The store-bought crust can never be just right, can it? It tends to be too plain, dense, or even overly sweet. Nevertheless, making pizza dough at home is not as difficult as most people would expect it to be. This is because all it takes is some flour, water, yeast, and salt. As such, I have put together a simple pizza dough recipe that will give you a pizza crust that is as soft and chewy on the inside as well as slightly crispy on the edges, like the crust from an Italian pizzeria.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for extra chew)
- 1 1/3 cups warm water (about 105°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for coating
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Yeast Activation
To begin, pour the warm water into a big mixing bowl. Add the yeast and sugar on top and stir. Let it sit for around 5 to 10 minutes or until you see it become foamy at the top. This ensures the yeast is active, and that is crucial to achieve a proper rise.
Step 2: Dough Preparation
After the yeast has become foamy, add the olive oil and salt. Next, mix in the flour, one cup at a time. The mixture will become very rough and shaggy as the flour is being added. This is perfectly normal for this process.
Step 3: Dough Kneading
Afterward, place the dough on a floured surface and knead it for around 8 to 10 minutes. The result will be an elastic and soft dough. However, if the dough is too sticky, add flour by the tablespoon. But if it is too dry, a little water should be added.
Step 4: Let It Rise
Later on, put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, covering it with a moist cloth or plastic wrapper. Allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it doubles in volume. At the same time, you can get the ingredients ready for your pizza.
Step 5: Shaping and Baking
When the dough has already risen, punch the dough to remove the air in it. Divide the dough into two halves if you will make two medium-sized pizzas; otherwise, leave it in one piece for one big pizza. You need not roll the dough but stretch it using your hands because it helps to retain its air bubbles. Then, put the sauce and toppings on it and bake for 10 to 14 minutes at 475 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tips for the Best Homemade Pizza Dough
- Achieving a good crust depends on just a few little things. Here are some tips for you to remember:
- Using a scale for measuring would be best if you have one. Measuring flour by weight is much better than measuring using cups.
- Don’t rush the process. More flavor is formed when the rise is slower, so if you can wait overnight, allow the dough to rise in the fridge.
- Preheat your cooking surface. It is important to place the dough on a hot stone or upside-down baking tray.
- Do not overload the toppings. Excess toppings will make the dough soggy.
Looking for more recipe inspiration? Check out our Food & Recipes category for more easy, tried-and-tested dishes — from easy dinner recipes and banana bread to refreshing drinks like the Hugo Spritz.