Mini Pizzas for Picky Eaters

By Nancy Johnson Horn, Editor

Even when my oldest son at his pickiest, there was always one thing that would get him excited – pizza making!

It’s simple, hands-on, and may even get your picky eaters to eat their veggies! Rolling out the dough is also great for kids with poor gross motor skills. TIP: Buy the pizza dough at the supermarket.

Pizza

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough (you can buy it or make it – we buy it).
Pizza Sauce (we used Nature’s Promise Organic Pizza Sauce or Trader Joe’s)
Part Skim Mozzarella (we buy pre-shredded)
Cornmeal or flour to sprinkle under dough so it won’t stick to your table.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

1. Give kids a hunk of dough (you can get three small pizzas out of a regular bag of pizza dough).

2. Sprinkle cornmeal or flour on your table (you can use a silicone mat, or just wipe down your table first – we wiped the table down).

3. Hand your child a rolling pin (or something to roll out the dough).

4. Give each child a bowl of sauce and a spoon. Have them spread the sauce on the dough (yes, it’s going to get messy, but your picky eater will be more invested in eating something they’ve created).

5. Hand out a small bowl of shredded cheese for each child. Suggest that they “sprinkle” the cheese on (my son tried to dump huge clumps on, I had to redirect him).

6. Set out veggies to top pizzas with. Carrots, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes…. are all good.. We used organic spinach only this time (because that’s all we had in the house).

7. Transfer to greased baking sheet and bake for around 10 – 13 minutes (check the directions on your package of dough). Some dough may need more time to cook.

8. Feed to hungry, starving children! A benefit to this is that your kids will feel invested in it, because they made it themselves (and you can also get them to eat the veggies they decorated their pizza with). For more fun, give your kids a bunch of different, colorful fresh veggies to make funny faces.