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.
I used bread flour for this pizza dough recipe because I like the crunch it gives to the crust. If you prefer a more chewy texture you can substitute all purpose flour in the same amount. 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!
You may also like: Bacon Cheeseburger Pizzas, Sausage and Egg Breakfast Pizza, Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza, The Best Pan Pizza, Easy Low Carb Pan Pizza, Mexican Pizza.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 5 cup bread flour
- 2 1/4 oz envelopes rapid rise yeast
- 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 the 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 and top with your favorite pizza toppings.
- Bake assembled pizzas in a preheated 450°F oven for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden.
Cindi says
Can you still use dough if you left it out on the counter over night?
Melissa says
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.
Evelyn says
How long well it hold in the refrigerator?
Melissa says
For 3-4 days for the best results.
Mary D Lombardi says
I do not have rapid rise yeast ….can I use regular
Melissa says
That is crucial to this particular recipe so, I would wait until I have the right yeast.
Ashley says
What exactly is a dough hook. I just.own regular mixing beaters. Would they be okay for mixing
Melissa says
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.
Rita Borg says
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 says
Welcome Rita, and thanks for such a sweet comment and for visiting from Malta! Come back and visit often.
Nicola says
Hi rita, I’m from malta too, where do you buy rapid yeast? I can’t find it. Thanks
Melissa says
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 says
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 says
Great tip Carol, thank you!
NIKOLA JOVANOVIC says
Cup … How much is it in grams ?
Thanks in advance
Nice regards Nikola
helena says
Nikola Jovanovic….1 cup of flour is approx 120 grams
Jan says
Melissa, this is a great recipe for pizza! I like the use of olive oil in the recipe.
Melissa says
Thanks Jan!
Ruth says
hi ! I can i use all purpose flour instead of bread flour ?
Melissa says
You can but, I highly recommend bread flour.
Sheryl says
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 says
I’ve never heard of this, very interesting.
Robin Burns says
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 says
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.
Amy says
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 says
Follow the directions and watch the video, it’s all there. Make sure also you’re using fresh yeast and flour.
judi says
can you freeze the dough if so how do you do it
Melissa says
Yes you can. Separate the dough into desired amount before rising. Freeze, then thaw in the refrigerator overnight and let rise before using.
Jennifer says
Could I half the recipe to only make 1 crust?
Melissa says
Yes, or make a whole batch and freeze half.
tracy west says
how many teaspoons of yeast as i have a jar not envelopes
Melissa says
Each envelope is 2 1/4 tsp.
Rehana Rahman from California says
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 says
Thank you so much!
Shannon says
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 says
Well, if you’re up to kneading it by hand, sure. Knead for 5-7 minutes or until the dough becomes elastic.
Christine says
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 says
That makes me happy Christine, thank you for taking the time to let me know. It’s our favorite, too!
jean says
could part of the dough be used for making rolls?? Too much for just the 2 of us and have limited storage
Melissa says
If you like, or it could be divided and frozen.
Angie says
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 says
Wonderful Angie, thank you!
Christine says
Tried this today and it is very good. I only used half the dough and put the other in the freezer
Christine says
A hello do you have a good easy recipe for pizza sauce?
Melissa says
Yes, you can find it in the Recipe Index here.
Candiss says
So do we need two envelopes of yeast or one? Sorry, you confused me when you put (1/4) in there ..
Melissa says
You need two 1/4 oz packages of yeast.
Esther says
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 says
Wonderful, thanks!