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    Home » Pizza » Homemade Pizza Dough: Cooking 101

    Published: Aug 23, 2013 · Modified: Jun 18, 2020 by Lisa Johnson

    Homemade Pizza Dough: Cooking 101

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    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.

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    Homemade Pizza Dough made super easy with a bread machine or stand mixer | cookingwithcurls.com

    This is my go-to Homemade Pizza Dough recipe. It is simple to make, and so delicious! I even gave making pizza dough from scratch (without a bread machine) a try this week <insert applause>. I have had no real desire to make yeast dough from scratch, that is why I never have...before now. I was pleasantly surprised, it was nowhere near as hard as I had expected.....

    Homemade Pizza Dough made super easy with a bread machine or stand mixer | cookingwithcurls.com

    I have had several people ask how to make Homemade Pizza Dough from scratch, without a bread machine, so I have included directions to make Homemade Pizza Dough in a Stand Mixer as well. Now as is always the case when I plan to do something specific, everything goes haywire! I used the last drop of yeast, the house was very cold, and things did not go as planned. BUT....this is the perfect learning opportunity! I am going to show you how things went wrong, but still turned out okay. 🙂

    How to make Homemade Pizza Dough with a Stand Mixer:

    Place the warm water and honey in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the yeast, stir, and allow to sit for 5 - 10 minutes to allow the yeast to foam (proof).....

    Water, yeast and honey in a large glass mixing bowl cookingwithcurls.com

    Um well, it bubbled but it did not foam....but we'll keep going.

    Add the oil, flour and salt to the bowl.....

    Add the oil, flour and salt to the yeast mixture cookingwithcurls.com

    and mix for 4 - 5 minutes, until fully incorporated.....

    Mix dough until it forms a smooth ball cookingwithcurls.com

    Hmmm, I underestimated the dryness of the desert. I added an additional tablespoon of water, but that is still too dry.

    Place dough in an oiled bowl and flip it over so the oil is on top.....

    Place dough ball in an oiled bowl cookingwithcurls.com

    Cover dough and allow to rise for 1 and a 1/2 hours, or until doubled in a draft free location......

    Allow dough to rise until doubled cookingwithcurls.com

    Okay, so the yeast is still active...just lazy! 😉

    Punch down the dough and divide into 4-pieces for individual pizzas or into 2-pieces for medium pizzas.

    Ideally the dough should be wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in the refrigerator for 24 hours to allow the gluten to relax.....

    Italian Pizza Dough divide cookingwithcurls.com

    but if you are in the hurry,  you can go ahead and use the dough immediately, like I did today.....

    pizza dough spread out over parchment paper on a pizza peel

    to take new pictures for a very old Chicken Enchilada Pizza post.....

    It's time to spice up pizza night with this amazing and simple Chicken Enchilada Pizza! cookingwithcurls.com

    Voilà

    How to make Homemade Pizza Dough with a Bread Machine:

    Pour the water, honey, and oil into bucket/pan of dough machine.....

    Homemade Pizza Dough liquid cookingwithcurls.com

    Add the salt and flour. Make an indentation in the center of the flour, and add the yeast....

    Homemade Pizza Dough yeast cookingwithcurls.com

    This image is from the day I made a Chicken Tostada Pizza...ignore the cornmeal. 😉

    Place bucket/pan into dough machine and close lid. Turn on the machine, and select the "dough" setting.

    When the machine beeps, look thru the window and see how high the dough has risen. Do Not Open the lid, that will allow all of the heat to escape!

    If the dough is not more than halfway to the top, unplug the machine and allow dough to rise for an additional 30 - 60 minutes.....

    Homemade Pizza Dough rise cookingwithcurls.com

    Remove the dough from the machine and roll into a ball. This will release the air bubbles.....

    Traditional Italian Pizza Dough made from scratch for the perfect light and airy pizza | cookingwithcurls.com

    Cut the dough into 4-pieces for individual pizzas or into 2-pieces for medium pizzas.....

    Italian Pizza Dough divide cookingwithcurls.com

    Set dough on a floured surface and allow to rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the dough to relax and roll out more easily. Roll dough to 1/4" thickness in desired shapes.....

    image of pizza dough ussed to make butternut squash pizza

    Place dough onto a cornmeal or parchment paper covered pizza peel or flat baking sheet and top as desired.....

    Homemade Pizza Dough peel cookingwithcurls.com

    The cornmeal keeps the dough from sticking if you are using a baking stone.

    Now you are ready to make lots of pizzas!!

    Notes:

    • The salt is added last so it does not kill the yeast!
    • I use hot water because it is getting poured into a cold pan or bowl, which drops the temperature down quite a bit. You are looking for 110 - 115 degrees when you add the yeast.
    • Parchment paper is cleaner than using cornmeal, but it is a personal choice. You cannot use parchment paper if you plan to use a grill pizza oven, it will burn and stick!!

    My favorite Pizza recipes:

    • Steakhouse Pizza
    • Shrimp Scampi Pizza
    • Greens Pizza
    • Chili Cheese Dog Pizza
    • Eggs Benedict Pizza
    • Prosciutto-Arugula Pizza - cooked on the grill using a baking stone or pizza oven in case you would like to give that a try

    I also have a recipe for an authentic Italian Pizza Dough using "00" flour that is made by hand, no machines necessary. 😉

    Tools used to create this recipe: contains affiliate links

    • Bread Machine - the one used in this post died. 🙁 They no longer make it so I bought this one as a replacement
    • Stand Mixer - I love it!! I also bought the Glass Bowl so you could see what I was doing. 😉

    So there you have it. My favorite Homemade Pizza Dough prepared two different ways. I still prefer making it in my bread machine, but at least now I know I have another option.

    Enjoy!!

    Homemade Pizza Dough made super easy with a bread machine or stand mixer | cookingwithcurls.com

    Homemade Pizza Dough

    Homemade Pizza Dough is easier to make than you think, and I have step-by-step directions to help make the perfect pizza crust!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: recipe, pizza, dough, crust, homemade, machine, mixer, scratch
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Rising Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Calories: 399kcal
    Author: Lisa Johnson

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup water (110 to 115 degrees)
    • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
    • 1 teaspoon honey (optional - substitute 2 teaspoons sugar)
    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil (plus 1 Tablespoon for the bowl)
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    How to Make Homemade Pizza Dough in a Stand Mixer

    • Place the warm water and honey in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the yeast, stir, and allow to sit for 5 – 10 minutes to allow the yeast to foam (proof).
    • Add the oil, flour and salt to the bowl and mix for 4 – 5 minutes, until fully incorporated.
    • Place dough in an oiled bowl and flip it over so the oil is on top. Cover dough and allow to rise for 1 and a 1/2 hours, or until doubled in a draft free location.
    • Punch down the dough and divide into 4-pieces for individual pizzas or into 2-pieces for medium pizzas.
    • Ideally the dough should be wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in the refrigerator for 24 hours to allow the gluten to relax, but if you are in the hurry, you can go ahead and use the dough immediately.

    How to make Homemade Pizza Dough in a Bread Machine

    • Pour the water, honey, and oil into bucket/pan of dough machine.
    • Add the salt and flour. Make an indentation in the center of the flour, and add the yeast.
    • Place bucket/pan into dough machine and close lid. Turn on the machine, and select the “dough” setting.
    • When the machine beeps, look thru the window and see how high the dough has risen. Do Not Open the lid, that will allow all of the heat to escape! If the dough is not more than halfway to the top, unplug the machine and allow dough to rise for an additional 30 – 60 minutes.
    • Remove the dough from the machine and roll into a ball. This will release the air bubbles.
    • Cut the dough into 4-pieces for individual pizzas or into 2-pieces for medium pizzas.
    • Set dough on a floured surface and allow to rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the dough to relax and roll out more easily. Roll dough to 1/4″ thickness in desired shapes.
    • Place dough onto a cornmeal or parchment paper covered pizza peel or flat baking sheet and top as desired.

    Notes

    • The salt is added last so it does not kill the yeast!
    • I use hot water because it is getting poured into a cold pan or bowl, which drops the temperature down quite a bit. You are looking for 110 – 115 degrees when you add the yeast.
    • Parchment paper is cleaner than using cornmeal, but it is a personal choice. You cannot use parchment paper if you plan to use a grill pizza oven, it will burn and stick!!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 589mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 4.5mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says

      August 23, 2013 at 11:43 pm

      We love homemade pizza - and making any kind of yeast dough can be intimidating the first time 🙂 Glad you broke it down for people without a bread machine!

      Reply
    2. Michaela Britton says

      August 25, 2013 at 6:55 am

      Oh wow! That looks so nice, I might have to give it a go 🙂

      Popping over from the Lets Get Social Sunday Linky Hop

      Reply
    3. Erin says

      September 01, 2013 at 6:24 pm

      I totally need to do more homemade pizza. With my picky 5 year old, doing homemade pizza more often just makes so much more sense. A good crust is essential!! Thanks so much Lisa! ~Erin

      Reply
    4. Jenifer @ Not Quite Mom of the Year says

      September 01, 2013 at 7:32 pm

      Wow Lisa...I had no idea it was that easy to make pizza dough! Thanks for sharing directions without the bread maker as well.

      Reply
    5. Heather @ French Press says

      September 03, 2013 at 10:24 pm

      we make pizza dough every friday...this looks like a great recipe to try

      Reply
    6. Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says

      September 09, 2013 at 9:44 pm

      Homemade pizza is the best!!! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #29.

      ~Amber @ DessertNowDinnerLater.com

      Reply
    7. Joanne T Ferguson says

      January 02, 2014 at 11:19 pm

      G'day Lisa! Want to GUESS what am craving now? 🙂
      Thanks for sharing at the Foodie Friends Friday Best of 2013 Party!
      Cheers! Joanne

      Reply
    8. Wendy says

      January 27, 2014 at 4:30 pm

      This looks so easy!

      Have you tried freezing it?

      Reply
    9. Chris says

      March 02, 2016 at 8:34 am

      Hi! Looks awesome! I was wondering, if you don't use all the dough in one day, can you store it? How and for how long? Can it be frozen, unbaked?
      Thanks!
      Chris

      Reply
    10. andi says

      June 21, 2019 at 3:12 pm

      5 stars
      Hey Girlfriend!
      I just wanted to let you know this is my go-to recipe for pizza dough. It's the BEST recipe and method I've EVER used, and it's the ONLY one I will ever use now. And believe me, I've tried probably 40 dough recipes/methods over the years. I'm making a Friday night pizza as we speak. 🙂
      xoxo
      Andi

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        June 30, 2019 at 10:43 pm

        WooHoo!! I am so happy Andi, thanks so much for letting me know. 🙂 You just made night!!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lisa - Welcome to my kitchen! I have a passion for good food and love sharing my creations with friends, family and everyone that loves a homecooked meal. This is where I share my favorite recipes with step-by-step instructions as well as tips and tricks to help you make these delicious recipes in your home.

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