Easy Homemade Pizza Dough

Pizza Dough Recipe

Introduction

Pizza is a favorite food for many, loved for its versatility and taste. Whether topped with cheese, vegetables, or meats, it is hard to resist a slice of delicious pizza. The key to a great pizza lies in its dough. This Pizza Dough Recipe is simple and perfect for creating a crust that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making your homemade pizza a hit.

Why Make This Recipe

Making your own pizza dough at home is rewarding and fun. It allows you to control the ingredients, resulting in a fresher and healthier product. Plus, homemade dough can be customized with your favorite flavors or used with various toppings. By following this straightforward recipe, you’ll soon be impressing family and friends with your pizza-making skills.

How to Make Pizza Dough

Making pizza dough is easy and requires just a few steps. Here’s how you can do it:

Ingredients:

• 600g (4 cups) bread flour or pizza flour (or plain/all-purpose) (Note 1)
• 2 tsp (6g) rapid rise or instant yeast (Note 2)
• 2.5 tsp (15g) salt (kosher/cooking salt) (Note 3)
• 4 tsp (20g) white sugar
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 330 ml (1 1/3 cups) warm tap water (330g, Note 4)
• 1 tbsp extra flour
• 2 tsp extra olive oil
• 130g / 1 1/3 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly grated (per pizza) (Note 8)
• 1/4 cup pizza sauce (per pizza)
• Toppings of choice

Directions:

1. Dough:

   • Mix dry: Place flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon.
   • Add wet: Make a well in the center. Pour in oil and water. Mix to combine until the dough comes away from the side of the bowl.
   • Knead 5 minutes: Sprinkle your work surface with half of the extra flour. Scrape the dough out of the bowl, form it into a ball, and knead for 5 minutes until smooth. Shape the dough back into a ball.

2. Rise #1:

   • Drizzle a large bowl with extra olive oil. Place the dough in, turn it over to coat with oil.
   • Cover with cling wrap and put it in a warm place for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

3. Optional Fridge for Flavor Development:

   • After rising, refrigerate the bowl with the dough for up to 5 days without punching it down to improve flavor.

4. Form Small Balls, Rise #2:

   • Scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a log, fully deflating the dough.
   • Cut it into 3 equal portions.
   • Shape each portion into a ball, placing them smooth side up on a tray.
   • Cover with a damp tea towel and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.

5. Stretch Pizza Base:

   • Preheat the oven to its maximum temperature, ideally 275°C (530°F).
   • Sprinkle flour on your work surface. Place one dough ball on top, gently deflate and stretch into a round shape.
   • Transfer to a pizza pan and adjust the shape as needed.

6. Topping / Cooking:

   • Spread with pizza sauce, cheese, and your choice of toppings.
   • Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
   • Cut into wedges and serve immediately!

How to Serve Pizza Dough

Serve your homemade pizza hot from the oven. Cut it into wedges and enjoy it with family and friends. It can also be paired with dipping sauces or a refreshing salad.

How to Store Pizza Dough

If you have leftover dough, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the dough after the first rise. Wrap it tightly and store it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.

Tips to Make Pizza Dough

• Use warm water to help activate the yeast.
• Kneading the dough well creates a better texture.
• Let the dough rise in a warm place for the best results.
• For a crispier crust, try baking on a pizza stone.

Variation

Feel free to add herbs or spices to the dough for extra flavor. Try garlic powder, oregano, or even grated cheese mixed into the dough for a unique twist!

FAQs

Q: Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
A: Yes, you can use all-purpose flour, but the crust may be slightly less chewy.

Q: How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
A: The dough should double in size and feel light and airy when ready.

Q: Can I make this dough in advance?
A: Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated or frozen for later use.

Enjoy making your delicious homemade pizza with this easy pizza dough recipe!

Pizza Dough

This simple pizza dough recipe creates a crust that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect for homemade pizzas with your favorite toppings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Snack

Cuisine Italian

Servings 3 servings

Calories 240 kcal

Ingredients

  

Dough Ingredients

• 600 g 600g (4 cups) bread flour or pizza flour (or plain/all-purpose) Bread flour is preferred for a chewier texture.
• 2 tsp 2 tsp (6g) rapid rise or instant yeast
• 2.5 tsp 2.5 tsp (15g) salt (kosher/cooking salt)
• 4 tsp 4 tsp (20g) white sugar
• 4 tbsp 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 330 ml 330 ml (1 1/3 cups) warm tap water Water should be warm to activate yeast.
• 1 tbsp 1 tbsp extra flour For dusting.
• 2 tsp 2 tsp extra olive oil For coating the rising bowl.

Toppings (per pizza)

• 130 g 130g / 1 1/3 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
• 1/4 cup 1/4 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup Toppings of choice Choose your favorite toppings.

Instructions

 

Dough Preparation

• Mix dry ingredients: Place flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon.
• Add wet ingredients: Make a well in the center. Pour in olive oil and warm water. Mix to combine until the dough comes away from the side of the bowl.
• Knead the dough for 5 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Shape into a ball.

First Rise

• Drizzle a large bowl with extra olive oil. Place the dough in, turning to coat with oil.
• Cover with cling wrap and put in a warm place for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

Optional Fridge for Flavor Development

• After rising, refrigerate the bowl with the dough for up to 5 days without punching it down to improve flavor.

Form and Second Rise

• Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a log, fully deflating it.
• Cut the dough into 3 equal portions and shape each into a ball, placing them smooth side up on a tray.
• Cover with a damp tea towel and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.

Stretch and Prepare

• Preheat the oven to its maximum temperature, ideally 275°C (530°F).
• Sprinkle flour on your work surface, place one dough ball on top, gently deflate and stretch into a round shape.
• Transfer to a pizza pan and adjust the shape as needed.

Topping and Cooking

• Spread with pizza sauce, cheese, and your choice of toppings.
• Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
• Cut into wedges and serve immediately.

Notes

Serve your homemade pizza hot from the oven. It can also be paired with dipping sauces or a refreshing salad. If you have leftover dough, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze after the first rise for up to 3 months.

Keyword Dough Recipe, Easy Pizza Dough, Homemade Pizza, Pizza Crust, Pizza Dough