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)
Recommended Equipment
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.
Linette
Awesome pizza crust!!! My husband said best ever!!!
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Linette! 🙂
Kim Harrington
If I refrigerate dough overnight how long after I take it out of the fridge can I roll it out?
Sam
You should be able to roll it out right away without any issue. 🙂
Ang
This recipe didn’t work. I have made homemade bread and pizza dough many, many times, but this recipe is an EPIC FAIL!!!!
Sam
Hi Ang! What seemed to be the issue? I make this at least once a week without issue and you can see it works just fine in the video. I’d be happy to help troubleshoot! Thousands of other readers have made this recipe with great success, I think we can get you there, too! 🙂
ray
Just in case anyone is wondering, this turns out really well in a bread machine. Just put the oil and water in first, add everything other than the yeast then make a little pit in the center for the yeast to go into. after the 1.5 hour dough setting stops, just let it sit for 30 mins and continue the posted recipe from step 7.
Sam
Thank you so much for the feedback, Ray! 🙂
Wanda
Made your pizza dough recipe and sauce with my Grandkids today. Love, love, loved it! They did too.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Wanda! 🙂
Jenni Silva
This makes a perfect pizza crust and it’s so easy to roll out! We like it super thin so we cut this in half and it makes two pizzas!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoy it so much, Jenni! 🙂
Vivek
Absolutely simple recipe and easy to follow. Came out really well the first time I tried, today will be my second attempt. Thank you soo much!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Vivek! 🙂
Johnny
I made this recipe using my Kitchenaid mixer. I used the kneading hook for about 10 minutes and the dough came out perfect. It’s a keeper.
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Johnny! 🙂
Renee
This is an amazing pizza Dough Recipe
Yummy 😋 🍕🍕🍕
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Renee! 🙂
Indrani
Which mode & what temperature?
Victoria
I put it for 400 degrees on bake and around 20 minutes and it was perfect the crust was crispy and the cheese was golden brown
Antonia
I tried making pizza dough yesterday and loved how easy this one is! I’m not much of a baker but I’m a winemaker so I know my way around yeast when it comes to making alcohol, LOL. BUT, my crust didn’t rise in the oven! I followed the instructions exactly, for yeast I used Fleischmans BreadMachine and did leave the dough out for a tad longer than 30 min before wrapping it tight and putting it in the fridge. We used it the same night – any ideas what I might have done wrong? Thank you for any advice you may have!
Sam
Hi Antonia! I wonder if your yeast was bad if the dough never rose at all.
Ed
Not in the fridge dog. Try a microwave or other warm place
Frances
I have active dry yeast and I see where you can proof it or just add it to the mix, if i proof it do i follow the proof instructions on jar?
Sam
Hi Frances! If you want to proof it, just measure out the water you will need for the recipe and make sure it is proper temperature then add the yeast to the water. 🙂
Maryanne
Hi, we enjoyed the pizza it was really good for homemade pizza. I substituted half of the flour with Bobs Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust flour added garlic and basil to the dough, and sprinkled cornmeal in the baking pan on top of the oil prior to baking. Will use this recipe again. It was enough pizza for three. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Maryanne! 🙂
Madhavi Aravind Naik
We tried your recipe on Sunday and just enjoyed it. I’m making it again today on popular demand. Thanks!
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Anon
Love this recipe! Use it all the time. Great also for a stuffed crust pizza. Just roll mozzarella sticks into crust. So yummy!!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoy it so much! I love making stuffed crust that way. 🙂
Precious
Its delicious, thanks for the recipe my family enjoyed the pizza
Sam
You’re very welcome, I’m so glad your family enjoyed!
Amy G*
This was a great and super easy recipe! My 1st time to ever make a homemade crust. It turned out great. Easily the best pizza I’ve ever made.
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Amy! 🙂
Larry Gee
Sam – We have been making (i.e. struggling) with pizza dough for years. Homemade, store bought, using a pizza stone, pizza pan, etc etc and never quite right – soggy in the middle, burnt crust blah blah blah. YOU saved us! Not only is this the perfect recipe, but the ease at which you take your audience step by step through the process is amazing. King Arthur Bread Flour and your video saves the day! Now on to Hamburger Buns! Thank you….
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed the pizza dough so much, Larry! I hope you love the hamburger buns too! 🙂