Effortless Pizza Perfection: Your Guide to No-Knead Deliciousness
Craving pizza but dread the kneading? You're not alone! Sometimes, the thought of wrestling with dough just doesn't fit into a busy day. That's why I'm thrilled to share my go-to no-knead pizza recipe. It's incredibly easy, surprisingly delicious, and a game-changer for pizza lovers everywhere.
The Magic of No-Knead
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. All you need is a bowl, a few basic ingredients, and a little bit of patience. It's all about the magic of time and a scientific process called autolyse. When flour and water combine and rest, gluten naturally forms, creating a beautiful dough with strength and elasticity. It is a truly magical thing.
This isn't just some random recipe; it's inspired by the genius of no-knead baking, and trust me, it works incredibly well. I used to rely on a no-knead Turkish bread recipe, so I had high hopes for this pizza dough, and it did not disappoint!
A Canvas for Healthy Creations
When it comes to toppings, the world is your oyster! I personally love a mix of flavors, like grilled zucchini ribbons, sweet cherry tomatoes, briny capers, and a dollop of creamy vegan ricotta. But, honestly, anything goes. You could try a vibrant vegan pesto, some sliced mushrooms and peppers, a sprinkle of chili flakes, or even some roasted garlic. The key is to use fresh, nutritious ingredients that excite your taste buds. Feel free to experiment and make it your own masterpiece! I'm even saying pineapple is allowed!
Let's Get Baking (Without the Kneading)
Here's what you need to do:
- Mix and Rest: Combine flour, salt, and instant yeast in a bowl. Add water and mix until it forms a dough ball. Cover and let it rest for 18-20 hours.
- Shape: Transfer the dough to a floured surface, divide into four portions, and shape into pizzas. Remember the crust will rise while baking so don't go too small!
- Top it: Get creative with your favorite healthy toppings! Think colorful veggies, flavorful herbs, and creamy vegan cheeses.
- Bake: Pop your pizzas into a preheated oven until the crust is golden and slightly charred.
Recipe
Yields: 4 Pizzas
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Ingredients
For the No-Knead Dough:
- 500g all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 12g salt
- 1 tsp instant dried yeast
- approx. 360ml water
- semolina flour (optional)
Healthy Topping Ideas:
- Vegan pesto
- 4 Grilled courgettes/zucchini
- 20 Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Capers, chopped or whole
- 100g Vegan Ricotta
- Pul Biber (mild chili flakes)
Method
- Combine flour, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour in water and mix with a spoon. Then use your hands to bring the dough together, it should all stick together easily without any dry pockets. If there are, add a touch more water but in small amounts.
- Cover the bowl with cling film or a plastic bag and leave to proof for 18-24 hours.
- 45 minutes before shaping your pizzas, preheat your oven to 250°C with a pizza stone inside.
- Dust your counter/baking paper with regular flour and semolina flour to prevent sticking.
- Divide dough into 4 portions, shape into pizzas.
- Top with your choice of toppings. I recommend vegan pesto, grilled zucchini, cherry tomatoes, capers, and vegan ricotta.
- Using a pizza peel or paper sling, carefully transfer to the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes or until base is cooked and toppings are slightly charred.
Notes
- Semolina Flour: Used to prevent dough from sticking.
- Pizza Stone: Helps cook the pizza base properly. If you don't have one, use an upturned metal tray but preheat for less time
The Joy of Homemade
This no-knead pizza is a testament to how simple and delicious homemade cooking can be. It's a great base for a variety of healthy and exciting toppings and, best of all, it requires minimal effort. So, go ahead, skip the kneading, get creative, and enjoy a slice of pizza perfection!
Let me know in the comments how you get on with the recipe! I love to hear your thoughts and experiences, and remember to tag me in any social media posts you might make!