Homemade Freezer Pizza Dough

1. Combine yeast, sugar, and water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment.
2. Mix on low for about 30 seconds until just combined. Turn off the mixer and let stand for 5-10 minutes; the mixture should bubble to show the yeast is working.
3. Add oil, salt, and flour to the mixer bowl. Mix on low until well combined. Increase speed to high and knead for 5 minutes. Gradually add up to ½ cup more flour, as needed, until the dough just comes away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be just slightly sticky.
4. Grease a large bowl with olive oil or cooking spray. Add dough to bowl and turn dough over to coat opposite side in oil.
5. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 45 minutes until doubled in size.

MAKE IT NOW

1. Place a pizza stone into the oven and preheat it to 500 degrees on the middle rack for 30 minutes.
2. Stretch the dough or use a rolling pin to roll the dough out into a circle about 12-14 inches, depending on how thick you want your pizza dough.
3. Transfer the dough to a piece of parchment a little bigger than your pizza. Gently poke pizza all over with the tines of a fork to avoid bubbles.
4. Top with pizza sauce and cheese, and toppings.

BAKE IT NOW

1. Slide the pizza on the parchment paper onto the preheated pizza stone. Bake pizzas one at a time for 8-10 minutes or until the crust starts to get golden, the toppings are hot, and the cheese is melted.
2. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

MAKE IT & FREEZE IT - TWO WAYS

First method:

1. Divide the unrisen dough into half, then place each half into a gallon-sized freezer bag, each coated with a tablespoon of olive oil. Seal bags, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months.
2. To thaw and cook, place a bag on the counter for 2-3 hours until the dough thaws, rises, and doubles in size. Follow the shaping and baking directions in Make your pizza now.

Second method:

1. Slide rolled-out pizza dough on the parchment paper onto a preheated pizza stone.
2. Bake pizza for 3-5 minutes at 425 degrees. Remove from oven and allow to cool 10 minutes.
3. Top with pizza sauce and cheese, and toppings.
4. Flash freeze pizzas by placing them on a baking sheet and add to the freezer, uncovered, for at least 2 hours or until frozen solid.
5. Remove pizzas from the freezer, wrap each tightly with plastic wrap, then wrap with aluminum foil. Label each pizza with flavor, oven temperature, and time.
6. Pop them back in the freezer and freeze them for up to 3 months!
7. When you’re ready to bake them, place them on your 425 degrees preheated pizza stone or pan, and place them in the oven for 13-20 minutes until the crust starts to get golden, the toppings are hot, and the cheese is melted.
8. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.