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    Home » Recipes » Breads (Yeast & Quick Breads)

    The Best Pizza Dough Recipe

    May 23, 2018 By Sam 9,142 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe
    The Easiest Pizza Dough Recipe

    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! 

    Pizza Dough Recipe with dough after it's risen

    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.

    Folding over pizza dough to form a crust

    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.

    Pizza dough formed into a ball before rising

    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.

    Pizza dough on pizza pan

    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.

    Cheese pizza made with my pizza dough recipe

    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!

    Pizza dough in glass bowl, after rising

    The Best Pizza Dough Recipe

    How to make the BEST Pizza Dough Recipe
    5 from 2419 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Rising Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 12 servings (makes one 10-12" pizza)
    Calories: 113kcal
    Author: Sam Merritt

    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

    ¹I've found that all-purpose flour yields a softer crust while bread flour gives a slightly crispier exterior. Please see the post for more information on all-purpose vs. bread flour in pizza dough.
    ²Many commenters have reported using active dry yeast (use the same amount, 2 ¼ teaspoon) with success. Some people have proofed the yeast first with the ¾ cup warm water, which is what I would recommend, while others have just mixed it into the dough as instructed. Both have had success! 
    ³Ideally your water should be between 105-115F (40-46C). I usually just use warm tap water but do make sure that your water isn't too hot or it will kill your yeast!

    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

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

    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.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carole

      August 09, 2024 at 3:20 pm

      Can you pre-bake the crust slightly so that it not soggy?

      Reply
      • Sam

        August 09, 2024 at 3:56 pm

        Sure thing! 🙂

        Reply
    2. WADAWDSAD

      August 08, 2024 at 6:06 pm

      5 stars
      good

      Reply
    3. Shantell

      August 07, 2024 at 8:23 pm

      5 stars
      My first attempt at homemadw pizza was a success. I messed up a little with the yeast, but the pizza still came out well

      Reply
    4. Sophia

      August 07, 2024 at 7:13 pm

      5 stars
      The name is accurate it really is the best pizza crust. I just made it . The taste and the texture are
      Excellent. The dough is so easy to work with and comes together fast.

      Reply
    5. Natalie

      August 07, 2024 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      I have made this before and had great results! Am I able to use melted butter instead of olive oil?
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        August 07, 2024 at 2:08 pm

        That should work just fine. Enjoy, Natalie!

        Reply
    6. Tiffany

      August 03, 2024 at 9:22 am

      My family loves pizza so I decided to do homemade and I love your recipes I have tried a few others, I do have a question can I turn this into a stuffed crust pizza(would you recommend this and if so would I need to adjust the dough any way?)

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        August 05, 2024 at 12:29 pm

        Hi Tiffany! You sure can. We typically just cut string cheese lengthwise in half and fold the edges of the crust over it before baking. Enjoy!

        Reply
    7. Ninaj

      August 01, 2024 at 6:02 pm

      5 stars
      Great!
      Easy to follow.
      Added garlic powder and dried basil for flavor.
      I used Shredded Italian cheese. Would add Parmesan for saltier flavor.

      Reply
    8. Deborah Siemon

      July 31, 2024 at 12:35 pm

      This pizza dough recipe was amazing! makes the perfect size pizza and loved flavouring the dough. So yummy!
      Made 2 pizza doughs, 1 with AP flour and 1 with bread flour. Both turned out amazing!
      Thanks for all your amazing recipes!!

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        July 31, 2024 at 6:28 pm

        Thanks for trying our recipe, Deborah! We’re so happy it was a hit for you 😊

        Reply
    9. Kimberly J Catlin

      July 30, 2024 at 8:36 pm

      Which type of instant yeast? I ask because my store have 3 different type of it.

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 31, 2024 at 12:01 pm

        Hi Kimberly! I have not seen 3 different types of instant yeast before. Look for “Instant yeast” or “rapid rise” yeast. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Kris

      July 22, 2024 at 8:23 pm

      5 stars
      Best homemade pizza recipe I’ve found so far. Glad it gives you the measurements needed and the time it needs to cook.

      Tasted so light and airy. Loved how it turned out. Definitely saving this to use more often

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        July 23, 2024 at 9:49 am

        Thanks for the review, Kris! We’re so happy the recipe is a hit for you ❤️

        Reply
    11. Monica

      July 18, 2024 at 3:40 pm

      5 stars
      Make it all the time but let it rest for one hour 😁

      Reply
    12. Patty B

      July 17, 2024 at 6:51 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious!

      Reply
    13. Liyah

      July 16, 2024 at 3:01 pm

      Can brown sugar be used in the place of white sugar?

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 23, 2024 at 10:39 am

        It will add a little different flavor, but it will work. 🙂

        Reply
    14. Nicole

      July 14, 2024 at 5:28 pm

      4 stars
      So good perfect dough

      Reply
    15. Shereen

      July 13, 2024 at 8:43 pm

      5 stars
      Followed this recipe and the dough turned out great! It’s a definite keeper. thank you 🙂

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        July 15, 2024 at 11:47 am

        We’re so happy to hear it! Thanks for the review, Shereen 😊

        Reply
        • Cerys

          July 17, 2024 at 11:22 am

          Can I triple the recipe?

        • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

          July 17, 2024 at 1:07 pm

          Yes you can! Enjoy, Cerys 😊

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