Hey pizza enthusiasts and homemade dough darlings (is that too weird of a term? we're going with it)! Today, I'm bringing you a slice of heaven with our house's favorite Friday night tradition – Homemade Sourdough Pizza!
Sourdough and its origins
Now, let's chat about sourdough, the ancient art of bread making. Did you know sourdough dates back to ancient Egypt? It's not just a trend; it's a time-honored tradition that adds a uniquely tangy, deep flavor to any bread, including our beloved pizza!
There's something magical about sourdough. It's not just the taste – which, by the way, is absolutely delish – but also its health benefits. Sourdough fermentation helps break down gluten and makes nutrients more accessible, which is a big win for our stomachs!
Making dough from scratch
I know, I know, making dough from scratch can be intimidating – it's sticky, it's messy, and it seems to have a mind of its own. But trust me, once you get the hang of it, there's no going back. The satisfaction of stretching out that perfect, bubbly dough is unbeatable. And let's talk about toppings – they're endlessly customizable! Whether you're all about veggies or a faux cheese fanatic, you can make it your own. If you're not a tomato sauce person, check out this 10-minute pesto recipe to add instead!
And for those who really want to take their pizza game up a notch, invest in a pizza stone. It’s been a total game-changer in my kitchen, giving that irresistible, crispy base we all crave. Making sourdough pizza every Friday has become our delicious kickoff to the weekend – it's a tradition that's as fun to make as it is to eat!
Sourdough Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 cup sourdough starter ideally not fed within the last 6 hours
- 2 ½ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon of instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ - ¾ cup lukewarm water may need additional if it is too dry
- 2 tablespoon cornmeal optional but recommended
Toppings
- Tomato Sauce (or pesto!)
- Cheese (I love adding a pourable vegan mozzarella)
- Peppers + onions (or whatever else you'd like!)
- Sea Salt Flakes to sprinkle
Instructions
- Mix your sourdough starter so there is no liquid layer on the top. Add your starter, flour, yeast, salt, and lukewarm water to a bowl.
- Mix in a stand mixer for 6-8 minutes adding additional water if it’s too dry. (until a doughy consistency, in this recipe I added a little too much water so it’s a little wetter than normal- but if that happens to you, all you need to do is add a little more flour!)
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl for 2-4 hours (until it doubles in size). For a faster rise, place it by a sunny window or somewhere warm.
- Divide the dough in 2 or 3 and roll it out into your desired shape. Let it rest for another 10-15 minutes. While it rises, preheat the oven to 450F.
- Transfer dough to a pizza pan and coat the bottom with cornmeal (this is a tip to ensure 1. the dough doesn’t stick to the pan, and 2. The bottom has an extra crunch)
- Sauce the pizza and add desired toppings for 12-15 minutes then remove and enjoy!
I can't wait for you to join me in this delicious tradition of making Vegan Sourdough Pizza! There's something so rewarding about creating your own pizza from scratch, and I promise, it's worth every sticky, floury moment. I'd love to hear how your sourdough adventures go, so please rate and review the recipe, and share your topping triumphs. Here's to many more fun, flavorful pizza nights!
Carissa Kwan
Super yummy crust - great recipe!