Homemade Pizza Dough

Why Make This Recipe

Making your own pizza dough at home is incredibly rewarding and surprisingly easy! It allows you to customize your pizza to your taste and enjoy a fresh, homemade crust. Plus, homemade dough is free from preservatives, and you can have fun experimenting with different toppings. It’s a perfect activity for family gatherings or cozy nights at home.

How to Make Pizza Dough

Ingredients:

• 2 and 1/2 cups (300 g/10.5 oz) bread flour, sifted (or all-purpose flour – bread flour will yield a chewier crust)
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (195 ml) warm water (*see notes)
• Olive oil (for greasing)

Directions:

1. Place the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer and mix until combined.
2. Attach the dough hook to the mixer. Add warm water to the flour mixture, and mix on low speed until the dough comes together, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Continue mixing for another 7 minutes on low-medium speed until the dough is completely smooth and elastic, pulling away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be slightly sticky; if it is too sticky, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add a bit more water.
4. Place the dough in a large bowl brushed with olive oil, tossing to coat, which will keep it from drying out. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the dough overnight or up to 24 hours. If refrigerated, let it come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before using.
5. After the dough has risen, punch it down slightly to release air. It’s now ready to be shaped into your favorite pizza.

How to Serve Pizza Dough

After shaping your dough into a pizza, you can add your favorite sauces and toppings—like fresh vegetables, meats, or cheeses. Bake your pizza in a preheated oven at around 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crisp. Serve hot, sliced, and enjoy with friends and family!

How to Store Pizza Dough

If you have leftover dough, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply cover it tightly to prevent it from drying out. If you’ve prepared extra dough, it freezes well; wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to use it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before bringing it to room temperature.

Tips to Make Pizza Dough

• Make sure your water is warm, but not too hot—around 110°F (43°C) is ideal.
• Knead the dough enough to develop gluten; this helps create a chewy texture.
• Experiment with different types of flour, like whole wheat or rye, for a unique flavor.
• Use fresh herbs or seasonings in the dough for added flavor.

Variation

Try adding garlic powder or dried herbs directly into the flour mixture for a flavorful twist. You can also incorporate different types of cheese into the dough for extra richness.

FAQs

1. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes, you can! While bread flour gives a chewier crust, all-purpose flour works fine for pizza dough.

2. Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Just remember to knead the dough for a little longer and use a larger bowl to accommodate the increased volume.

3. What if my dough doesn’t rise?
Make sure your yeast is fresh and the water is the right temperature. If it’s too cold or too hot, the yeast won’t activate properly. If you suspect the yeast is bad, it’s best to start over with fresh yeast.

Pizza Dough

This homemade pizza dough is easy to make and customizable, allowing you to create a delicious, fresh pizza crust free from preservatives.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 2 pizzas

Course: Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Dough Ingredients

• 2.5 cups 2 and 1/2 cups (300 g/10.5 oz) bread flour, sifted (or all-purpose flour) Bread flour will yield a chewier crust.
• 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
• 3/4 cup 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (195 ml) warm water Water should be around 110°F (43°C).
• as needed Olive oil For greasing the bowl.

Method

 

Preparing the Dough

1. Place the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer and mix until combined.
2. Attach the dough hook to the mixer. Add warm water to the flour mixture and mix on low speed until the dough comes together, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Continue mixing for another 7 minutes on low-medium speed until the dough is completely smooth and elastic, pulling away from the sides of the bowl.
4. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time. If it's too dry, add a bit more water.
5. Place the dough in a large bowl brushed with olive oil, tossing to coat, then cover with plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
6. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the dough overnight. If refrigerated, let it come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before using.
7. After the dough has risen, punch it down slightly to release air. It’s now ready to be shaped into your favorite pizza.

Baking the Pizza

1. Shape your dough into a pizza, add your favorite sauces and toppings.
2. Bake the pizza in a preheated oven at around 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crisp.
3. Serve hot, sliced, and enjoy with friends and family!

Storing the Dough

1. If you have leftover dough, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
2. Wrap extra dough tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before bringing it to room temperature.

Notes

Knead the dough enough to develop gluten for a chewy texture. Experiment with different types of flour for a unique flavor and add fresh herbs or seasonings for added flavor.