How to Make Pizza Dough

In the art of Italian cooking, there are few dishes so popular as pizza. This is, perhaps, thanks to how simple it is to make, with just cheese, sauce, toppings, and the most important part – the crust.

With the assistance of this article, you will learn two varieties of pizza dough, as well as dishes that incorporate the dough once it’s finished – pizza and pretzels!

For quick snacks or a tasty dinner, let’s dive in!

How to Make Pizza Dough

Normally, pizza dough needs a long time to proof and rise, but with this recipe, it can be started in under ten minutes and ready in just over an hour!

Ingredients

• ½ ounce of active dry yeast.
• 2 tablespoons of sugar.
• ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil.
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt.
• 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (leveled).

Directions

1. Start by pouring 1 ½ cups of warm water into a large bowl and adding the yeast. Let it stand until foamy (around five minutes).
2. Whisk the sugar, oil, and salt into the yeast, adding the flour and stirring until a sticky dough forms.
3. Transfer the dough to a well-oiled bowl and brush the top with additional oil.
4. You should then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, dry place until the dough has doubled in size (about one hour).
5. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead before using.
6. For storage, you can wrap the dough in plastic and freeze in a re-sealable bag for up to three months.

Thin Crust Pizza Dough

That recipe is amazing for those who want a more chewy crust, but for those seeking a crispier, cracker-like one, there is the thin crust pizza.

Using less yeast and, with different techniques, you will find this to be a delightful alternative!

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour. (You may substitute whole wheat flour for 1 cup of the all-purpose.)
• ¼ ounce of active dry yeast.
• ½ teaspoon of sugar.
• ¼ teaspoon of salt.
• 1 cup of warm water.
• ½-1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• Cornmeal for sprinkling.

Directions

1. Mix the sugar into the warm water until it completely dissolves. Then add the yeast.
2. Wait ten minutes, or until the yeast has begun to foam.
3. Add in the flour, salt, and olive oil before stirring to combine.
4. Begin kneading for between six and eight minutes, until you have a dough that is stiff, yet also smooth and supple. You may need to add more flour.
5. Cover, and let rest and rise for between 20 and 30 minutes.
6. From there, you can either use the dough immediately or freeze it. It is advised to rub the dough down in olive oil before freezing, which will make it easier to remove from the bag. Alternatively, you may simply cover it in plastic wrap.

Make Pizza Dough for a Variety of Dishes

Pizza

The most obvious use for the pizza dough is, of course – pizza.

While that covers an extraordinarily broad spectrum of food, the basic components are the crust, cheese, sauce, and optional toppings. This first recipe works for both crust varieties.

Ingredients (in addition to the dough)

• 1-2 cups of mozzarella cheese.
• 1 jar of pizza sauce.
• Whichever toppings you so desire. In this case, a package of sliced pepperoni.

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Roll out whichever crust you choose on a well-floured countertop.
3. Place the dough onto a well-oiled pizza pan sprinkled with cornmeal.
4. Spoon the pizza sauce onto the dough. You likely won’t use all of it but you can save some for later!
5. Generously sprinkle the mozzarella across.
6. Place the pepperoni, spaced out so that it is even and symmetrical, ensuring every slice gets the same amount.
7. Put the pizza in the oven and cook for 10-20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden, bubbly, and hot.
8. Take out of the oven, allow to cool, and enjoy!

Using Pizza Dough for Pretzels!

Another interesting use for pizza dough is soft pretzels!

After making the dough, split it up and divide into 12 pieces of equal size. Roll each into a rope and fold into a pretzel shape. After that, it is time to begin cooking.

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
2. Boil a pot of water and dissolve ½ a cup of baking soda into it.
3. Dip the pretzels into the water for a few seconds.
4. Place the now-boiled dough onto a baking sheet.
5. Brush with an egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
6. Bake for eight minutes.
7. Let cool and enjoy!

Now that you’ve had some practice with the dough, watch the video below to find out how to make breadsticks using leftover pizza dough.

Conclusion

Pizza dough is a delicious, simple, and versatile bread that is also incredibly fun to make.

With the help of this article, now you have the means to create your own tasty treats or enjoy a truly homemade dinner!