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.
Susan Blunt
Love this pizza dough recipe, it’s sooooooo good!!!! It’s my go to pizza crust recipe🍕😀
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We love hearing that, Susan! Thanks so much for commenting and reviewing. Enjoy 😊
Jenny
This may be a silly question, but if I use this to make calzones, should I poke some holes in the dough before I put them in the oven? Thanks!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Adding vent holes is a good idea. We hope you love it, Jenny!
Erica K Nielsen
like the lady says….
Easy, peasy.
If you use a pizza stone, might not take quite as long.
Thanks!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you liked the pizza dough, Erica! Enjoy 😊
John
This recipe is very easy , even someone who isn’t very novice cook .
I did add 2 tsp of sugar to my yeast and warm water as I find it helps with the rising.
I also am going to cook these pies at a higher temperature then what the recipe suggests as I find it gives the crust a much crispier bottom and crust.
I am also going to attempt making a stuffed crust pizza. I will make some garlic butter with a little parsley and Parmesan cheese and brush it on before and after.
Other than my slight changes to the recipe it’s a fantastic one I am a very competent home cook and highly recommend this recipe if you are new to making dough. You could also use this dough for calzones.
Again fantastic recipe.
Kami
So easy to make and DELICIOUS!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks so much for your five star review, Kami! We’re so happy you like the dough 😊
Elizabeth Antoinette-Arthur Marquise-Doyles (Smith)
It worked okay I guess, but the pizza turned out amazing! I never really comment on recipes, but I think this one was note-worthy! I will be using this again, but one note is that the mozzarella cheese was a little too salty for my liking, thank you anyway!
Karen C.
We really loved this pizza dough. It’s so easy to make and comes out perfect for a large pizza. Then all we need to do is pick out yummy toppings!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you loved it, Karen! Be sure to try our pizza sauce too! 😊
JANET ANDERSON
I added itallian spice as well
OMG this recipie is incredible!!!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Sounds delicious! We’re so happy you loved it, Janet. Thanks for your five star review ❤️
Selma Tuncer
This is the best pizza dough ever!! Thanks Sam, you’re a lifesaver!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you love it, Selma! Thanks so much for your five star review ❤️
John Fuolco
Best pizza dough recipe ever. It is great in my bread machine. It takes 50 minutes to make the dough. I use King Arthur pizza dough and the dough comes out perfectly. Everyone that I have served my pizza to raves about the crust.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you love it John! Thanks for letting us know how it works in a bread machine 😊
Scott Welch
Wonderfully easy! And tastes great! This will be in my saved recipes for a long time to come. Thank you for this tasty simple recipe.
Scott
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you love this recipe, Scott! Thanks so much for your five star review. Enjoy ❤️
Michele
I have used this recipe at least 10 times. Switching it up for tonight and making the dough into garlic knots.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Great idea, we do the same with our Garlic Knots! Let us know how they turn out for you 😊
Michele
They were perfect only problem was I should have doubled the batch for extras.
A H
Perfect recipe! Thank you! I love that is rises quickly. Recipe saved for life!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much for your kind words and five star review! Enjoy 😊
Kim
Hi Emily, I’m excited to try your pizza dough recipe. If I do the make ahead (deflate, wrap tightly, refrig) when I’m ready to use, do I just pull it out, put in bowl and let it warm to room temp?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Kim! You will want your dough to sit at room temperature for a few minutes after pulling it out of the refrigerator so that it is easier to work with, otherwise, it is not needed. Enjoy! 😊
Janis Nelson
This is the best pizza dough recipe It’s my go to for my thin , deep dish even my calzones. Love it !
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy to hear that, Janis! Thanks so much for your five star review ❤️
Jen
Followed this recipe to a T, using brand new yeast that I just bought. Dough has been in warm oven for an hour and has not risen at all! 7:00 at night and now we have no dinner! Seriously irritated!
Sam
Hi Jen! That sounds frustrating. Did you use Instant yeast? I would be concerned that perhaps the water was too hot, which could have killed the yeast, causing the dough to not rise. I’m disappointed to hear that it didn’t rise for you, though 🙁
A H
It’s not the recipe’s fault that your yeast was dead or killed. Mistakes happen learn from them
Crystal O.
I never leave reviews on recipes (sorry) but omg if a mediocre cook like me can make this, then anyone can. I definitely messed up along the way but my pizza still came out sooo good. My picky toddler who only eats toppings ate 3 slices! Emily, you are my girl and I’m gonna be trying more of your recipes!
Crystal O.
Oops! This recipe is by Sam! Thank you!
Sam
We are both happy you enjoyed! 🙂
Candyag
If you’re into cake baking, try her pumpkin layer cake! The best cake for Thanksgiving! My family has to have this cake every Thanksgiving! I do bake the cake in a 9×13 pan with her cream cheese icing! Making this pizza dough in my bread machine today!
Sam
So happy to hear the recipe was such a hit, Crystal! Thank you so much for trying this recipe, and for commenting! 🙂