten-free pizza allows you to control the ingredients while ensuring you aren’t compromising on taste or texture.
Best Gluten-Free Frozen Pizza Options
When you’re short on time, having a reliable frozen pizza in your freezer can be a lifesaver. Here are some top-rated gluten-free frozen pizza brands to try:
- Caulipower – Famous for their cauliflower-based crusts, Caulipower pizzas are both crispy and flavorful.
- Udi’s – A well-known name in the gluten-free community, Udi’s offers a variety of frozen pizzas with thin, crispy crusts.
- Amy’s Kitchen – Their gluten-free options include delicious organic ingredients and unique flavor profiles.
- Daiya – Perfect for those who are both gluten-free and dairy-free, Daiya pizzas feature a creamy dairy-free cheese.
These brands are available in major grocery stores across the U.S., making them convenient options for anyone searching for gluten-free pizza near me.
Benefits of Making Homemade Gluten-Free Pizza:
- Customizable Toppings: You can personalize your pizza with an array of toppings based on your preferences.
- Healthier Ingredients: Homemade pizza allows for the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients—ideal for controlling preservatives and additives.
- Cost-Effective: By making pizza at home, you save money compared to ordering from restaurants.
Ingredients for the Dough
To make gluten-free thin crust pizza for two large pizzas (plus some extra sauce), you’ll need:
- Dough:
- 1 cup (220g) warm water (about 86°F/30°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) instant yeast
- 2/3 teaspoon (3g) baking soda
- 2 teaspoons (8g) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
- 1 1/4 tablespoons (15g) olive oil
- 3 cups (360g) gluten-free all-purpose flour (such as King Arthur or Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 blend)
Directions to Prepare the Dough
- In a medium bowl, combine the warm water, instant yeast, baking soda, sugar, salt, olive oil, and gluten-free flour. Stir until the mixture begins to form a ball.
- Once combined, switch to using a wet hand and mix until a dough ball forms.
- Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise for about 90 minutes at room temperature.
- Divide the dough into two equal pieces (about 300g each), and shape them into balls. If the dough feels crumbly, add a touch more water.
- Using oiled parchment paper, place a ball of dough between two sheets and roll it out into a 12″ round.
Homemade Pizza Sauce Ingredients
For the sauce, we’ll need enough for six 12″ pizzas:
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons (12g) salt
- 1 2/3 tablespoons (20g) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (2g) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (2g) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (1g) chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon (1g) dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon (1g) dried oregano
- 1/3 cup (100g) tomato paste
Directions to Prepare the Sauce
- In a high-sided container, combine all the sauce ingredients.
- Use an immersion blender to mix until smooth, which should take about 20-30 seconds.
Assembling Your Pizza
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 lb (1/2 kg) block part-skim aged mozzarella, shredded
- 8 oz (1/4 kg) fresh mozzarella, cubed
- Pepperoni or any other toppings you desire
Steps to Build the Pizza:
- Preheat the oven to 550°F (287°C) and place a pizza steel or stone in the middle rack.
- On a prepared pizza peel, create a raised edge on your rolled-out dough using a knife. Spread about 3 tablespoons of sauce evenly across the dough, edge to edge.
- Add the cubed fresh mozzarella evenly over the sauce, followed by the shredded mozzarella and any other toppings.
- Carefully slide the pizza (with the parchment beneath it) onto the preheated pizza steel/stone.
Baking Directions:
- First Pizza: Bake for 7 minutes at 550°F (287°C).
- After 7 minutes, remove the first pizza and bake the second pizza for the same duration.
- Transition the first pizza onto the steel directly and bake for an additional 2 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Perfect Gluten-Free Pizza
- Making gluten-free pizza dough at home can be a bit tricky, but these tips will help you achieve the perfect crust:
- Use the Right Flour Blend: Opt for a gluten-free all-purpose flour that includes xanthan gum or guar gum for better elasticity.
- Don’t Skip Resting the Dough: Allowing the dough to rest lets the yeast activate and improves the texture.
- Pre-Bake the Crust: Before adding toppings, bake the crust for 5-7 minutes to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Experiment with Ingredients: Try adding herbs, garlic powder, or cheese to the dough for extra flavor.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re dining out, ordering in, or making your own pizza, there are plenty of delicious gluten-free options to explore. From finding the best gluten-free frozen pizza to experimenting with your own gluten-free pizza crust recipe, the possibilities are endless. By following this guide, you’ll never feel like you’re missing out on pizza night again.
Don’t forget to share your favorite gluten-free pizza tips and recipes in the comments below. Happy pizza-making!