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A top-down view of a golden-brown baked homemade pizza dough with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil, showing the perfect balance of crispy edges and chewy center.

Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe

Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe
This easy homemade pizza dough recipe creates a golden, crispy crust with a soft and chewy interior. With just 6 basic ingredients, you can make a delicious pizza crust from scratch, perfect for beginners and pizza lovers alike.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting/Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 2 Pizza
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 and 1/4 teaspoons 1 packet active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 and 1/3 cups warm water 100-110°F
  • 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Cornmeal for dusting the pizza pan

Equipment

  • Pizza stone or pizza pan
  • Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
  • Rolling pin or hands for shaping the dough
  • Greased pizza pan for baking
  • Kitchen towel or plastic wrap to cover dough during rising

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Pour in the foamy yeast mixture and olive oil, stirring until a dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer for about 5-8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise for about 90 minutes or overnight in the fridge.
  5. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide it into 2 portions. Roll each portion into a 12-inch circle.
  6. Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or pan inside to heat.
  7. Transfer the shaped dough onto a greased pizza pan, sprinkle with cornmeal, and top with your desired sauce, cheese, and toppings.
  8. Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Notes

  • Always use warm water (not hot) to activate the yeast.
  • If you prefer a thinner crust, stretch the dough out more when shaping.
  • For a chewier texture, substitute bread flour for all-purpose flour.
  • Make sure the dough is allowed to rise fully; rushing this step will affect the texture.
  • Olive oil helps create a crisp crust and adds flavor.
  • You can refrigerate the dough overnight for better flavor development.
  • Brush the dough with a little olive oil before adding toppings to prevent sogginess.
  • For a crispy crust, use a pizza stone. If you don’t have one, a regular sheet pan will work.
  • Leftover pizza dough can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Let your pizza cool for about 5 minutes before cutting to prevent the cheese from sliding off.
Estimated per serving (1 pizza crust):
  • Calories: 220
  • Carbohydrates: 43g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Fat: 3g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5g
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sodium: 330mg
  • Cholesterol: 0mg