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    Home » Recipes » Main Dish

    Pizza Dough Recipe

    Published: Jul 12, 2021 · Modified: Apr 23, 2022 by Laura Reigel · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump To Recipe Comments Jump To Video
    homemade pizza dough topped with sausage and pepperoni

    This pizza dough recipe is as good as any upscale restaurant pizza. Once you learn how easy it is to make restaurant-style pizza at home, you'll never order take-out again!

    Homemade pizza is an easy dinner that you can make any night of the week.

    No matter what your favorite pizza toppings are, you're going to love this pizza crust. This pizza dough is easy and has fantastic flavor and fantastic chew.

    homemade pizza dough with sausage and pepperoni and onion toppings

    This recipe is a result of trying out many different pizza dough recipes over the years. With much experimentation, I've finally developed what I think is the best pizza dough.

    This recipe makes four 12 to 14" pizzas.

    The dough freezes well so. If you're not planning to use it all at once, you can freeze it and have homemade pizza any time.

    Let's get started on this homemade pizza crust. Shall we?

    What Goes Into Pizza Dough

    Pizza dough is made with simple ingredients that you probably have in the panty right now. The secret to making the best pizza dough is in the small details of how you combine these ingredients and how you proof the dough.

    I highly recommend using a probe thermometer to determine the temperature of the dough. Temperature does make a difference when baking bread and pizza crust.

    ingredients to make pizza crust
    • Flour determines the texture of your crust. The protein percentage and the type of wheat will determine the pizza dough's crust's outer thickness and its elasticity or amount of chew.
    • Yeast creates airiness in the dough and also produced flavor during the fermentation (rising) process.
    • Sugar fuels the fermentation process by feeding the active yeast and also helps with browning.
    • Salt is a flavor enhancer and is an essential element in the flavor profile of pizza dough. Without it, the dough tastes bland. Steer clear of iodized table salt and use sea salt or Kosher salt when baking.
    • Water is the element of hydration in making dough. Higher hydration doughs will be lighter because they allow more and more oversized air pockets during fermentation. If the dough is too wet, the proteins will be too weak to hold up the air pockets and fall flat.
    • Olive oil tenderizes the inside of the crust, making it less tough, and also adds to the crispiness of the outer crust during the baking process.

    Flour Selection

    When making bread of any kind, you can use a combination of flours or pick a single variety. Flours lend different characteristics to bread and dough depending on their protein concentration and wheat variety.

    There is no correct answer. Your preference about what makes the perfect pizza dough is entirely up to you.

    Bread flour and Tipo 00 flour are the two most used in making pizza dough. Tipo 00 is used in Italy and if I had to guess, in New York-style pizza.

    • Bread Flour is high in protein (14 to 15%). The high gluten content in bread flour produces pizza dough with a thicker, chewier outer crust with substantial air pockets.
    • All-Purpose Flour is lower in protein (10 to 13%) and will give you a thinner and crisp crust. Overall this is a softer pizza crust with less chew.
    • Tipo 00 flour s made from very finely ground durum wheat instead of red wheat used in most American flours. Its protein content is on par with American all-purpose flour (11 to 12%). Tipo 00 has gluten that is strong but less elastic than bread flour. This flour usually produces dough that is light, tender, and chewy. This is my favorite flour to use for making pizza.
    pizza dough topped with caramelized onions and yukon gold potatoes

    Water

    Warm water (110 to 115℉) helps the yeast activate. If the water is too cold, it may shock the yeast, and you won't get a good proof. If the water is too hot, it will kill the yeast and same problem.

    Yeast

    Use active dry yeast and make sure it's not expired. Yeast is the leavening agent and acts along with the sugar to rise the pizza crust.

    During the fermentation process (while the dough is rising), tiny air bubbles form, and organic acids create flavor and air pockets.

    Sugar

    Sugar feeds the yeast during the proofing and fermentation stage.

    In this recipe, we cold-proof the dough, which means let it sit in the fridge for up to 3 days. This step develops the flavor in the dough. Don't let the dough proof for more than 72 hours, or it may have a sour taste.

    homemade pizza dough - pepperoni pizza

    Salt

    Salt acts as a flavor enhancer. Don't skimp on the salt and never use iodized salt. Opt for Sea Salt or Kosher salt.

    Olive oil

    Olive oil contributes to the flavor and the tenderness of the pizza dough.

    pizza dough recipe topped with prosciutto and arugula and olive oil

    How to Make Pizza Dough

    1. Add all of the ingredients, except the oil, to your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
    2. Knead the dough until it comes together in a nice smooth ball.
    3. Add the oil and continue to need for another 5 to 6 minutes.
    4. Cut the dough into four equally sized pieces (11.5 ounces each).
    5. Place each dough ball into a separate lightly oiled air-tight container or zip-top bag and store in the fridge for up to 72 hours.
    6. Remove the dough 1 hour before cooking. Allow the dough temperature to get to about 70℉.
    7. Use your fingers to spread out the dough being careful do to degas the edges. (see directions below)

    Fermentation

    There are two ways to ferment pizza dough. The fast way that will allow you to make pizza the same day. Or the cold fermentation process, which gives you a more flavorful pizza crust but can take up to 3 days in the fridge.

    Fermentation is the act of the yeast working to make time bubbles that you see in the dough. With time the fermentation produces nutty flavor components (think beer). A longer fermentation process allows the dough to build more flavor. But, you do need to be careful not to "over-proof" the dough.

    🧬 Geek Wisdom: Proofing produces bubbles that expand the gluten proteins in the dough. These bubbles are what creates the airiness in bread and leavened dough. Over-proofing happens when the bubbles produced in the fermentation process get too large and over-stretch gluten proteins, making them weak. When this happens, you end up with a flat dough.

    Quick Pizza Crust Recipe

    If you want to make pizza the same day, you will need to let the dough rise on the counter for 1-2 hours before spreading it out.

    Cold Fermenting Pizza Dough

    Cold fermentation is the act of fermenting the pizza dough in the refrigerator. The colder temperature slows down the fermentation process and allows you to developed more flavor in the dough without the risk of over-proofing.

    The dough should be removed from the fridge one hour before baking to warm up a bit before baking it. Ideally, the dough temperature should measure 70℉.

    How to Spread Pizza Dough

    It's best to use your hands to spread pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. A rolling pin will press out all the air you worked so hard to get into the dough with that slow proof in the fridge.

    The Right Pan

    • Baking Sheet. You can either use a full sheet or half sheet sheets for Sicilian-style pizza which is rectangular and typically has thicker crust. This recipe will make two full sheet pizzas or four half sheet pizzas.
    • Cast Iron Skillet. Skillet pizza is similar to Sicilian-style pizza in its crust thickness but will be round. I recommend a 15" cast iron skillet for pizza.
    • Pizza Stone. Neapolitan-style pizza is round pizza and has a thinner crust. It's also typically baked on a pizza stone or in a pizza oven.
    slice of homemade pizza crust topped with cheese and pepperoni

    Pizza Toppings List

    Check out the BEST homemade pizza sauce recipe.

    • Pepperoni. Red sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella.
    • Supreme Pizza Toppings. Red sauce, sausage, pepperoni, ham, onions, olives, mushrooms, and mozzarella.
    • Meat Lover's Pizza Toppings. Red sauce, sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, bacon, and mozzarella.
    • Hawaiian Pizza Toppings. Red sauce, Canadian bacon, bacon, pineapple, jalapeños (optional), and mozzarella.
    • Veggie Pizza Toppings. Red sauce, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, artichoke hearts.
    • Margherita Pizza Topping. Red sauce, mozzarella, fresh basil.
    • Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza Toppings. Red sauce, mozzarella. After baking, add prosciutto, arugula, and olive oil.
    • Caramelized Onion and Potato. Olive oil or truffle oil on the crust. Thinly sliced parboiled Yukon gold potatoes, caramelized onions, and mozzarella.
    • Quatro Formaggio (Four Cheese). Red sauce, gorgonzola, mozzarella, parmesan-reggiano, and pecorino. You can use any four kinds of cheeses and make it your own.

    How To Cook Pizza

    The beautiful thing about pizza is that you can cook it in so many different ways. I most often cook pizza on a pizza stone in the oven or on the grill.

    Any of the cooking methods below make fantastic pizza with this easy pizza dough.

    pepperoni pizza  made with homemade dough before cooking

    How to cook pizza in the oven

    • Preheat the oven to 550℉. Most home ovens are capable of getting to 500℉ and some up to 550℉.
    • Cook on the lowest rack.

    Cooking Pizza on a Pizza Stone

    For a Neopolitan-style thin crust pizza dough, a pizza stone is used to get a thin, crisp crust.

    Place the pizza stone on the lowest rack in the oven. Heat the pizza stone for at least an hour before cooking your pizza.

    Use a pizza peel to transfer the pizza to the pizza stone — Bake for 4 to 10 minutes.

    Geek Wisdom: Why use a pizza stone? When you transfer the pizza to an already hot stone, it accelerates the production of gases from the yeast and expands the air in the dough. This gives you a lighter and more airy crust.

    Cooking a Sheet Pan Pizza

    This homemade pizza dough will make 2 Sicilian-Style pizzas baked on half sheet pans or one large pizza baked on a full-sized sheet pan.

    The crust will be thicker and softer. You will also want to bake a sheet pan pizza at a lower temperature to ensure that the crust is cooked all the way through. 450℉ is usually about right

    Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. If you're not sure if the dough is done, you can test it with a probe thermometer. It should register 201℉ for perfectly cooked dough.

    Cooking a Skillet Pizza

    This recipe will make four pizzas that can be made in a 10 to 15 inch cast iron skillet.
    If you're using the smaller skillet, you will end up with a thicker pizza crust unless you adjust the amount of dough you are using.

    Keep this in mind when baking your pizza, as it may take a few minutes longer to cook.

    Adjust the temperature and cooking time for a thicker crust. I usually cook thicker crust pizza at 450℉ instead of 550℉. Baking time will be 20 to 25 minutes for a thicker crust.

    How to Cook Pizza on the Grill

    Grills get hot enough to cook pizza but sometimes aren't as consistent with heating as an indoor oven so you'll need to watch the pizza closely.

    You'll want the grill to be about 500 to 550℉.

    It's easy to control the heat on a gas grill. But, if you have experience cooking with charcoal and understand how to manage the heat of a charcoal grill then grilled pizza is easy.

    Ways to Grill Pizza

    • Using a pizza stone. Place the pizza stone on the grates of your grill. Heat the grill and slide the pizza onto the heated pizza stone. Close the lid and cook for 4 to 10 minutes.
    • Cast Iron Skillet. Use a slightly cooler fire. (450 to 500℉). After the grill comes to temperature place the skillet directly on the grill, close the lid cook for 10 to 20 minutes.
    sausage and pepperoni pizza with onions made on homemade pizza dough

    More Take Out Recipes

    Make your favorite take-out food at home. Not only is it healthier, but you'll also save a ton of cash.

    If you're craving Fried Rice, Mexican Food, or even a slurpy bowl of noodles, you can have all your take-out favorites at home.

    • Chinese Take Out Fried Rice
    • Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
    • Noodle Bowl (with Shrimp and Veggies)
    • Slurpy Noodle Bowls
    • Phở Soup (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)

    ➽ Did you make this recipe? I love to see what's going on in your kitchen. Please show me what you're cooking. 🍳 Tag me @foodologygeek on your favorite social channel! Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. If you loved ❤︎ this recipe, please leave a five ★ review and a comment!

    pizza dough recipe topped with sausage and pepperoni
    Favorite Saved!

    Pizza Dough Recipe

    Laura Reigel
    This homemade pizza dough is as good as any upscale restaurant pizza. Once you learn how easy it is to make restaurant-style pizza at home, you'll never order take-out again! No matter what your favorite pizza toppings are you're going to love this pizza crust. This pizza dough is easy and has fantastic flavor and fantastic chew.
    PRINT PIN SAVE SAVED
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 8 mins
    Resting time 3 d
    Total Time 4 d 21 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 14-inch pizzas
    Calories 725 kcal

    Equipment

    • Stand Mixer
    • probe thermometer
    • pizza stone
    • baking sheets
    • cast iron skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 cups Bread flour (796 grams)
    • 2 ¼ cups water (110 to 115℉) (493 grams)(17.4 fl ounces)
    • 1 teaspoon instant yeast (3.5 grams)
    • 2.5 teaspoons Kosher salt (15.6 grams)
    • 2 teaspoons Sugar or honey (7.8 grams)
    • 1 Tablespoon Olive oil (11.8 grams)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Add all of the ingredients, except for the oil, to your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
    • Begin mixing on low until the ingredients are completely incorporated.
    • Turn up the mixer and beat until the pizza dough comes together in a smooth ball.
    • Add the olive oil and continue to beat for an additional 5 minutes.
    • Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces (each should weigh about 326 grams)
    • Place the pizza dough balls into a greased container or a greased freezer bag and refrigerate, at least overnight. (up to 72 hours) This dough can also be frozen.
    • The day you are ready to make pizza, remove the dough from the refrigerator 30 minutes to 1 hour before baking and allow it to come to room temperature.
      (For timing: It's better to have your dough on the cool side rather than on the warm side. The cooler your dough is the more it will bubble in the oven)
    • Place a pizza stone in your oven on the lowest rack. Preheat the oven to 550℉. It is best to heat the pizza stone for at least an hour. (Ideally begin to preheat your pizza stone before you pull the pizza dough out of the oven)
    • Spread each dough ball out to approximately 12 to 14 inches, depending on how thick you would like your pizza crust.
    • Preparing the pizza dough for the oven
      Prefloured peel: Generously flour a pizza peel and spread the pizza dough out onto it.
      Coarse cornmeal: Generously sprinkle coarse cornmeal onto your pizza peel and spread the pizza dough onto it.
      Parchment paper: Cover your pizza peel with parchment paper and spread the pizza dough onto it.
    • Top the pizza dough with your favorite sauce, cheese, and other toppings.
    • Slide the pizza onto the pizza stone. If you're using the parchment paper slide the paper and the pizza onto the pizza stone.
    • Bake for 4 to 8 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.

    Video

    Laura's Tips + Notes

    Pizza Toppings List

    • Pepperoni. Red sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella.
    • Supreme Pizza Toppings. Red sauce, sausage, pepperoni, ham, onions, olives, mushrooms, and mozzarella.
    • Meat Lover's Pizza Toppings. Red sauce, sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, bacon, and mozzarella.
    • Hawaiian Pizza Toppings. Red sauce, Canadian bacon, bacon, pineapple, jalapeños (optional), and mozzarella.
    • Veggie Pizza Toppings. Red sauce, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, artichoke hearts.
    • Margherita Pizza Topping. Red sauce, mozzarella, fresh basil.
    • Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza Toppings. Red sauce, mozzarella. After baking add prosciutto, arugula, and olive oil.
    • Caramelized Onion and Potato. Olive oil or truffle oil on the crust. Thinly sliced parboiled yukon gold potatoes, caramelized onions, and mozzarella.
    • Quatro Formaggio (Four Cheese). Red sauce, gorgonzola, mozzarella, parmesan-reggiano, and pecorino. You can use any four kinds of cheeses and make it your own.
    Quick Tips
    • Temperature: Bring up the heat! Pizza should be cooked in a hot oven 550℉ if possible. Preheat the oven for at least 1 hour before baking. 
    • Placement in the oven: Place the pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven. 

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pizzaCalories: 725kcalCarbohydrates: 139gProtein: 24gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1465mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword pizza
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Snap a 📸 and share it. Tag me @foodologygeek and don't forget to hashtag #foodologygeek!

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    52 shares

    About Laura Reigel

    Laura is the owner and CEO of Foodology Geek. She holds a degree in Physiology and Neuroscience as well as a Certification as a Nutrition Coach. Laura uses her love of cooking and science to create healthy real food recipes that you'll love eating.

    As a certified recipe hoarder, and meal prep maven Laura is passionate about sharing her love for cooking easy from-scratch recipes. She also shares the occasional family recipe and all of the technical details.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary Yocham

      January 20, 2023 at 7:01 pm

      After spending $40.00 for 2 so-so medium pizzas, I’ve decided I certainly can make them cheaper and hopefully taste better! Your recipe looks delicious and seems doable for me but I do have a question. I prefer thin and crispy crusts and from your description, it seems to me that I need to use AP flour and not bread flour. Would all the other ingredients (water, yeast etc.) be used in the same quantities if I sub AP flour for the bread flour? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Laura Reigel

        January 21, 2023 at 12:42 am

        Mary, Yes. I would try the AP flour for the crispest crust. Tipo 00 flour will also give you crispy edges, but there is a definite chew to the crust.

        Reply
    2. Connie

      July 18, 2021 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      I love the way you have explained all the steps to make the pizza, the difference in the ingredients & how it will affect the crust!
      I am so anxious to make this recipe!
      After making some of your other recipes I am sure this one will be wonderful too.!

      Reply
      • Laura Reigel

        July 19, 2021 at 12:42 pm

        Thank you 🙂 Let me know how your pizzas come out and what toppings you decided to use. Pizza night is so much fun.

        Reply
    3. Barbara Curry

      July 18, 2021 at 6:49 am

      5 stars
      You make this look so easy!

      Reply
      • Laura Reigel

        July 19, 2021 at 12:41 pm

        Thanks, Barbara!

        Reply
    4. Lisa Hatfield

      July 12, 2021 at 10:38 pm

      5 stars
      All I can say is 1) I am starving after reading this post and 2) I want to try ALLLLL those toppings on my pizzas this summer. Wow, what an amazing pizza recipe, everything I every wanted to know and more!

      Reply

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