The Secret to Making the Best Homemade Pizza Dough from Scratch

Introduction

You bite into a slice of supreme pizza, the mozzarella stretching deliciously with each bite. The crust is crispy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside – pizza perfection! But finding that perfect pizza crust balance isn’t always easy, especially when making homemade pizza dough from scratch.

Getting your homemade pizza dough just right takes a bit of technique, but trust me, it’s so worth it. Making pizza at home lets you customise flavours to your heart’s content for a fraction of takeout costs. Plus, there’s nothing better than the taste of homemade!

After years of trial and error experiments in my kitchen and plenty of flop recipes that ended up in the bin, I finally cracked the secret recipe to making the absolute best homemade pizza dough that rivals your favourite pizzeria.

My 3-ingredient pizza dough comes together in just about 15 minutes of active prep time. No fancy equipment or hard-to-find flours are required! And this versatile crust bakes up tender on the inside with the perfect crispy, golden brown outside whether you top it with classic pepperoni or speciality gourmet ingredients.

Ready to learn the secrets to making the best and easiest pizza dough from scratch at home? Let’s get started!

Flawless Homemade Pizza Dough

Here’s what you’ll need to make enough dough for two 12-inch pizzas:

Ingredients

• 3 and 1⁄2 cups bread flour: Using bread flour instead of all-purpose gives the crust a little extra structure so it can stretch while maintaining its shape. Bread flour has more gluten-forming protein than all-purpose.
• 1 packet (or 2 and 1⁄4 teaspoons) of instant yeast: Instant yeast ensures your dough proofs lightning fast without sacrificing rise or taste. No need for the two-stage method!
• 1 and 3⁄4 cups warm water: The water needs to be just warm, between 100-110°F, to activate the yeast properly. I fill a measuring cup and then microwave for 30 seconds.
• 1 tablespoon sugar: A small amount of sugar feeds the yeast, helping the dough rise.
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

That’s truly all you need for the softest, fluffiest homemade pizza crust that bakes up perfectly crisp. Now let’s get to the easy method!

Making Perfect Pizza Dough Step-By-Step

I love how fast and simple this dough comes together! Follow these steps:

1. Combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl or stand mixer: Give them a quick stir to dissolve and let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly and foamy. This blooming step kickstarts the yeast fermentation process.
2. Mix in the olive oil and salt, then start adding the flour 1 cup at a time: If mixing by hand, stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a shaggy ball of dough starts to form then turn out onto a clean surface for kneading. For a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook attachment before adding the flour.
3. Knead the pizza dough for 5 minutes until completely smooth: Kneading develops the gluten strands, making the dough elastic and able to stretch once baked. Set a timer because even slightly over-kneading can make the crust tough. Dust with flour only if the dough sticks.
4. Place dough into an oiled bowl, flipping once to coat the top: Adding a little oil prevents sticking and creates a moist environment for the dough while rising.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour at room temperature: The dough should puff up to almost double its original size when ready. Using instant yeast gives us a faster rise time without needing to proof the dough overnight in the fridge.
6. Punch down the dough to release excess air then divide between two parchment-lined baking sheets: Shape each half into rounds or rectangles about 1 inch thick to create your pizza crusts.
7. Top with your favourite sauces and toppings, then bake at 500°F on the middle rack until the crust and cheese are bubbling and golden, 8-12 minutes.

And that’s it! I know pizza dough seems intimidating but I promise this method truly couldn’t get any easier. In just over an hour, you can have warm, heavenly homemade pizzas ready to customize and devour straight from your oven.

Troubleshooting Homemade Pizza Dough Issues

Even the most foolproof recipes can go wrong sometimes if little problems creep up. Here’s how to fix the two most common homemade pizza dough issues:

The dough isn’t rising

Using expired yeast or water that’s too hot or cold can hinder the dough from rising properly. Always proof your yeast first in warm water with a pinch of sugar to check for bubbles. Then make sure your water stays between 100-110°F. Re-bloom new yeast if needed.

The baked crust is too dense and chewy

Over-kneading is usually the culprit for tough pizza dough. Set a timer for 5 minutes max when kneading to prevent over-developing the gluten. Adding too much flour while kneading can also result in dense dough.

Tips for Making the Best Homemade Pizza

With the right ingredients and method, this pizza dough recipe turns out perfect every time. But you can take your homemade pies to the next level with these pro tips:

• Use bread flour for a chewy New York-style crust or double zero “00” for fluffy, soft Neapolitan dough.
• Brush crusts with garlic-infused olive oil or flavoured butter before adding sauce for extra flavour.
• Try unique crust shapes like heart, square or calzone for a change.
• Mix up traditional toppings or get creative with combinations like garlic confit and burrata or fig jam, prosciutto and arugula.
• Upgrade your home oven by investing in a baking steel or pizza stone for the crispest crust around.

Now the only question is – what kind of homemade pizza will you whip up first? The options are endless when you start with this easy, foolproof homemade pizza dough recipe as your base! From Margherita to Hawaiian to breakfast pizza, every bite will taste like it came fresh from your neighbourhood pizzeria.

FAQs