This sourdough base pizza is a really good way to use your sourdough starter other than for making bread. I know, pizza base, bread, kind of the same thing but still!
You´ll need to plan ahead slightly for this recipe, as the sourdough pizza base is left in the fridge for about 48-72 hours to prove! The cool temperature of the fridge will mean it proves and grows at a slower rate, but you get a much greater development of flavour that way!
It´s definitely worth the effort! All you need to do is make the dough and then you can just leave it in the fridge for two days and forget about it! When it then comes to making the sourdough base pizza, all you need to do is roll out the dough and pile on your favourite toppings!
How do you make Sourdough Base Pizza?
It´s really easy to make sourdough base pizza – it´s very much like making normal pizza! But instead of using dried, instant yeast, you use some of your sourdough starter instead. I make this sourdough base pizza if I have some leftover sourdough starter (discard) that I don´t want to through away!
Simply combine your starter, flour, salt, olive oil and some water in a bowl and then knead for a few minutes to make a smooth and elastic dough. Place it into an oiled Tupperware box, large enough for the dough to expand, and then leave it to prove in the fridge for 48-72 hours.
Leaving the sourdough to prove slowly over a few days in the fridge really helps the dough develop a lovely flavour – much more intense than a normal pizza base!
If you haven´t yet made your own sourdough starter, what are you waiting for?!?! Check out my baking basics post for making a sourdough starter here.
In a hurry?
If you are in a hurry to make homemade pizzas, then why not check out my recipe for a normal, super quick and easy homemade pizza dough? It´s just as easy to make and only needs an hour´s proof in order for the yeast to do its work!
Or if you want a really quick, “healthier” pizza, then why not try using a wrap to make these Wrap Pizzas!!!
Remember though, this sourdough pizza base recipe is great for preparing in advance. You could, for example, prepare the dough at the weekend, and then it is ready to quickly make homemade pizzas during the week!
What´s the best way to cook Sourdough Base Pizza?
Pizza, like other bread, should be cooked/baked at quite high temperatures. I usually have my oven at about 220-230°C.
To ensure a nice crispy bottom, it is best to place the pizza onto a hot baking tray or even a pizza stone in the oven. I recently invested in a pizza stone and used it to make these sourdough base pizzas! It worked an absolute treat!
If you are cooking the sourdough base pizza from frozen, I´d recommend taking it out of the freezer to defrost for about half an hour whilst you are preheating the oven. Then place it on some baking paper on a hot baking tray or the pizza stone and bake it for about 15-20 minutes.
Can you freeze the Sourdough Base Pizza?
I love freezing these sourdough base pizzas! It´s really easy to do and means that you have something ready to go in the freezer on a night where you can´t be bothered to cook!
To make my own “frozen pizza”, I start by rolling out and shaping the base and freezing that first. After an hour or so when it is firm, I then add the sauce and toppings, before wrapping it in clingfilm and storing it in a freezer bag.
I have a step-by-step picture guide on how to make homemade frozen pizzas in my other easy pizza dough post, so go check that out for a more detailed description.
Pizza Toppings
Now, as we all know the best thing about homemade pizza, is that you can go absolutely wild with the toppings! I have listed a few ingredients I use below, but of course you can use whichever toppings you like!
Some of my favourite pizza toppings include onions (LOADS of them – you cannot have too many onions!), peppers, sweetcorn and black olives!
What should I serve with this Pizza?
I love serving homemade pizza alongside a bowl of green salad! If I have some peppers or sweetcorn left from the toppings, a great way of using them up is by adding them to your salad!
So many think that salad is boring, but it can be such a good accompaniment to any meal! If you are looking for some inspiration on how to “spice up” your salads, check out this post here.
Homemade Sourdough Base Pizza
Recipe
Ingredients (makes 4 pizzas):
FOR THE SOURDOUGH BASE:
- 200g sourdough starter (fed, for feeding instructions click here)
- 450g plain flour
- 10g salt
- 150ml lukewarm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil, plus a little extra for kneading
FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE:
- 250g passata
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- ½-1 tbsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to season
FOR THE TOPPINGS:
- 2 onions, sliced
- 1 green and 1 yellow pepper
- 1 tin sweetcorn, drained
- Some black olives, pitted and sliced
- 2 slices of ham, chopped
- Mozzarella cheese, grated
- Plus any other ingredients of your choice!
Method:
- To make the dough, measure the sourdough starter, flour, salt, oil and water into a bowl. Start off by mixing with a spoon until it starts to come together (you might want to add a little more water if it is too dry).
- Lightly grease the work surface with some olive oil and tip the dough on top. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until stretchy and smooth.
- Lightly oil a large Tupperware box/plastic container (don´t forget the bottom of the lid) and place your dough inside. Leave the sourdough pizza dough to prove in the fridge for 48-72 hours.
- Once you are ready to make your sourdough base pizza you can prepare the toppings. For the tomato sauce, simply add all ingredients into a bowl and mix until combined and season with salt and pepper.
- Wash and slice the vegetable toppings and grate the cheese.
- Preheat the oven to 230°C for at least half an hour. Place your pizza stone or a baking tray inside to heat up at the same time.
- Remove the sourdough pizza dough from the fridge and divide into four pieces (about 240g each). Generously flour your work surface and rolling pin and roll the dough into a round pizza base. Then roll the outer edges of the dough up to create a crust.
- Slide the sourdough base onto a piece of non-stick baking paper and place it on a chopping board. This will make it easier to transfer into the oven later.
- Next, spoon some of the prepared pizza sauce on top of your base and then add on the toppings of your choosing, finishing with a layer of grated cheese.
- To bake the sourdough base pizza, slide in from the chopping board onto the baking tray or pizza stone in the preheated oven.
- Bake the pizza for 15-20 minutes, or until the dough is crisp and the cheese has melted!
- To make some extra sourdough base pizzas for the freezer, check out my picture guide for making homemade frozen pizzas here.
