There’s nothing like the fresh smell of basil in a delicious homemade pizza dough. One of my favorite things to cook with my toddler is pizza! These have become an every other week dinner because it’s so good.

Once I learned how to make my own, I couldn’t believe I ever bought store bought and take out. I found it surprising how easy it was to make a simple pizza dough. When we make two different kinds, we make them from one pizza dough so they are medium sizes. If we make one big pizza, it’s a large in size from the one dough.

It’s really important to pick toppings that are healthy. For example, we used homemade grilled chicken. You don’t want to put pepperoni and sausage on a homemade pizza, unless you can find them without nitrates and nitrites. The only thing I haven’t made from scratch yet is the BBQ sauce. That’s our little treat right now.

Since I’m on the healthy topic, it’s important to use nontoxic baking sheets. I have been using these real stainless steel ones for years. They are the perfect size for my pizzas, and all things homemade. I actually loved them so much that I had to buy another set. You can find them here https://amzn.to/3DIuu6D.

The first time I made homemade pizza, my husband was complimenting how delicious it was. And, we all know once they start telling others their wife made a pretty good pizza from scratch, you know they really do like it enough to make it again. So we’ve been making pizza a lot now. So much so that my husband now knows how to help make it with me!

Here’s the recipe I use for homemade pizza dough. (I have been using this recipe from Sam Merritt, but use avocado oil, and I add oregano):

2 1/3 cups organic all-purpose flour

1 packet instant yeast

1 1/2 teaspoons organic sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon organic basil

1/4 teaspoon organic garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon oregano

2 Tablespoons avocado oil

3/4 cup warm water

Combine 1 cup of flour, the instant yeast, sugar, salt, garlic powder, basil, and oregano in a bowl. Then add avocado oil and warm water. Mix. Gradually add the rest of the flour.

Tip: Drizzle a little avocado oil on the edge of the bowl to help mix it into a ball. If mixing by hand, you may need to knead it until just slightly sticky. I use a mixer and then finish off using my hands to knead it into a perfect ball like shown below. My toddler loves to help with this part.

Cover with a slightly damp terry cloth in the same bowl used to mix it. Put it in a warm place for 45 minutes to rise. It should double in size. Preheat oven to 425°F.

Next make your toppings! I like BBQ chicken and then an alfredo pizza. Many times, though, we have been making just the BBQ chicken because it’s just so yummy! For BBQ chicken pizza, you’ll need to cook some chicken breasts. I like using one or two on the pizza, and use the leftovers for chicken wraps. Chop up a red onion and shred your own Monterey jack cheese; about 3 cups. I like to use mild jalapeño peppers from a glass jar. After you chop up the chicken, add about 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce.

Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface. I like to use a French rolling pin, found here https://amzn.to/3FGGeaa. It works great for shaping the pizza just how you want it. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect, it’s homemade! Once you shape the pizza how you like it, pinch up the sides to make a crust, and then use a fork to poke holes all over to let out air bubbles. Then, brush some avocado oil on the crust. Pour BBQ sauce on first, then cheese, the chicken, onions, and jalapenos. Bake 450°F for about 20 minutes. Easy!

If you are cooking the chicken alfredo pizza, use alfredo sauce and mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and add basil.

We just made this last night to watch the new Moana 2 movie with our littles, and it was so good! Both the pizza and the movie! If you have a leftover piece of chicken breast to use up, just make a pizza! It’s super easy once you make it a couple of times on your own. It’s also a lot cheaper than buying it or ordering it.

Enjoy!