Gluten-Free Pizza Crust {Dairy-Free & Vegan} (2024)

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An easy recipe for homemade gluten-free pizza crust. Make your own gluten-free pizza with this thick and chewy gluten-free pizza crust that is also naturally dairy-free and vegan.

Originally published in January 2019, updated and republished December 2020.

Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

Pizza is one of my all-time favorite things to eat! And, as most of you probably know, it’s really hard to find good gluten-free pizza whether it is a frozen gluten-free pizza or a pizza that is safe to eat from a restaurant. That’s why I decided to make my own homemade gluten-free pizza crust.

One thing that most gluten-free pizzas have in common is their thin crusts. Oh, how I have missed thick pizza crusts like Pizza Hut, Dominos, Papa Johns. (See I told you I love pizza!)

So, I set out to make an easy gluten-free pizza dough recipe that would be a thick crust gluten-free pizza. No more thin and crunchy gluten-free pizzas for my family!

Making your own gluten-free pizza crust only takes a few simple ingredients. I bet you already have what you need already in your pantry! You can see just how easy it is to make a homemade gluten-free pizza crust in the recipe video.

How To Make Gluten-Free Pizza Dough

• Preheat your oven to the proofing setting or to 200°F. Once it gets to 100°, turn off your oven.
• In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose gluten-free flour, instant yeast, gluten-free baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine the ingredients. (photo 1)
• Warm the water to 110°-115°F. I microwave the water in a large glass measuring cup for 45 seconds. I also use a thermometer to check the temperature. If your water is too hot it will kill the yeast.
• Add the honey (or pure maple syrup for vegan) to the warm water and stir until it is dissolved.
• Pour the warm water and honey mixture into the gluten-free flour mixture and mix with your mixer on low. (I used my stand-up mixer with the paddle attachment). (photo 2)
• Pour the olive oil and apple cider vinegar into the dough mixture and mix on low speed for 1-2 minutes, until the dough starts to form. The dough will be very sticky. (photo 3)
• Place the pizza dough in a greased ovenproof bowl (I used olive oil cooking spray) and cover with plastic wrap. Cover the bowl with a towel and place in your warm oven for 30 minutes to rise. (photo 4 & 5)
• Remove the dough from the oven and preheat the oven to 425° F. (photo 6)

How To Make Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

• Pour 1 tablespoon of gluten-free all-purpose flour onto a large sheet of parchment paper. Spread the flour into a circle the size of the pizza crust (15″).
• Turn the bowl over on top of the floured parchment paper. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of gluten-free all-purpose flour on top of the dough. (photo 7)
• Gently pat the circle in an outward motion. Work from the middle and push to spread the dough out to the edge to make a 15″ circle. Use your fingertips to press down into the dough to form the crust edge. Use your hands to finish shaping and rounding the edges. (photo 8)

How To Make Gluten-Free Pizza

• Place the pizza crust on the parchment paper on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. (photo 9)
• Remove the pizza crust from the oven and top with the gluten-free pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings. (photo 10)
• Bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese, is nice and melted and the crust is golden brown. Allow the pizza to cool a little before slicing the pizza. Enjoy! (photo 11)
• Store leftovers in an air-tight container and refrigerate.
• Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave.

Is Yeast Gluten-Free?

Most yeast is gluten-free, but some kinds of yeast do contain gluten. The most common kinds of yeast used for baking, like baker’s yeast, active dry yeast, and instant yeast, are gluten-free.

I use Fleshman’s Rapid Rise Yeast, and it is labeled gluten-free. Always check your labels.

I have not tried this recipe with active yeast (I used instant yeast). If you want to use active yeast, you will need to proof the yeast first (like in the photo above) and you will need to double the rising time.

Where Is The Best Place For Rising Gluten-Free Pizza Dough?

Yeast pizza dough rises best in a warm location. My oven has a bread proofing mode and that is where I allow my pizza dough to rise. When the oven is set in bread proofing mode it is 100°F.

If your oven does not have a proofing mode you can preheat the oven to 200°F. Once it gets to 100°, turn off your oven.

I know that some people proof their dough ontop of their oven as they preheat it to 425°F. The pizza dough needs warmth to rise properly.

Can I Freeze The Gluten-Free Pizza Dough?

Yes, you can freeze the pizza dough. Just let it fully rise before you freeze it.

Wrap the risen dough in plastic wrap and then place it in a plastic freezer bag. The dough can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight before you use it.

What Is The Best Type Of Sauce To Use To Make Gluten-Free Pizza?

I recommend Prego gluten-free pizza sauce as it is labeled gluten-free. You can also use your favorite gluten-free Marina sauce.

What Is The Best Type Of Cheese To Use To Make Gluten-Free Pizza?

My family likes the taste and flavor of mozzarella cheese. You can use shredded or thinly sliced.

If you are dairy-free or Vegan I think the VioLife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds tastes and melts the best.

How Can I Make The Pizza Crust Crispy?

Place your pizza pan in the oven while it is heating up. After the pizza pan has been preheated place the pizza dough on it and bake the dough as directed in the recipe.

Gluten-Free Flour

I like baking with a cup for cup all-purpose gluten-free rice flour blend. A cup for cup rice flour blend is one that already has the starches and xanthan gum in it.

Make sure not to add any extra xanthan gum to your flour if it already has it in it. If you do you will get gummy pizza dough!

I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour.Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.

Can I Make This Pizza Crust With Almond Or Coconut Flour?

No, but if you are looking for a recipe that uses almond flour try Wholesome Yum’s Paleo Low Carb Almond Flour Pizza Crust.

Tips For Measuring Gluten-Free Flour

The best way to measure gluten-free flour is the “spoon & level” method. Using a spoon, scoop the flour into the measuring cup. After you’ve spooned the flour into the measuring cup, use the back of a knife to level off the top of the measuring cup. Please do not scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup or you could get more gluten-free flour than the recipe calls for.

Also, use a measuring cup made for dry ingredients (not a pyrex liquid measuring cup).

Dairy-Free And Vegan Cooking

This gluten-free pizza crust recipe is naturally dairy-free and egg-free. So, that makes this both a dairy-free and gluten-free and gluten-free Vegan. Just substitute pure maple syrup or granulated sugar for the honey for a Vegan pizza crust.

I use either Violife or Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds in making my dairy-free and gluten-free pizza.

Some of my favorite dairy-free alternatives that I like to cook with are unsweetened almond or unsweetened coconut milk. I also like baking with coconut oil or Smart Balance butter.

Easy Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

If you are tired of thin and crunchy gluten-free pizza crusts, then I’ve got you friend! My gluten-free pizza crust recipe is super easy to make and requires no kneading.

The pizza crust is thick, soft, and has just the right amount of chewiness. Making your own gluten-free pizza crust is so worth it! No more frozen gluten-free pizzas or overpriced pizzas from restaurants.

If you are a pizza lover like me, you will love my recipe for easy gluten-free pizza crust.

More Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes For You To Try!

• Gluten-Free Meatballs {Dairy-Free Option}
• Gluten-Free Southern Fried Chicken {Dairy-Free Option}
• Gluten-Free Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

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