I used to use my crockpot regularly. Going off grid nearly 8 years ago, we just could not coexist any more. But a new season and an oven that is needing a replacement part is reviving our friendship. When a friend introduced me to making lasagna in a crockpot, like everything in my life, it made me ask more questions! What else could my crockpot cook? To say this was timely thinking is an understatement.
Pizza on the grill was not my thing and yet we were missing this comfort food. Why not turn my crockpot into a platform for a deep dish pizza? I make one pizza instead of two or three. There are fewer pieces but they are thicker and full of toppings. It is just as filling. Paired with a salad or a smoothie, it is kid approved here!
GF Pizza in a Crockpot
(or on a pan)
3 1/2 cups GF flour mix (we use Bob's Red Mill Blue Bag)
2 1/2 tsps of yeast or one packet*
1/2 tsp onion powder, garlic powder
2 tsp Italian seasonings
1 T sucanut, honey, maple syrup or cane juice
3 eggs, preferably room temperature
1-1/2 cups of warm water or until the dough is the right consistency
Pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce
Toppings of choice (turkey or beef bacon, cooked hamburger, onions, mushrooms, green peppers, pineapple well drained, tomato slices, jalapenos, etc.
Cheese, shredded
Butter your crockpot well or line it with parchment paper. Butter the parchment paper.
Mix the water, yeast and sweetener of choice in a glass bowl and let it sit for five minutes.
Add the rest of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
Add in the yeast mixture and stir well. Add more water if necessary until the consistency of the dough is soft. You want the dough to be just firm enough to spread out in your pan. I keep it on the soft side and use a little extra flour on my fingers to keep it from sticking to me.
Line the bottom of your crockpot with the dough. Use it all if you like it very thick. Use half of it if you like it moderately thick. (Dough lasts about a week tightly wrapped in the fridge.) We prefer to use half at a time in our 6 quart crockpot.
Next layer some toppings on the dough. Add a layer of sauce, another layer of toppings and then the cheese. Before you put the lid on the crockpot, put a cloth dish towel or a layer of paper towels across the top of the crockpot. You don't want it to touch the pizza. You want it to be held in place by the lid so that it will catch condensation from the lid and keep it from dripping onto your pizza. This anti sog trick will allow your crust to cook well and get crispy on the edges.
Cook on HIGH for approximately two hours. Remove from pan and allow to cool for a few minutes before cutting it. Serve hot and enjoy!
*If we are making a thin crust pizza in the oven, I omit the yeast. We stopped using yeast for a long time and just now incorporate it for a few special dishes (ie pizza and doughnuts.)