Description
This Easy Peasy Pizza Dough recipe yields a simple, homemade pizza base that’s perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. Made with basic pantry ingredients, this dough is soft, chewy, and crisp after baking, providing a perfect canvas for all your favorite toppings. The dough requires basic mixing, kneading, resting, and baking steps to deliver delicious homemade pizza.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups Bread Flour
- 1 tablespoon Active Dry Yeast
- 1 tablespoon Caster Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Water (about 105°F / 40°C)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: Mix 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast and 1 tablespoon of caster sugar into 1 1/2 cups of warm water (approximately 105°F or 40°C). Allow the yeast to dissolve and become frothy over 5-10 minutes, indicating active fermentation.
- Combine ingredients: Stir 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate 3 1/2 cups of bread flour in 1/2-cup increments, mixing well after each addition.
- Knead the dough: When the dough becomes too stiff to stir, transfer it onto a floured surface. Continue adding flour as needed while kneading until the dough no longer sticks to your hands. Knead for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough in a clean, greased bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a warm towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, allowing it to double in size.
- Divide and rest: After the rise, transfer the dough back to the floured surface and knead a few more times. Form the dough into two balls, cover them with plastic wrap, and let rest for 15 minutes. Freeze one ball if not using immediately.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (250°C). Place a baking sheet inside the oven to heat up.
- Shape the dough: Take one dough ball and form it into a round disc. Hold one edge of the dough between your palm and fingertips and gently rotate it, letting gravity stretch it out. When spots become thin, lay it on a floured surface and continue shaping it until you have a 12-inch circle. Pinch the edges to create a rim.
- Prepare baking sheet: Heavily grease the hot baking sheet and transfer the shaped dough onto it.
- Add toppings: Brush the dough surface with olive oil before adding your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings.
- Bake the pizza: Place the pizza on the lowest rack of the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and toppings are cooked.
- Broil for finish: Move the pizza to the upper rack and broil for 2 minutes to crisp and brown the top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, slice, and enjoy your delicious homemade pizza!
Notes
- Yeast activation temperature is important; too hot or cold water may inhibit yeast activity.
- You can freeze one dough ball after the first rise to make a future pizza effortlessly.
- Using bread flour results in chewier crust due to higher gluten content, but all-purpose flour can be substituted if needed.
- Altering resting times may affect dough flavor and texture; longer fermentation can improve taste.
- Ensure your baking sheet is preheated to help achieve a crispy crust.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: pizza dough, homemade pizza, easy dough, Italian pizza base, baking pizza dough, simple pizza recipe
