Homemade pizza dough really isn't hard to make and it makes for a fabulous, fun interactive cooking event. After making this delicious dough in advance, I like to set-up a pizza toppings bar with a variety of different sauces, chopped vegetables, meats and shredded cheese and let everyone get in on the pizza making fun. This homemade pizza dough is my "go to" and it always works.
Tips For Making Pizza Dough
- I used bread flour for this pizza dough recipe because of the crunch it gives to the crust. If you prefer a more chewy texture you can substitute all purpose flour in the same amount.
- To make this pizza dough, you'll need two ¼ ounce packets of rapid rise yeast. The equivalent of 2 ¼ tsp for each packet.
- When I'm planning a friends and family movie night I like to make several batches in advance then cover and chill. Even when the dough is chilled in the refrigerator it will continue to slowly rise.
- To separate, punch the dough down to release the air pockets then divide using a pastry cutter or a sharp knife.
- Give each person a piece of pizza dough and let everyone top their own pizza the way they want. It's a lot of fun and it gets the kids involved, too.
Expect lots of chatter, laughter and mishaps, it comes with the territory but, it's worth it. Make your own Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce, too.
Other Pizza Recipes You May Like
Yummy Bacon Cheeseburger Pizzas, a tasty Sausage and Egg Breakfast Pizza, sweet Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza, The Best Pan Pizza, and super easy Easy Low Carb Pan Pizza.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Pizza Dough
Servings: 2 (16-inch crusts)
Ingredients
- 5 cup bread flour
- 2 ¼ oz envelopes rapid rise yeast (i.e. Two ¼ oz packets)
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp olive oil divided
- 2 cup warm water 110-115°F
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together bread flour, dry yeast, salt and sugar.
- While the mixer is running, drizzle in 2 cups of warm water mixed with 2 Tbsp olive oil. If needed add additional water 1 Tbsp at a time until the dough is fully moistened. Knead until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Turn onto a non stick surface and by hand knead 8-10 times or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Return to the bowl and drizzle with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Turn to coat all sides. Cover and allow to rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
- Divide the dough in half. Press each half onto a 16 inch pizza pan and top with your favorite pizza toppings. (May refrigerate dough for up to 3 days)
- Bake assembled pizzas in a preheated 450°F oven for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden.
Notes
- To make this pizza dough, you'll need two ¼ ounce packets of rapid rise yeast. The equivalent of 2 ¼ tsp for each packet called for in the recipe.
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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sandy j Richardson
This is the best pizza dough I've ever used. Made stuffed crust for hubby and he asked if I made this or bought it ( big compliment) Thanks for sharing it!
Melissa
I consider that high praise, thank you!
Boyd Kobe
I love homemade pizza dough! How fun to make it with the kids every week too!
Sharon Clair
Can you use this dough for calzones.
Melissa
Sure!
Sharon clair
Do you have to let the dough rise again. After you fill the calzone. Thank you.
Melissa
You don't have to if you've followed the steps through to preparing a pizza or calzone.
Esther
This is a very easy dough and to make it even easier I used my bread machine to prepare it using the dough setting since I don't have a heavy duty mixer. Worked great!
Melissa
Wonderful, thanks!
Candiss
So do we need two envelopes of yeast or one? Sorry, you confused me when you put (1/4) in there ..
Melissa
You need two 1/4 oz packages of yeast.
Christine
A hello do you have a good easy recipe for pizza sauce?
Melissa
Yes, you can find it in the Recipe Index here.
Christine
Tried this today and it is very good. I only used half the dough and put the other in the freezer
Angie
This dough has an excellent taste! I cut up the ingredients (turkey pepperoni, tomato, green pepper, mushroom, black olive, cheese) while the dough was rising. I baked them for 15 minutes each. My husband & I both loved them!
Melissa
Wonderful Angie, thank you!
jean
could part of the dough be used for making rolls?? Too much for just the 2 of us and have limited storage
Melissa
If you like, or it could be divided and frozen.
Christine
I have made this recipe several times. It has been a hit everytime! The recipe makes two 12" pizzas which is great when we have the kids. But I also cut the recipe in half for when it's just the two of us. This makes a nice soft fluffy (my granddaughter's words) crust (if not overbaked). It's the only recipe I use when making pizza crust!
Melissa
That makes me happy Christine, thank you for taking the time to let me know. It's our favorite, too!
Shannon
My stand mixer is currently on the fritz, waiting for my new one to arrive... is it possible to be successful with this dough recipe with no mixer at all?? 😞
Haha thank you
Melissa
Well, if you're up to kneading it by hand, sure. Knead for 5-7 minutes or until the dough becomes elastic.
Rehana Rahman from California
Hi Melissa I like the way you teach your followers and I love the patience you have thanks I will try this for sure
Melissa
Thank you so much!
tracy west
how many teaspoons of yeast as i have a jar not envelopes
Melissa
Each envelope is 2 1/4 tsp.
Jennifer
Could I half the recipe to only make 1 crust?
Melissa
Yes, or make a whole batch and freeze half.
judi
can you freeze the dough if so how do you do it
Melissa
Yes you can. Separate the dough into desired amount before rising. Freeze, then thaw in the refrigerator overnight and let rise before using.
Amy
I have a hard time getting things to rise. Is your bowl warm or just room temp? Any suggestions or what exactly you did? Thanks! Looks yummy and I really wanna try this!
Melissa
Follow the directions and watch the video, it's all there. Make sure also you're using fresh yeast and flour.
Robin Burns
Can you make this with a wheat flour? If so, is there a special kind that works best? Any other alterations that need to be done using the wheat flour?
Melissa
You can make pizza dough with wheat flour however, this recipe is written exactly how I make it. I think it sounds like a great experiment. let me know if you try it.
Sheryl
Thought I'd leave you with some hints. I use my sourdough which I always have going on in the fridge. If you would like to mimic a tad of a sourdough taste with this recipe if you have sauerkraut you can use a bit of the juice. I wouldn't use more than 1/8 for this recipe. I also dehydrate sauerkraut & grind it & use as a seasoning for chips pizza etc. I'm a sour junkie.
Melissa
I've never heard of this, very interesting.
Ruth
hi ! I can i use all purpose flour instead of bread flour ?
Melissa
You can but, I highly recommend bread flour.
Jan
Melissa, this is a great recipe for pizza! I like the use of olive oil in the recipe.
Melissa
Thanks Jan!
NIKOLA JOVANOVIC
Cup ... How much is it in grams ?
Thanks in advance
Nice regards Nikola
helena
Nikola Jovanovic....1 cup of flour is approx 120 grams
Rita Borg
May 22 2017 : 6:22 am
Hi Melissa. Thank you so much for your southernstylekitchen Recipes i love them
I love making pizza dough you make it excatley like me .
I am so glad i found yout site, thank you rita from Malta.
Melissa
Welcome Rita, and thanks for such a sweet comment and for visiting from Malta! Come back and visit often.
Nicola
Hi rita, I'm from malta too, where do you buy rapid yeast? I can't find it. Thanks
Melissa
I'm not certain where it would be in your markets in Malta. Here in the US it's found on the baking aisle.
Carol Goins
You can buy it in envelopes or by the jar. Rapid rise for bread machines. If you get the jar don’t forget to put it in refrigerator after using! I didn’t read the label and had tobthrought out rest of jar!
Melissa
Great tip Carol, thank you!
Ashley
What exactly is a dough hook. I just.own regular mixing beaters. Would they be okay for mixing
Melissa
The dough hook is the curved attachment you see in the video. If you don't have one knead by hand until the dough has an elastic texture.
Mary D Lombardi
I do not have rapid rise yeast ....can I use regular
Melissa
That is crucial to this particular recipe so, I would wait until I have the right yeast.
Evelyn
How long well it hold in the refrigerator?
Melissa
For 3-4 days for the best results.
Cindi
Can you still use dough if you left it out on the counter over night?
Melissa
Hi Cindi, I have never allowed this pizza dough to sit on the counter for that length of time but my guess is that you could. I assume you mean this recipe. If you simply forgot and plan to use it for dinner later, I would punch it down to release air, and put it into fridge for cold yeast fermentation until you intend to use it. Let me know how it goes.