Explore the Possibilities with Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe


Homemade Pizza Dough


You only need 6 ingredients to make this easy pizza dough recipe! It yields a chewy, flavorful crust that will elevate your homemade pizza to a new level.

Homemade pizza dough is the secret to great homemade pizza. If you’re new to working with yeast, making your own dough might seem intimidating, but it's actually quite simple. Anyone can master it!

Below, I'm sharing my favorite pizza dough recipe. It’s been my go-to for years and is perfect for beginners. Made with just 6 basic ingredients, it's easy to prepare and yields a soft, chewy, and flavorful pizza crust.

Use this dough to make one of the pizza recipes linked at the bottom of this post, or customize it with your favorite pizza toppings. This homemade crust is delicious and will elevate any pizza to a whole new level!

Homemade Pizza Dough



Easy Pizza Dough Recipe Ingredients


Here are the 6 basic ingredients for my easy pizza dough recipe:

  • Flour – This recipe works well with 100% all-purpose flour or a mix of half all-purpose flour and half white whole wheat. For more details on the best flour to use in pizza dough, check out the callout below!
  • Active dry yeast – Helps the dough rise, yielding a nice and puffy crust. You can also use instant yeast in this recipe, but be sure to proof it to ensure it’s fresh.
  • Water – Provides moisture. Ensure it’s warm, but not too hot, to activate the yeast.
  • Sugar – Feeds the yeast, aiding in the dough’s rise. Maple syrup or honey can also be used.
  • Sea salt – Essential for a flavorful crust.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil – Adds richness, moisture, and flavor.


Choosing the Right Flour for Pizza Dough


Wondering which flour is best for making pizza dough? Here’s a breakdown:

  • 00 Flour: This highly refined, finely milled white flour is essential for Neapolitan-style pizza. It creates a smooth texture and helps bake a crisp and chewy crust.

  • Bread Flour: With higher gluten content than all-purpose flour, bread flour produces an especially chewy pizza crust.

For this pizza dough recipe, I recommend using all-purpose floure. It’s affordable, widely available, and yields a fantastic soft, chewy crust with a crisp edge. There's no need to opt for a fancier flour here! However, if you prefer whole grain, you can replace up to half of the all-purpose flour with white whole wheat flour. Keep in mind, though, that whole wheat dough will result in a denser, chewier texture.

Homemade Pizza Dough




How to Make Pizza Dough


Making this pizza dough recipe is simple! Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Proof the yeast: In a small bowl, stir together the yeast, warm water, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy. Note: If the yeast doesn’t foam, it may be expired. Start fresh with a new package of yeast for optimal results.

  2. Mix the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Mix until the dough forms a ball around the hook, about 5 to 6 minutes. Adjust consistency: If the dough is too wet, add a little more flour. If too dry, add water, half a tablespoon at a time.

Homemade Pizza Dough

  1. Let it rise: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a smooth ball using your hands. Brush a large bowl with olive oil and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour. Tip: For best results, place it in a warm spot like a sunny kitchen countertop!

These steps will give you perfect homemade pizza dough ready to be topped and baked to delicious perfection.


How to Stretch Pizza Dough


Once the dough has doubled in size, it’s ready to be stretched:

  1. Prepare your surface: Dust your work surface with cornmeal to prevent sticking. If using a pizza stone, stretch the dough on a pizza peel or large cutting board.

  2. Option 1: Roll out the dough: Use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough to your desired thickness. After rolling, form a slightly thicker border around the edges with your fingers.

  3. Option 2: Stretch by hand: Lift one edge of the dough and slide both your fists underneath. Gently work your fists outward to stretch the dough, allowing gravity to help shape it into a thin oval or circle. Advanced techniques involve lightly bouncing or tossing the dough to rotate it, but you can rotate it with your fists and return it to the work surface as needed.

I stretch this pizza dough recipe to approximately a 14-inch oval or circle, ensuring it has an even thickness with a slightly thicker border around the edges.



Choosing the Right Pan


While pizza connoisseurs often prefer baking on a pizza stone, you can still make great homemade pizzas using these pans:

  1. Perforated pizza pan: This lightweight option is a great alternative to a pizza stone. You can stretch the dough directly on the pan without needing a pizza peel. The perforations help crisp up the bottom of the crust.

  2. Cast-iron skillet: Perfect for thicker pizza crusts, a cast-iron skillet is ideal if you like starting your pizza on the stove to crisp the bottom before transferring it to the oven. Check out my cast-iron skillet pizza recipe for more details.

  3. Regular baking sheet: Surprisingly versatile, a regular baking sheet works well for homemade pizza. Simply dust it with cornmeal before stretching the dough to prevent sticking.

Homemade Pizza Dough




Make-Ahead Instructions


One of the best features of this homemade pizza dough recipe is its make-ahead capability!

After preparing the dough, let it rise at room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container or bag and refrigerate for several hours or up to 2 days.

Before stretching the dough, allow it to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour. Cold dough straight from the fridge is harder to stretch.

Bonus Tip: Refrigerating the dough enhances its flavor, making for an even tastier pizza crust!



CAN YOU FREEZE HOMEMADE PIZZA DOUGH?


Absolutely! This homemade pizza dough recipe freezes beautifully. Follow these simple steps:

  1. Let the dough rise at room temperature.
  2. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container.
  3. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to use it:

  1. Thaw the frozen dough overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Bring it to room temperature before stretching.

Now you can enjoy homemade pizza anytime with the convenience of freezer-stored dough!

CAN YOU FREEZE HOMEMADE PIZZA DOUGH?


Using Homemade Pizza Dough


Here's how you can use this homemade pizza dough:

Try it in these recipes:

Or create your own homemade pizza! After stretching the dough, add pizza sauce, your favorite cheeses, and toppings. Bake at 500°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Enjoy your delicious homemade pizza!