How to Make Pizza Dough: Recipe with Active Dry Yeast

Here’s How to Make Pizza Dough so that you get perfect results every single time. A great tasting pizza always starts with an easy pizza dough recipe and this family recipe has stood the test of time. Now, every night can be pizza night!

There is no need to go to a restaurant for a great tasting pizza. 

If you have a wood-burning stove, or a pizza stone, great! But, it really is not necessary to make a great pizza crust.

You might be disappointed to learn that there will be no flipping in the air of this easy pizza dough, nor will you need a rolling pin. 

The best part is that making this simple, homemade pizza dough recipe is a lot easier than you think with ingredients you probably have in your pantry. 

Are you ready to make the best Italian pizza dough recipe in the world?

Let’s take a closer look at what you need.

Pizza dough ingredients

These ingredients make 1 large pizza (15-16 inches); 2 small pizzas (10- 12 inches) or 1 rectangular pizza (10 x 15 inches).

Go to the printable recipe card found at the bottom of the page for the specific amounts of each ingredient.

Active Dry Yeast: This living microbe makes the dough expand. This recipe uses active dry yeast. If it does not foam up when combined with the sugar and water, the yeast is inactive. It will be necessary to start over with another batch of yeast.

Sugar: This is the fuel needed to activate the yeast.

Water: Warm water provides the proper environment for the yeast to bloom. The water temperature should be warm to the touch, more precisely between 105 °F-110 °F.

All-Purpose Flour: The total amount of flour will depend on the weather and the amount of moisture in the air. The use of a scale to measure the exact amount of dough is recommended. 

Olive Oil: A contributing factor to a soft and supple dough.

Salt: Provides the necessary flavor.

How to make the best yeast pizza dough at home

The magic of making pizza dough begins with yeast.

In a small bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon of dry active yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar in 1 cup (250 mL) of lukewarm water (105 °F-110 °F).

Within 5-10 minutes, there should be a flurry of activity as the yeast is activated. If there is no activity, you should probably start over with another batch of active dry yeast.

Meanwhile, sift all-purpose flour (2¼ cups or 320 grams) in the bowl of a stand mixer.

While waiting for the yeast, let’s prep the bowl that the pizza dough will rest in. Drizzle about 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil in a large glass bowl. With your fingertips or a pastry brush, spread the olive oil on the bottom and the sides of the bowl. Set aside.

When the yeast mixture is ready, add it to the flour. Use a sturdy wooden spoon or your stand mixer, to roughly mix together, until you obtain a shaggy mass. Wait a minute or so for the flour to become hydrated. 

Next, add the salt (¾ teaspoon) and the olive oil (1 tablespoon). Salt slows down the fermentation of the yeast so it is best not to add these two ingredients together. 

Attach the dough hook and knead on low speed until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl (about 5 minutes).

No stand mixture? No problem! Continue mixing the ingredients together with a sturdy wooden spoon and knead the dough directly in the mixing bowl. Or, transfer this “ragged” dough onto a lightly floured board and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Remove the freshly made pizza dough from the stand mixture. With your hands, form the dough into a smooth round ball, by rotating and pulling the dough towards the bottom of the ball. 

Place the ball of dough in the lightly greased bowl (previously prepared).

Roll the dough around in the bowl to lightly coat the entire surface. 

Cover with plastic wrap.

You now have 3 options

1-Bake the pizza the same day the dough is made

Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for approximately 2 hours or until double in size.

Once the pizza dough has doubled in size, gently punch down the dough. 

Gently knead the dough into a smooth round ball (or cut in half and make 2 balls if making small pizzas), by rotating and pulling the dough towards the bottom of the ball. 

Place the ball of dough back in the bowl for another 15 minutes; coat the ball with a thin layer of oil and cover with plastic wrap. This “rest period” allows the gluten to relax and in turn, makes stretching the dough a lot easier. 

Then, gently transfer the ball of dough to a pizza pan that has been lightly brushed with oil or butter. With lightly oiled fingertips, gently stretch the dough.

Top with your favorite ingredients and bake.

2-Do Ahead and Cold Rise your ball of dough

Place the ball of dough in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You might be surprised to learn that the pizza dough will continue to grow so make sure the bowl is big enough to allow for some growth.

This is referred to as a cold rise.

It provides you with a great-tasting crust and a pizza with great texture. (Source: Serious Eats).

In my humble opinion, this is the best method.

When ready to use, remove from the refrigerator.

Allow to come to room temperature.

Gently knead the dough into a smooth round ball (or cut in half and make 2 balls if making small pizzas), by rotating and pulling the dough towards the bottom of the ball. 

Place the ball of dough in a lightly greased bowl and roll the dough in the bowl to lightly coat the entire surface. Allow the dough to rest for 10-15 minutes. This will make stretching the dough a lot easier.

Then, gently transfer the ball of dough to a pizza pan that has been lightly brushed with oil or butter. With lightly oiled fingertips, gently stretch the dough.

3-Freeze your ball of dough

Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for approximately 2 hours or until double in size.

Once the pizza dough has doubled in size, punch down the dough. 

Gently knead the dough into a smooth round ball (or cut in half and make 2 balls), by rotating and pulling the dough towards the bottom of the ball. 

Place your ball(s) of dough on a tray and place it in the freezer. Once frozen, place in plastic bags where they can be kept frozen for up to one month. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge.

When ready to use, remove from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before stretching out the dough.

Alternatively, can be frozen before the first rise but you must plan ahead when you are ready to use your dough by allowing a cold rise in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Can I use whole wheat flour?

Yes, you can. In fact, I created a different recipe using only whole wheat flour. You are going to love this no-knead whole wheat pizza dough. 

What is the best temperature for the yeast to grow?

Yeast is extremely sensitive to the temperature of the water, so if using active dry yeast, you should have a thermometer reading between 105 °F and 110 °F.

How do I know if my dough has doubled in size?

The dough can be tested by pressing two fingers into it; if there is an imprint, the dough has doubled in size.

Are you ready to use your ball of refrigerated dough?

Great! Remove from the fridge and allow 1-2 hours for the dough to reach room temperature.

How to stretch pizza dough

Transfer the ball of pizza dough from the bowl to your pizza pan. With lightly oiled fingertips, begin to push and gently poke at the dough, stretching it as you go along (I have a small bowl filled with about 1 teaspoon of oil). Remember to dip your fingers in the olive oil as you are “pushing” the dough into place. For a thin crust pizza, add your favorite topping and bake immediately; for a thick crust pizza allow to rest up to 30 minutes, then add your toppings and bake immediately. 

The top of the stretched-out dough will have a very thin layer of oil. If interested, here is a great article on how oil affects the dough.

My pizza dough won’t stretch

If you are having difficulty stretching out your dough, allow it to rest for another 10-15 minutes. Also, make sure it is at room temperature as cold pizza dough is difficult to stretch. Another suggestion, try greasing your pizza pan with a thin layer of butter.

Finally, in order to have a great pizza crust, you need a hot oven. So always preheat your oven for at least 60 minutes before cooking your pizza.

That’s it!

It’s now time to dress up your pizza!

Easy pizza recipes

• Potato Pizza
• Pesto Pizza Recipe
• Margherita Pizza
• Chocolate Pizza

Are you looking for more easy pizza recipes? Make sure to visit my pizza page!

Recipe inspiration

As you can well imagine, this family recipe for Italian pizza dough belonged to my mom. It would often be topped with this homemade pizza sauce recipe.

Growing up Italian meant Friday night was pizza night. I can still remember rushing home from school because I wanted to help my mom make the pizza.

She would always wait for me.

♥♥♥ 

You are going to love my mom’s recipe. It makes a crust that is crisp yet soft and chewy. 

It really is the best pizza dough recipe with yeast for all of your favorite pizza toppings.

Head on over to my YouTube channel where my friend Carlo and I share 9 different toppings for pizza.

While you are there, be sure to subscribe to the YOU TUBE channel.

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

Ciao for now,

Maria

★★★★★ If you have made this pizza dough recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

This post was originally published on April 22, 2017 and republished on July 1, 2019 with updated content, photos and a video. Thanks for watching and sharing!