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.
rp
This recipe is absolutely amazing! Seriously, incredible. I have never made pizza dough before in my life, but I’ve made at least 4 pizzas in the past few weeks thank to this recipe. I add some crushed rosemary along with the garlic powder and the smell is just heavenly. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Sugar Spun Run
You are welcome, RP. I am so glad that you have enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Crystal Fino
Wow!! First time making pizza dough and this recipe was perfection! Thank you for the excellent instructions and recipe tips! Made this dough recipe super easy to follow and turned out wonderful!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you found the recipe easy and delicious, Crystal! Thanks for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
Sana Saeed
UNBELIEVABLE! This is literally the BEST homemade pizza dough! You CANNOT beat the time it takes, the texture, or finished result of this dough! I was so excited that I didn’t have to wait for ever for the dough to be ready. Within minutes it was ready to be spread out and it cooked in just 15 min in the oven with the toppings. Once it cooled down a bit, it was just perfect. Great hold, fluffy and airy, soft but not too much. I can literally go on. My husband said it tasted “professional”. Woohoo! Thank you!!!!!
I added a couple more seasonings to it including garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, Italian seasoning, and onion powder! Just a tad bit of each but the flavor was insane at the end! Can’t wait to make it again!
Sugar Spun Run
When you receive a compliment like that from your husband, you know you rocked it and I am so glad that it was a big hit, Sana! Thank you so much for trying my recipe and for the 5-star review. I appreciate your feedback. Enjoy! 🙂
Elizabeth Lee
I just made your recipe and it is smelling great in the oven. Can I freeze the other half of the dough or how long will it last in the refrigerator?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Elizabeth! I hope that your pizza turned out perfectly! You can freeze the dough by storing it in an airtight container for up to one month. If you keep it the refrigerator it will last up to 3-4 days. 🙂
Shanna Boss
Made this for the second time this week- kids love it! Can I freeze the dough? If so, how?
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that your family loved it, Shanna! I hope that your kids had fun making it too! You can freeze the dough. You will make it, allow it to rise completely, then store it in an airtight container in the freezer. Enjoy! 🙂
Krystle
I have used this recipe for a couple of years now and have made a countless number of pizzas for my family. This is the best recipe and it is so easy. My husband even says that I make the best pizza in the world. Thank you for sharing!
Sugar Spun Run
What an amazing compliment to receive! Thank you, Krystle! I am so glad that you have enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
karen
can I refrigerate oner night and use the next day
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Karen! Yes, you can make this is advance. You want to make it and allow it to rise completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 🙂
Rob
How long can it stay out without being refrigerated?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Rob! I would allow it to stay at room temperature for a max of two hours before storing it in the refrigerator. Be sure to allow it to rise before doing so. 🙂
Thili
Thank u very much.. this came out beautifully..😘
My kids made it n they loved it..
One yummy lockdown day.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that your family enjoyed it, Thili! Thanks for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
Shaina
Loved the recipe! Added the oregano and basil and it smelled amazing! Doubled the recipe and made 1 round, one rectangle and 2 smaller ones. Will be making some for other family members soon for them to enjoy.
One question, what do I need to do differently if I use the regular yeast, not instant yeast?
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, Shaina! Another user who used active dry yeast (same amount listed on the recipe) proofed the yeast in 1/4 cup warm water + 1 tsp sugar before putting it in the flour mixture. Then added the rest of the wet ingredients and flour. After about 45 mins it should double in size! I hope that helps! 🙂
Hillary
I made it and just proofed the yeast in the 3/4 cup warm water with the sugar in the recipe then just added it once proofed
Sugar Spun Run
I am happy that it worked out, Hillary! Enjoy! 🙂
Britny
I just made this for my God kids last night. I added basil, oregano, parsley, Tuscan herbs, and garlic salt into the dough, and also sprinkled it all over the toppings when they were done, and put extra Coatings of it on the crust so they were kind of like extra seasoned breadsticks. It was a big hit, and everybody wants to have it again. Great recipe, and thank you so much!
Sugar Spun Run
I am happy to hear that everyone enjoyed it, Britny! Thank you for trying my recipe. 🙂
Teresa
I am going to try out your pizza crust recipe because if it’s anything like your biscuits, it should be amazing! One note though… I read recently that salt kills yeast! I used to add it with the sugar and warm water and no longer do this. Have you ever tried adding the salt later to see if it rises better?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Teresa! I have tried this recipe multiple ways before I published it. The steps listed have led to the best results. There is such a small amount of salt that it is added that I have not experienced any issues. I hope that you enjoy it. 🙂
Dana
I didn’t realize the recipe called for instant yeast and not active dry yeast. I thought it was weird that I didn’t need to proof the yeast, but did as the recipe said. Only when I looked at the comments after the dough was resting did I realize. I was devastated because I thought it was ruined. Well, it more than doubled in size in 30 minutes and tasted delicious!
Sugar Spun Run
That is AWESOME! I am so glad that you got lucky and that it turned out well for you, Dana! I am happy that you enjoyed it too. 🙂
Teresa
My family loved it! Thanks for another great recipe!!
Crissa
This turned out awesome! Doubled the batch and it was enough for 4 (thin crust) 12” pizzas! My daughter and I had a blast making from-scratch pizza. Thanks for this recipe! It’s a keeper.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that your daughter enjoyed making her own pizza, Crissa! I am happy that you all enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Sarah
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! We doubled the recipe and made 5 pizzas- the only complaint was that the kids all wanted more!
Will definitely be making again- SO much nicer than store bought bases!!! Thank you so much!!!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that your kids loved it, Sarah! Thank you so much for using my recipe for family pizza night. I am happy that it was a hit. 🙂
Elyse
I used this recipe and seasoned it with garlic powder, dried basil, and some Italian seasoning mix. I made a video when I made my white pizza so I’ll definitely tag you on the IG post! Thanks for the recipe, I used the AP flour version and pan fried it then finished it off in the oven for 12 min. A+
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, Elyse! Thanks for tagging me on IG, I will be sure to check it out. 🙂
Scandalli
I am so happy that I found this recipe.I can finally make a tasty pizza! I had almost given up. Tank you so much!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed it, Scandalli! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Tatiana
Absolutely loved this recipe! Very easy to make and very tasty.
I made this recipe and I added oregano and garlic powder, I also left it to rise for about 1 1/2 hours.
I cooked it for about 20min and came out perfect!
I love this recipe and will definitely continue to use it 🙂
Sugar Spun Run
That is wonderful, Tatiana! I am so glad that it turned out perfectly for you and you enjoyed it! Thanks for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂