I love creating family traditions, especially now that Griffin is getting old enough to understand and remember them 🙂

They can be as simple as reading stories every night before bed or as special as serving at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving. I remember Taco Night as a child and looked forward to the tasty meal each week. It got me thinking that I want to do something similar. I love the idea of a Friday pizza night since this ubiquitous food can have so many different flavor combinations!

But most pizza crusts are made from white flour and contain funky vegetable oils like corn or soybean. Even the “healthy” crusts contain wheat flour, usually with added synthetic vitamins, and we try to avoid wheat and gluten in our household, unless it’s sprouted or derived from the ancient grain einkorn.

It got me thinking… Quinoa pizza crust?

How about a crust made with one of our favorite “grains” (OK, technically, it’s a seed) quinoa. I did some research and kitchen tinkering and discovered it can indeed make a delicious and healthy crust! YAY! Since quinoa contains anti-nutrients and saponins, I soaked the grain and sprouted it. It is actually quite easy so don’t be intimidated and avoid doing it for months (like I did).

This sprouted quinoa pizza crust is absolutely delicious. I couldn’t believe how close it tasted to the real thing! Mike and I are convinced that people wouldn’t notice the difference if you served this up to unsuspecting guests.

I hope this quinoa pizza crust adds some culinary FUN to your kitchen. Griffin likes to help adding the toppings.

Topping options are endless:

  • artichoke hearts
  • broccoli
  • capers
  • cheeses like mozzarella, parmesan, feta, gouda, brie
  • mushrooms
  • nuts like pine nuts, walnuts
  • onions
  • organic meat like sausage, pepperoni, bacon, chicken
  • spices like basil, garlic, oregano
  • spinach and other greens
  • tomatoes
  • different “sauces” like tomato, pesto, BBQ, or just plain olive oil

Sprouted Quinoa Pizza Crust Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups organic quinoa*
  • ~ 2 1/2 cups of filtered water
  • 1 tsp. organic oregano
  • 3/4 tsp. sea salt (I like this one)
  • 1/2 tsp. organic garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons filtered water
  • 1 TB melted cooking oil like ghee or expeller-pressed coconut oil (where to buy)

Kitchen Materials

  • 1 pizza pan – 12 -14 inch in diameter (I like this one)
  • (* If you use a 14+ inch pan, you’ll want to increase your quinoa to 2 cups)
  • 1 quart Mason jar
  • Sprouting lid or cheesecloth (where to buy)
  • Pizza cutter (where to buy)

Quinoa Pizza Crust Directions

In the evening, measure 2 cups of quinoa and put into your quart Mason jar. Add filter water till jar is filled, around 2 cups. Put your sprouting lid on jar and leave on counter overnight to soak.

Early in the morning, pour out water and rinse the quinoa well. Drain as much water as you can and then set jar on its side or slightly downward so it can continue to drain if need be.

Around midday, rinse the quinoa grain well. Again, drain as much water as you can and then set jar on side or downward so it can continue to drip water.

sprouted-quinoa-crust-pizza-the-sprouting-process

By evening, you’ll notice small tails on your quinoa. YAY! That’s a little sprout!

Now, you want to pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees. Put your drained quinoa into a blender. Add 1/4 cup filtered water, oregano, sea salt, and garlic powder. Blend till its smooth. The mixture should have the consistency of pancake batter. If it’s still too thick, add another 1-2 TB water till its right. The batter should be pourable without being too runny.

Next, oil your pizza pan. Even if it’s a non-stick pan, you’ll need to oil it well so the crust doesn’t stick.

sprouted-quinoa-crust-pizza-crust-the-baking-process

Pour your quinoa pizza crust batter onto your pizza pan. Put into oven and cook for about 10 minutes or until the top of crust looks cooked. Then take out of oven and carefully flip. Put quinoa pizza crust back into oven and cook for another 10 minutes or until the top of crust looks cooked. Take out.

Now add your toppings to your sprouted quinoa pizza crust! Pizza sauce? Check! Cheese? Check! Veggies? Check! Add whatever strikes your fancy.

Put pizza back into your oven and cook for about 20 minutes or until the cheese and or crust has a slight toasted look.

Take out and let slightly cool. Slide your pizza onto a cutting board and divide pizza into slices using your pizza cutter.

Serve  immediately and ENJOY!

How about YOU?

Do you like to make homemade pizza? Would you try this quinoa pizza crust? Or do you have other meal traditions? Share with us in the comments below!

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