Make Quinoa Pizza Crust

If you're eating a gluten-free diet or just want a healthier pizza, make quinoa pizza crust. You'll get all of the nutrients from quinoa without sacrificing delicious flavor. If you have time, you can make a pizza crust that uses soaked and pureed quinoa. This will make a chewy crust. Or for a crust with crisp edges, use quinoa flour. This pizza crust also relies on yeast, so it will make a more traditional, thick crust. Top either quinoa crust with your favorite toppings and bake the pizza until the cheese melts.

Ingredients

Using Soaked Quinoa

• 3/4 cup (127 g) uncooked quinoa
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) water, plus more for soaking quinoa
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Makes one 9-inch (23 cm) pizza crust

Using Quinoa Flour

• 3/4 cup (180 ml) warm water (about 110 to 115°F or 40 to 45°C)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (7 g) yeast
• 2 teaspoons (14 g) honey
• 1 tablespoon (13 g) olive oil
• 2 cups (240 g) plus 2 tablespoons (15 g) freshly ground quinoa flour
• 1 tablespoon (7 g) flaxseed meal
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Makes one large pizza crust

Steps

Making Pizza Crust Using Soaked Quinoa

1. Soak the quinoa for at least 8 hours. Put 3/4 cup (127 g) of uncooked quinoa into a small mixing bowl. Pour enough water to cover the quinoa completely. Leave the quinoa to soak in the water for at least 8 hours or overnight.
2. Drain and rinse the soaked quinoa. Once the quinoa has soaked and softened, pour it through a fine mesh strainer. You can discard the soaking water. Rinse the quinoa with fresh water and drain the quinoa. Put the drained quinoa into a food processor or blender.
   • If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender.
3. Combine the crust ingredients in the food processor. Pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water into the food processor with the quinoa. Add 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Put the lid on the processor and blend the ingredients for about 2 minutes. The quinoa dough should become smooth.
   • You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the food processor so the crust blends easily.
4. Preheat the oven and prepare a pan. Turn the oven on to 425 degrees F (220 C). Get out an 8 or 9-inch (20 to 23 cm) cake pan. Spray the pan with cooking spray. Cut a piece of parchment paper into a circle that fits into the bottom of the pan. Set the paper in the pan and spray it with cooking spray.
5. Spread the crust in the pan and bake it for 15 minutes. Scoop the quinoa dough into the prepared cake pan. Use a rubber spatula to spread it evenly in the pan. Put the crust in the preheated oven and bake it for 15 minutes.
   • The quinoa crust should look golden brown on top.
6. Flip the crust and bake it for 5 to 10 minutes. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and flip the crust over in the pan so the parchment is on top. Peel away and discard the parchment paper. Return the crust to the oven and bake it for 5 to 10 more minutes. The edges should become crisp and the crust will look golden brown.
7. Top the quinoa pizza crust and bake it for 10 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and cover it with your choice of toppings. Put the pizza in the oven and bake it for 10 more minutes. If you're using cheese on top, it should melt before you remove the pizza from the oven.
   • Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Making Pizza Crust Using Quinoa Flour

1. Toast the quinoa flour. Put 2 cups (240 g) plus 2 tablespoons (15 g) of freshly ground quinoa flour into a large pot. Turn the heat to medium-low and toast the quinoa flour for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir the flour once every couple of minutes so the flour browns evenly. Remove the quinoa flour and let it cool.
   • Toasting the flour will remove the slightly bitter taste from the quinoa.
2. Activate the yeast in water and honey. Pour 3/4 cup (180 ml) of warm water into a large mixing bowl. The water should be about 110 to 115°F (40 to 45°C). Stir in 2 1/4 teaspoons (7 g) of yeast and 2 teaspoons (14 g) of honey. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes.
   • The yeast should become to foam once it's activated. If it doesn't foam, check the expiration date on the package to ensure that your yeast is still good.
3. Combine the quinoa dough ingredients. Stir the cooled, toasted quinoa flour into the yeast mixture along with the remaining dough ingredients. You'll need:
   • 1 tablespoon (7 g) flaxseed meal
   • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
   • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
   • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
   • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
4. Knead the quinoa dough. Sprinkle a work surface with additional quinoa flour. Scoop the quinoa dough onto it and use your hands to knead the dough for 5 minutes. It should become smooth.
   • You can also knead the dough in a stand mixer using a dough hook.
5. Prove the dough. Pour 1 tablespoon (13 g) of olive oil into a large bowl and spread it around with a pastry brush so the bowl is coated. Place the ball of quinoa dough into the bowl. Roll the dough a little to coat it in the oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
6. Preheat the oven and roll out the crust. Turn the oven on to 375 degrees F (190 C). Sprinkle a little quinoa flour on your work surface and turn the quinoa dough onto it. Use a rolling pin or your hands to roll out the crust to the size you need. Spread a little olive oil on your baking sheet and set the crust on it.
   • You can form the crust into a circle or rectangle.
7. Bake the pizza. Top the pizza with your choice of ingredients. Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake it for 15 to 20 minutes. You may need more or less time depending on how thick your crust is and how many toppings you used.
   • The crust should turn golden brown and the cheese will melt once the pizza is done.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Digital scale
• Mixing bowls
• Spoons
• Food processor or blender
• 8 or 9-inch (20 to 23 cm) cake pan
• Cooking spray
• Parchment paper
• Rubber spatula
• Large pot
• Stand mixer with a dough hook, optional
• Pastry brush
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap

Sources and Citations

See also

• Make a Pizza in a Toaster Oven
• Turn Frozen Pizza into a Gourmet Delight
• Make a Rustica Pizza
• Eat Pizza Without Burning Your Mouth
• Make a Basic Pizza Using Bread
• Make Pepperoni Pizza
• Make Easy Pizza
• Make Tortilla Pizzas
• Make Pizza Bagels
• Make Pizza

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