BEST Pizza Dough Recipe
This pizza dough recipe produces a pliable, slightly sticky dough that develops a smooth, elastic texture after kneading. Using bread flour and a warm yeast mixture, the dough rises to create a flexible base ideal for shaping into pizza crust. The combination of olive oil and salt seasons the dough subtly. It can be baked immediately or stored for future use.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups water 110 degrees F, warm
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast 1 package, or instant yeast
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups bread flour (455g to 520g)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Place a pizza stone in the oven if you have one. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (or 475 if that's as high as your oven will go) while preparing the pizza dough so it can be completely hot when you are ready to bake the pizzas.
- Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. If using active dry yeast, let it proof for 5 minutes until foamy. If using instant yeast, there is no need to wait for the yeast to proof.
- Add flour, olive oil, and salt and stir well with a wooden spoon or mix in a stand mixer with a dough hook until combined.
- Knead for 5 minutes using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment or 6-7 minutes by hand until smooth and elastic. The dough will be tacky and slightly sticky, but should still be manageable to work with.
- Drizzle a clean bowl with a little olive oil, then place the ball of dough in the bowl and turn it to coat in the oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean cloth and let rise for at least 30 minutes (or up to 1 1/2 hours) until doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into 2 or 3 balls (or more if you want to make personal-size pizzas).
- Roll, pat, or stretch the dough out until it is roughly 1/4" thick, then top with 1/4-1/2 cup of pizza sauce, freshly grated mozzarella cheese, and other toppings.
- Bake for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown and crispy around the edges.
- Cool slightly before cutting and serving.
Notes
- After initial rising, divide dough into balls for individual pizzas or storage.
- Dough balls can be frozen up to 3 months; lightly oil and store in freezer-safe bags.
- To thaw frozen dough, refrigerate overnight and then rest at room temperature for an hour before use.
- Prepare dough up to 3 days ahead by refrigerating before first rise and allowing to warm and rise before baking.
- Use this dough as a base for various pizza toppings; see recipe post for topping ideas.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 18 -20 slices
Amount Per Serving
Calories 108
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 108kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 19g | 6% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 261mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 39mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 1IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 5mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.