Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe

If you're a fan of pizza but tired of ordering it from restaurants or buying pre-made dough, then this homemade pizza dough recipe is perfect for you! Making your own dough ensures that you know exactly what goes into it, and the taste will be out-of-this-world. This easy-to-follow guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to create a delicious pizza crust right in your kitchen.

This article will walk you through making traditional classic-style pizza dough, which can be used for various toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, onions, and more. The ingredients needed are simple – all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water, olive oil, and salt. The cooking time is approximately 1 hour from start to finish, but the hands-on time is only about 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 package (1 packet) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil
About 1.75 cups warm water

Instructions:

Preparation of the Dough Mix

Begin by combining your all-purpose flour, salt, and active dry yeast in a large bowl.

Mix together these ingredients thoroughly until they're evenly combined. This helps in creating an even distribution of the salt and yeast across the dough.
Slowly pour in approximately 1/4 cup of olive oil into the mixture, ensuring it's well blended with a spatula or wooden spoon.
Add warm water gradually to achieve the perfect consistency. You should aim for a soft yet manageable dough that isn't too sticky but also doesn't feel like sand when you touch it.
Knead the mixture until smooth and elastic, which usually takes around 10 minutes by hand or about 5 minutes using an electric mixer with a dough hook attachment. During this stage, the gluten in the flour develops, creating that characteristic chewy texture associated with pizza crusts.

First Rise of Dough

Cover the bowl containing your newly formed dough with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it sit in a warm area without drafts for about 60 minutes. The ideal temperature should be between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why an oven with the light on works well as a proofing location.

After this first rise, your dough will have doubled in size and become lighter. This process allows the yeast to produce carbon dioxide bubbles that are trapped within the gluten structure of the dough, resulting in the airy texture you desire for your pizza crust.

Shaping and Second Rise

Once risen, gently punch down the air bubbles and divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out each portion on a lightly floured surface until it's about an inch thick. You may need to rotate the dough occasionally during this step while turning it over to keep the sides even.

Transfer one of these flattened rounds onto your prepared baking sheet or pizza stone. Cover again with plastic wrap and let it rise once more for approximately 20-30 minutes. During this second rise, the yeast continues to work its magic by expanding the dough further.

Baking Your Homemade Pizza

Preheat your oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit about 10 minutes before you're ready to bake the pizzas. If using a pizza stone, place it directly on the bottom rack of your preheated oven during this time. Remove the cover from your shaped dough and slide onto the hot surface or baking sheet if not using a pizza stone.

Top your base with any desired toppings such as mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, mushrooms, black olives, and more. After adding all your ingredients evenly across the top of the crust, place it back into the oven for about 12-15 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

Enjoying Your Homemade Pizza

Your homemade pizza is now ready to eat! Slice up pieces and enjoy them hot out of the oven. Serve with a side salad, garlic breadsticks, or even some cold beer for that perfect meal experience.

Making your own dough offers flexibility in how much you can make depending on your needs; if it's not all used immediately after preparation, store leftovers covered in an airtight container inside the refrigerator. Use these within three days for best results and texture.