This easy Sugar Free Pizza Dough Recipe is great for beginners and makes the perfect thick, chewy and crisp crust for one homemade 12-inch pizza. So try a homemade pizza today – it only takes 4 ingredients to get started!
If you’re looking for the best keto pizza crust, check out my Almond Flour Pizza Crust Recipe.
Can You Make Pizza Dough without Sugar?
Yes, you can indeed make pizza dough without sugar.
While sugar is often added for flavor and is thought to speed up yeast activation, in my experience, the yeast activates just as quickly without it.
So Here’s a Simple Recipe for Pizza Dough without Sugar
I’ve been making this pizza dough recipe since my college days and it’s always a great crust!
Ingredients in Sugar Free Pizza Crust
All you need is 4 basic ingredients and some water to make this delicious pizza crust without sugar.
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast (or 1 packet)
- ¼ + ⅔ cups warm water (about 105°F / 40°C) – I use warm water from the kitchen sink.
- 1 teaspoon salt – but you can add an extra teaspoon of salt for more flavor, if desired. After all, there is no flavor from sugar in this pizza dough.
- 3 tablespoons olive oil – 2 tablespoons are optional to add flavor and texture, and 1 tablespoon is for brushing the bowl.
- 2½ + ½ cups all-purpose flour
Optional Seasonings for This Pizza Dough Recipe without Sugar
Without sugar for flavor, you can also add the following seasonings to the sugar free pizza dough:
- Garlic powder or garlic salt
- Italian seasoning, i.e., a blend of herbs and spices
Instructions to Make No Sugar Pizza Dough
Here are the foolproof steps for making the best sugar-free pizza dough. Trust me, with over 20 years of experience, this recipe is a winner!
1. Activate yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and yeast.
2. Then, let the yeast mixture sit for 15 minutes until it becomes foamy.
2. Add: 1 teaspoon salt and ⅔ cup warm water.
3. Then add: 2 tablespoons of optional olive oil.
5. Mix dough: Slowly start adding 2½ cups of flour (300 grams), adding one heaping tablespoon at a time.
Then start kneading: Use a stand mixer with a dough hook, or knead the dough by hand until it becomes smooth, elastic, and firm but not overly stiff or sticky.
If kneading by hand: Start in the bowl, then transfer the dough to a floured work surface and continue kneading for a bit longer.
Note: You may have to add up to a ½ cup more flour (60 grams).
6. Shape the dough into a ball and place it on a lightly floured work surface. If using a stand mixer, remove the dough from the hook, form it into a ball, and transfer it to the floured surface.
7. Brush a clean mixing bowl with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
8. Put the dough in the bowl and roll it around in the bowl until all sides are coated with olive oil.
Let the Sugar Free Pizza Dough Rise
9. First rise: Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
10. Then let it rise in a warm spot for 1½ hours or until it has doubled in size.
11. Remove towel: Then punch down the dough and shape it into a round disk.
12. Line pan with dough: With a floured rolling pin, roll the dough outward from the center, or use your hands to stretch and press it into the pan. In addition, press the side of your palm into the pan’s rim to shape the edge of the crust.
13. Second rise (optional): For a puffier crust, let the dough rise in the pan for an additional 15 minutes.
14. Top and bake: Add your favorite toppings and bake in a preheated oven at 475°F (246°C) for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Trending now: Almond Flour Chicken Pot Pie.
Can You Make Pizza Dough with Zero Calorie Monk Fruit?
Yes, absolutely! If you’ve dropped sugar from your diet but miss it, you can always add a teaspoon of zero-calorie monk fruit sweetener during the first step when activating the yeast.
Is This a Diabetic Friendly Pizza Dough Recipe?
Sugar-free pizza dough can be more diabetic-friendly compared to dough that contains added sugar, but it’s important to consider the overall carbohydrate content, as flour (especially refined white flour) still raises blood sugar levels.
While eliminating sugar helps, the main carbohydrate source in the dough (flour) will affect blood glucose.
If you’re looking for diabetic friendly pizza dough, try low carb almond flour pizza crust which has only 2.5 net carbs per serving.
Do You Need Sugar for Pizza Dough?
No, you don’t at all need sugar for pizza dough. The yeast activates just fine without it.
In fact, I’ve noticed no difference in yeast activation whether I use sugar or not.
Pizza Pans for Sugar Free Pizza Crust
There are 3 options:
- Pizza pan with holes on the bottom – I use this type of perforated pan which promotes air flow for even cooking and a crispier crust. You can also easily glance at the bottom to see if it’s done. Specifically, I use a 12.5-inch, perforated, nonstick Faberware pizza pan – the pizza also easily slides out of the pan.
- Classic pizza pan with no holes – I haven’t used one before but the flat surface apparently takes longer to heat and the pizza may take longer to bake.
- Pizza stone – I haven’t tried one before.
Equipment You’ll Need to Make This Sugar Free Pizza Dough Recipe
This is all you need to make this easy sugar free pizza dough recipe.
- A bowl
- A stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
- A 12-inch pizza pan or stone
- A clean towel or plastic wrap
Frequently Asked Questions
Some people prefer to avoid sugar for dietary reasons, such as managing diabetes, reducing calorie intake, or following a low-carb or ketogenic diet. Additionally, sugar free dough can appeal to those seeking a more traditional, savory crust.
No, pizza dough does not need sugar to rise. Yeast can feed on the natural sugars present in the flour. While sugar can speed up the fermentation process, it’s not essential for yeast activation.
Yes, you can use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, or sugar substitutes like monk fruit without erythritol if you still want some sweetness without using sugar.
The basic ingredients are flour, yeast, salt, water, and optional olive oil. These ingredients more than suffice for a delicious pizza dough.
No, pizza dough does not need sugar. Although sugar is commonly added for flavor and is thought to speed up yeast activation, in my experience, the yeast activates just as quickly without it. So, you can definitely make pizza without sugar if you’re looking to reduce sugar intake.
In conclusion, that’s everything you need to know to make the most delicious sugar free pizza crust. If you pies, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Enjoy your pizza!
Want More Healthy Recipes?
Here are more delicious recipes to enjoy on a healthy diet:
- Almond Flour Tart Crust Savory (with tasty cheddar and chives)
- Chocolate Pie Dough Recipe (keto)
- Easy Keto Chocolate Cake
- Healthy Apple Turnovers
- Sugar-Free Pie Crust for Diabetics
- Teriyaki Sauce for Diabetics
- Traditional German Bee Sting Cake
- Vegan Almond Flour Pie Crust
Recipe Card
Sugar Free Pizza Dough Recipe – For One 12-Inch Pizza
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Stand Mixer with Dough Hook Optional
- 1 12-inch pizza pan
- 1 Clean Kitchen Towel or Plastic Wrap
Ingredients
- 2 Teaspoons Dry Yeast
- ¼ + ⅔ Cup Warm Water
- 1 Teaspoon Salt You can add an extra teaspoon of salt for more flavor, if desired. After all, there is no flavor from sugar in this pizza dough.
- 2 + 1 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2½ + ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour (300 + 60 grams) Plus a little extra to flour your hands and the board.
Instructions
- Activate yeast: Mix yeast and ¼ cup warm water in a large bowl. Let it stand for 15 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Add: 1 teaspoon salt, ⅔ cup warm water and 2 tablespoons of optional olive oil for added flavor. Mix thoroughly.
- Add flour: Slowly start adding 2½ cups of flour (300 grams), adding one heaping tablespoon at a time.
- Knead: Use a stand mixer with a dough hook, or knead the dough by hand until it becomes smooth, elastic, and firm but not overly stiff or sticky. If kneading by hand, start in the bowl, then transfer the dough to a floured work surface and continue kneading for a bit longer.
- Add more flour: You may have to add up to a ½ cup more flour (60 grams).
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it on a lightly floured work surface. If using a stand mixer, remove the dough from the hook, form it into a ball, and transfer it to the floured surface.PRO TIP: The dough is ready when it rolls into a ball easily and doesn’t stick to your hands.
- Brush clean mixing bowl with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Put the dough in the bowl and roll it around in the bowl until all sides are coated with olive oil.
- First rise: Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 1½ hours or until it has doubled in size.
- Remove towel: Then punch down the dough and shape it into a round disk.
- Line pan with dough: With a floured rolling pin, roll the dough outward from the center, or use your hands to stretch and press it into the pan.
- Second rise (optional): For a puffier crust, let the dough rise in the pan for an additional 15 minutes.
- Top and bake: Add your favorite toppings and bake in a preheated oven at 475°F (246°C) for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Notes
Great recipe! My pizza turned out great. Love the crust.