Make Your Own Pizza Dough from Scratch for the Perfect Crispy and Chewy Crust! If you’ve never tried it before, now is the perfect time to give it a go!
Ingredients
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra if needed)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1½ tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (plus more for brushing)
- 1 cup warm water (110°F – 115°F)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the yeast and sugar. Add the warm water and stir. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, salt, and Italian seasoning (if using). Mix with a fork or dough hook on low speed for 1 minute.
- Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix on medium speed until the dough comes together and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Reduce the speed to low and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and springs back when poked. If the dough is sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Transfer the dough to a well-floured surface and shape it into a smooth, firm ball.
- Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough inside. Roll it around to coat with oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size. (I usually place mine in the oven with it turned off, which takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.)
- Once the dough has risen, remove the plastic wrap and punch the dough down to release any air.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. Dust a pizza stone or baking tray with flour.
- Transfer the dough to a well-floured surface and knead for 2 minutes. Shape it into a large circle (or any shape you prefer) using your hands or a rolling pin. Pinch the edges to form a thicker crust border.
- Use a fork to poke small holes in the dough to prevent air bubbles while baking. Brush the top and edges of the dough with olive oil.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven on the lower rack for 5 minutes.
- Remove the crust from the oven, add your desired toppings, and return it to the oven. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
