How To Make Pizza Dough With Brown Rice Flour? A Full Guide

Are you looking for a healthier alternative to traditional pizza dough? Have you tried using brown rice flour?

While it may not be as flexible as dough made with gluten, it can still produce a delicious and workable crust. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of making pizza dough with brown rice flour, including tips on how to make it more elastic and flavorful.

Whether you’re gluten-free or just looking to switch things up in the kitchen, this recipe is definitely worth a try. So grab your apron and let’s get started!

How To Make Pizza Dough With Brown Rice Flour?

To make pizza dough with brown rice flour, you’ll need to start by activating some yeast. In a small bowl, combine yeast and warm water (about 110 degrees F) and let it sit for 5 minutes to activate. Sprinkle in some sugar and let it sit for a few more minutes.

In a separate bowl, whisk together brown rice flour, tapioca flour, salt, and baking powder. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and add the activated yeast mixture. Add some olive oil and additional warm water before stirring everything together until well combined.

If you’re making one large pizza, spread the dough onto a generously greased baking sheet or pizza stone. If you’re making smaller pizzas, reserve half of the dough wrapped in the fridge for several days.

Using your hands and a little brown rice flour if it gets too sticky, work from the middle and push to spread/flatten the dough out to the edge. You want it to be pretty thin – less than 1/4 inch. Pre-bake the pizza in the oven for roughly 20-25 minutes or until it begins to look dry.

Remove from oven and spread generously with your favorite pizza sauce, cheese, and desired toppings. Pop back in the oven for another 15-25 minutes (depending on toppings), or until the crust edge looks golden brown and the toppings are warm and bubbly.

Why Use Brown Rice Flour For Pizza Dough?

Brown rice flour is a great addition to gluten-free pizza dough for a number of reasons. Firstly, it adds a bit more fiber to the dough, which can help with digestion and overall health. Additionally, brown rice flour has a slightly nutty and earthy flavor that can add some depth and complexity to the taste of the pizza crust.

Another benefit of using brown rice flour is that it is a lighter flour compared to some other gluten-free flours, such as garbanzo bean flour. This means that it helps to create a lighter final texture for the pizza crust. When combined with other lighter flours/starches, such as white rice flour, corn starch, tapioca starch or potato starch, brown rice flour can help to create a well-balanced gluten-free flour blend that produces a delicious and satisfying pizza crust.

Lastly, brown rice flour is widely available and relatively affordable, making it an accessible ingredient for anyone looking to make their own gluten-free pizza dough at home. So if you’re looking for a healthy and tasty alternative to traditional wheat-based pizza crusts, give brown rice flour a try in your next pizza dough recipe!

The Ingredients You’ll Need

To make pizza dough with brown rice flour, you’ll need the following ingredients:

– Brown rice flour: This flour serves as the base for the pizza dough and adds bulk and a mild taste to it. You’ll need 1 cup of brown rice flour.

– Tapioca flour: Tapioca flour adds stretchiness to the dough, making it more pliable and chewy. You’ll need 1 cup of tapioca flour.

– Yeast: Yeast is used to activate the dough and make it rise. You’ll need 1 packet or 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast.

– Warm water: Warm water is used to activate the yeast and mix with the dry ingredients. You’ll need about 1/2 cup of warm water (around 110 degrees F).

– Sugar: Sugar is added to feed the yeast and help it activate. You’ll need 1 teaspoon of sugar.

– Salt: Salt adds flavor to the dough. You’ll need 1 teaspoon of salt.

– Baking powder: Baking powder helps the dough rise and become fluffy. You’ll need 1 teaspoon of baking powder.

– Olive oil: Olive oil adds moisture and flavor to the dough. You’ll need 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

These ingredients can be adjusted based on personal preference or dietary restrictions. For example, if you’re allergic to corn, you can substitute cornstarch with tapioca or potato starch to achieve crispiness, but the texture may not be as good. Chia seed can also replace xanthan gum, making the dough sticky and stretchy. Additionally, sweet white rice flour can be used instead of brown rice flour, while sorghum or millet flour can be used in place of oat flour.

Step-by-step Instructions For Making The Dough

1. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of yeast and 2 tablespoons of warm water (about 110 degrees F). Let it sit for 5 minutes to activate. Sprinkle in some sugar and let it sit for a few more minutes.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of brown rice flour, 1/4 cup of tapioca flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of baking powder.

3. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and add the activated yeast mixture. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1/2 cup of additional warm water before stirring everything together until well combined.

4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.

6. Preheat your oven to 425F.

7. Using your hands and some brown rice flour if it gets too sticky, work from the middle and push to spread/flatten the dough out to the edge. You want it to be pretty thin – less than 1/4 inch.

8. Pre-bake the pizza in the oven for roughly 20-25 minutes or until it begins to look dry.

9. Remove from oven and spread generously with your favorite pizza sauce, cheese, and desired toppings.

10. Pop back in the oven for another 15-25 minutes (depending on toppings), or until the crust edge looks golden brown and the toppings are warm and bubbly.

11. Enjoy your homemade gluten-free pizza with brown rice flour crust!

Tips For Making The Dough More Elastic

If you want your pizza dough to be more elastic, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure to warm up your cold dough for at least 30 minutes at room temperature before stretching it. This will loosen up the gluten and make it easier to shape. If you’re using homemade pizza dough made the same day, let it rest for 1 1/2- to 2-hours before stretching.

Another way to add elasticity to your pizza dough is by using bread flour instead of all-purpose flour. Bread flour has a higher protein content, which creates more gluten and results in a chewier crust. If you’re using brown rice flour for a gluten-free option, try adding xanthan gum to help bind the ingredients together and create a more elastic dough.

You can also add dried herbs to your gluten-free pizza dough to give it more flavor and improve its elasticity. Mix in a tablespoon of Italian seasoning when making your dough, and let it sit for longer to allow the herbs to impart more flavor. You can also create a simple baste using butter, vegan butter, or olive oil with garlic and dried herbs to brush onto the crust after baking.

Finally, be gentle when stretching your pizza dough. Don’t pull or tear it too aggressively, as this can cause it to lose its elasticity. Instead, use your hands to gently stretch the dough outwards from the center, rotating it as you go to create an even thickness. With these tips, you’ll be able to create a delicious and elastic pizza dough every time.

How To Add Flavor To Your Brown Rice Flour Pizza Crust

While brown rice flour can be a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional pizza dough, it may lack some of the flavor and texture that gluten-based doughs have. Fortunately, there are several ways to add flavor to your brown rice flour pizza crust.

One easy way to add flavor is by incorporating herbs and seasonings into the dough. Consider adding dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, or onion powder to the dry mixture before adding the wet ingredients. This will infuse the crust with a savory flavor that complements most pizza toppings.

Another way to add flavor is by using a flavored oil or vinegar in the dough. For example, you could use garlic-infused olive oil or balsamic vinegar in place of some of the water in the recipe. This will give the crust a subtle but noticeable flavor boost.

If you want a more pronounced flavor, consider using a different type of flour in addition to the brown rice flour. For example, you could use almond flour, chickpea flour, or even cornmeal to add a nutty or slightly sweet flavor to the crust. Just be sure to adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe accordingly, as different flours may absorb more or less moisture than brown rice flour.

Finally, don’t forget about toppings! While the crust is an important part of any pizza, it’s the toppings that really make it shine. Consider using bold and flavorful toppings like spicy sausage, roasted vegetables, or tangy goat cheese to complement the mild sweetness of brown rice flour.

With these tips, you can create a delicious and flavorful pizza crust using brown rice flour that will satisfy even the most discerning pizza lovers.

Preparing Your Pizza Toppings

Once you’ve prepared your pizza dough with brown rice flour, it’s time to start thinking about your toppings. While you can certainly go with traditional pizza toppings like tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, why not experiment with some Asian-inspired flavors to complement the rice flour crust?

One option is to use hoisin sauce as your base instead of tomato sauce. This sweet and savory sauce pairs well with ingredients like Chinese ham, chopped spring onions, and chili flakes for a touch of heat. You can also add some plum sauce for a bit of sweetness to balance out the spice.

For cheese, try using cream cheese instead of mozzarella. This will add a rich and creamy flavor that complements the other toppings nicely. You can also experiment with other types of cheese, such as feta or goat cheese.

When it comes to meat toppings, consider using thinly sliced pork or chicken instead of pepperoni or sausage. These meats will add a subtle flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients.

Finally, don’t forget about adding some vegetables to your pizza. Bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions are all great options that will add some color and texture to your pie.

Remember to be creative and have fun with your toppings! Making pizza with brown rice flour is all about experimenting with new flavors and textures. So don’t be afraid to try something new and see what delicious combinations you can come up with.