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make Homemade Pizza Dough from scratch

Homemade Pizza Dough

Learn how to make foolproof homemade pizza dough from scratch with simple pantry ingredients. This recipe creates a delicious, elastic crust with perfect chew and crispness that beats store-bought versions. The dough rises beautifully and can be customized with optional herbs for extra flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 1 servings
Calories: 1200
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2-2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour OR bread flour (divided (250-295g))
  • 1 packet instant yeast (2 ¼ teaspoon)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛-¼ teaspoon garlic powder and/or dried basil leaves (optional)
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil (+ additional for brushing)
  • ¾ cup warm water (175ml)

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • wooden spoon
  • pastry brush
  • pizza pan
  • Rolling Pin

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Combine 1 cup (125g) of flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. If desired, add garlic powder and dried basil at this point as well.
  2. Add olive oil and warm water and use a wooden spoon to stir well very well.
  3. Gradually add another 1 cup (125g) of flour. Add any additional flour as needed, stirring until the dough is forming into a cohesive, elastic ball and is beginning to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
  4. Drizzle a separate, large, clean bowl generously with olive oil and use a pastry brush to brush up the sides of the bowl.
  5. Lightly dust your hands with flour and form your pizza dough into a round ball and transfer to your olive oil-brushed bowl. Use your hands to roll the pizza dough along the inside of the bowl until it is coated in olive oil.
  6. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place. Allow dough to rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
  7. Once the dough has risen, use your hands to gently deflate it and transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth.
  8. Use either your hands or a rolling pin to work the dough into 12" circle.
  9. Transfer dough to a parchment paper lined pizza pan and either pinch the edges or fold them over to form a crust.
  10. Drizzle additional olive oil over the top of the pizza and use your pastry brush to brush the entire surface of the pizza with olive oil.
  11. Use a fork to poke holes all over the center of the pizza to keep the dough from bubbling up in the oven.
  12. Add desired toppings and bake in a 425F (215C) preheated oven for 13-15 minutes or until toppings are golden brown.

Notes

Water temperature matters - use warm water but not hot to activate yeast properly. Dough may need additional flour if too sticky. For best results, preheat oven to 425°F while dough is rising. Freezes well for up to 3 months after first rise.