There’s no more reliable–if not better–option than pizza when making dinner with the kids; the same, though, can’t always be said about dough recipes for doing so–or even pre-made dough, for that matter. Lots of pizza dough for kids (or adults) recipes online can be complicated or time-consuming, to say nothing of the taste and texture not landing right with your child; lots of store-bought products are either too doughy or too brittle, failing to hit that platonic ideal of toddler pizza crust: somehow both just firm and just soft at the same time.
Here’s a homemade pizza dough for kids that’s as easy and reliable as it is delicious; it’s also packed with nutrition, thanks to the use of cottage cheese. There are, to be sure, a lot of cottage cheese pizza crust recipes out there, but nearly all other recipes are either of the “Keto” kind (ie, little to no flour) or so heavy on the cottage cheese–often at 1:1 ratio with flour–that the resulting dough is too wet and difficult for a small child to participate in its making. This one is different: the smaller proportion of cottage cheese used here makes it much easier–and neater–to work with, with a substantially smaller amount of sodium in the crust. It’s good–and good for you.
And great to make with your toddler. Get them involved in making the dough; have them lead the way when rolling it out. Top the pizza together, as you see fit. Make it great; make it a thing. This is your family pizza recipe.
Check out our other great pizza recipes!
This homemade pizza dough uses simple pantry staples — flour, baking powder, garlic powder, cottage cheese, and olive oil — to create a soft, high-protein base that’s easy for little hands to help make and fun to top. The cottage cheese adds moisture and nutrition without making the dough too wet, so kids can get involved from mixing to shaping.
Is this dough suitable for toddlers?
Yes — it’s soft, easy to chew, and made with simple ingredients that won’t overwhelm little palates. The texture is tender enough for young children (typically 12+ months and up) while still sturdy enough when topped and baked.
Can I make this dough ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prepare the dough, wrap it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before rolling and baking. Let it warm slightly on the counter before shaping.
What if the dough is too sticky or too dry?
If it’s sticky, dust your hands and work surface with a bit more flour. If too dry, add a splash of olive oil and gently knead until it comes together.
Can I use this dough with other pizzas on your site?
Yes — this crust works wonderfully as the base for any of our pizza recipes (e.g., a vegetable-packed toddler pizza).
🍕 A Delicious Pizza For Toddlers That’s Actually Nutritious — A toddler-friendly topped pizza using a soft crust that’s easy for little hands and teeth.
🥦 Delicious and Easy Meat and Veggie Flatbread (Lahmacun) — Great for using the same dough idea in a savory flatbread that sneaks in veggies.
🧀 How To Use Puff Pastry For Toddlers: Chicken Tikka Calzone — A fun, hand-held pizza cousin that’s toddler-approved.
Check out all our great dinner recipes here!
A high protein crust that's easy for both you and your child to make and bake? This pizza dough for kids could be your family's favorite way to do pizza night.
Preheat oven to 425. Line a pizza pan or baking sheet with parchment paper
Cook the crust for 9 minutes on the top rack of your oven. Remove crust from parchment and pan and place on a cooling rack or flat surface; allow a few minutes for crust to cool before adding toppings.
To finish the pizza: top with sauce, cheese, toppings, et al. and returning to the oven, placing it directly on the middle rack; cook until cheese is fully melted and toppings look sufficiently roasted (but not burnt). (Pro tip: to make it more pizzeria-like, switch to your oven’s ‘Broil’ mode once cheese has fully melted and move pizza to the top rack of your oven. Cook until the cheese has a bit of browning on top and toppings show a bit of crispness, roughly 45-60 seconds.)
Got yogurt but no cottage cheese? Check out our yogurt pizza crust and unique toppings.
Servings 4
Serving Size 2 slices (with cheese and sauce)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
*If your dough is crumbly and won't combine, add a splash or two of olive oil to the flour and mix; if the dough is too wet and sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time while packing the dough until it firms up.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
