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Home Recipes by Type Main Dish Pizza

Easy Pizza Dough Recipe

5
/5
1 hr
15 Comments
Jump to Recipe Video
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 01/23/2023Updated: 01/23/2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Pizza, text overlay reads "homemade pizza dough - super easy."
Pizza, text overlay reads "homemade pizza dough."
Pizza, text overlay reads "easy homemade pizza dough."
Pizza, text overlay reads "easy homemade pizza dough."
Partial image of cheesy flatbread in baking pan.

Show off your bread-making skills with this easy pizza dough recipe. Everyone will be so impressed by the yeasty homemade crust (and it’s easy to make!).

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: The dough is so good and versatile, too. It can be used to make a variety of recipes.

How long it takes: 1 hour (from start to finished pizza)
Equipment you’ll need: stand mixer preferably, but it can be accomplished by hand
Servings: makes 2 crusts

Pizza dough, surrounded by pizza slices.
Table of Contents
open
  • 1 Recipe Overview
  • 2 About This Recipe
  • 3 What You’ll Need
  • 4 How To Make Pizza Dough
  • 5 Make It Your Own
  • 6 Make-Ahead Ideas & Storage Tips
  • 7 Yeast Bread Recipes
  • 8 Get the Recipe: Easy Pizza Dough Recipe

You’re going to love this homemade pizza dough. It’s easy to make, especially if you have a stand mixer, and the taste is phenomenal! There’s really nothing quite like homemade crust: yeasty, warm, chewy, crisp. It’s the best!

Do you have to be a baking expert or pizzeria maestro to make it? Absolutely not! The dough is easy to make and it’s super forgiving. I promise you won’t have to spin it in the air like those amazing pizza guys do. How do they do that anyways?! So impressive!

This recipe doesn’t take all day either. It’s a basic pizza dough recipe that can get pizza (or cheesy bread) on your table in about an hour, or maybe an hour and fifteen minutes, if you have two kids who want to get involved in the process.

But you know what? That’s another reason I love made-from-scratch pizza dough. Divide it up and make several mini pizzas, personal pizzas, if you will. Everyone can style their own pizza. There will be pizza peace in your household.

About This Recipe

The easy pizza dough recipe consists of all the essentials: flour, yeast, olive oil, honey, and water. The recipe makes enough for 2 medium sized crusts, depending on how thick you roll them. If you like thin and crisp, the pizzas will be larger; if you prefer thick and chewy, the pizzas will be smaller.

Basically, if you have a stand mixer, you let the mixer do most of the work for you. If you don’t have a stand mixer, don’t worry, because pizza dough is completely doable using just your two hands (and it’s quite satisfying to knead your own). If you have a pretty powerful hand mixer with a dough hook, that will do the job, too.

Once you have the pizza dough mixed up and kneaded, it only needs to rise for about 30 minutes. In the meantime, you can decide on your toppings. Shred the cheese, slice the mushrooms, have a mini dance party!

One of the best parts of this recipe is that it makes enough for two crusts. You can make 2 pizzas or 4 individual pizzas, or you can freeze half for another day. You can make cheesy bread. You can make bread sticks.

Pizza with cheese pull.

I’ll show you how to make pizza dough here and give you lots of extra tips. For measurements, complete instructions, and nutrition information, go to the recipe card below.

What You’ll Need

  • All-Purpose Flour: Regular flour is all you need. If you like whole wheat, go ahead and replace up to half of the flour with whole wheat flour. I wouldn’t do it 100% whole wheat unless you’re ready for a truly hearty crust.
  • Active Dry Yeast: There are a few types of yeast. Be sure to buy the correct kind, regular active dry yeast. If you use packets, you’ll need 2 of them. If you buy yeast in jars, you’ll need to 4½ teaspoons.
  • Olive Oil: Most pizzerias probably don’t use good quality olive oil in their crusts. That’s one reason why homemade pizza dough tastes so much better!
  • Honey: Just a touch of honey adds a note of sweetness to counterbalance the savory flavors of your pizza. Honey also helps feed the yeast.
  • Salt: Salt is needed to control the yeast and to keep the dough from tasting bland.
  • Warm Water: It’s important to get the correct temperature for the water, around 110°F to 115°F. More about that later…
  • Pizza Sauce, Cheese, and Toppings: There’s no right or wrong way to top a pizza! Use the toppings you like (or what you happen to have in your fridge). I like to make my own marinara-style pizza sauce. It’s easy and it tastes so much better than commercial brands. You can make a batch ahead of time and keep it in the fridge or freezer.
Ingredients needed for recipe.

How To Make Pizza Dough

Okay, are you ready to turn your kitchen into a pizzeria? Let’s get started!

Make sure you have all the ingredients ready to go. Ideally, everything should be at room temperature.

Probably the trickiest part of this easy pizza dough recipe is the warm water. Yeast needs warm water to activate or to start growing (proofing). If the water is too cool, the yeast doesn’t get going. Too hot, and the yeast is killed (yikes!).

Tap water is fine. Run the water until it’s warm to the touch but not scalding. You should be able to put your wrist in the water and feel the heat, but not so much that you have to move. That’s the unscientific method.

The most accurate way to determine the water temperature is to use your instant-read thermometer. The temperature should be between 110°F to 115°F. I usually put the point of the thermometer directly into the stream of running water. When it’s in the correct range, I measure the water with a liquid measuring cup. Use it right away; don’t let it cool down.

Make The Dough

Pour the water into the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the dough hook. Add the yeast, oil, and honey. Add three cups of the flour (not all of it). Blend the mixture on low speed.

Ingredients being mixed together.

Turn the mixer to medium low, which is #2 on a KitchenAid. Slowly add the final cup of flour. You may not need it all.

Flour being added to dough.

Stop adding flour when the dough forms a nice smooth ball that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Dough pulling away from edges of bowl.

Continue kneading the dough for eight minutes. When the time is up, turn the mixer off.

Uncooked homemade pizza dough in glass bowl.

Let The Dough Rise

Grease a separate bowl with olive oil, add the dough ball to the bowl, and flip it over once or twice to coat it with oil.

Dough coated with oil.

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and put it in a warm place to rise for about 30 minutes.

Dough not yet risen, covered with plastic wrap.

If you prefer, before you let the dough rise, you could put the dough into the refrigerator to use later. It will keep for a couple of days. Take it out the fridge at least an hour ahead of time to let it warm up and do the 30 minute rise.

Okay, when your dough is ready, it should be doubled in size. I always hate it when recipes say that, but there isn’t really any other way to describe it. How can you tell if it’s doubled or not? In any case, it should be quite a lot bigger than it was originally and more puffy.

Risen dough in bowl.

Preheat The Oven

At this point, you should turn the oven on to preheat. A good hot oven is essential to making a good pizza. Put the rack in the lower third of the oven. This dough also does great on the grill, since it’s not too sticky.

Roll The Dough Out

Divide the dough into two halves if you’re making 2 pizzas. If you want four pizzas, divide it into quarters. If you want one giant pizza, don’t divide it at all.

Dough ball on floured surface.

Roll out the dough on a flour or olive oil coated countertop.

Here’s how to do it with oil: Pour about a teaspoon of oil straight onto your counter, rub it around so the surface is well coated. Rub a little on your rolling pin as well, for good measure. This will keep your dough from sticking and it also tastes great. Win-win.

And here’s how to do it with flour: Sprinkle a generous amount on the counter, put the dough on top of it and flatten it out slightly. Flip it over once or twice to make sure it isn’t sticking. If it is, add a bit more flour.

Roll the dough to the desired size and thickness, depending on whether you want thin crust or thicker, fluffy crust. Shape isn’t all that important: round, oval, square, rectangular, free form, doesn’t matter.

Dough being rolled out.

Once the crust is rolled, put it on an oiled baking pan. If you like, sprinkle a little cornmeal on the oiled pan before you put the dough on it for a nice crisp bottom.

Add The Toppings & Bake

Now, it’s time for toppings. Spread on a good amount of sauce and top with cheese, cheese, and more cheese. You can add other toppings as well, of course.

Unbaked pizza.

Bake the pizza until it’s golden brown on the bottom and the cheese is melted and lightly browned in spots.

Baked pizza.

Remove it from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes or so. We don’t want anyone to burn themselves. That sauce and melted cheese can be pretty doggone hot. Waiting a couple minutes before slicing also prevent the cheese from sliding off when you slice it.

Enjoy!

Side view of pizza crust to show texture.

Make It Your Own

This dough is ready for anything you throw at it, or should I say, on it!

  • Use it to make cheesy bread. Who doesn’t love cheese bread? I always order some type of cheese bread when we get pizza. My kids love it! You’ll find instructions on the recipe card for cheesy bread.
  • Use your culinary imagination to create all sorts of pizza delights. Here’s some ideas to get your creative juices flowing (and I’m not talking about drooling!).
    • BBQ chicken pizza
    • Grilled Pizza with Pesto and Tomatoes
    • Grilled Pizza with Arugula Pesto, Corn, & Ham
    • Tuna Pizza with Green Peppers (surprisingly good!)
    • Spinach Pizza Bites
    • Bean and Cheese Taco Rolls
    • Chicken Enchilada Flatbread

Make-Ahead Ideas & Storage Tips

This pizza dough can be stored in the fridge for a couple days or frozen for a month.

To refrigerate: Store dough (before the 30 minute rise) in a resealable bag or tightly covered bowl. It will keep anywhere from a couple of hours, a day, overnight, or even for a couple of days. At least an hour ahead of time, remove chilled dough from the refrigerator and put it into a greased bowl; cover, and let rise until doubled.

To freeze: Wrap the dough securely to prevent freezer burn. Wrap it in foil or parchment paper before putting it into a freezer safe bag. Label the bag, and store for up to a month in the freezer. To use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Remove the dough ball from the wrapping, and put it into a greased bowl. Cover, and let rise for at least an hour, or until doubled in size.

Yeast Bread Recipes

Dutch Oven Bread (no knead!)

No Knead Whole Wheat Bread

Parker House Rolls

Cranberry Walnut Bread with Oats

Browse All

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Pizza dough, surrounded by pizza.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Easy Pizza Dough Recipe

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Rising Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hr
8 servings
Print Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Show off your bread-making skills with this easy pizza dough recipe. Everyone will be so impressed by the yeasty homemade crust (and it's easy to make!).

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups warm water (110°F-115°F)
  • 2 envelopes active dry yeast (4½ teaspoons)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon for bowl
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook (see note), combine warm water, yeast, oil, and honey. Add 3 cups flour and salt; mix on low speed until blended.
  • With the mixer on medium-low (speed #2), slowly add the remaining 1 cup of flour as needed to form a smooth dough that pulls away from the edges of the bowl.
  • Continue to knead for 8 minutes.
  • Pour 1 teaspoon olive oil into a large bowl. Transfer dough to oiled bowl and flip over so that the dough is coated with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Place in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
  • Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in lower third of oven.
  • Divide dough in half; form into 2 balls. On a lightly oiled or floured surface, roll out dough into desired shape and thickness. Place on an oiled baking sheet.
  • Evenly spread pizza sauce on crusts. Sprinkle on cheese and desired toppings.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Baking time depends on how many toppings you load on.

Notes

  • If you have a heavy duty hand mixer with a dough hook, that works, too. You can also make the dough by hand. You may have to knead the dough a couple extra minutes (10 minutes) for a smooth dough to form.
  • If you don’t plan to use both crusts right away, store tightly wrapped in the fridge for a couple days or in your freezer for up to one month.
  • To thaw frozen dough, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Thawed or chilled dough should be taken out of the refrigerator at least 1 hour prior to use to allow it to come to room temperature.
To Make Cheese Bread:
  • 1 ball of pizza crust dough (half of recipe)
  •  2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ½  teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½  cup Romano or Parmesan cheese
  • ½  teaspoon dried oregano
Preheat oven to 450°F. Roll out pizza dough and place on a greased 11×17 inch pan. Mix melted butter and garlic powder; brush mixture evenly over flatbread dough. Top with cheese and dried oregano. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Slice into strips, if desired.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.25pizza, Calories: 288kcal, Carbohydrates: 51g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 295mg, Potassium: 85mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin C: 0.02mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 3mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
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  1. KATHLEEN J SCHLEGEL says

    November 3, 2019 at 7:49 pm

    My son is a picky eater…but he devoured this cheesy garlic bread and so did the rest of my family. The honey in the dough is delicious!! I did put it on a pizza stone after it was almost doe just to crisp up the bottom a bit…it’s the way we like it in our family.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      November 4, 2019 at 9:01 am

      Oh I am so glad to hear that! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!

      Reply
  2. junia says

    April 8, 2016 at 10:19 am

    to eager to make this recipe :)

    Reply
  3. Christina says

    October 24, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    Don’t have a blog so here’s the recipe that I came up with earlier this week:

    Cut up boneless, skinless chicken breast into bite size pieces and saute in garlic olive oil. While that’s cooling, mix together granulated garlic with ranch dressing. Spread dressing on cooked flat bread (I used store bought naan that looked more like flat bread than any naan I’ve ever seen), sprinkle with cooked chicken, diced jalapeno, diced tomato, and cover with shredded cheddar cheese. Top with bacon bits and bake at 400 until cheese is melted and slightly browned.

    I’m already craving it just a few days later.

    Reply
  4. Kristen says

    October 16, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    I never think to make flatbread… love this simple recipe!

    Reply
  5. Suzie says

    October 15, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    OMG – Dip this in some sauce and it’s perfection. Great for an appetizer too :)

    Reply
  6. Nicole+~+Cooking+for+Keeps says

    October 13, 2014 at 11:47 pm

    Agreed, nothing goes better with pizza than cheese bread! Imagine my shock the other night when we ordered pizza from a new place and…no cheese bread. WHAT? Could have used this beauty!

    Reply
  7. taylor @ greens & chocolate says

    October 13, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    How fun! You cannot go wrong with a cheesy flatbread…this looks delish!

    Reply
  8. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    October 13, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    Oh man, fabulous indeed!! This looks awesome!

    Reply
  9. Alison says

    October 13, 2014 at 11:13 am

    This is a delicious flatbread! I love anything with caramelized onions.

    Reply
  10. Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says

    October 13, 2014 at 10:04 am

    You can never go wrong with a simple, cheesy flatbread. I LOVE that you put cheese in the dough, as well as on top!

    Reply
  11. Sues says

    October 13, 2014 at 9:15 am

    I love this simple, but awesome-sounding flatbread. Cheesy flatbread is ALWAYS a good idea!!

    Reply
  12. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says

    October 13, 2014 at 8:40 am

    This cheesy flatbread is right up my alley! Thanks for organizing this delicious event!

    Reply
  13. Phi+@+The+Sweetphi+Blog says

    October 13, 2014 at 8:25 am

    So excited to be part of this Flatbread challenge, your cheesy flatbread looks delish!

    Reply
  14. Liz+@+The+Lemon+Bowl says

    October 13, 2014 at 7:33 am

    Woohoo!! Cheers to cheesy flatbread goodness!! My kids would LOVE this!!

    Reply

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