'Build Your Own' Healthy Pizza Recipe I The Tuck Company

Hollie Russell

Forget the takeaway apps and the mad dash to buy a supermarket frozen pizza - we wanted to share our top secret pizza that's not just a good dinner option but also an activity to do with the kids!

We believe that healthy eating shouldn't feel like a chore, and it definitely shouldn't come out of a packet filled with ingredients you can’t pronounce. Tonight, our founder Hollie is putting this into practice. She’s hosting a playdate with four energetic kids and is going to attempt getting them all involved in making UPF-free pizzas from scratch.

The secret? A simple dough recipe that doesn’t require hours of proving. Because let’s face it, when you have four kids ready for tea, nobody has time to watch dough rise!

Why 'Build Your Own' Wins Every Time

  1. Total UPF Control: By making your own base and choosing whole-food toppings, you bypass the emulsifiers, preservatives, and hidden sugars found in ultra-processed versions.
  2. The 'I Made It' Effect: Kids are significantly more likely to eat their veggies when they’ve personally decorated their pizza with them.
  3. A Sensory Activity: Rolling dough and sprinkling cheese is a fantastic way to keep little hands busy. As Hollie says: “There is nothing better than taking them along for the journey and showing them how it's done - just make sure you bring alllll the patience!”

Hollie’s Quick UPF-Free Pizza Dough

Makes 4 kid-sized pizzas

This recipe uses store-cupboard staples and is ready to hit the oven in minutes. No yeast, no waiting, just real food.

The Ingredients:

  • 250g Greek Yoghurt (Full fat is best for a sturdy base)
  • 250g Self-Raising Flour (Look for a brand without added soya flour to keep it UPF-free)
  • A pinch of sea salt

The Method:

  • Mix: Stir the yoghurt, flour and salt together in a bowl until a rough dough forms
  • Knead: Tip it onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth (This is a great job for the kids!)
  • Shape: Divide the dough into 4 balls. Have the children roll them out into circles - don't worry about them being perfect; 'rustic' is the goal here
  • Top: Place the bases on baking trays lined with greaseproof paper

The Topping Station

To keep it UPF-free, skip the "pizza sauce" jars which often contain thickeners. Instead, use a simple tin of chopped tomatoes or passata seasoned with a little dried oregano and a splash of olive oil.

Set out bowls of:

  • Torn mozzarella (check the label for just milk, salt, and rennet)
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Sliced peppers, mushrooms, and sweetcorn
  • Cooked chicken breast or ham (ensure it’s 'thick cut' from the deli to avoid processed additives)

Hollie’s Top Tip for the Chaos 

When you have four kids in the kitchen, things will get messy. There will be flour on the floor and cheese in places it shouldn't be. Try to embrace it - I know it's hard!! The goal is to show them that cooking from scratch is normal, fun, and delicious.

Bake at 200°C (Fan) for about 12–15 minutes until the edges are crisp and the cheese is bubbling.

We hope your little tuckers enjoy!

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