Skip the store bought pizza dough and learn how to make this easy pizza dough!
Once you know how to make this simple dough and our Homemade Pizza Sauce, the kinds of pizza you can make will only be limited to your imagination!
To make your own pizza dough, you’ll need flour, yeast, water, salt, and olive oil.
Simple ingredients that offer big flavor. The perfect pizza dough every single time waiting for you to pile on your favorite pizza toppings.
I used my KitchenAid mixer to whip up this pizza dough. It saves your hands from kneading and creates the perfect pizza dough every single time.
My motto is that any night is a good night to have pizza.
I’m also a firm believer that everything tastes better either topping a pizza or in a tortilla.
Also, try out my pizza sandwich recipe, or for breakfast try these mini fresh fruit pizzas, or try out my homemade pull apart pizza bread.
Pizza Dough Ingredients
- Flour
- Yeast
- Sugar
- Salt
- Olive Oil
- Water
How to Make Pizza Dough
The full measurements for the ingredients are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
This is a visual walk through on how to make this homemade pizza dough.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Step 2: The instructions are slightly different if you’re doing this completely by hand or if you’re using a stand mixer. I’ve included both sets of instructions for you below.
BY HAND
- Place flour into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center.
- Add yeast, sugar, salt, olive oil and water and stir until combined.
- Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes or until a smooth ball forms.
IN KITCHENAID
- Place flour into a stand mixers bowl and make a well in the center.
- Using a dough hook, add yeast, sugar, salt, olive oil and water and turn on low combined (about 3 minutes).
- Turn to medium and knead for 5-10 minutes or until a smooth ball forms.
Step 3: Place dough ball into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or clean cloth. Set in a warm place for 30 minutes or until dough has doubled.
Step 4: Turn dough out on a floured surface and punch the dough to remove excess air, knead lightly.
Step 5: Divide dough into 4.
Step 6: Spread with pizza sauce, desired toppings and bake in 450 degree preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Allow pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Makes enough dough for 4 10-12″ thin pizzas.
It is important to follow the steps and make sure to work the dough and allow the dough to rise properly. You will find that your pizza dough is easy to make, you just have to follow the pizza dough recipe as directed.
While all-purpose flour can be used for making pizza dough, bread flour is generally considered the better choice. Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which helps develop the gluten in the dough and gives it a chewy texture and crispy crust.
*Saving Dollars and Sense Tip: You can save on the cost of making pizza by using plain spaghetti sauce as pizza sauce. I use the lowest priced kind that you can get in a can usually under $1 whenever I am in a hurry and can’t make my own homemade pizza sauce.
Expert Tips
- Let the dough rise: Give the dough enough time to rise so that it becomes light and airy. The ideal rise time can vary depending on the recipe, but a good rule of thumb is to let it rise until it has doubled in size.
- Knead the dough: Kneading helps develop the gluten in the dough, which gives it its structure and texture. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Using a stand mixer helps tremendously with this step.
- Rest the dough: After kneading, allow the dough to rest for a few minutes before shaping. This resting time allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to shape
- Use a hot oven: Preheat your oven for at least 10 minutes before you go to place the pizza in the oven. This is a must to create the perfect pizza crust.
- Don’t overload the toppings: Be careful not to overload the pizza with too many toppings. This can cause the crust to become soggy and the pizza won’t cook evenly. A general rule of thumb is to use no more than three toppings.
Storing Pizza Dough
Refrigerator
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24-48 hours.
This slow rise in the refrigerator allows the dough to develop flavor and texture.
Freezer
You can also freeze the dough for longer storage.
Divide the dough into portions and wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Place the wrapped dough in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
To thaw the dough, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight.
Why I Love Making Homemade Pizza Dough
- Customization: Making your own pizza dough allows you to customize the crust to your liking. You can experiment with different types of flour, adjust the thickness of the crust, and add your preferred seasonings.
- Healthier option: Homemade pizza dough can be made with healthier ingredients, such as whole wheat flour, and you can control the amount of salt, sugar, and oil used in the recipe.
- Cost-effective: Making pizza dough at home can be more cost-effective than buying pre-made dough or ordering pizza from a restaurant.
- Fun activity: Making pizza dough from scratch can be a fun and enjoyable activity, especially if you involve your family or friends.
- Freshness: Homemade pizza dough is fresher than pre-made dough, which can have preservatives and additives to extend its shelf life. Additionally, you can make the dough just before you’re ready to use it, ensuring the freshest possible crust for your pizza.
What are some of you favorite toppings for pizza?
More Homemade Pizza Recipes
If you like this homemade recipe, you’ll love these ones too:
- Homemade Pizza Sauce – This is the simplest pizza sauce recipe ever!
- Biscuit Pizza Bread – This pull apart bread is a great appetizer or snack for pizza lovers.
- Grilled Pepperoni Pizza Sandwich – This has always been one of my kids favorite things to eat.
- Mini Fruit Pizzas – These mini pizzas taste more like dessert!
Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 15 oz 3 cups Flour
- 1 tbsp Yeast
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 9 fl oz Warm Water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
BY HAND:
- Place flour into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center.
- Add yeast, sugar, salt, olive oil and water and stir until combined.
- Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes or until a smooth ball forms.
IN KITCHENAID:
- Place flour into a stand mixers bowl and make a well in the center.
- Use dough hook.
- Add yeast, sugar, salt, olive oil and water and turn on low combined (about 3 minutes).
- Turn to medium and knead for 5-10 minutes or until a smooth ball forms.
BOTH:
- Place dough ball into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or clean cloth. Set in a warm place for 30 minutes or until dough has doubled.
- Turn dough out on a floured surface and punch the dough to remove excess air, knead lightly.
- Divide dough into 4.
- Makes enough dough for 4 10-12″ thin pizzas.
- Spread with desired toppings and bake in 450 degree preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let baked pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated with ingredients and serving size and may not be accurate. Please always double check with your own nutritional apps as well.
Amber Ward says
This is my go-to pizza dough recipe. We have made it countless times. Thanks!!
Kristie Sawicki says
Thank you so much for letting me know, LOVE to hear this!!
Tori says
This is hands down my favorite dough recipe! I have been using it for years! It is quick and easy and tastes great in the oven or on the grill!
Kristie Sawicki says
I am so glad to hear this, thanks so much!!
Amber M. says
Great Recipe! Can’t wait to try. One question, is that 15-20 minutes on a pan or right on the rack?
Kristie Sawicki says
I always do it on a pan, but it can be made either way.
Jenie says
Made the dough and will make it into yummy garlic knots. I have been using a frozen roll to make my knots and thought this would be more tasty! I added garlic salt instead of just salt. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Tracey says
This recipe has become my go-to homemade pizza dough recipe. Making this with REAL mozzarella is the bomb! My extremely picky kids love it. I never have leftovers. I just served it for my son’s sleepover party and the his friends raved! I make the dough in my Kitchen-Aid mixer and this could not be an easier weeknight meal that the kids eagerly help me make. I think this will be a recipe that my kids will “inherit” when they grow up and move out. I cannot rave enough. For myself I’ve added garlic and onion powder, olive oil drizzled on it and Italian seasoning. I have so many more ideas to try with this pizza dough!
Kristie Sawicki says
Oh that sounds amazing Tracey!!
Carolyn Barker says
The greatest pizza dough recipe! Fixed this today and it was wonderful. Will be making ti again soon, you could not go wrong with this recipe, better than any fast food chain pizza. Thanks for the recipe! It is a keeper for sure.
Kristie Sawicki says
Yay! So happy you love it!
Nat says
I just wanted to let you know that this recipe turned out awesome! I’m obsessed with making homemade pizza dough and have tried out countless recipes. This one worked great, although I would add a little bit more salt next time since I prefer a saltier tasting crust. I make it without a mixer, as per being a poor university student haha, and the dough looked marvelous after kneading ( it does not usually get so smooth and nice looking). Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Kristie Sawicki says
I am so happy to hear this!!
Erika says
I used this recipe to make a tomato and spinach pesto pizza with mozzarella. Sooo delicious. My new favorite and will be making again. It only needed to cook for about 10 minutes and it was already getting brown. If I had left it in for 15, the cheese would have been burnt.
Thomasena says
Was very easy and tasty! My family loved it!
Jen says
Did you use instant/quick rise yeast?
Emily says
This sound super easy! Do you use regular yeast or dry active?
Thanks!
jen says
i dont have a mixer 🙁 do i have to have one?
Kristie Sawicki says
It is the easiest way. However years ago when I did not have a mixer and my arms were so much stronger I was able to hand mix everything, so you could give it a try mixing by hand.
Hayley Greenleaf says
What type of yeast do i use?
Ashley says
are you supposed to let the yeast sit in the warm water first? or just dump everything in together and mix ?
Kristie Sawicki says
Just dump it al together 😉
Dee says
Can you freeze this dough?
Kristie Sawicki says
I have never tried it myself, however I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t work. In fact, thanks for the great idea! I am going to make extra next time and freeze some myself 😉
Cassie M. says
Just made the dough and it was super easy! I am excited to try it out. What temperature would you recommend pizzas be cooked at with this dough?
Kristie Sawicki says
I would recommend 450 degrees.
briana says
What kind of recipe doesnt give the baking intructions?????? 🙁
Kristie Sawicki says
I am so sorry, I’m not sure how that was left out. The baking instructions have been added. Thanks for the heads up!
Shari Kalous says
lmbo! Thats funny! Im trying this tonight….tired of the package stuff that tastes like……..nothing?! Cardboard maybe? lol Never ate cardboard so dont know but they are bland and tastelesss. Hope I like this one!