How to Make Pizza Dough From Scratch
How to Make Pizza Dough for all your pizza creations! Today’s easy “How To” will help you whip up grilled summer pizzas all season long.
Pizza dough is one of those things that is so easy to make, it’s a shame to buy it.
However, it does take a little time to rise. So I often make double or triple batches to store in the freezer. That way, when I feel a pizza night coming on, I can set a couple pizza dough balls out on the counter to thaw and rise.
My family can always tell the difference between homemade and store-bought crust, and once you taste this, I’m sure you will too!
How to Make Pizza Dough
Start by activating your yeast. For the best results, yeast needs to mix with slightly warm (not hot) water and a little sugar to jump-start it. Allow it to foam for at least 10 minutes before continuing on.
Then mix in the flour, oil and salt and let your stand mixer knead and do the dirty work for you. Knead the dough with the bread hook for 5-10 minutes.
The kneading process works the gluten and gives the dough that stretchy pizza dough quality.
Dump the kneaded dough into a well-oiled bowl and cover with a damp cloth, or plastic wrap.
Let the dough rise until double in size.
Then dump the dough out on a work surface, and cut into 2 equal pieces.
Like this…
Roll the edges of each piece under to create balls of dough.
Now it’s time to either roll out your pizza dough for fresh pizzas, or wrap them well and stick them in the freezer for later!
How to Make Pizza Dough From Scratch
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 teaspoons dry active yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 - 2 1/2 cups bread flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil + extra for bowl
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
Instructions
- Place the yeast and sugar in an electric mixing bowl with a bread hook attachment. Pour 1/4 cup of warm water over the yeast and swirl. Allow the mixture to foam for 10 minutes.
- Then add the remaining 1/2 cup of water, oil and salt. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add 2 cups of bread flour. Allow the mixer to run until the flour is well combined and the hook is kneading the dough. The dough should be very sticky, but still firm enough to pick up. Add a little more flour if needed. Let the mixer knead the dough for another 5-10 minutes.
- Drizzle olive oil around the sides of the mixing bowl, lifting the dough for good coverage. Cover the mixing bowl and let the dough rise for 2 hours.
- Once the dough has doubled in size dump it out on a floured work surface and cut it into two 8-ounce pieces. Roll the ends under to create round balls.
- Then using a well-floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to 12-inch circles. Place the dough circles on parchment paper. Lightly oil the tops and let them rest a few minutes before adding toppings.
- If saving for later, wrap each dough ball in plastic and place in the freezer.
Notes
Nutrition
Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!
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whats the differece between a p flour and bread which
is better
Can you make this recipe using bobs 1:1 gluten free flour?
Hi Megan,
You can, but the texture will definitely be different. It will not have the standard pizza crust stretch without the gluten. Hope this helps!
To get the best flavor from the dough, let it rest overnight in a refrigerator so that the dough can ferment and come to its full flavor potential. Before tossing your dough to make the pie, let it warm up a little.
How do I make this without a stand mixer? Also, is there a whole wheat version?
Hi Terry,
Yes, you can knead the dough by hand. It will take a good 10 minutes of work… Considered it your upper-body workout for the day. :)
If you want to make a whole wheat version you can use half all-purpose flour and half whole wheat flour.
Love the info on how to make the best pizza dough! Turned out great and froze on – will see how that one tastes in a couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing!
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My favorite pizza is a Neapolitan or a New York style and I think it comes down to the crust. The toppings seem easy but the dough makes the difference. Great post. I’ll have to try this recipe out.
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I use this recipe all the time now, and I love it! Simple and delicious.
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So last year, my fiancé and I made a couple pizza’s on our own, and they turned out really well. She even made a football out of pepperoni on one of them, because we’d made it for the Dolphins game (unfortunately they lost that game miserably). However, we’d picked up the dough at the store, because I have to admit that I didn’t realize it would be this easy to make. Sounds like the makings for a good night!
Hi Sommer I love this recipe. It’s very similar to the one I make for my family with the only difference is I add 1 – 1 1/2 teaspoon of sugar for a little bit of sweetness. My family doesn’t seem to take notice of sugar in the dough as much as the topping ingredients, but I like to nibble on the crust and can taste the difference. For anyone who doesn’t normally make their own dough, give it a try as I’m certain you’ll taste the difference over store bought. Happy Cooking!
Great “How-To!” I had no idea how easy it is to make this. I’m totally trying this out!
Great tips! I love homemade dough but often find myself buying it for ease. Stocking the freezer is a great way to avoid that. Thanks, Sommer!
Thanks for the great go-to recipe for pizza night!