Pizza does not have to be an unhealthy meal. If you are careful to start off your pizza with a high-fiber crust, it can actually be a healthy choice. This high-fiber pizza crust recipe is made with whole wheat and oat flours, along with flax seed for an extra fiber boost and a some omega-3 fatty acids. It's delicious no matter how you top it. Just make sure you plan ahead when making this pizza crust, as it does have to rise for 3 hours total.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ cups oat flour
• ¼ cup ground flax seed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 teaspoons active, dry yeast

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let this mixture sit until the yeast is fully dissolved and foam begins to appear – this will take about 5 minutes. Next, add the flax seed, all-purpose and oat flours to the bowl, along with the salt and olive oil. Make sure you sprinkle the salt on top of the flour, once it has been poured into the bowl, so it does not come into direct contact with the yeast-water mixture. (This may deactivate the yeast).

Turn the mixer on low, and mix for 1 minute, or until a soft dough forms. Then, slowly start adding the whole wheat flour to the bowl. The mixture should stiffen and eventually form a ball. At this point, remove the beater from the mixer and replace it with a dough hook. Turn the mixer back to low, and knead with the dough hook for 5 minutes.

Grease a second large bowl with a little extra olive oil, and then transfer the dough to this bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in a warm area to rise for 2 hours. Then, press down on the dough to remove excess air before cutting it into two portions, using a sharp knife. Shape each portion into a ball, and place each ball on a lightly greased cookie sheet. (If you do not wish to make 2 pizzas, you can place one ball in a plastic bag and store it in the freezer for later use.) Cover the balls lightly with plastic wrap, and let them rest for 1 hour.

Shape the dough into two pizza crusts, and top them as you wish. Bake at 400 degrees F for approximately 20 minutes.