April 27, 2018

Wholewheat Thin Crust Pizza from scratch | Pizza varieties

How can one possibly have a 26-day Street Food Marathon without a Pizza ? One of the most popular street foods (and actually any-time food at home :p), I have already put up several pizzas already (and most with Wholewheat base too). 

But this is special as I have made it with a pizza pan that my husband gifted me this year. It came with a huge promise of making the base more crusty and boy, did it deliver !! I made three different toppings (out of which two were thin crust and the remaining was deep pan variety), and all 3 pizzas vanished between mine and the neighbour's kids in a jiffy. I also have a version with the Lodge Cast Iron , so watch this space for more !

As I have a HUGE pizza lover in the elder kid, I am sure this pizza pan is sure to be used more often. Let's move to check out the thin crust pizzas today. I have my own Wholewheat Pizza base, but for a change I used Sally's recipe and it turned out fabulous. 

Wholewheat flour doesn't rise as much as All Purpose Flour yet we like the nuttiness that it provides. 

IMHO, I reckon that once you are used to Wholewheat bases, the commercial pizzas don't appeal (and neither are they value for money). 

So, we had two thin Crust pizzas - one for my little one and her friend with just cheese and Tomatoes, one with Olives - Onions - bell peppers and the last was a Deep Pan variety with extra Cheese and fiercely spicy for my elder one with Jalapeños, Olives and a lot of other stuff that she likes :-)

So do check out the pics and choose what you liked :-) Do let me know what kind of vegetarian toppings you / your family prefers :)

Other Pizza varieties on this blog so far -
Ingredients for Wholewheat pizza base (fully adapted from Sally's recipe)
  • Wholewheat flour - 3.25 cups + 1 TBSP (I used fresh stone ground Chakkiwalla Atta, not Ashirwad)
  • Sugar - 1 tsp
  • Yeast - 15 g (1 TBSP)
  • Warm water - 1.5 cups ( you may need more of less depending on the quality of the flour)
  • Olive Oil - 1.5 T (original recipe called for 1 T) + 1 tsp (to brush the crust)
  • Honey - 1 T (I didn't use as I wanted to make it a vegan base)
  • Salt - 1/2 ~1/3 tsp
  • Red chilli flakes + garlic powder - 1 tsp (I added this , was not in the original recipe)
  • Vital Wheat Gluten - 3 tsp (optional.)

How to make the dough:
  1. In a kitchen aid stand mixer bowl or any other bowl you are using, Proof the yeast (even if its instant, I still proof it) in warm water + sugar. 
  2. Once it bubbles, whisk in the salt, spice powders, honey (if using), gluten and the flour. 
  3. Mix the flour well in the liquid mixture and let it stand covered for 15-20 mins (this helps in gluten formation). 
  4. Now knead well (adding any little additional warm water or flour or oil as required), till you get a smooth and springy dough.
  5. Place it in a well oiled container with a damp cloth. I kept it in a food grade plastic container with a tight lid. Let it rise till doubled (takes about 2 hours in normal temperature).
  6. Punch it down lightly once risen. Turn the oven on, and let the dough rise by the time the toppings are ready.

To assemble and bake:
  1. Spray the pizza pan with cooking spray. divide the dough into 3 portions (My pizza pan was 25 cms, so the above dough makes 2 medium sized 12 inch or three 25-inch pizzas.
  2. Pre-heat oven to 230C for about 15 mins.
  3. Keep the toppings, grated cheese ready.
  4. Spread one portion  gently into the greased pizza pan directly. 
  5. Top with the pizza sauce, the toppings , any spice powders, and the cheese
  6. Bake for 15-17 mins (keep an eye after 13th min) and gently demould the pizza from the pan using ONLY a silicon or wooden spatula.
  7. Cut and serve warm


  1. Whole wheat pizza looks great and the crust turned out so thin and crunchy, definitely my kind of food. Totally Yum!!!

  2. Love thin crust pizza very much, nothing can beat the homemade pizzas na. Adding whole wheat in crust makes it more healthier than the usual crust. Well done Kalyani.

  3. Love thin crust pizza and i feel they are more yummy !!Lovely share..

  4. Very nice. I haven't baked a pizza in a long while. This crust definitely sounds healthier.

  5. Cheesy and yummylicious. Simply love the thin crust pizza and when made with wheat, no complaints. Great pick for W

  6. It has been a real long time since I made a pizza at home , looking at this pizza it reminds me of the pizzas I would make a couple of years back .
    The pizzas look fantastic and yes the street food Marathon would definitely be incomplete without a pizza .

  7. Your pizzas look amazing Kalyani. Recently even my kids have declared that homemade pizzas taste much better than the ones from pizzeria. I couldn’t agree more but I still like the convenience of getting a take-out when pressed for time or energy.

  8. Yummy and tasty idea.. looks superb

  9. I have heard that using pizza stone makes it wonderful, but sadly I haven't tried it yet. The idea of thin crust wheat based pizza with delicious toppings sounds wonderful. My daughter would love it so much.

  10. You're right Kalyani, a street food theme and no pizza? That is not possible as that's famous world over. I love wholewheat pizza base and always try to make it at home. Your pizza is so tempting.

  11. My family prefer the thin crust over thick and this whole wheat pizza looks so tempting and inviting.

  12. I agree street food without pizzas is not a complete list!..what a fantastic looking pizza you got there Kalyani..very nicely done!

  13. That is a great looking pizza and making it whole wheat is a great way to eat these. I am in love with your recipe!

  14. wow thats a great gift from your hubby kalyani.. thin crust pizza looks so delicious and perfectly made !!

  15. We are the opposite. Staying away from homeland for two decades now, we crave for masala dosas more than for the local fare. Familiarity breeds contempt, I bet. :)))
    Your thin crust pizzas are looking great and that too wheat flour versions.




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