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Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe

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4.3 from 10 reviews

This easy homemade pizza dough recipe provides a simple and reliable way to make delicious pizza crust from scratch. With just a few basic ingredients like warm water, yeast, flour, olive oil, and salt, you'll create a soft yet crispy crust that perfectly complements your favorite toppings. The dough is kneaded, left to rise until doubled in size, and baked to golden perfection, making it ideal for pizza nights at home.

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 1 and 1/3 cups (320ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
  • 1 tablespoon (13g) granulated sugar
  • 2 and 1/4 teaspoons (7g) Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast (1 standard packet)
  • 3 and 1/2 to 4 cups (438–500g) unbleached all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For Baking

  • Sprinkle of cornmeal, for dusting the pan
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)

For Topping

  • 1 cup (250g) store-bought pizza sauce
  • 4 cups (1lb/454g) shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Whisk the warm water, granulated sugar, and instant yeast together in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or paddle attachment. Cover and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate and start bubbling.
  2. Add Ingredients: Add the flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  3. Knead the Dough: Continue kneading the dough in the mixer for an additional 5 minutes, or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. Use the windowpane test to ensure proper kneading.
  4. First Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover with foil, plastic wrap, or a clean towel. Let the dough rise at room temperature for 60–90 minutes, until it doubles in size. For a warm rising environment, use your oven at 150°F (66°C), turned off, with the door slightly ajar.
  5. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (246°C) for at least 15-20 minutes. If using a pizza stone, place it inside the oven to preheat as well. Prepare a baking sheet or pizza pan by lightly greasing it and sprinkling with cornmeal.
  6. Shape the Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles and divide it into two halves. On a floured surface, flatten one half into a disc and stretch it into a 12-inch circle about 1/2-inch thick. Pinch the edges to create a lip or rim for the crust.
  7. Rest Dough: Cover the formed dough loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and allow it to rest for a few minutes while preparing toppings.
  8. Prepare Toppings: Press your fingers into the dough surface to prevent bubbling. Brush olive oil over the crust and sprinkle with minced garlic if using. Spread 1/2 cup (125g) pizza sauce evenly, then top with 2 cups (227g) shredded mozzarella cheese and any additional toppings of choice.
  9. Bake the Pizza: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 13–15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
  10. Serve: Slice the hot pizza immediately and serve. Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • If you don't have a stand mixer, mix and knead the dough by hand using a wooden spoon or spatula.
  • If the dough is too sticky while kneading, add flour a teaspoon at a time to reach a soft but not dry consistency.
  • The windowpane test ensures the dough is kneaded enough by gently stretching a small piece of dough until light passes through without tearing.
  • To create a warm environment for rising in a cold kitchen, use your oven set to 150°F (66°C), then turn it off and keep the door slightly open, closing it after 30 minutes.
  • Freeze half the dough if you don’t plan to use it right away for up to 3 months.
  • Sprinkling cornmeal on the baking surface gives the crust extra crunch and prevents sticking.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/easy-homemade-pizza-dough-recipe/