There’s nothing quite like a warm, delicious homemade pizza. It’s the perfect recipe for a fun family night. When you need an activity to keep everyone busy, try making pizza from scratch. It’s not just about the food—it’s about having fun and creating something special together.
My love for making pizza at home started with my young nephew. We’d played all the board games, and I needed a new idea. That’s when it hit me: pizza night! We used a baking stone my father had just gotten, and it was a brilliant success. My nephew loved picking his own toppings, and the final result was “awesome.” The key to that awesome result? A fantastic homemade pizza dough recipe. Also Read: Pumpkin Spice Latte
The Best Pizza Dough You’ll Ever Make
This simple pizza recipe combines some of the best techniques. This is enough flour to make two delicious 10- to 12-inch pizzas. I’m still working on getting the crust perfectly thin, but practice makes perfect!
The key to achieving a thick, crispy crust is the type of flour used. Bread flour is ideal for making homemade pizza. It has more gluten than regular all-purpose flour. This helps make the crust extra crispy—and everyone loves that! While you can use all-purpose flour, bread flour will take your pizza from good to incredible. Also Read: Spinach Omelet Recipe
Tips for a Perfect Pizza
- Check Your Yeast: Your dough needs active dry yeast. Always check the expiration date on the package. To ensure that it is active, add it to hot water. If it doesn’t start to foam or “bloom” within 10 minutes, it’s probably dead, and you should start over with a new packet.
- Measure Accurately: To make perfect dough every time, use a kitchen scale. Weigh your flour—about 490 grams. This gives you an accurate measurement and helps you avoid the guesswork of using cups.
- Overnight Dough: For the best flavor, let your pizza dough rise in the fridge overnight—or up to 48 hours. The slow rise makes the dough tastier and gives it those nice air bubbles when it bakes. Before stretching, let the dough sit at room temperature for about an hour.
- Prep Your Toppings: Not all toppings are ready for the oven. Raw meats must be fully cooked beforehand. If you want soft, tender veggies on your pizza, cook them first. Sauté onions, peppers, and mushrooms before adding them to your toppings.
- Freeze for Later: Want to make dough ahead of time? After the dough has risen, you can freeze it for up to three months. Just divide it. Flash-freeze on a tray for 15-20 minutes, and keep it in a freezer bag. Remove the air. Melt it in the refrigerator overnight before using it.
Homemade Pizza & Pizza Dough Recipe
| Prep Time | 30 mins |
| Cook Time | 30 mins |
| Rise Time | 90 mins |
| Total Time | 2 hrs 30 mins |
| Servings | 4-6 |
| Yield | 2 (10-inch) pizzas |
Ingredients for the Pizza Dough
- 1 1/2 cups (355 ml) warm water (105°F-115°F)
- 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 3 3/4 cups (490g) bread flour
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Toppings & Essentials
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Cornmeal (for sliding the pizza)
- Your favorite tomato sauce
- Assorted cheeses (mozzarella, fontina, parmesan, feta)
- Fresh basil, baby arugula, pesto
- Thinly sliced vegetables (mushrooms, bell peppers, onions)
- Cooked meats (sausage, pepperoni, ham)
- Black olives, Italian pepperoncini
Method: The Pizza-Making Process
Making the Dough
- Proof the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it starts to foam or flower. If you use “instant yeast,” you can leave this stage and add it to the dough directly.
- Mix and knead: Add flour, salt, sugar, and olive oil. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook. Mix the dough on low speed for 7 to 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and slightly stretchy. If you do not have a mixer, you can knead and knead it.
- Let it Rise: Lightly coat the dough with olive oil and place it in a large bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to grow in a warm place for about 1.5 hours, or in the fridge for a more delicious crust. The longer the rise, the better the flavor!
Preparing Your Pizzas
- Preheat the Oven: Put a pizza stone or baking sheet on a rack in the lower part of your oven. Preheat the oven to 475°F and let it heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Divide the Dough: Once the dough has risen, divide it into two equal balls. Once mixed, cover the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes.
- Stretch the Dough: Working with one dough ball at a time, flatten it on a lightly floured surface. Gently stretch it with your fingertips until it reaches a 10- to 12-inch circle. Be gentle to avoid tearing!
- Add Toppings: Brush the dough with olive oil to prevent a soggy crust. Place the flattened dough on a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal. Add sauce and topping, but be careful not to overload it.
- Fry: Slide the pizza with the peel on the already warm stone in the oven. After resting, bake the pizza for 10 to 15 minutes. Cook until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Enjoy your delicious, homemade pizza!
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