Homemade Pizza Dough

Name: Perfect Pizza Dough
Prep time: 135 min
Cook time: 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups warm water ((105-110 degrees)); 1 tablespoon active dry yeast; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour ((plus more as needed)); Olive oil/nonstick cooking spray; Garlic salt; cornmeal

by Jen 161 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Your search for the best Pizza dough recipe stops here!

This easy Homemade Pizza Dough recipe is EVERYONE’s favorite – just read the reviews! It creates soft, FLAVORFUL pizza crust every time perfect for whatever type of pizza you’re making – and it’s easier than you think! I’ve included step by step photos of how to make pizza dough including how to make ahead and how to freeze. So, skip delivery because you will never want to sink your teeth into another pizza crust again!

What readers are saying about this pizza dough recipe:

“I’ve tried different recipes but I just must say that this one is it!!!!” Jinelle

“Hands down the best pizza crust.” – Hanisha

“I’ve made this multiple times and it’s always great. I make bread doughs often and this one is my go-to for pizza dough. -Megan

“Best pizza dough ever!!!! Restaurant style in my kitchen. Great taste and crispy.” – Cathy

Pizza Dough Recipe

Just like nothing compares to homemade bread, nothing compares to homemade pizza dough – not when it’s this homemade pizza dough recipe. It’s thick, soft and chewy. It’s baked with olive oil and garlic salt for satisfying flavor every time – no bland pizza crust here!

Once you make this homemade pizza dough recipe, you will never want to waste your money on store-bought pizza dough again – and you will be strongly tempted to make your own pizza instead of going out whenever you get that pizza craving – because I guarantee this will satisfy your pizza cravings! It’s fabulous in any pizza like BBQ Chicken Pizza, Pulled Pork Pizza, and Philly Cheesesteak Pizza as well as Stromboli and even pizza pinwheels!

This pizza dough recipe is also wonderful because you can refrigerate or freeze the dough! After you let the dough rise, you simply divide into balls, rise some more then store until ready to use. You can have homemade pizza dough at your fingertips at a seconds notice for an easy, fun dinner any night of the week!

I consider myself a cook first and a baker second because I love the creativity in cooking and spices – whereas in baking I feel like I’m not completely in control because there are actual chemical reactions that go on – eek!

For the longest time, anything with yeast intimidated me, until I actually tackled my first homemade pizza dough recipe. I couldn’t believe how EASY and how DELICIOUS it was! So, if you have never made homemade pizza dough before, PLEASE don’t be intimidated!

I’ve detailed the process to make the easy pizza dough below with pictures and with more information than you need, so it’s a bit wordy, but that’s just to answer any questions you might have. TRUST me that it really is quick, easy, delicious and SO WORTH YOUR TIME!

Reasons to Love homemade Pizza Dough:

No time spent in traffic or lines at store, no added cost of tipping.
This recipe has no added preservatives or chemicals that can be found in some pre-made crusts.
This pizza dough recipe has so much flavor you will not want to go back to frozen, basic recipes again.
My favorite is you get EXACTLY the versions of pizza you want. You get to customize the toppings, make a heart with the olives, or try fun new ingredients at home with no risk!
This pizza dough is so forgivable, you can ignore it, come back to it and dinner won’t be spoiled.
If you like thinner crust, you can simply roll out the dough more and bake it on a baking sheet.
Master this pizza dough recipe and a new world of bread sticks and flatbreads opens up to you!

INGREDIENTS FOR HOMEMADE PIZZA DOUGH:

The ingredients for this pizza dough recipe is very simple. It contains only pantry friendly ingredients so it’s easy to make at a seconds notice without having to run to the grocery store! You will need:

Water: it must be the right temperature to activate the yeast. Too hot will kill it, too cold will not feed it. I use an instant-read thermometer; you can also use the baby bottle method and feel the water on the underside of your wrist.
Yeast: active or instant (Rapid Rise) both work. Active yeast takes more time but is my preferred yeast. I go into more detail below.
Sugar: AKA yeast food. Sugar increases the yeast’s activity! It also helps to tenderize the dough. Any sugar will do, you can even substitute honey, but I recommend granulated sugar.
Salt: yummy flavor! Salt also attracts water which helps keep your leftover pizza tender and fresh.
Olive oil: any oil can be used but use extra-virgin olive oil for the very best flavor. Don’t forget to brush the dough with olive oil before adding the toppings, which prevents the crust from getting soggy.
Flour: basic flour found in every pantry; unbleached all- purpose flour. I will give a more detailed explanation on flour below.
Cooking spray, parchment paper: no ruined, sticking crust for us!
Garlic Salt: my secret ingredient you will LOVE!
Cornmeal: I love this added taste and texture, used as a barrier between the crust and pan/stone to keep it from sticking.

WHAT KIND OF YEAST DO YOU USE FOR HOMEMADE PIZZA DOUGH?

There are two different types of yeast: active dry yeast, old school yeast, has to activate by being dissolves in water before using; instant yeast is mixed right into the ingredients. I recommend active dry yeast for the best pizza dough recipe as I find it results in a chewier crust. If you are short on time, however, feel free to substitute with instant yeast.

Active Dry Yeast: this yeast is the most common and probably what comes to mind when you think of yeast. It is sold in packets or small glass jars with a small, granular consistency. Active dry yeast requires being “activated” before you make your dough because it is a living organism that’s dormant until proofed. To activate, simply mix the yeast with warm water (about 110°F) and some sugar (food) and let it sit and ferment for about 10 minutes. Next, you’ll combine the bubbly mixture with your dry ingredients. Active dry yeast dough requires a longer time to rise than instant yeast – usually an hour or two.
Instant Yeast (Rapid Rise Yeast, Fast Acting) : is just that, fast. There is no need to proof the yeast with warm water. When using fast acting yeast you just add it to the dry ingredients. You then add the warm water to the dry ingredients and mix until the dough comes together. There is little or no rise time with instant yeast, usually just let the dough rest for about 10 minutes before it rolling out.
Can I Substitute Active Dry Yeast for Instant Yeast and Vice Versa? Yes, active dry and instant yeast can be used interchangeably in recipes (1:1), but don’t let your dough with instant yeast rise as long. For best results, use active dry yeast as it results in superior flavor, in a better rise and better volume in the finished product.

What is the best flour for pizza dough?

I rarely stock flours more exotic than all-purpose flour, so when I was working on this pizza dough recipe I first and foremost made sure that it worked perfectly with good old all-purpose flour. After testing bread flour, wheat flour, etc., all purpose flour was still my CLEAR favorite! But the type of flour best for pizza dough depends on what type of crust you would like. Here is a breakdown:

All purpose flour: will give you a chewier crust – my favorite! When we combine AP flour with the technique of placing the rolled out dough directly on the hot pizza stone/pan we get crispy on the bottom and soft and chewy in them middle.
Bread flour: has more protein and therefore will yield a crispier crust but not as soft and chewy.
Wheat flour: I don’t recommend all wheat flour or your pizza dough won’t rise as nicely. You can, however, use half wheat flour and half all-purpose flour to give it more wholesome taste. I would also add an extra tablespoon of sugar or honey with wheat flour.
Gluten free flour: you can use gluten free 1:1 all-purpose baking flour like Bob’s Red Mill. Keep in mind that because there is no gluten, the rolling out process will be trickier, so pull and push the best you can.

WHAT KITCHEN TOOLS DO I NEED FOR HOMEMADE PIZZA DOUGH?

I’m sharing what I use for this pizza dough recipe, but you can still be successful with this recipe without them – these tools just make success easier:

Instant read thermometer: allows you to make sure the water is in that tight range of temperature needed to activate yeast. This way you know that if the yeast doesn’t activate then it’s not the water – it’s the yeast and you don’t waste your time trying to get the water right. It also gives you the peace of mind that once the water is in the right range, you’re guaranteed perfect pizza dough.
I love my Pizza stone! There are many pizza stone options, find the right one for you – you can even find steals at TJ Maxx. I also like a pizza pan. I recommend using a vented one so that the crust cooks faster.
Stand mixer: I use my stand mixer because it saves time, elbow grease and it keeps my hands from getting gooey – but it’s not 100% necessary – the dough will just take a few more minutes and elbow grease without one.

STONES OR PANS BEST FOR PIZZA DOUGH?

Let’s talk more about stones verses pans and which one is best for homemade pizza dough. Rachel Arndt conducted a test between sheet pans vs. stones. You can read the details here. In conclusion, I think if you buy high quality, it just comes down to personal preference – or nostalgia!

I Love my pizza stone, so there is no going back for me. However, you can still get a perfectly crispy and tender pizza crust full of flavor with a pan. Make sure to use each item how it is intended to be used. It’s important that the crust cooks quickly and completely to avoid soggy, undercooked pizza.

Pizza Stone: the crust begins cooking/searing immediately when the dough is placed on the hot stone which results in a beautify crispy crust. Preheat the stone in a hot oven for 30 to 60 minutes, grease (spray, or parchment paper) and dust with cornmeal. Be very careful when working with hot stone – I’ve got scars to prove it!
Pizza Pan: a perforated pan is a must. Preheat the pan to so the pizza dough will cook as quickly as the toppings. Cook in the middle or bottom of the oven. There is delay with a pan vs stone, as the pan doesn’t heat as hot, but that obstacle is minimized with a perforated pizza pan.

How to Make Pizza Dough

1. PROOF THE YEAST

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer (preferred), stir in the warm water, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes or until the yeast is foamy and dissolved. If the yeast doesn’t foam, either your water was too warm, or your yeast is too old. Yeast should be no older than 6 months, and water should be around 105 degrees F. Repeat until your yeast foams like this (which can take up to 10 minutes):

2. MIX THE DOUGH

Add olive oil, salt, and 1 1/2 cups flour and mix well with your hook attachment. If you don’t have a mixer, you can start to mix with a wooden spoon. Continue to mix while gradually stirring in 2 more cups of flour.

Once dough has pulled away from the bowl, continue to mix for 5 more minutes on medium-low speed (or by hand). You may need to place a hand on your mixer so it doesn’t fly off your counter!

What if my dough is sticky? If your dough is too wet and is not pulling away from the bowl, add 1 more tablespoon of flour at a time (up to 1/4 cup) until dough barely sticks to your fingers.

3. SHAPE DOUGH

Shape the pizza dough into a ball and place back into your large mixing bowl that has been coated lightly with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. Turn dough over to coat with oil on all sides.

4. LET DOUGH RISE

Cover dough tightly with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm environment (75-80F), until it has doubled in size. Depending on your yeast (active dry yeast takes longer than instant yeast), climate, etc. this will take between 1-2 hours.

5. WARM PIZZA STONE

Guestimating 15 minutes before your dough is ready, place your pizza stone or baking sheet in the middle rack of your oven set to 475 degrees F. You want to “bake” your stone for 30-60 minutes in order to get it nice and hot. It’s better for your pizza stone to be super hot vs. hot, so begin warming it sooner rather than later.

6. SHAPE INTO BALLS

After pizza dough has doubled in size, punch down to release the air. Then remove the dough from bowl, knead a couple times to further release the air then divide into two equal balls.

7. LET BALLS RISE

Cover the balls with a towel for 15 minutes to allow them to rise further.

8. PREPARE PIZZA STONE

Carefully remove your pizza stone/baking sheet and GENEROUSLY grease the entire surface with olive oil or with nonstick cooking spray (I like to spray like crazy). Sprinkle with cornmeal for added flavor, texture and to prevent sticking.

9. ROLL OUT PIZZA DOUGH

After 15 minutes, roll dough out onto a lightly floured surface or nonstick slip mat into a 12-inch round circle. Transfer pizza dough to your baking dish or pizza stone. I simply flip my nonslip mat over onto the stone and gently pull it away from the mat. Immediately after transferring, pinch edges to create a rimmed crust.

PRO TIP: Once your pizza dough is on your pan, try scooting the dough – if it slides easily you are good to go – if not, you need more nonstick cooking spray and cornmeal.

10. SEASON PIZZA DOUGH

Lightly brush the top of the pizza dough with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt (don’t forget the edges!) This will add flavor and prevent the dough from getting soggy with the toppings.

Using a fork, prick several holes in the dough to prevent bubbling.

11. ADD TOPPINGS AND BAKE!

Bake for 12-15 minutes with favorite toppings then broil to cheesy bubbly golden heaven.

Do you have to bake pizza dough before adding toppings?

No! Just think of Italian pizza kitchens and how they smear the pizza sauce right on the freshly hand-tossed dough. The olive oil we brush on the pizza dough will prevent it from becoming soggy. To assemble pizza:

Brush rolled out dough lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt
Using a fork, prick several holes in the crust
Spread pizza sauce directly onto unbaked pizza dough
Sprinkle with desired amount of cheese
Add toppings and more cheese if you wish
Bake for 12 minutes at 475 degrees F
Broil for 2 minutes or until cheese is golden

Tips for the Best Pizza Dough

Proof yeast: Make sure you proof your yeast. You don’t want to go through all the work of making pizza dough only to find it doesn’t rise!
Use an instant read thermometer: to that end, an instant read thermometer allows you to make sure the water is in that tight range of temperature needed to activate yeast. This way you know that if the yeast doesn’t activate then it’s not the water – it’s the yeast.
Use correct flour. I don’t recommend bleached flour. Stick with unbleached flour because it has a denser grain and will provide more structure.
Add more flour. The amount of flour can vary depending on humidity and elevation, so add enough flour a little at a time so it is tacky but not sticky. Before you add more flout, keep in mind it will become less sticky the longer it is kneaded.
Flour hands. When working with the dough, whether rolling, kneading or pinching the edges to form the crust, dip your hands in flour first to prevent them from sticking.
Dough should be tacky not sticky. The dough is done kneading when it is tacky, meaning it’s soft but bounces back when pressed with your finger. If it’s sticky, meaning, your fingers are still covered in a fair bit of dough, knead on.
Use active dry yeast. Allowing the pizza dough to rise slowly allows time for fermentation, which really develops flavor.
Brush crust with olive oil. Don’t forget to brush the dough with extra virgin olive oil before adding the toppings because it prevents the crust from getting soggy.
Use fabulous pizza sauce! I like to use my own marinara or store-bought marinara with added Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
Use FRESHLY shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-clumping chemicals which prevent the cheese from melting as easily. More importantly, freshly grated tasted better!
Don’t burn pizza. Watch the pizza carefully, especially once you start broiling. The pizza goes from almost done to too brown fairly quickly -so be careful!
Let pizza rest. To avoid burning your mouth on lava hot sauce, let the finished pizza cool for at least 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving. You will taste the flavors better when pizza is cooled.

Can pizza dough sit out all day?

You can actually over-proof your pizza dough! I don’t recommend letting the dough sit out longer than 4 hours. You don’t want it to rise too much and cause over-fermentation and a super yeasty flavor.

Can you refrigerate homemade pizza dough? (How to Make Ahead)

Absolutely! You will want to let the dough rise completely before refrigerating (through the 15 minute second rise), then tightly wrap dough balls in plastic wrap. Dough can stay in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best results, use pizza dough or freeze beyond that.

When ready to use, unwrap the dough and place it on floured surface or parchment paper. Let the dough come to room temperature before rolling out about 30-60 minutes.

showing how to make pizza dough by slicing pizza after it's baked

CAN You FREEZE HOMEMADE PIZZA DOUGH?

Yes! This easy pizza dough recipe makes two pizza crusts so you can either bake them both now or use one now and freeze one for later. You can also make the dough in bigger batches very easily so you can freeze more dough – which means more ready to eat pizza later!

You can freeze pizza dough as a ball or as a roll out, unbaked crust. In either scenario, dough can stay in freezer for up to 3 months.

Dough balls: let the 2 balls of pizza dough rise completely (through the 15-minute second rise). Lightly spray all sides of the dough balls with nonstick spray, remember I love my spray! Place the dough into separate Ziploc bags, squeezing out any air.
Flattened dough: separate flattened pizza dough with parchment paper, then stack. Cover tightly with two layers of plastic wrap followed by foil.
To Thaw: when ready to use, thaw dough in the refrigerator for about 12 hours. Bring to room temperature by placing on counter, this should take about 30 min.

EASY PIZZA DOUGH VARIATIONS

Vegan pizza dough. This easy pizza dough recipe is naturally vegan so you can keep it that way with your choice of toppings.
Thick-crust pizza dough. This recipe will make two thick crust pizzas for your enjoyment. For even thicker crust, roll out the dough smaller so the crust will be thicker. You will need to adjust baking time accordingly.
Thin crust pizza dough. You get twice the fun by making two 12” crusts out of one ball of dough or you can use one ball and roll it out thinly on a baking sheet. You will need to adjust baking time accordingly, about 8-10 minutes.
Individual pizzas. If it’s a party or you simply want individual pizzas for family night, you can divide the dough into 4, 6 or 8 pieces and roll out.
Ingredients. Play around with the special ingredients to add fun flavors to the pizza dough. Try roasted garlic pieces in the crust, or some Italian seasoning. Sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese, etc.
Not looking for pizza? Try breadsticks, stromboli, focaccia or cheesy rolls!

HOW DO I REHEAT HOMEMADE PIZZA?

To reheat pizza in the oven:

Line a baking sheet with foil and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Transfer pizza (slices) to the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until heated through.

To reheat pizza on the stove:

Add slices of pizza to skillet and cover partially with the lid.
Heat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

To reheat pizza in the microwave:

Microwave at 20 seconds intervals until heated through. Be aware that the crust will lose crunch in the microwave.

WHAT DOES PIZZA AND HOMEMADE DOUGH COME FROM?

If you’re still reading, I find the history of pizza fascinating! Where did our beloved pizza dough and pizza come from?

The most common understanding is that pizza is Italian, but it is probably more Greek or even Middle Eastern than Italian. Marco Polo brought an early version of pizza (flatbread) with him to Italy. The flatbread came from China. Our Italian friends took the Chinese flatbread and improved on it, adding cheese and tomato sauce.

In 1905, the first pizzeria was established in the United States. G. Lombardi’s, is still open today using its original oven, although it has changed location.

Whether the New York style or Chicago deep dish is closer related to what Marco Polo shared, all that matters to me is that I get to stuff my face with PIZZA. So, we have both countries to thank for our American version of pizza!

Get Creative with your Pizza dough!

A fun fact about how we got Pineapple Pizza: “We just put it on, just for the fun of it, see how it was going to taste,” Panopoulos told the BBC earlier this year. Sam Panopoulos was born in Greece and moved to Canada when he was 20. In 1962, to attract customers to one of his Ontario-based restaurants, they put pineapple on a pizza and tried it out.

“We were young in the business and we were doing a lot of experiments.” Panopoulos said he and his brothers enjoyed the contrast between the pineapple’s sweetness and the savory flavor of the ham also added to the pizza. They named it Hawaiian pizza after the brand of canned pineapple used on the pie.

I, for one, am so glad they experimented as it is one of my favorite types of pizza! I hope you have fun experimenting with my pizza dough recipe. I sure have! I can’t wait to hear what you make!

Devour.

Want to try this Pizza Dough Recipe?

Pin it to your PIZZA, BAKING or DINNER Board to save for later!

Find me on Pinterest for more great recipes! I am always pinning :)!

©Carlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

Perfect Pizza Dough

Your search for the perfect Pizza dough recipe stops here! This easy Homemade Pizza Dough recipe is EVERYONE’s favorite – just read the reviews! It creates soft, FLAVORFUL pizza crust every time perfect for whatever type of pizza you’re making. I’ve included step by step photos of how to make pizza dough in the post and the notes include how to make ahead and how to freeze. So, skip delivery because you will never want to sink your teeth into another crust again!

Course

Main Dish

Cuisine

Italian

Prep Time

135 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Servings

Makes 2 12" pizza crusts

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water (105-110 degrees)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
Olive oil/nonstick cooking spray
Garlic salt
cornmeal