Homemade Italian Pizza Dough Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Additional Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
470 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
Homemade Italian Pizza Dough Recipe
Description
The Homemade Italian Pizza Dough Recipe focuses on creating a traditional-style pizza dough using primarily 00 flour, yeast, sugar, salt, olive oil, and lukewarm water. The method involves mixing ingredients, kneading to develop elasticity, and letting the dough rise to double its size. Dividing the dough into portions ensures manageable pizza bases and allows the dough to be rolled to desired thickness and shape. Optional herbs can be added for subtle flavor enhancement.
The texture of the dough tends toward light and fluffy, especially when slightly sticky, which balances the chewiness typical for Italian-style crusts. Baking tips include pre-baking the dough plain to prevent soggy bottoms, especially if lacking a pizza stone, and docking with a fork to promote even cooking.
This dough serves as a foundation for many pizza varieties, adaptable with different toppings and suitable for home ovens or Instant Pot preparation as an alternative. It adapts well to personal topping amounts but advises minimal sauce and toppings to maintain crust texture.
Notable practical tips include checking dough readiness about 50 minutes in the Instant Pot, using cornmeal or polenta for dusting, and adding fresh herbs after baking to preserve aroma. Pre-baking the crust before toppings and using a fork to prick the dough are recommended to avoid sogginess. This dough can be made ahead and stored before shaping pizzas.
Ingredients
- 7 cups 00 flour all-purpose flour will work too, 2 tablespoons
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1.5 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp mixed herbs optional, for more flavor
- 1.5 tbsp active dried yeast
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2.5 cups water lukewarm
Instructions
Make It By Hand
- Add flour, yeast, sugar, salt and mixed herbs (optional) to a mixer bowl. After adding ingredients, attach the dough hook.
- Make a well in the center of the mix and add in the oil and water, then turn on the mixer.
- If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add in a few spoonfuls of water. Keep mixer running until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough into a lightly floured mixer bowl, dust the top with flour and cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
- Leave the dough to rise till it has doubled in size which takes about 1 hour in a warm place.
- Now turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knock it and knead for a few seconds to remove the air.
- Split the dough into 8 portions, form into balls and roll out into a pizza shape.
How To Make Using A Stand Mixer
- To a mixer bowl, add flour, yeast, sugar, salt and mixed herbs (optional). Attach the dough hook.
- Make a well in the center of the mix, add in oil and water, then turn on the mixer.
- Keep the mixer running until dough is smooth and elastic. (If the mixture is too dry, add in a few spoonfuls of water.)
- Lightly flour the mixing bowl, place the dough inside, dust the top with flour and cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth.
- Leave the dough to rise to double in size. This takes about 1 hour in a warm place.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knock it and knead for a few seconds to remove air.
- Split the dough into 8 portions. Form into balls and roll out into a pizza shape.
Make and Proof Pizza Dough In the Instant Pot
- Combine flour, flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and herbs in a mixing bowl.
- Now make a well in the center of the mixture and then add oil and water.
- Mix everything with a wooden spoon. If the dough is too dry and crumbly, add in a few spoonfuls of water.
- Place on a floured work surface and knead for about 3 minutes. It will be smooth and elastic at this point. Shape into a ball.
- Oil your Instant Pot Insert and add ball into the insert.
- Close the Instant Pot, choose the yogurt setting, normal pressure and set the time for 1 hour (it actually takes between 50-60 minutes to rise).
- Remove the Instant Pot Pizza Dough, and then divide it into 4 portions for 4 thin crust pizzas, or into 2 portions for 2 thick crust pizzas.
- Roll out one portion into a pizza shape. Now you’re ready to make pizza (see the instructions further below).
How To Bake Your Pizza Crust
- Preheat the oven to 470F/ fan-assisted 220C / 240C/ gas 8, with a pizza stone or with a baking trat lined with foil inside it.
- Roll out the pizza dough and prick with a fork.
- Remove the pizza stone or baking tray from the oven, and transfer the pizza dough onto it (you will need one tray or stone per pizza).
- Bake the pizza dough for 4-5 minutes, then remove from the oven and top with tomato sauce, cheese and toppings of your choice.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 4-5 minutes, or until pizza crust golden and crispy and cheese is nice and melted.
Notes
- Stickier dough produces a lighter, fluffier pizza crust.
- Check dough readiness at about 50 minutes if using an Instant Pot.
- Use cornmeal or polenta to dust the pizza base when rolling out.
- Pre-baking the dough plain for 5 minutes and docking with a fork helps prevent a soggy crust, especially without a pizza stone.
- Avoid overloading with toppings and use a light amount of tomato sauce to keep the crust from becoming soggy.
- Add freshly torn herbs after baking rather than before for better flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 470 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 470kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 85g | 28% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 1315mg | 55% |
| Potassium | 124mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Calcium | 19mg | 2% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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