why make this recipe
Making your own pizza dough at home is a fun and rewarding experience. It allows you to control the ingredients, customize flavors, and ensures you have a fresh base for your favorite toppings. Homemade pizza dough is not only easy to make, but it also saves money compared to store-bought versions. Whether you’re hosting a pizza night with friends or simply craving a slice, this pizza dough recipe is sure to impress.
how to make Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
Ingredients:
- 1 and 1/3 cups (320ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 1 Tablespoon (13g) granulated sugar
- 2 and 1/4 teaspoons (7g) Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast (1 standard packet)*
- 3 and 1/2 to 4 cups (438–500g) unbleached all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed
- 2 Tablespoons (30ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
- 1 teaspoon salt
- sprinkle of cornmeal, for dusting the pan
- extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
- 1 cup (250g) store-bought pizza sauce
- 4 cups (1lb/454g) shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
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Whisk the warm water, granulated sugar, and yeast together in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or paddle attachment. Cover and allow to rest for 5 minutes. *If you don’t have a stand mixer, simply use a large mixing bowl and mix the dough with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula in the next step.
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Add the flour, olive oil, and salt. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
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Keep the dough in the mixer and beat for an additional 5 full minutes, or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 5 full minutes. If the dough becomes too sticky during kneading, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of flour at a time. The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky but not dry.
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Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl and cover it. Let it rise at room temperature for 60–90 minutes or until it doubles in size.
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Preheat the oven to 475°F (246°C). Let it heat for 15–20 minutes while shaping the pizza. Grease a baking sheet or pizza pan and sprinkle it lightly with cornmeal.
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When the dough is ready, punch it down to release air bubbles and divide it in half. On a floured surface, flatten the dough into a disc, then stretch it into a 12-inch circle.
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Cover the dough lightly and let it rest for a few minutes while you prepare your toppings.
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Using your fingers, press dents into the dough to prevent bubbling. Brush olive oil on top, sprinkle with minced garlic if using, spread pizza sauce, and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Add any extra toppings you like and bake for 13–15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
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Slice the hot pizza and serve immediately. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
how to serve Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
Pizza is best served hot and fresh from the oven. You can enjoy it plain or with your favorite sides like garlic bread or a simple salad. Consider serving it with additional sauces for dipping, such as ranch or marinara.
how to store Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
If you have leftover pizza dough, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you need to keep it longer, freeze the dough after the first rise by placing it in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
tips to make Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
- Always use warm water to activate the yeast; it should feel like a warm bath but not hot.
- Knead the dough well until it passes the windowpane test for the best texture.
- Don’t rush the rising process; it helps develop flavor and texture.
- Experiment with different types of flour for unique flavors, such as whole wheat or bread flour.
- Have fun with toppings and explore different flavor combinations.
variation
You can easily modify this basic pizza dough recipe by adding herbs such as oregano or basil to the dough for extra flavor. You can also incorporate a bit of grated Parmesan cheese into the dough mixture for added richness.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can use whole wheat flour, but it may change the texture and flavor slightly. You can also combine both for a healthier option.
How long should I let the dough rise?
Typically, the dough needs to rise for about 60-90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just let it come back to room temperature before shaping and baking.
What if my dough doesn’t rise?
If your dough doesn’t rise, the yeast may not have been activated properly. Make sure your water is warm enough and check the expiration date on your yeast.
Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/3 cups 320ml warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 1 Tablespoon 13g granulated sugar
- 2 and 1/4 teaspoons 7g Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast (1 standard packet)*
- 3 and 1/2 to 4 cups 438–500g unbleached all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed
- 2 Tablespoons 30ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
- 1 teaspoon salt
- sprinkle of cornmeal for dusting the pan
- extra-virgin olive oil for brushing
- 2 garlic cloves minced (optional)
- 1 cup 250g store-bought pizza sauce
- 4 cups 1lb/454g shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Whisk the warm water, granulated sugar, and yeast together in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or paddle attachment. Cover and allow to rest for 5 minutes. *If you don’t have a stand mixer, simply use a large mixing bowl and mix the dough with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula in the next step.
- Add the flour, olive oil, and salt. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Keep the dough in the mixer and beat for an additional 5 full minutes, or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 5 full minutes. If the dough becomes too sticky during kneading, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of flour at a time. The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky but not dry.
- Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl and cover it. Let it rise at room temperature for 60–90 minutes or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (246°C). Let it heat for 15–20 minutes while shaping the pizza. Grease a baking sheet or pizza pan and sprinkle it lightly with cornmeal.
- When the dough is ready, punch it down to release air bubbles and divide it in half. On a floured surface, flatten the dough into a disc, then stretch it into a 12-inch circle.
- Cover the dough lightly and let it rest for a few minutes while you prepare your toppings.
- Using your fingers, press dents into the dough to prevent bubbling. Brush olive oil on top, sprinkle with minced garlic if using, spread pizza sauce, and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Add any extra toppings you like and bake for 13–15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
- Slice the hot pizza and serve immediately. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
