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
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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.
Lindsay J
We tried out a few recipes in our quest to make our own pizza on our new pellet grill and we found this to be our favorite! We love garlic and oregano though so we substitute garlic salt for the salt, then we do 1/2 tsp of garlic powder and 1/2 tsp of oregano. Very flavorful and not over powering at all! Great recipe!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Lindsay! I am so glad that you enjoyed it. Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Christina A
The flavor of this dough was outstanding. I did mis it in a mixer with the dough hook attachment for 6 minutes. Then I made pan pizza with it and it came out great.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the pizza dough, Christina! Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Soojung
Not good, the dough looked nothing like that which was in the video. There wasn’t nearly enough elasticity to hold the dough into a ball. The dough fragmented as if there was too much flour. The pizza dough cooked without too much rise and the texture was very dense.
Sam
Hi Soojung, there might very well have been too much flour used, it does sound like it. You want to go based off texture with this recipe for sure, I think you might have more success if you try it again with a bit less flour.
Rayford Humphrey
This is quite often what happens when people use volume measurements for flour. The density of the flour between one person’s cup measurement and another person’s can result in a considerable difference in the actual amount. That’s one of the major reasons bakers use weight, not volume. You might like to try it again using weight. Also, look up ‘bakers percentage’ to get a good insight into this way of measuring and scaling.
Sam
You make a very good point, Rayford! I even have a post on the proper way to measure flour that might be helpful!
Rose Brewer
Fixing to try out your recipe for the pizza crust but I would like a sourdough recipe for pizza
Sam
I don’t have a sourdough version but that sounds tasty!
Barbara Sarkisian
This pizza dough recipe is amazing! Easy and tasty too. My go to recipe from now on. Yum!!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so happy that you enjoyed it, Barbara! Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Maggie
Hi, Can I use regular yeast (not instant)? and Can I freeze the dough for future use?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Maggie! You can use regular yeast, but it will take longer to rise. You can also freeze the pizza dough for future use. I hope that you enjoy it! 🙂
Ashley
This is the best pizza dough recipe I’ve ever made. It’s my go to when making pizza every time.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you, Ashley! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it! 🙂
Carmen
Will it still turn out if I sub 1cup of flour with whole wheat flour?
Sam
Hi Carmen! Yes, the crust might just be tougher than usual. I might recommend starting with a bit less than 1 full cup of whole wheat flour.
Jeanie Toler
Hello! This recepie going in my receipe memorabilia box for future use. Yum
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Jeanie! I am glad that you are holding onto the recipe for safekeeping. Enjoy! 🙂
Josh
Can this be stored overnight in the refrigerator? Family is coming down on Saturday and we want to let the kids to their own pizza but hoping to make the night before so its less mess when kids get involved.
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Josh! Yes, I recommend letting it rise completely then storing it in an airtight container. I hope the kids have fun making their own pizzas! 🙂
Annie
Have you ever used honey instead of sugar? Would I just add it in with the warm water?
Amber
Turned out fabulous! Easy recipe and is fail proof 😍. I plan on adding salt and spices over the dough next time. Thank you for sharing
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, Amber! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
pym
I am 16 and want to make for my mom. Never baked anything. After I rolled the dough onto pizza pan I add the sauce and toppings before putting in oven? Jußt checking
Sam
Yup, add the sauce and toppings first. I hope you and your mom enjoy the pizza! 🙂
Heather Kramb
Since you’re just starting out, be sure to only top with cured, smoked or pre-cooked meats. There are exceptions but it’s a good rule of thumb. Balls of raw sausage or raw chicken is a no no.
Good luck!
Heather
Xio
Mmm I dont think so, it was brand new and not expired. I’ll give it another try. It still had the same delicious taste it was just tough..
Xio
Hi, I have used this recipe a few times using the instant yeast packet and it came out perfect…. when I used the bread yeast (instant yeast) that comes in the glass jar my dough was tough – not as soft as my previews dough. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Sam
Hi Xio! Is it possible that the instant yeast in the glass has gone bad?
Sarah
Wowza!! Turned out amazing! My husband even ate the crust, which he never does. Definitely the best pizza dough recipe. Now I have to make our own pizza every time!
Sugar Spun Run
That is wonderful, Sarah! I am so glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂
Trisha
This is first time making homemade pizza it turned out perfect thanks so much for the recipe
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you, Trisha! I am so glad that you enjoyed the pizza dough recipe! 🙂