She Strengthens

Crafting the Perfect Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

When it comes to making a delicious gluten-free pizza, the crust is crucial. A light brush of olive oil helps to crisp up the homemade dough in the oven, creating a crispy base for your favorite toppings.

Understanding the Ingredients

To achieve the perfect gluten-free crust, it’s essential to choose the right ingredients. Potato starch, a fine flour made from potatoes, acts as a thickener and provides structure to the dough. Be sure not to substitute potato flour, which has a distinct potato taste and won’t yield the same results.

Sorghum flour, made from the sorghum grain, adds texture and depth to the crust. Tapioca flour, derived from the cassava plant, helps to thicken and stabilize the dough. Xanthan gum, produced from corn sugar, acts as a thickener, stabilizer, and dough binder. White rice flour, made from long-grain rice, provides a gluten-free base for the crust.

Recipe Overview

This easy recipe yields one 12-inch pizza crust and takes approximately 50 minutes to prepare. With a difficulty level of easy, it’s perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup warm low-fat milk (about 105°F to 115°F)
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 2 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup, plus 3 tablespoons potato starch
• 3 tablespoons sorghum flour
• 2 tablespoons tapioca flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for coating
• 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons xanthan gum
• 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
• White rice flour, for dusting

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Ingredients

Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the bottom third. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and generously coat with olive oil.

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

Place the warm milk in a small bowl and sprinkle in the yeast and sugar. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Mix the Dough

Combine the yeast mixture, potato starch, sorghum flour, tapioca flour, measured oil, vinegar, xanthan gum, and salt in a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Process until a sticky mass forms around the blade, about 30 seconds.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

Scrape the dough out into the center of the prepared baking sheet. Dust the top of the dough liberally with rice flour. Gently push the dough into an even 12-inch circle that is slightly thicker at the edges.

Step 5: Bake the Crust

Bake until lightly browned on the edges, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush the top all over with olive oil, then flip the crust over.

Step 6: Add Toppings and Bake

When you’re ready to make your pizza, heat the oven to 425°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Add your desired sauce, cheese, and toppings to the pizza crust and bake until the cheese is brown and bubbling, about 15 minutes.