Why Make This Recipe

Making pizza dough from scratch allows you to control the ingredients and customize it to your liking. Homemade pizza dough offers a superior taste and texture compared to store-bought alternatives. Not only can you experiment with different flavors and thicknesses, but you can also ensure the freshness of your pizza. This recipe is perfect for pizza lovers who cherish the art of cooking and want to enhance their culinary skills in a fun and delicious way.

How to Make Pizza Dough

Creating the perfect pizza dough requires a few simple steps but brings massive rewards when you take your first bite of your homemade pizza. Follow this straightforward recipe for an excellent base that will support all kinds of toppings.

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

Dough:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, rapid rise yeast, salt, and sugar. Mix well to incorporate all dry ingredients evenly.
Add the warm tap water and the extra virgin olive oil to the dry mixture.
Stir until a soft dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 10 minutes or until you achieve a smooth, elastic texture.

Rise #1:

Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, approximately 1-2 hours.

Optional Fridge – Flavour Development:

For enhanced flavor, consider letting the dough rise in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. Just be sure to remove it about 30 minutes before you plan to use it to come to room temperature.

Form Small Balls:

Once risen, punch the dough down and divide it into smaller portions depending on your pizza size preference. Roll each portion into a ball and set aside to rest for 15-20 minutes.

Rise #2:

After resting, flatten each ball slightly, cover them again, and let rise for another 30 minutes.

Stretch Pizza Base:

Preheat your oven to its highest setting (ideally around 475°F/245°C). On a floured surface, stretch each dough ball into your desired pizza base size and thickness.

Topping / Cooking (Work Quickly!):

Quickly add your pizza sauce, cheese, and chosen toppings. Transfer to a pizza stone or a baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

How to Serve Pizza Dough

Once you’ve baked your pizza, serve it hot out of the oven. Let it cool slightly before slicing into wedges. Pizza pairs wonderfully with a side salad or garlic bread, and be sure to offer a variety of dipping sauces for those who want an extra kick.

How to Store Pizza Dough

If you have any leftover pizza dough or you made a batch in advance, you can store it in a few different ways. Place the dough in an airtight container coated with olive oil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to use, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before shaping.

Tips to Make Pizza Dough

For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5-7 minutes before adding toppings.
Experiment with different types of flours, like whole wheat or special bread flours, for varied textures and flavors.
Make sure your water is warm but not hot; temperatures over 120°F (49°C) can kill the yeast.
Invest in a pizza stone – it retains high temperatures and provides a crispy bottom crust.

Variation

You can customize this basic dough recipe by incorporating herbs and spices directly into the mix, such as oregano, garlic powder, or crushed red pepper flakes, for a flavorful twist. Additionally, consider trying whole wheat flour for a healthier option or even cauliflower flour for a gluten-free version.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Yes, while bread flour yields a chewier texture, all-purpose flour can be used as well. Be prepared for a slightly different consistency.

How long does the dough need to rise?

The initial rise typically takes about 1-2 hours. If you’re allowing for flavor development in the fridge, it should be at least 24 hours, but can be longer.

Can I make pizza dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can either prepare it a few days in advance and store it in the fridge or freeze it for longer storage. Just make sure to allow enough time for it to thaw and rise before using.

With this recipe, you’ll be well on your way to creating an unforgettable homemade pizza from the ground up! Enjoy your cooking experience and the delicious results!

Homemade Pizza Dough

Make your own pizza dough from scratch to enjoy a superior taste and customizable options for your homemade pizza.

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Total Time 2 30

Serving Size servings

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

600 g 600g (4 cups) bread flour or pizza flour (or plain/all-purpose) Note 1
2 tsp 2 tsp (6g) rapid rise or instant yeast Note 2
2.5 tsp 2.5 tsp (15g) salt, kosher/cooking salt Note 3
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 (330g) Note 4
1 tbsp 1 tbsp extra flour
2 tsp 2 tsp extra olive oil

Pizza Toppings (per pizza)

130 g 130g / 1 1/3 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly grated Note 8
1/4 cup 1/4 cup pizza sauce
To Taste Toppings of choice

Instructions

Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, rapid rise yeast, salt, and sugar. Mix well to incorporate all dry ingredients evenly.
Add the warm tap water and the extra virgin olive oil to the dry mixture.
Stir until a soft dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 10 minutes or until you achieve a smooth, elastic texture.

Rise #1

Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, approximately 1-2 hours.

Optional Fridge - Flavour Development

For enhanced flavor, consider letting the dough rise in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. Just be sure to remove it about 30 minutes before you plan to use it to come to room temperature.

Form Small Balls

Once risen, punch the dough down and divide it into smaller portions depending on your pizza size preference. Roll each portion into a ball and set aside to rest for 15-20 minutes.

Rise #2

After resting, flatten each ball slightly, cover them again, and let rise for another 30 minutes.

Stretch Pizza Base

Preheat your oven to its highest setting (ideally around 475°F/245°C). On a floured surface, stretch each dough ball into your desired pizza base size and thickness.

Topping / Cooking

Quickly add your pizza sauce, cheese, and chosen toppings. Transfer to a pizza stone or a baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Notes

For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5-7 minutes before adding toppings. You can experiment with different types of flours for varied textures. Make sure your water is warm but not hot; temperatures over 120°F can kill the yeast. Consider using a pizza stone for a crispy bottom crust. You can customize this basic dough recipe by incorporating herbs and spices directly into the mix.