Protein Packed Pizza Dough to Hit Your Macros!

Pizza holds a special place in many hearts around the world. Unfortunately, traditional pizza dough can often be low in protein and high in empty carbs. If you love pizza but want to stay on track with your nutrition, you're in luck! This protein-packed pizza dough recipe is here to satisfy your cravings while keeping your macros in check. Full of flavor and nutrients, this dough will take your pizza experience to new heights.

In this post, we’ll guide you through easy step-by-step instructions to make the dough. You’ll also find a complete macro and calorie breakdown, along with tips for customizing your pizza to suit your tastes. Let’s dive into creating your delicious, protein-rich pizza!

Delicious protein pizza ready to serve

Ingredients for the Base Dough

To whip up your protein-packed pizza dough, you will need:

• 260 g bread flour

• 40 g unflavored Nutricost whey protein isolate

• 10 g salt

• 1 packet instant yeast (~7 g)

• 30 g sugar

• 15 g melted butter

• ~180–200 ml warm water (adjust as needed for dough consistency)

• Additional bread flour (for dusting in bread maker/bowl)

  
  

These ingredients blend together to create a dough that not only tastes great but also has a significant protein boost compared to traditional recipes. For reference, this dough can contain almost 45% more protein than regular pizza dough.

Basic Toppings

For a classic pizza, consider these basic toppings:

• 3–4 oz pizza sauce (85–115 g)

• Fresh shredded mozzarella (suggest ~170 g = 6 oz)

• Toppings of choice (not included in base macro count)

  
  

Feel free to experiment! You can add a variety of toppings like colorful bell peppers, spicy pepperoni, or even grilled chicken for added protein. Did you know that using grilled chicken as a topping can increase the protein content by over 25% per slice?

Assembly Steps

1. Activate Yeast (Optional but Recommended)

Start by mixing the yeast, sugar, and about 50 ml of warm water (aim for a temperature of 105–110 °F). Allow this mixture to sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. This proves that your yeast is alive and will help the dough rise successfully.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bread maker or stand mixer, add the bread flour, whey protein isolate, and salt. Blend these dry ingredients until they are thoroughly combined.

3. Combine Ingredients

Gradually add the melted butter, the yeast mixture, and the remaining warm water. Mix until a dough starts forming. You might adjust the water slightly to get the desired dough consistency—you want it to be pliable but not sticky.

4. Knead the Dough

Knead the dough in your machine for about 8–10 minutes. If kneading by hand, work until stretchy and smooth. This step develops the gluten network, essential for a robust dough structure.

5. First Rise

Cover the dough and place it in a warm area for 60–90 minutes, or until it doubles in size. This yeast magic is what creates your light and airy pizza base.

6. Shape the Dough

Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Roll it out into a circle about 12–14 inches in diameter.

7. Top the Pizza

Spread your pizza sauce evenly on the base, sprinkle shredded mozzarella, and top with your desired ingredients.

8. Bake

Preheat your oven to 425 °F. Bake your pizza for 10–14 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese melts beautifully.

Nutritional Breakdown (Base + Sauce + Cheese)

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the nutritional content for the dough, sauce, and cheese:

| Ingredient | Amount | Calories | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |

|---------------------|--------|----------|-------------|-----------|---------|

| Bread flour | 260 g | 910 | 30 | 190 | 3 |

| Whey isolate | 40 g | 150 | 36 | 1 | 0 |

| Salt | 10 g | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

| Instant yeast | 7 g | 21 | 3 | 2 | 0 |

| Sugar | 30 g | 120 | 0 | 30 | 0 |

| Butter | 15 g | 108 | 0 | 0 | 12 |

| Pizza sauce | 100 g | 40 | 2 | 8 | 0 |

| Mozzarella | 170 g | 480 | 36 | 6 | 36 |

| Totals | — | 1829 | 107 g | 237 g | 51 g |

Serving Breakdown

If you slice the pizza into 8 pieces, each serving will offer approximately:

• Calories: 229

• Protein: 13 g

  
  

This breakdown makes it an excellent choice for anyone aiming to boost their protein intake while enjoying a time-honored dish!

Final Thoughts

This protein-enhanced pizza dough recipe is a delightful way to indulge in pizza without compromising your nutritional goals. With straightforward instructions and endless topping possibilities, you can create a pizza tailored to your taste while still hitting your macros.

Whether you are meal prepping for busy weekdays or hosting a fun pizza night with friends, this recipe is bound to impress. Get your ingredients together, roll up your sleeves, and prepare to savor a delicious slice of protein-packed goodness!

Happy baking!