Ultra easy homemade pizza dough made with things you always have on hand. Why oh why do people do everything they can to not make their own pizza dough? It is just so easy, and you can do it.
They buy from the local pizza place, just buy the pizza and get it over with. They buy refrigerated roll out dough. They flatten biscuits. They buy precooked pieces of bread labeled pizza crust. I’m sure I’m missing some of other dodges. If you think of some, put them in the comments.
This is a recipe that I have used almost 40 years. (Did I just let my age slip a little?) It was on the side of a Gold Metal Flour bag, and I’m sure I have modified it some over the years but the principles are the same. Start with warm water. Add some yeast, oil, salt and sugar. Add twice as much flour. Keep it warm and let it double in size. Spread it out and let it set about 10 minutes if you want a thicker crust. If you want a thinner crust (like my four cheese pizza) make a smaller amount and spread it thin and don’t let it set.
Rating:
The easiest 5 I have even given. I suspect I have done this over 1000 times. Once a week when the kids were young. Twice a week when I was young. And still at least monthly.
Notes: You must “keep it warm”. Here are a few tips.
- “Preheat” your bowl with hot water.
- Use water of 100-110 degrees in the dough.
- Do NOT put the bowl on a stone type counter top. Put a wooden cutting board between it and the counter if that is where you want it to let it raise.
- Cover with a heavy towel.
- Don’t keep checking it. It will take at least 35-40 minutes to double in size.
- If it is really cold, then preheat your oven to it’s lowest setting then turn it off and use it as your warm spot to raise the dough.
A Note About Yeast: All baker yeast is the same organism (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Old fashion active dry yeast is processed differently and has less live yeast so will work slower. Otherwise consider quick, cake, fast or any other adjective use approximately the same. Yes, even that “special” pizza yeast. The amount of yeast in a packet is about 2 1/2 tsp. I use bulk yeast usually and use a light tablespoon (3 teaspoons minus a little) as the same thing. I also like adding the yeast to the water first to be sure I have an even distribution of the little critters. Many will mix the yeast with the flour, and that works also. When I make a smaller amount, I still will use a pack of yeast. I do increase the yeast if doubling.
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In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups of warm water (about 100-110 degrees) with 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar and one packet of a rapid rising yeast. Mix well. Add 4 cups of AP flour.
Mix will with a spatula and then finish with a little of hand kneading to get all the flour incorporated. Add a little more flour or water to make a relatively light but not too sticky dough. Usually, you won’t need to add anything. Dust with a little flour on all sides when done.
Cover in a warm place until double in size. About 40-45 minutes.
Oil a large pan. A 15 inch round pan or this is a sheet pan.
Flour your hands and spread the dough. A little flour on top of the dough helps some. Let set for about 10 minutes if you want a real thick crust.
Top as you wish. (That post is coming up next). Cook for about 20-25 minutes in a preheated 425-degree convection oven.
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Easy Everyday Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 2 cups water - Warm
- 4 cups AP flour
- 1 pack yeast - rapid or quick
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups of warm water (about 100-110 degrees) with 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar and one packet of a rapid rising yeast. Mix well. Add 4 cups of AP flour.
- Mix will with a spatula and then finish with a little of hand kneading to get all the flour incorporated. Add a little more flour or water to make a relatively light but not too sticky dough. Usually, you won't need to add anything. Dust with a little flour on all sides when done.
- Cover in a warm place until double in size. About 40-45 minutes.
- Oil a large pan. Flour your hands and spread the dough. A little flour on top of the dough helps some. Let set for about 10 minutes if you want a real thick crust.
- Top as you desire. Cook for about 20-25 minutes in a preheated 425-degree convection oven.
Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.
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Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.
All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.
DrDan
September 20, 2016 at 10:25 pmYep,
Any flour will do other than whole wheat. There are other recipes for whole wheat but I rarely do them… The texture is wrong to me.
With this recipe (which I’m sure I have done hundreds of times for almost 40 yrs) AP flour gives a “rougher” more homemade/rustic texture that I prefer for homemade pizza. I really like that.
The bread flour gives more gluten and finer texture. A little more pizza parlor like.
I have never used 00 but it should be fine.
I do this occasionally on a stone. I have a large wooden pizza peel that I make the pizza on then slide it onto the hot stone. If you don’t have a peel then use a cookie sheet without sides and slide it off that.
Dan
Leslie
September 20, 2016 at 10:08 pmWould like to make for grandkids. Have you ever used bread flour, 00 flour or cooked on a pizza stone?
Chris
September 18, 2011 at 8:37 amHave you ever tried 00 flour for your pizza dough?