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The Best Pizza Dough Recipe

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3.8 from 10 reviews

This Best Pizza Dough Recipe yields a soft, chewy, and flavorful crust perfect for creating delicious homemade pizzas. Made with simple ingredients like flour, instant yeast, olive oil, and warm water, the dough is easy to prepare and rises quickly for a perfect base. Whether you prefer classic cheese or loaded toppings, this pizza dough provides a versatile foundation to build your favorite pie.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 - 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour OR bread flour (250-295g), divided
  • 1 packet instant yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder and/or dried basil leaves (optional)

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (+ additional for brushing)
  • ¾ cup warm water (175 ml)

Instructions

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix 1 cup (125g) of flour, the instant yeast, sugar, salt, and if using, garlic powder and dried basil leaves thoroughly to distribute all flavors.
  2. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the olive oil and warm water. Using a wooden spoon, stir the mixture vigorously until combined well.
  3. Incorporate Remaining Flour: Gradually add another cup (125g) of flour, stirring continuously. Add additional flour as needed (up to another ⅓ cup) until the dough forms a cohesive, elastic ball and begins to pull away from the bowl sides. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable by hand.
  4. Prepare for Rising: Drizzle olive oil generously into a separate large clean bowl and use a pastry brush to coat the sides evenly.
  5. Shape Dough Ball: Lightly flour your hands, shape the dough into a round ball, and place it in the oiled bowl. Roll it around the bowl so the entire surface is coated with olive oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap.
  6. Rise the Dough: Place the covered bowl in a warm spot and allow the dough to rise for about 30 minutes or until it doubles in size. If baking immediately, preheat the oven to 425°F (215°C) during this time.
  7. Deflate and Knead: After rising, gently deflate the dough with your hands and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Knead briefly for 3 to 5 times until smooth.
  8. Shape the Pizza Base: Use your hands or a rolling pin to roll or stretch the dough into a 12-inch circle.
  9. Prepare Pizza Pan: Transfer the dough circle onto a parchment-lined pizza pan. Pinch or fold the edges to form a crust.
  10. Brush with Olive Oil: Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the pizza dough. Using a pastry brush, spread the oil evenly over the entire surface including the crust.
  11. Dock the Dough: Use a fork to poke holes evenly across the center of the dough to prevent bubbling while baking.
  12. Add Toppings and Bake: Add your preferred pizza toppings. Place the pizza in the preheated 425°F (215°C) oven and bake for 13 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and toppings are cooked. Slice and serve hot.

Notes

  • You can substitute all-purpose flour with bread flour for a chewier texture.
  • Adding garlic powder and dried basil adds a savory aroma and subtle flavor to the crust.
  • For best results, ensure the water is warm (around 100-110°F / 38-43°C) to activate the yeast properly.
  • Preheating the oven while dough rises helps achieve a perfectly crisp crust.
  • Use your favorite pizza sauce and toppings; a quick 5-minute pizza sauce recipe can complement this dough beautifully.
  • Make sure to dock the dough (poke holes) so that air bubbles don’t form excessively during baking.

Find it online: https://recipefeastful.com/the-best-pizza-dough-recipe/