Date nights don’t have to be extravagant to be special. In the age of COVID, date nights at home are not only convenient (and usually cheaper) — it’s also the safer thing to do. But before you start reaching for the phone to order a pizza, did you know that couples who cook together tend to eat healthier, communicate better, and work more efficiently as a team? Lucky for lovebirds everywhere, you can make a deliciously crispy flatbread pizza for two in just 30 minutes with ingredients commonly found in your kitchen.
This quick and easy-to-make flatbread dough requires only four ingredients: all-purpose flour, salt, olive oil, and room temperature water. The dough bakes into two thin, crispy crusts approximately 8-10” wide. Its mild flavor complements all kinds of pizza toppings from sweet and tangy to robust and spicy. In addition to personal pan pizzas, I regularly modify this basic flatbread recipe to create gyros, burritos, and snack wraps.
One of the greatest things about making flatbread pizzas from home is the vast range of possibilities for topping and flavor combinations. Rather than trying to squeeze in a last-minute trip to the grocery store for “typical” pizza fixings, challenge yourselves to come up with exciting new creations using only what you already have at home.
Melanie Davis
Easy Dinner for Two: Flatbread Pizzas
Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Cups all-purpose flour, plus addt’l for rolling
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 cup water, room temperature
Supplies
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon
- Fork
- Rolling pin
- Sheet pan or pizza pan or stone
- Parchment paper
- Cooking spray
Directions
Preheat oven to 475º F.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
Add olive oil, then add water, pouring the entire cup evenly over the dry mixture.
Slowly mix with a wooden spoon until fully incorporated. Use your hands to continue molding the dough into a large ball. If it’s still too sticky to manipulate, add flour until you can work the dough without it coming off onto your hands.
Transfer dough ball to a lightly floured surface and knead until springy, elastic, and smooth—roughly two to three minutes.
Place mixing bowl upside down over the dough ball. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Once the dough has rested, divide it into two equal balls. Using a floured pin, roll your balls of dough out to roughly circular or oval shapes approximately 8” in diameter.
Transfer pizza crusts to well-greased pans. Use a fork to prick holes over the dough to allow it to “breathe” as it bakes. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until delicately golden.
Remove from oven and brush crusts with olive oil. Add toppings of your choice and return to the oven for an additional 8-10 minutes. (Pro tip: switch your pizzas around so the crust that pre-baked on the top rack is now on the bottom rack to ensure both crusts get an irresistible crispy crunch!)
Remove pizzas from the oven and let cool for five minutes before serving. Buon appetito!
Recipe Notes
- As I mentioned earlier, the possibilities for flatbread flavor combos are virtually endless (and part of what makes this recipe so very handy). I happened to have a spare can of tomato sauce in my cupboard, so I made a garlic and veggie-filled “marinara” sauce topped with three types of cheese I had sitting in my fridge. Get creative, go wild, and never underestimate the classic flavors of gooey cheese, warm bread, and a few extra spices. If you’re still searching for pizza inspiration, try one of these delectable concoctions:
Easy Robust “Marinara” Sauce: Add one can of tomato sauce to a medium saucepan, cook over medium heat. Add 1 tsp thyme and basil; ¼ tsp black pepper; and crushed red pepper and salt to taste. Add ¼ red onion and one jalapeno finely diced to the sauce and mix. Let simmer for 10-12 minutes, uncovered.
Ooey-Gooey Cheesy Blend: Parmesan, mozzarella, and provolone are regular players in the pizza cheese game, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a mouthwateringly good pizza without them. Cover your flatbread in any combination of cheddar, Colby, or pepper jack cheese, and add garlic powder, crushed red pepper, black pepper, oregano, and salt to your taste.
Simple Caprese: Two thinly sliced Roma tomatoes, chunks of mozzarella cheese, basil leaves (or dried basil from the spice rack), and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar are all you need to create a deceivingly simple and deliciously sophisticated Caprese flatbread.
Veggies and Hummus: That’s right, y’all—hummus isn’t just for dipping. For a low-calorie, low-effort vegan pizza, spread your favorite flavor of hummus over your (already baked) flatbread and top with crispy, fresh bell pepper rounds, red onion, black olives, herbs, and diced jalapenos and tomatoes.
Buffalo Chicken (or Buffalo Chickpea): Add seasoned, pre-cooked chicken or crispy air-fried chickpeas to a bed of bold, flavorful buffalo sauce for a unique and delectable Buffalo Chicken/pea pizza. No buffalo sauce? No worries. You can make your own using regular hot sauce, butter, and vinegar.
