Homemade Pizza Dough From Scratch

Sharing is caring!

Last Updated on February 5, 2024 by Toya

My go-to pizza dough from scratch that’s quick and easy to make, full of delicious flavors, and perfect for all your toppings!

Over the years, I developed the habit of making my own pizza dough — partly due to my desire to steer clear of additives found in many store-bought doughs but mainly because homemade pizza dough is remarkably quick and straightforward to make from scratch, resulting in a wonderful final product!

In my household, my family cannot get enough of this pizza dough, and they’re quite pleased when I make a batch of it since they can get two amazing pizzas from it. It’s a straightforward recipe consisting of basic ingredients like flour, water, yeast, olive oil, salt, and sugar, and can be prepared in just 5 minutes. And believe me — this pizza dough somehow effortlessly complements nearly any type of pizza you might be in the mood for!

It also serves as an adaptable foundation that can be easily adjusted and personalized. For example, you can feel free to experiment with different types of flour, hydration levels, or additional seasonings.

Also, the leftover dough stores well in the fridge, allowing you to create multiple pizzas throughout the week. (Which, in my opinion, is excellent way to get a fun dinner or snack ready in a pinch — it’s always simpler when you have some fantastic dough ready to go!)

I’ve shared my homemade fathead pizza dough with people who want low carb or keto pizza. But, if you just want regular pizza, this easy pizza dough is exactly what you need. It is a fantastic pizza dough recipe to bookmark, and I assure you this one won’t disappoint.

Let’s whip it up!

What you need

The great thing about pizza dough is its simplicity, as it requires only a handful of basic ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Flour is the backbone of the dough, providing structure and texture. For a chewy and flavorful crust, bread flour is ideal because of its higher protein content, but all-purpose flour will work fine as well. 

Water is essential for activating the yeast and hydrating the flour. The temperature of the water is crucial. Lukewarm water, around 110 degrees Fahrenheit, will help to ensure the yeast properly ferments.

Speaking of yeast, this ingredient is what gives homemade pizza dough its rise. Yeast feeds on the sugars in the dough, producing carbon dioxide gas that makes the dough expand. You can use either active dry yeast or instant yeast.

Sugar serves two purposes in pizza dough. First, it provides food for the yeast, encouraging it to grow. Second, it aids in browning and adds a subtle sweetness to the crust. 

Salt not only enhances the flavor of the dough but also strengthens the gluten structure, contributing to a chewy texture.

Olive oil adds richness to the dough and makes it easier to handle. It also helps to create a crispy, golden crust. 

These ingredients, when combined, result in a homemade pizza dough that’s flavorful, chewy, and perfect for your favorite pizza toppings.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water, around 110 degrees Fahrenheit
• 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

How to make pizza dough from scratch

Start by combining the yeast, sugar and salt into the lukewarm water and mix. Then set it aside for 10 minutes.

Next, make a well in the center of your flour and pour your lukewarm water mixture into this well. Using a spoon or your hands, mix until all the ingredients are well combined and a shaggy dough begins to form. 

Once the dough has come together, it’s time to knead. Lightly flour your work surface and turn your dough out onto it. Knead the dough by pushing it away from you with the heels of your hands, then folding it back onto itself. Rotate the dough 90 degrees and repeat. Continue kneading for about 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much.

After kneading, shape your dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This will take about 1-2 hours, depending on the temperature of your kitchen. 

Once your dough has risen, it’s ready to be shaped into pizza crusts. You can divide the dough into two portions, as this makes two medium-sized pizzas. Roll out your dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness, then transfer it to a pizza stone or baking sheet. 

And there you have it – homemade pizza dough from scratch! It may take a little time and patience, but the end result will be the best pizza crust!