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A close-up of a sliced homemade pizza on a baking pan, topped with bubbly cheese, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.

Best Whole Wheat Pizza Dough Recipe (For Thin Crust Pizza)

Craft the perfect foundation for your homemade thin crust pizza with this wholesome whole wheat dough. It's surprisingly easy to make, yielding a chewy yet crisp crust with a delightful nutty flavor.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 2 pizzas
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/4 cup warm water 105-115°F (40-46°C)
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast one standard packet
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup, for yeast activation and flavor
  • 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour plus more for dusting
  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 2 tbsp olive oil plus more for greasing the bowl
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 2 tbsp cornmeal or semolina, for dusting the pizza peel/pan

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Stand Mixer (optional, with dough hook)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Kitchen Scale (optional, for precision)
  • Plastic wrap or clean kitchen towel

Method
 

Activate the Yeast (Group)
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and honey. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until the mixture is foamy. This indicates the yeast is active.
Combine Dry Ingredients (Group)
  1. While the yeast is activating, in a separate medium bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and salt.
Mix the Dough (Group)
  1. Once the yeast is foamy, add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the yeast mixture. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon or a spatula until a shaggy dough forms. If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and mix on low speed.
Knead the Dough (Group)
  1. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface (using whole wheat or all-purpose flour). Knead for 7-10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and springs back when gently poked. If using a stand mixer, knead on medium-low speed for 5-7 minutes until the dough clears the sides of the bowl and forms a smooth ball.
First Rise (Group)
  1. Lightly grease a clean large bowl with olive oil. Place the kneaded dough ball into the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 60-90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
Divide and Shape (Group)
  1. Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and divide it into two equal portions. Roll each portion into a tight ball. For best results, let these dough balls rest for another 15-30 minutes, covered, to relax the gluten and make them easier to stretch.
Prepare for Pizza (Group)
  1. When ready to make pizza, gently stretch or roll each dough ball into a thin crust on a lightly floured surface or a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal/semolina. Top with your favorite ingredients and bake according to your pizza recipe.

Notes

This recipe yields two 10-12 inch thin crust pizzas. For a crispier crust, bake your pizza on a preheated pizza stone or steel at 475-500°F (245-260°C). You can make this dough ahead of time; after the first rise, place the dough in an oiled, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before dividing and shaping.