Friday night pizza was a beloved tradition in our house growing up. My dad had a passion for making pizza—so much so that he started with frozen dough, then perfected his own homemade version. His love for pizza-making didn’t stop there; he eventually built a wood-burning pizza oven right in our backyard!
Some of my favorite memories involve friends and extended family gathering around on pizza night, watching as my dad worked his magic. Even now, whenever my brothers and I visit home, our first request is always pizza. We’ve even turned it into a friendly competition, challenging each other to come up with the best topping combinations!
Now, I’m sharing the simple yet delicious pizza dough recipe that has been at the heart of our family tradition. It creates the perfect light and crispy crust, and the best part? You can prepare the dough ahead of time and bake it days later!
Pizza Dough Tips:
✔ Make it ahead – The dough can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for later use.
✔ Water temperature matters – Keep it around 110°F to activate the yeast without killing it.
✔ Use bread flour for a crispy crust – If you prefer a chewier texture, substitute with all-purpose flour.
✔ Use a stand mixer with a dough hook – This saves time and effort!
✔ Cook on a pizza stone – For best results, preheat the stone in the oven. If transferring raw dough is tricky, you can par-bake the crust first.
Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 ½ to 4 cups bread flour (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 envelope instant dry yeast (¾ tablespoon)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus 2 teaspoons for greasing)
Instructions:
1.Preheat the oven to 500°F with a pizza stone inside.
2. Mix the dough: In a stand mixer, combine bread flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. With the mixer running, slowly add warm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix until a dough ball forms. If it’s too sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time. If too dry, add water gradually.
3. Knead and rise: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it into a smooth ball. Grease a large bowl with the remaining olive oil, place the dough inside, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
4. Portion and rest: Once risen, divide the dough into two equal pieces, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rest for 10 minutes.
5. Store or use: If you’re not baking right away, place the dough in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
6. Shape and top: Press the dough onto a greased pizza pan and add your favorite toppings.
7. Bake: Place in the oven and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp on the bottom.
This recipe is a staple in our family, and I hope it becomes one in yours too! Whether you’re making classic cheese, experimenting with creative toppings, or starting your own pizza-night tradition, homemade pizza is always a winner. What are your favorite pizza toppings? Let me know in the comments!
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