Easy Homemade Pizza Dough – Perfect for Any Pizza Night
Making homemade pizza dough is easier than you think, and this simple recipe delivers a perfectly chewy and crispy crust every time. Whether you’re making a classic cheese pizza, a veggie-loaded masterpiece, or a meat lover’s favorite, this dough serves as the perfect foundation. With minimal ingredients and a quick rise time, you can enjoy fresh, homemade pizza in just over an hour. Plus, any leftover dough can be frozen for a future pizza night.
Why This Recipe Works
Chewy and crispy crust – The combination of yeast, flour, and olive oil creates a dough that bakes up with the perfect balance of crispiness and chew.
Versatile and easy to customize – Works well with any toppings and can be adjusted for thick or thin crust.
Quick and beginner-friendly – Uses instant yeast, which speeds up the rise time and makes the dough easy to work with.
Great for meal prep – Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer for convenience.
Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough:
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110-115°F)
- 1 tablespoon rapid rise or instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 4 cups 00 pizza flour, bread flour, or all-purpose flour
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a stand mixer bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is activated.
Add olive oil, salt, garlic powder (if using), and flour. Mix on low speed using a paddle attachment until the ingredients are incorporated.
Switch to a dough hook and knead on low speed for about 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and springs back when lightly pressed. If the dough is too sticky, add one tablespoon of flour at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
Step 2: Rest the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, divide it into two equal balls, and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes until it doubles in size.
Step 3: Shape and Bake
Preheat the oven to 500°F and grease pizza pans with vegetable oil. Do not preheat the pans, as this helps prevent burning.
Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Roll each dough ball into a 14-inch circle and transfer it onto a prepared pizza pan. For a thicker crust, fold over the edges slightly.
Top with pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and any desired toppings.
Bake each pizza for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Let the pizza rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Storage & Freezing Tips
To Freeze Dough
After kneading, shape the dough into a ball, lightly dust it with flour, and store it in a zip-top bag. Freeze for up to one month. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for two hours before rolling out.
To Refrigerate Dough
Store unbaked dough in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Before using, let it come to room temperature for two hours to make rolling and stretching easier.
Recipe Variations
Make it whole wheat – Swap out half of the flour for whole wheat flour for a heartier crust.
Add herbs – Mix dried basil, oregano, or Italian seasoning into the dough for extra flavor.
Make a stuffed crust – Place shredded mozzarella cheese around the edges before folding over the crust.
Use it for more than pizza – This dough also works well for calzones, garlic knots, and homemade breadsticks.
Final Thoughts
This easy homemade pizza dough makes pizza night simple and delicious. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a fresh, flavorful crust that’s perfect for any toppings. Whether baked right away or stored for later, this dough guarantees a satisfying homemade pizza experience.
Try it for your next pizza night and enjoy restaurant-quality results right from your kitchen!
Short Version
Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Makes: 2 (14-inch) pizzas
This homemade pizza dough is simple, versatile, and delivers a chewy, crispy crust every time. Perfect for making your favorite pizzas at home! You can also freeze half the dough for later use.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110-115°F)
- 1 tablespoon rapid rise or instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 4 cups 00 pizza flour, bread flour, or all-purpose flour
Instructions
Make the Dough:
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add olive oil, salt, garlic powder (if using), and flour. Mix on low speed with a paddle attachment until combined.
- Switch to a dough hook and knead on low speed for about 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and springs back when pressed. If it’s too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, divide it into two balls, and cover with a clean towel. Let rest for at least 30 minutes until doubled in size.
Shape & Bake:
5. Preheat oven to 500°F and grease pizza pans with vegetable oil. Do not preheat the pans.
6. Punch down the dough, roll it into a 14-inch circle, and place it on the prepared pizza pan. Fold over the edges slightly for a thicker crust.
7. Add pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice.
8. Bake each pizza for 7-9 minutes, until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Storage & Freezing Tips
- To freeze dough: After kneading, shape into a ball, lightly dust with flour, and store in a zip-top bag for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and let rest at room temperature for 2 hours before rolling.
- To refrigerate dough: Store unbaked dough in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature for 2 hours before using.
This easy pizza dough makes homemade pizza night a breeze!
