This is the easiest, best pizza dough recipe. With just 6 ingredients and no fancy flours required (I’ve included instructions for using all-purpose or bread flour), this pizza crust requires just one bowl (no stand mixer, though you can use one if you’d like), about 3 seconds of kneading, and just 30 minutes to rise.
If you’re uncomfortable working with yeast or making your own pizza dough at home, I’ll walk you through every step of the process in my video just below the recipe. You’ve got this!
It’s a little silly how excited I am to share this recipe with you today. It’s pizza dough, not exactly glamorous or sexy and it was honestly pretty boring to photograph (how do you make a ball of dough look fun and appealing in pictures, please tell me!).
But as someone who has struggled with baking even the most simple recipes with yeast, perfecting this pizza dough was definitely a triumph for me and I’m really happy to announce that there’s nothing to be afraid of! Yeast baking isn’t all that scary or hard, and you too can make your own super simple pizza crust at home in a matter of minutes, no fancy ingredients required.
I kept this pizza dough recipe as simple and approachable as possible. It’s made with all-purpose flour (and notes on how to substitute that flour, in case you want to get fancy 😉), no stand mixer needed, and only the most minimal amount of kneading required.
Below I’ve tried to ask some of the most frequently asked questions about making your own pizza dough. Let’s get to it.
What is the best flour for making homemade pizza dough?
Many pizza-making-pros will likely argue that bread flour is best for making homemade pizza. However, I rarely keep any flours in my pantry that are more exotic than all-purpose flour, so when I was working on this recipe I first and foremost made sure that it worked perfectly with regular old all-purpose flour.
I did make a point to test this recipe (repeatedly, we ate a lot of pizza last week) with bread flour and it works very well when made that way, too. I find that the biggest difference is that using bread flour gives my pizza dough a crispier crust, while the all purpose flour yields a softer one.
Can I flavor my Pizza Dough?
Pizza dough on its own is obviously important as a base for your favorite pizza, but it’s also kind of… bland. Shockingly, something made primarily of flour and water isn’t super exciting to the taste buds, and most of the flavor will come from whatever toppings you add.
I do usually try to spice up my crust just a bit, though, by adding a dash of garlic powder (usually around a ¼ teaspoon) and sometimes dried basil leaves (dried oregano could also work for you but I absolutely loathe oregano) into the dough before you add your oil and water.
How do you stretch out pizza dough?
You can use a rolling pin or you can use your hands. If you’re especially skilled, you can toss it up in the air and spin your dough like an Italian pizza artist, but I definitely lack the ability to tell you how to do that one.
I prefer to use a rolling pin and roll the dough out into a circle (or more like an amoeba-shape, since I can’t roll a perfect circle to save my life). Alternatively you can use your hands to flatten and stretch the dough until it reaches the desired width.
Then use your hands to pinch the edges to make a crust or fold over the edges (I always fold mine over because it gives me a thicker crust, which I love), brush the entire surface of the pizza generously with olive oil, and then use a fork to poke holes over the center of the dough to prevent any bubbles from forming while it bakes.
How do you make Homemade Pizza?
You can use this pizza dough recipe to make your own homemade pizza using any toppings you’d like (I love making Margherita pizza and have even made a BBQ chicken version using my BBQ pulled chicken).
I included instructions in the recipe, but once you’ve prepared your pizza dough, just add your favorite toppings and bake in a 425F oven for about 15 minutes (you may need longer if you add a lot of toppings). Do make sure you let your oven preheat properly and use an oven thermometer as possible, my oven takes a while to reach that temperature and usually “tells” me it’s ready when it’s not even close.
OK, are you guys sick of hearing about my beloved pizza dough recipe yet? In case you just can’t get enough, I also made a video just below that you can watch so you can see exactly how your dough should look in every step.
How to Make Homemade Pizza Dough
If you enjoy watching these videos, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel to be notified every time I publish a video!
The Best Pizza Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour OR bread flour¹ divided (250-295g)
- 1 packet instant yeast² (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
- ¾ cup warm water³ (175ml)
Instructions
- 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.
- Add olive oil and warm water and use a wooden spoon to stir well very well.
- Gradually add another 1 cup (125g) of flour. Add any additional flour as needed (I've found that sometimes I need as much as an additional ⅓ cup), stirring until the dough is forming into a cohesive, elastic ball and is beginning to pull away from the sides of the bowl (see video above recipe for visual cue). The dough will still be slightly sticky but still should be manageable with your hands.
- Drizzle a separate, large, clean bowl generously with olive oil and use a pastry brush to brush up the sides of the bowl.
- 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, then 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. If you intend to bake this dough into a pizza, I also recommend preheating your oven to 425F (215C) at this point so that it will have reached temperature once your pizza is ready to bake.
- Once the dough has risen, use your hands to gently deflate it and transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth (about 3-5 times).
- Use either your hands or a rolling pin to work the dough into 12" circle.
- Transfer dough to a parchment paper lined pizza pan and either pinch the edges or fold them over to form a crust.
- Drizzle additional olive oil (about a Tablespoon) over the top of the pizza and use your pastry brush to brush the entire surface of the pizza (including the crust) with olive oil.
- Use a fork to poke holes all over the center of the pizza to keep the dough from bubbling up in the oven.
- Add desired toppings (see the notes for a link to my favorite, 5-minute pizza sauce recipe!) and bake in a 425F (215C) preheated oven for 13-15 minutes or until toppings are golden brown. Slice and serve.
Notes
Making in Advance:
To make in advance, let the dough rise covered at room temperature as indicated in the recipe, then deflate it, wrap it tightly so it doesn't dry out, and store in the refrigerator for up to several days or it will freeze for up to a month. Top your pizza off with my favorite, easy, homemade pizza sauce!Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Susan B
Do you recommend a pizza stone or pizza pan? Would either work? Have you tried grilling the dough ? Thanks for your help.
Sam
Hi Susan! I have only ever used a pizza pan but I don’t see why either wouldn’t work. I haven’t tried grilling the dough, either, but that should be fine!
Lori
Hi there,
Can I double this recipe?
Sam
Yup! Enjoy!
Dorcus
Oh wow, this is a simple explanatoryPizza dough recipe, thanks so much
Blessings
Sam
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed! Thank you so much for commenting, I appreciate it! 🙂
Kari
This recipe did not work for me. It was WAY too dry and flaky. I had to add more water.
Sam
Hmm that is very strange, are you at high altitude?
Gina
Just wow!
I have been trying different pizza dough recipes for over 20 years trying to find the perfect one – and my search is finally over! Thank you so much! The whole family was blown away! 😁
Sam
I’m so happy to hear this, Gina!! Thank you so much for commenting, I really appreciate it! 🙂
Jennine Gibson
I loved this recipe. It’s easy and delicious! I had to convince people it was homemade. They all thought it was carry out.
Sam
Haha, I’m so happy to hear this, Jennine! Thank you so much for commenting and letting me know how it turned out for you, I really appreciate it! 🙂
Sophia
amazing! so easy to follow and tastes great, was successful with my first time using yeast!
Beba
The pizza dough was really good it’s a keeper
Serena
I would like to make the dough in advance and hold it in the fridge. At what point should I do that?
Miriam
This is a definite keeper! Thanks so much for creating an easy, delicious recipe! And your video explains it perfectly. The first time I made it, it was perfect and everyone loved it.
Sam
I’m so happy to hear this, Miriam! Thank you so much for commenting, I really appreciate it! 🙂
Keisha
What else can I use this dough for?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Keisha! I love to use it to make homemade garlic knots,
dessert pizza, calzones, stromboli…
Glenn
Have you ever parbaked this so it could be made in advance and then refrigerated or even frozen until needed? How would you recommend doing this?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Glenn! I have never prebaked this recipe then stored it in the freezer for later. I have frozen the dough, thawed it, and then make my pizza. If you wish to freeze the dough you can! To do so you will make the dough, allow it to rise completely, then store it in an airtight container and place it in the freezer. It will last for up to one month. 🙂
Sue Jackson
Hi Just thought I’d stick my 2 cents in. I’ve parbaked the crust on the grill, cooled and then froze them in big ziplock bags. When you’re ready take it out and let thaw. Put your sauce and toppings on and put it in the oven (350º) or grill. When you have a few people over the oven is faster. Have fun.
Emma Feathers
I would love to double this recipe And make enough for breakfast pizza in the morning. Can you refrigerate or freeze it? If so at what stage would be best for both options? And how long do you think it will keep?
Sugar Spun Run
I love the idea of breakfast pizza, Emma! Yes, the dough can be made in advance. You will make the dough, allow it to rise completely, deflate it, then store it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It will last for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it and it will last for up to one month. 🙂
angel
this was an amazing recipe. thank you so much, you are a life saver. my mom loves pizza and it was her birthday so for lunch i had to make an amazing tasting pizza and because of your recipe i was able to do that.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed it and I hope that your mom did too! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Dena
I just got a new KitchenAid and want to make the pizza dough using it. How do I do this? Many thanks
Sugar Spun Run
Congrats on your new mixer, Dena! If you wish to use the mixer for this recipe you can. You will just follow the directions accordingly:
1. Combine 1 cup (125g) of flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt in the mixers bowl. If desired, add garlic powder and dried basil at this point as well.
2. Add olive oil and warm water and stir well very well on a low speed.
3. Still, on the low speed you will then gradually add another 1 cup (125g) of flour. Add any additional flour as needed (I’ve found that sometimes I need as much as an additional 1/3 cup), stirring until the dough is forming into a cohesive, elastic ball and is beginning to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough will still be slightly sticky but still should be manageable with your hands.
Then continue with steps 4-12. 🙂
Dena
I made the pizza and it was delicious. Many thanks. I will definitely continue using your recipe.
My next challenge will be either cinnamon rolls or cinnamon raisin bread.
Sam
I have a great cinnamon roll recipe if you want to give it a shot! 😉