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4.6 from 650 votes

Pizza Dough Recipe

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By: Joanna Cismaru •12/4/22 445 Comments

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

My Pizza Dough Recipe couldn’t be any easier, I promise you that! So put down the phone, you’ll never crave delivery or frozen again. All you need are a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of your time!

With my easy, fool proof Pizza Dough Recipe, you’ll learn to make your own homemade pizza right at home with your favorite ingredients. Watch the video to see how it’s all done!

two balls of pizza dough on a cutting board
Table of Contents Open
  • The Best Pizza Dough Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How To Make Pizza Dough
  • Why do I need olive oil
  • How to stretch pizza dough
  • What can I do with my Dough?
  • How do I bake pizza?
  • Leftover dough
  • More great recipes to try:
  • Pizza Dough Recipe
    • Video
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

The Best Pizza Dough Recipe

Years ago, hubs and I started making our own pizza dough. I remember being nervous to try it out because I always mistakenly thought it was going to be very difficult. But I’ve never been so glad to be wrong!

When I think about all the money I could have saved ordering in I just want to go back in time and share this recipe with my former self. All you need is a handful of ingredients and a craving for some delicious crust! It really is incredibly easy to make.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a skilled baker to make pizza dough, all you need are a handful of ingredients! I always use all purpose flour, however if you like a chewier crumb use a high protein bread flour. Many times I’ve made the dough and not even let it rise, so I’ll tell you now that it’s really not that important especially if you prefer more of a thin crust.

freshly made pizza dough cut in quarters

Ingredients

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  • Water – We use warm water for this recipe as it will allow our yeast to bloom.
  • Sugar – Our yeast needs a little bit of sugar to bloom.
  • Yeast – Look for active dry yeast and be sure to check its expiration date.
  • Flour – I used all purpose as stated above. If you’d like to use gluten free flour then be sure to include 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum per 1 1/2 cups of gluten free flour.
  • Salt – So important in this recipe, as we need flavor and seasoning.
  • Olive oil – We’re going to use this olive oil in our dough itself as it will flavor our pizza dough nicely. See below for why oil is needed in pizza dough.

How To Make Pizza Dough

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  • Prepare the yeast: In a small bowl whisk the water, sugar and yeast together. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. If the yeast is good, it will start to froth up.
  • Form the dough: In the bowl of your mixer, add the flour, salt, olive oil and yeast mixture. Mix everything together using the dough hook for about 5 minutes or until the dough is soft and elastic. When it’s done it will come clean from the side of the bowl.
  • Finish your pizza dough: Shape the dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, rubbing oil on the dough as well, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. You can freeze the dough if you aren’t planning on using it right away. Roll it out on the counter when it’s ready and feel free to have some fun!
pizza dough rising in a bowl

Why do I need olive oil

Oil is truly important when it comes to pizza dough and it’s a multi-functional ingredient when it comes to pizza dough production. Adding oil to your pizza can affect everything from the crispiness to flavor of the crust, as well as the way the dough handles during shaping. Other oils can be used as well, such as canola, sunflower or soybean, however, but they won’t add the same flavor as olive oil does.

In the end it comes down to what you’re using your pizza dough for. If you’re going the savory route, I recommend using olive oil, however if you want to make a dessert pizza try a sunflower or canola oil.

How to stretch pizza dough

I remember as a kid I used to walk by the great pizza restaurant and in the window I would always see these master pizza makers that would just stretch pizza dough by hands. They’d throw it in the air, twirl it around and out comes this beautifully stretched pizza dough. All I can say is that I was enamoured. Needless to say I never learned to do that, however, it does not matter. Here are some tricks that will make you a pro at stretching out your pizza dough.

  1. Bring the dough to room temperature – I know this may sound like common sense but if you store the dough in the fridge then take it out when you want to make your pizza, you’ll find that it is quite hard to stretch. So leave it at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before trying to roll it out. Gluten is tighter in cold conditions, so give the dough time to loosen up.
  2. Don’t flour your workspace – If anything add a bit of olive oil to your workspace to avoid the dough from sticking. Adding flour will make your pizza dough tough, so don’t add anymore.
  3. Stretch the dough with both hands – If you find that the dough is hard to roll, use hand pulling and gravity to get an even crust.
rolled out pizza dough ready for toppings

What can I do with my Dough?

The sky is the limit. This is why it’s always best to make your pizza at home, you can put whatever you like on it! Hubs and I like our pizzas completely different, which is great because I can load mine up with prosciutto and lots of veggies and he can load his up with tuna and anchovies. Don’t ask. Here’s some fun ideas:

  • Margherita: tomato sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
  • Shakshuka: Harissa sauce, cheese, onions, and eggs cracked right on top before being put in the oven.
  • BBQ Chicken: Chicken, BBQ sauce, cheese, onions, and bell peppers.
  • Italian: Passata, artichoke, pepperoni, and fresh Parmesan cheese.
  • BST: Bacon, spinach, and tomato over cheese.
  • Butter chicken: My butter chicken sauce, caramelized onions, and fresh arugula.

How do I bake pizza?

Preheat your oven to its highest temperature, mine goes to 550 F. You can use a pizza stone or a baking sheet just make sure you spray some cooking spray over the baking sheet. If using a pizza stone, heat it up first. Once you top your pizza, bake it for 8 to 10 minutes or until the crust is golden to dark brown.

homemade pizza using homemade pizza dough on a cutting board

Leftover dough

Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. This will ensure the dough keeps for up to 2 days in the fridge. You can also freeze this dough nicely! Wrap the dough in individual balls with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat just allow it to thaw at room temperature.

More great recipes to try:

  • Breakfast Pizza
  • Honey Rolls
  • Pie Crust
  • No Knead Skillet Bread
  • Paczki (Polish Donuts)
  • Fast and Easy No Knead Bread
  • Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
  • Soft Buttermilk Dinner Rolls
  • Parker House Rolls
  • Texas Roadhouse Rolls
  • Beignets

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

side view shot of two balls of pizza dough
4.59 from 650 votes

Pizza Dough Recipe

Prep 10 minutes minutes
Total 10 minutes minutes
8
Rate Recipe Print Recipe
My Pizza Dough Recipe couldn't be any easier, I promise you that! So put down the phone, you'll never crave delivery or frozen again. All you need are a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of your time!
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Video

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup water (warm)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast ((1 package))
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup olive oil

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl whisk the water, sugar and yeast together. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. If the yeast is good, it will start to froth up.
  • In the bowl of your mixer, add the flour and salt, olive oil and yeast mixture. Mix everything together using the dough hook for about 5 minutes or until the dough is soft and elastic. When it’s done it will come clean from the side of the bowl.
  • Shape the dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, rubbing oil on the dough as well, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. If you’re not using the dough right away, you can also freeze the dough.

Notes

  1. Recipe will yield enough dough for 2 large pizzas.
  2. Yeast Information: Always check the expiration date on your yeast and make sure it hasn’t expired. All your yeast products whether it’s in a jar or a package should be stamped with a “Best if Used by” date. Always make sure you check this date, even when you purchase the yeast, who knows it could have been on the shelf past its expiry date.
  3. To keep your yeast fresh and longer lasting, unopened yeast packages or jars should be stored in a cool or dry place such as your cupboard. However, you can also store your yeast in the fridge or freezer. If you do store it in the freezer and need to use yeast for your baking, make sure you take out the amount you need and let it sit at room temperature for at least half hour before using.
  4. Once your yeast package or jar has been opened, you must refrigerate the yeast or freeze it in an airtight container.
  5. One thing to remember about your yeast, is that it is a living organism and over time it will lose activity, even if you’ve never opened the jar or package. So if you don’t bake often, buy the smaller yeast packages rather than a big jar of yeast.
  6. Make sure your water is not too hot or it could kill the yeast which will cause your dough not to rise at all. The ideal temperature for the water should be between 105 F degrees and 110 F for proofing. While 95 F degrees is the best temperature for yeast to multiply, that’s not warm enough for proofing active dry yeast.
  7. Do I have to let the dough rise: No you don’t, though if you want, you can. Usually I just refrigerate the dough until I’m ready to use it and while in the fridge it continues to slowly rise. You can use the dough right away after making.
  8. Can I use instant yeast: Yes, if using instant yeast, you do not need to wait for it to froth up, you can just add all the ingredients to your bowl and mix.
  9. Can I freeze the dough: Yes, for sure. Just place the dough in a large freezer plastic bag, let out as much of the air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.
  10. How do I bake the pizza: Preheat your oven to its highest temperature, mine goes to 550 F. You can use a pizza stone or a baking sheet just make sure you spray some cooking spray over the baking sheet. If using a pizza stone, heat it up first. Once you top your pizza, bake it for 8 to 10 minutes or until the crust is golden to dark brown.
  11. Nutrition: Nutritional information is just based on pizza dough. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 312kcal (16%)Carbohydrates: 48g (16%)Protein: 6g (12%)Fat: 9g (14%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Sodium: 295mg (13%)Potassium: 77mg (2%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Calcium: 11mg (1%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

side view shot of two balls of pizza dough

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Making pizza dough at home couldn't get any easier with my simple pizza dough recipe. You'll never want to buy or order pizza again.
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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Through Jo Cooks, I invite you to join me in my kitchen as we explore delicious recipes from around the globe, celebrate the joy of cooking, and make every meal a memorable one. Happy cooking!

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445 Comments
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Beth
Beth
Posted: 6 months ago

5 stars
This is the most amazing pizza dough ever!! Literally THE reason I’m like… oh! Pizza is easy at home, and SO YUMMY!! Thank you!

0
Reply
Jake'n'Bake
Jake'n'Bake
Posted: 9 months ago

5 stars
Been years since I worked at Texas Roadhouse as top baker. Everyone loves my yeast rolls. I want to start make my own pizza I tried others recipes yours was the best

2
Reply
Sam
Sam
Posted: 14 days ago

5 stars
Loved it! Easy and I use it a lot.

0
Reply
Andrea Bergstrom
Andrea Bergstrom
Posted: 17 days ago

5 stars
I found this recipe about a year ago and it’s so good! Tasty and perfect.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Andrea Bergstrom
Posted: 17 days ago

A year-long pizza doughmance? Now that’s commitment! 🍕💍 So thrilled you’ve found your ‘forever dough’ with this recipe.

0
Reply
Stephanie
Stephanie
Posted: 24 days ago

5 stars
I have been making a lot of pizza at home lately and trying new recipes. My family and I agree that this recipe is a keeper!

0
Reply
Gouri
Gouri
Posted: 25 days ago

5 stars
This worked great for me! Was a big hit! Thanks for sharing! I’m saving this for future use.

0
Reply
Gilbert
Gilbert
Posted: 1 month ago

5 stars
I love this recipe… It makes a nice chewy crust… It’s a keeper. One question. Is that enough pepperoni or do I need more? For calzones, divide dough in thirds or quarters?

Untitled.jpg
Last edited Posted: 1 month ago by Gilbert
1
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Gilbert
Posted: 1 month ago

LOL Looks like you love pepperoni pizza! I bet you could even get 6 calzones out of this dough, give it a try.

0
Reply
Gilbert
Gilbert
Reply to  Joanna Cismaru
Posted: 1 month ago

Thanks… I need to get more ingredients to fill the calzones. Shopping trip next week.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Gilbert
Posted: 1 month ago

Let me know how they turn out!

0
Reply
JANICE ANN JOHNSTON
JANICE ANN JOHNSTON
Posted: 1 month ago

4 stars
Just made the dough today. I will have to wait until I bake the pizza. The proof will be in the eating

0
Reply
Sam
Sam
Posted: 1 month ago

I make this weekly. Love it!! Passing it on to my students.
Thank you!

1
Reply
Jackie
Jackie
Posted: 2 months ago

5 stars
I recently received a pizza oven as a gift. I have tried several recipes, they have all been very similar – yeast, water, sugar, salt, sometimes oil. This one uses an entire package of yeast, which simplifies things. The saltiness is just right and it makes enough to feed my husband and I and our young adult boys and their girlfriends (6 of us) in one batch. I have used the dough freshly made and held in the refrigerator for a week, I couldn’t tell the difference. It turns out very close to high-end fire baked pizza restaurant quality. I am sure as I improve my dough making skills, it will be bubbly, crispy and chewy, just like the good stuff!! My kids definitely prefer it over delivery. I do need to add a few more tablespoons of flour, but that could be a humidity issue (So far, I have only made it on humid summer days). This is my family’s new favorite food and I know food!!

Last edited Posted: 2 months ago by Jackie
0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Jackie
Posted: 2 months ago

Wow, it’s fantastic to hear that you and your family have enjoyed this pizza dough recipe! The fact that it’s a hit with everyone and turns out similar to high-end fire baked pizza is just the kind of feedback we love to hear.

It’s great that you’ve found the dough to be flexible enough to use right away or after refrigeration. And yes, you’re absolutely right – needing to adjust the amount of flour can often be due to humidity, as it can affect the way flour absorbs moisture.

0
Reply
Stacy
Stacy
Posted: 2 months ago

5 stars
By far the easiest pizza dough I’ve made. I let it rise in the fridge over night and then brought it out this afternoon for a couple hours to get back to room temperature. I then kneaded it and then let it rise once more before making the pizza. Came out perfect!

0
Reply
Lynn
Lynn
Posted: 2 months ago

5 stars
I made this dough for the first time last night and used it to make pizza on the grill for the first time – the dough cooked perfectly on the high heat of the grill and held up to the mountain of toppings we used. Will be using this recipe from now on!

0
Reply
Mary
Mary
Posted: 2 months ago

5 stars
This recipe was made today. Because we didn’t have round pans, we made it in a jelly roll pan. Our friend took some shredded mozzarella cheese and rolled it into the edge of the crust. As you can see, we cut up the pizza and began consuming it before the picture was taken!

IMG_6937  Pizza.jpg
0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Mary
Posted: 2 months ago

Looks great, so glad you enjoyed it!

0
Reply
Sam
Sam
Posted: 3 months ago

Would love a note on what to do if you’re poor and don’t have a mixer. Thanks.

1
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Sam
Posted: 3 months ago

Then you use your hands and knead the dough with your hands.

0
Reply
Diane
Diane
Posted: 3 months ago

5 stars
Out of all the pizza dough recipes, this one is the easiest for me. Love it!!!

0
Reply
Wendy
Wendy
Posted: 4 months ago

Seriously the best crust I’ve ever made! So simple and easy too! I’m printing out the recipe!! Thank you!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Wendy
Posted: 4 months ago

Hello! I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that you loved the pizza crust recipe – that’s what I aim for! 🎉 Knowing that it’s now part of your recipe collection is the best compliment. Keep on enjoying those perfect pizza nights, and don’t hesitate to experiment with your favorite toppings! 🍕 Happy cooking!

0
Reply
Happy Sunshine
Happy Sunshine
Posted: 4 months ago

5 stars
This has been my go to recipe ever since I found it. It’s amazingly simple. I keep extra on hand in the freezer so whenever I don’t feel like cooking it’s there. I also give the dough away for others the have fun making their own creations. Tonight is pesto, mozzarella and ricotta! Yum!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Happy Sunshine
Posted: 4 months ago

I’m thrilled that my pizza dough recipe has become your go-to! 🍕🥳 It’s fantastic that you find it simple and that you keep extra on hand in the freezer – talk about pizza preparedness! 😉 Sharing the dough with others is such a wonderful and delicious idea. 🎁 Your pesto, mozzarella, and ricotta pizza sounds absolutely divine! 😋 Keep on creating mouthwatering pizza masterpieces, and thank you for sharing your love for the recipe! 🌟👩‍🍳

0
Reply

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I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is the place where I share my passion for easy and delicious recipes. From comforting classics to global flavors, I believe that cooking should be fun, approachable, and most importantly, rewarding. Join me on this culinary journey and let’s get cooking!

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