If you have ever dreamed of making pizzeria-quality pies right in your own kitchen, then you are in for a treat with this Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe. This dough is wonderfully soft yet chewy, with just the right amount of crispness when baked to golden perfection. It’s so rewarding to feel the dough between your fingers as it stretches effortlessly into shape, promising a night filled with great flavors and warm memories. With simple pantry staples transforming into this delicious base, you’re all set to create endless pizza variations exactly how you love them.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s incredible about this Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe is how straightforward and accessible the ingredients are—each one playing a vital role in building that ideal dough texture and flavor profile.
- Warm water (1 and 1/3 cups / 320ml): Activates the yeast and helps develop the perfect dough consistency.
- Granulated sugar (1 tablespoon / 13g): Feeds the yeast for a healthy rise and a touch of subtle sweetness.
- Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast (2 and 1/4 teaspoons / 7g): Ensures a reliable, fluffy rise with minimal fuss.
- Unbleached all-purpose flour (3 and 1/2 to 4 cups / 438–500g): The heart of the dough, giving it structure and chewiness; start with less and add as needed.
- Extra-virgin olive oil (2 tablespoons / 30ml): Adds richness and keeps the dough tender and flavorful.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances the flavors and enhances the dough’s natural taste.
- Cornmeal (a sprinkle): Perfect for dusting the pan, giving you that delightful crispy bottom crust.
- Extra-virgin olive oil for brushing: Provides a shiny golden finish and extra flavor to the crust edges.
- Garlic cloves, minced (2, optional): A wonderful aromatic addition that infuses subtle garlicky goodness.
- Store-bought pizza sauce (1 cup / 250g): A simple, ready-to-use topping to keep things easy, or swap with your homemade favorite.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (4 cups / 1lb/454g): The melty, gooey essential that makes every bite irresistibly cheesy.
How to Make Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe
Step 1: Activate Your Yeast
Begin by whisking your warm water, sugar, and instant yeast together in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or paddle attachment. Cover this mixture and let it rest for 5 minutes until it becomes nice and foamy. This is such an exciting moment since it signals that your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic!
Step 2: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
Next, add the flour, olive oil, and salt directly to your bowl. Beat the mixture on medium speed for 2 minutes. You’ll notice the dough pulling away from the sides of the bowl, a good sign that things are coming together beautifully. If you don’t have a mixer, a sturdy wooden spoon and some muscle power will do just fine here!
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Keep the dough in the mixer and continue beating for another 5 minutes, or if you prefer the hands-on approach, toss it onto a lightly floured surface and knead like a pro for a full 5 minutes. You’re aiming for a soft, slightly tacky dough that bends without tearing. If it’s too sticky, dust it gently with flour, but be careful not to dry it out! You can perform a “windowpane test” by stretching a small piece thin enough to see light through it without ripping; this means your dough is perfectly kneaded and ready.
Step 4: The Essential Rise
Lightly grease a bowl with olive oil, place your dough inside, turning it to coat thoroughly, then cover loosely with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Leave it at room temperature for 60 to 90 minutes until it doubles in size. If your kitchen feels chilly, a neat trick is to warm your oven briefly, turn it off, and let your dough rise inside with the door slightly open—like giving it a cozy little spot to puff up happily.
Step 5: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Surface
Now’s the time to crank your oven up to 475°F (246°C). Preheat for at least 15 to 20 minutes to reach the perfect temperature for crispy, golden crusts. If you’re using a pizza stone, pop it in to warm up too. Don’t forget to grease your baking sheet or pizza pan and dust it lightly with cornmeal for that extra crunch.
Step 6: Shape Your Pizza Dough
Punch down the risen dough to gently expel the air, then split it in half if making two pizzas. On a lightly floured surface, press and stretch one half into a 12-inch circle about ½-inch thick. If the dough stubbornly shrinks back, simply cover it and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before trying again. For that classic edge, pinch the sides up to form a lip which traps toppings and catches the buttery olive oil so beautifully.
Step 7: Ready to Top and Bake
Before adding toppings, press your fingers lightly across the dough’s surface to prevent unwanted bubbles during baking. Brush the crust with olive oil and sprinkle minced garlic if you love that savory punch. Spread about half a cup of pizza sauce evenly, layer two cups of mozzarella cheese, and pile on your favorite toppings. Bake in your hot oven for 13 to 15 minutes until the crust turns gorgeously golden and cheese bubbles invitingly. Slice right away and prepare to impress!
How to Serve Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe
Garnishes
To finish your pizza with a little flair, sprinkle fresh basil leaves or a pinch of dried oregano over the top just as it comes out of the oven. A light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a scattering of red pepper flakes add wonderful layers of flavor that elevate your homemade pizza into something truly special.
Side Dishes
Pair your pizza with crisp, fresh salad greens tossed in a tangy vinaigrette to contrast the rich, cheesy slices. Garlic knots or warm breadsticks brushed with herbs and butter also complement the meal perfectly, turning your pizza night into a cozy feast your whole family will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Impress your guests by serving a variety of mini pizzas using this dough recipe, letting everyone customize their own with toppings spread out buffet-style. Alternatively, roll the dough into a calzone stuffed with veggies and meats or bake it into cheesy breadsticks for an irresistible appetizer. The possibilities are endless with such a versatile base!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover pizza dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to use, bring it back to room temperature so it’s easy to work with and still delivers that fantastic texture.
Freezing
This Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe freezes beautifully. Simply portion the dough into balls, coat lightly with olive oil, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and place in airtight freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling out, and you’ll have fresh dough ready in no time.
Reheating
Leftover pizza is best reheated in a hot oven or a skillet to keep the crust crisp rather than soggy. Heat at 375°F (190°C) for about 8 to 10 minutes or warm slices on a cast iron pan for a few minutes until cheese is melty and crust crunchy. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make your crust rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Absolutely! If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in warm water with the sugar and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy before proceeding. It might take a little longer to rise but works just as well.
What if my dough is too sticky or too dry?
Sticky dough benefits from light flour dusting, added one teaspoon at a time, while dry dough needs a touch more water. Aim for a soft, slightly tacky texture rather than overly firm dough.
How thick should I stretch my pizza dough?
About a half-inch thick is perfect for a classic crust that’s thin enough to get crispy but thick enough to hold toppings comfortably without sogginess.
Can I make this dough without a stand mixer?
Yes! Use a large mixing bowl and mix with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula initially, then turn the dough onto a floured surface to knead by hand for about 10 minutes.
How long does the dough take to rise?
Typically 60–90 minutes at room temperature until it doubles in size. Warmer spots in your kitchen will speed this up, colder ones might need more time.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe enough to anyone who loves the idea of crafting fresh, wholesome pizzas at home. It’s straightforward, forgiving, and promises such delicious results every time. I hope you enjoy stretching, shaping, and topping your pies as much as I do. So go ahead, grab your ingredients, and start rolling into pizza night perfection!
Print
Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 pizzas (12-inch each)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Easy Homemade Pizza Dough recipe walks you through making a soft, flavorful pizza crust from scratch using simple ingredients. The dough is kneaded by hand or with a stand mixer, allowed to rise until doubled in size, then shaped, topped, and baked to golden perfection. Whether you’re craving classic cheese pizza or your favorite toppings, this versatile dough delivers a tender and crispy base for delicious homemade pies.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 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
For Assembly and Baking
- 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
- Activate Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or paddle attachment, whisk together warm water, granulated sugar, and yeast. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes until foamy to activate the yeast. If you don’t have a stand mixer, use a large mixing bowl and a wooden spoon for the next steps.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: Add the flour (start with 3 and 1/2 cups), olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the Dough: Continue kneading in the stand mixer for an additional 5 minutes or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes. Add small amounts of flour as needed so the dough becomes soft with a slight tackiness but not dry. Perform the windowpane test: stretch a small piece of dough thinly to see if light passes through without tearing. Once it passes, the dough is adequately kneaded.
- First Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat all sides with oil. Cover with plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or a clean kitchen towel. Allow dough to rise at room temperature for 60–90 minutes or until doubled in size. For a warm rise, preheat oven to 150°F (66°C), turn it off, place dough inside with door slightly ajar, close door after 30 minutes to trap heat, and remove when risen.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 475°F (246°C) for at least 15–20 minutes before baking. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat as well. Lightly grease a baking sheet or pizza pan with nonstick spray or olive oil, then sprinkle with cornmeal for added crunch and flavor.
- Shape Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Divide into two equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, use floured hands or a rolling pin to flatten a dough piece into a 12-inch circle about 1/2-inch thick. Pinch edges to create a rim around the crust. If dough resists stretching, cover it lightly for 5–10 minutes and try again. Place dough on prepared pan or a cornmeal-dusted baker’s peel if using a pizza stone.
- Rest Dough: Cover shaped dough lightly with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rest for a few minutes while you prepare toppings.
- Prepare Pizza: Press dents into dough surface with your fingers to prevent bubbling. Lightly brush olive oil over crust, sprinkle minced garlic if using, spread 1/2 cup (125g) pizza sauce evenly, then top with 2 cups (227g) shredded mozzarella cheese and any additional toppings of your choice.
- Bake: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 13–15 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Slice the hot pizza and serve immediately. Store leftover pizza tightly covered in the refrigerator.
Notes
- If you don’t have a stand mixer, mix and knead the dough by hand using a large bowl and a wooden spoon or silicone spatula.
- Use the windowpane test to ensure your dough is kneaded properly.
- For a faster rise in cool environments, use the warm oven method described in the instructions.
- If dough shrinks back when stretching, let it rest covered for a few minutes before continuing.
- Freeze half the dough if not making two pizzas immediately; thaw before use.
- Use cornmeal on pans or peels for extra crunch and ease of removal.
- Customize toppings to your preference – options include pepperoni, veggies, pesto, BBQ chicken, or white pizzas.
