Pizza – a beloved dish celebrated across continents and cultures. The heart of a perfect pizza? Its dough. Today, were diving deep into crafting the perfect homemade pizza dough that’s not only foolproof but also requires just a handful of ingredients. Whether you’re a pizza aficionado or a casual enthusiast, this guide is for you.
The beauty of this homemade pizza dough is in its simplicity. With only a few ingredients, which you probably already have in your kitchen, you can create a base that rivals those of the best pizzerias.
This recipe is my moms recipe that has been around for over 30 years! My mom came to the states in her early 20’s and her first job was at Pizza Hut. This was back in the early 90’s when Pizza Hut use to make the dough from scratch and hand roll and toss it! So when I tell you this recipes fool proof, trust me it’s fool proof but also identical to the Pizza Hut pan pizza.
It’s also a tradition in my household to top off your pizza slice with some hot chili oiland hot honey, both of these recipes are homemade and are such a good staple to have in your kitchen.
Learn how to make the perfect homemade pizza with a crispy crust, delicious sauce, and customizable toppings. Easy step-by-step recipe for pizza night!
1. Why Homemade Dough?
There are several reasons to opt for homemade pizza dough:
Freshness: Store-bought doughs, while convenient, can’t compete with the freshness of a homemade batch.
Customization: You control the thickness, texture, and flavor.
Economical: With just basic ingredients, you save a lot compared to store-bought or restaurant pizzas.
2. Ingredients
Water: Acts as the medium for gluten development, which gives the dough its structure.
Yeast: Ferments the dough, making it rise and imparting a distinctive flavor.
Flour: The primary structure of the dough. A good quality all-purpose flour usually does the trick. I use King Author unbleached organic bread flour.
Salt: Enhances flavor and regulates yeast fermentation.
Olive oil: For a richer texture and added flavor.
Seasoning: Adding Italian seasoning gives the dough so much flavor.
3. The Foolproof Process
Activate the Yeast: Warm water (not hot) is key. Add sugar, sprinkle the yeast, and let it sit for about 5 minutes till it’s frothy. The sugar helps to active the yeast (its food for the yeast) and this will help you achieve that fluffiness.
Mix & Knead: In a bowl, mix the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough starts to form. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes. For an extra touch of richness, you can knead in olive oil at this stage.
Rest & Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rest in a warm area. In about an 30 mins – 1 hour, it should double in size.
Shape & Bake: Preheat your oven, shape the dough as desired, add toppings, and bake until golden and delicious!
4. Tips for the Perfect Pizza Dough
Avoid Over-kneading: It can make the dough tough. Ten minutes of kneading is usually enough.
Temperature Matters: Yeast is sensitive to temperature. Too hot, and it’ll die. Too cold, and it won’t activate. Lukewarm is perfect.
Experiment with Flours: Once you’re comfortable, try mixing flours for varied textures and flavors.
Homemade pizza dough might seem intimidating at first, but with this simple and foolproof guide, you’re well on your way to pizza perfection. The joy of creating a delicious pizza from scratch, with your favorite toppings, is unparalleled. Give it a try, and you might never go back to store-bought again!
2cupscheeseI use Cabot’s sharp cheddar, yellow and white
Any veggies or toppings of choice
Instructions
Pizza dough
In the bowl combine the warm water, sugar and yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for five minutes.
Next add the oil, Italian seasoning, flour and salt into the yeast mixture.
Add the flour into the yeast mixture and start mixing. The dough will look a bit shaggy and that’s completely normal. Add 1/4 cup of the remaining water into the dough and continue to mix. Remember that the dough will still be sticky and will stick to your fingers when you try to pull it apart.
Grease the bowl, turn the dough to coat it in oil. Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise at room temperature until doubled, 30mins. I put my bowl in a preheated oven at 200°F.
Preheat the oven to 380°F. Sprinkle some flour on a work surface or silicone mat. Transfer the dough from the bowl to the floured surface. Use floured hands to start pulling the dough up and around, gathering the ends together and forming a smooth ball on one side. Turn the ball over, so the top is smooth. If the dough is still a bit sticky when you go to roll it out, just sprinkle on a little more flour.
Take the ball of dough and flatten it with your hands or using a rolling pin on a lightly floured work surface. Starting at the center and working outwards, use your fingertips to press the dough to 1/2-inch thick. Turn and stretch the dough until it will not stretch further, continue to stretch it until it reaches the desired diameter – 14 to 16 inches.
Transfer the rolled out pizza dough onto a pizza screen.
Add a thin layer of sauce, followed by cheese, toppings and top it off with more cheese and small dollops of sauce on top. Place in the oven at 380°F until the cheese is nice and bubbly and the crust is golden brown. 12-15mins. Enjoy!
Notes
Preheat the oven to 200F before you start making the dough, and once the temperature is reached at 200F turn oven off. This is a perfect temperature for the dough to rise and proof.
You can replace the all purpose flour with whole wheat flour and the pizza comes out great as well!
Make sure your yeast is not expired, this will result into a flat hard pizza.
If you purchase the small packets of yeast from the grocery store, you will need 2Packetsactive dry yeast which equals to 4 & ½ tsp.
Just an East/West coast girl living the southern life. I love sharing all my tested and perfected recipes here, along with some travel guides and a little bit of my lifestyle
