Recipe For Homemade Pizza Dough

Mak Erot

3 min read

·

Mar 30, 2025

31

Share

Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe: A Guide to Pizzeria-Quality Pizza at Home

Making pizza dough from scratch might seem daunting, but it's surprisingly easy and incredibly rewarding! This recipe will guide you through creating a delicious, chewy, and authentic pizza dough you can be proud of. Forget those store-bought options; once you've tasted homemade, you'll never go back.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe yields enough dough for two 12-inch pizzas or one large, family-sized pizza. Adjust quantities as needed.

• 1 cup (240ml) warm water (105-115°F): Too hot, and you'll kill the yeast; too cold, and it won't activate.
• 1 teaspoon sugar: Provides food for the yeast.
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast: The leavening agent. Make sure it's fresh!
• 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting: You might need a little extra depending on the humidity.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil: Adds flavor and helps create a tender crust.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Activating the Yeast:

1. Bloom the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This proves your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic! If it doesn't foam, your yeast might be dead, so start again with fresh yeast.

Mixing the Dough:

2. Add dry ingredients: Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture.
3. Mix until combined: Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time. If it's too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time.
5. Add olive oil: Knead the olive oil into the dough during the last minute of kneading. This will give the crust a beautiful shine and wonderful flavor.

First Rise (Bulk Fermentation):

6. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Shaping and Second Rise:

7. Punch down the dough: Gently punch down the dough to release the air.
8. Divide and shape: Divide the dough in half (or leave it whole, depending on your pizza size preference). Shape each portion into a ball.
9. Second rise (proofing): Place the shaped dough balls on a lightly floured baking sheet or pizza stone, cover with plastic wrap, and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes. This second rise allows the dough to relax and develop even more flavor.

Baking Your Pizza:

10. Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 450-500°F (232-260°C) for at least 30 minutes. A preheated pizza stone is ideal for a crispier crust.

11. Prepare your toppings: While the dough is rising, prepare your favorite pizza toppings.

12. Assemble and bake: Carefully transfer the dough to your pizza pan or pizza stone. Top with your sauce and toppings, and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tips for Pizza Perfection:

• Use high-quality ingredients: The better your ingredients, the better your pizza will taste.
• Don't overwork the dough: Overkneading can result in a tough crust.
• Let the dough rise properly: Proper rising is essential for a light and airy crust.
• Experiment with different toppings: Get creative and try new flavor combinations!

This recipe is your gateway to delicious homemade pizza. Enjoy the process, and most importantly, enjoy the results! Happy baking!