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 1/4 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 1/3 cups all-purpose flour OR bread flour¹ divided (250-295g)
- 1 packet instant yeast² (2 1/4 teaspoon)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder and/or dried basil leaves optional
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil + additional
- 3/4 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 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 (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
Robyn says
I’m trying to find things to help me out of my anxiety and depression. I’m always trying to find new ways to keep my child happy when it comes to eating and I thought I’d give your recipe a try. I almost cried after I saw it and tasted it. I am pregnant so it may be hormonal but your recipe made me feel so good about myself after a tough few days. I hope that you know you made a change in someone’s day today, THANK YOU!!
Sam says
I am so glad everyone enjoyed it Robyn! Congratulations and I hope everything goes well the rest of the way for you. 🙂
Mary says
Hello, do you know if this recipe still works if it is doubled? thank you.
Sam says
It does! Enjoy 🙂
Iesha chan says
Tried to edit my comment. I meant to say i used an mixer and active dry yeast
Iesha chan says
This was my first time making pizza dough. It came out perfect. I used a stand mixer and my kitchen aid mixer. Thank you. Would I be able to double to recipe and use my stand mixer?
Sam says
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Iesha! You can use a stand mixer just be careful not to over-work it. 🙂
S says
I absolutely loved this recipe! It was so easy, and turned out great. I made it using active dry yeast (and let the yeast bloom in the warm water beforehand), and it worked great. I also pre-baked the dough before placing the toppings on, which made for a crispier crust. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!
Sam says
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Callum says
Really, no one cares about your life story just show the recipe.
Sam says
I’m sorry that you missed the big jump to recipe button at the top of the page and had to read. Next time you find yourself struggling with the “life stories” that accompany the recipes that are provided for free for you to use online, please consider buying a cookbook instead.
Callum says
Sorry that was rude of me. I’m just so hungry.
Tracy says
You tell em!!
I appreciate your commentary. It’s delightful!!
Amy says
Befitting reply
sharon ramirez says
I super enjoy your stories as much as the recipes!!! It feels more personal!!
Sam says
Thank you Sharon! 🙂
Lyss says
You could have just jumped to recipe. Many people DO care.
Jacob says
We’ve been using this recipe to make pizzas since the beginning of COVID, and I think we’ve finally perfected it. Important notes:
–let rise for at least 3 hours
–oven as high as you can get it (525 degrees F for us)
–low-moisture mozzarella
–use a pizza stone and pizza peel if you have it
–cornmeal on the bottom makes it slide off the peel easier
Tonight for toppings we had mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and on one half ground beef and on the other half vegan sausage. We didn’t have time to make your sauce (although we have in the past, and we love it!) so we just used organic canned tomato sauce and it was fine. Better than any pizza we can get delivered.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Sam says
I am so glad you have enjoyed it so much, Jacob! 🙂
Maryam says
Hi
I found the water is not enough to form water ..how do u used it 3/4 cup of water for 2 cups flour ..mine is jusy jot enough
Sam says
I’m wondering if you simply have too much flour. 3/4 cup of water is enough for this recipe to work. Have you read my post on how to measure flour? This may help a bit.
Marilyn Wakefield says
My 2 teenage grandsons loved this pizza crust. They told me my pizza was better than the local pizza joint’s! I used bread flour because I had some on hand. I found it easier to stretch by hand. Two large pizzas were devoured in about 10 minutes flat! Thank you! This is definitely a keeper.
Sam says
I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Marilyn! 🙂
Teresa Mullins says
I just made it with your homemade pizza sauce and we all agree it is really delicious. Thank you for sharing your recipes.
Sam says
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Teresa! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Nick says
My whole family liked this recipe, and I have some pizza snobs in my family lol. We all enjoyed it a lot!!
Sam says
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Nick! 🙂
Toby says
Brilliant recipe 👍 I’ve used it for months now and is a staple in our house now.
Also use it to make platted year away pizza bread , works a treat.
Thank you for the recipe, it’s awesome
Sam says
I am so glad everyone enjoys it so much, Toby! 🙂
Rich says
I like the look of your pizza dough recipe.
It looks like making pizza will be a lot easier. I knead for ten minutes then knock back once the dough has risen. Too much like hard work.
I get my dough to rise by using my dishwasher.
Do a quick wash and when it’s finished put the dough, in a bowl covered in a damp tea towel, in the dishwasher.
Doubles in size a treat.
Rose says
I made this pizza tonight. Mine was dry, so I added a table spoon of warm water, then it looked shinny and was sticky. It took longer to rise, 40 min. It doubled and I punched it down. It was great. I put fennel with basil spaghetti sauce on mine. I heat them together in the microwave to soften the fennel seeds. It gives it an authentic Italian taste. I had large sliced thin mushrooms with thin sliced red bell peppers from my garden and half a paper thin sliced yellow onion. I topped it w mozzarella and sprinkled some red pepper flakes last. I loved this pizza
Sam says
I am so glad you enjoyed it, Rose! That pizza sounds incredible! 🙂
Teresa Mazur says
Super easy, and the Grands got to put the sauce and toppings on! Delish
Sam says
I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Teresa! 🙂
J says
Hi, We made this recipe last week and everyone LOVED it! Unfortunately today we are out of yeast. Can I adapt this recipe without yeast?
Sam says
Unfortunately I don’t have a good way to make this without the yeast. 🙁