Description
This easy homemade pizza dough recipe yields a soft, elastic dough with a slightly chewy texture, perfect for creating delicious homemade pizzas. Made with simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and olive oil, this dough rises beautifully and bakes up crisp on the edges while remaining tender inside. Ideal for customizing with your favorite toppings, it's a straightforward method that guarantees great results in about an hour.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour, divided)
- 1 packet instant yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Wet Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus additional for brushing the dough)
- ¾ cup warm water
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, the instant yeast, sugar, salt, and garlic powder until evenly combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients. Pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the warm water, mixing well until incorporated.
- Form Dough. Gradually stir in another 1 cup of flour, continuing to mix until the dough forms a soft, elastic ball. Use the remaining 1/3 cup of flour only if the dough is too sticky. The dough should remain slightly sticky but hold together well.
- Prepare Bowl for Rising. Generously brush a large, clean bowl with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Let Dough Rise. Transfer the dough ball to the prepared bowl, turning it once so that all sides are lightly coated with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and set it in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, approximately 30 to 60 minutes.
- Punch Down and Knead. Once risen, punch down the dough to release air. Transfer it to a floured surface and knead for about 1 minute until smooth.
- Shape the Dough. Roll the dough into a large circle and place it onto a pizza pan. Use a fork to poke the dough all over to prevent bubbling, then brush the surface lightly with olive oil.
- Preheat Oven and Add Toppings. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Add pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your preferred toppings evenly on the dough.
- Bake the Pizza. Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
- Serve. Remove from oven, cut into wedges, and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute bread flour for all-purpose flour to achieve a chewier crust.
- Ensure the water is warm (about 110°F/43°C) to activate the yeast but not hot enough to kill it.
- Allowing the dough to rise longer can deepen the flavor and texture.
- For a crispier crust, bake pizza on a preheated pizza stone instead of a pan.
- Store any leftover dough in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian