Joy of Cooking Pizza Dough Recipe: Fluffy Magic in Minutes

Pizza dough ignites a flavor revolution in home kitchens, turning simple ingredients into edible art.

Every seasoned chef and weekend cooking enthusiast knows the magic begins with perfect dough preparation.

Flour, water, and yeast dance together, creating a transformative culinary experience that tantalizes taste buds.

Soft, pillowy textures emerge through careful technique and passionate kneading.

Precise temperature control and gentle handling unlock the secrets of exceptional pizza foundations.

Experienced cooks understand that mastering dough requires patience and a dash of creative spirit.

Embrace the delicious journey of pizza dough and watch your cooking skills soar to delectable new heights.

Serving Your Homemade Pizza Crusts

• Elevate Pizza Night: Delicious Serving Suggestions
• Create a Fresh Salad Companion: Pair your homemade pizza with a crisp mixed green salad dressed in light vinaigrette to balance the rich, warm pizza flavors and add nutritional variety.
• Craft Perfect Dipping Sauces: Prepare quick side sauces like garlic aioli, marinara, or herb-infused olive oil for an interactive dining experience that enhances each pizza slice.
• Design a Crowd-Pleasing Platter: Slice pizza into smaller pieces and arrange beautifully on a wooden board with scattered fresh basil leaves, allowing guests to enjoy casual, social dining with easy grab-and-go portions.
• Complement with Cool Beverages: Serve chilled white wine, craft beer, or sparkling water with lemon to cleanse the palate and provide refreshing counterpoints to the warm, savory pizza.

How to Store Pizza Dough After Prep

• Preserve Pizza Perfection: Storage Solutions
• Refrigerate leftover pizza slices in airtight containers for maximum freshness, keeping them delicious for 3-4 days. Wrap each slice individually to prevent moisture buildup and maintain crispy texture.
• Freeze Like a Pro: Pizza Preservation
• Freeze unbaked pizza dough by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap, then placing in freezer bag. Raw dough stays fresh up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before using, allowing slow, even defrosting.
• Smart Reheating Strategies
• Revive cold pizza slices using skillet method for crispy bottom or oven technique at 375°F for even heating. Avoid microwave, which creates soggy crust and uneven temperatures.
• Dough Handling Wisdom
• Keep raw pizza dough refrigerated if not using immediately. Cover with plastic wrap and store up to 48 hours. Allow dough to reach room temperature before stretching and baking for optimal elasticity and rise.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 2

Pizza Dough Ingredients from Joy of Cooking

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour for richer flavor and better texture.
• Instant Yeast: Look for fresh, vacuum-sealed packets with recent expiration date.
• Sugar: Fine granulated sugar works best for smooth dough development.
• Salt: Use kosher or sea salt for cleaner, more enhanced taste.
• Garlic Powder: Select fine-ground powder for even distribution.
• Dried Basil: Opt for high-quality, fragrant herbs from reputable brands.

• Olive Oil: Select extra virgin for robust, fruity undertone.
• Warm Water: Ensure precise temperature for optimal yeast activation.

• Olive Oil (Additional): Use for brushing and adding golden, crispy finish to crust.

Must-Have Tools for Pizza Dough Mastery

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring and blending pizza dough ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Kitchen scale (optional): Helps measure ingredients precisely.
• Plastic wrap: Used to cover dough during rising process.
• Pastry brush: Great for spreading olive oil on dough and crust.
• Pizza pan or baking sheet: Provides surface for shaping and baking pizza.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and helps achieve crispy crust.
• Fork: Used to create small holes in dough to prevent bubbling.
• Rolling pin (optional): Helps shape dough into perfect circle.
• Clean kitchen towel: Can be used to cover dough during rising.

Making Pizza Dough the Joy of Cooking Way

• Kickstart the Dough

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Sprinkle in garlic powder and dried basil for a flavor boost that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Blend Liquid Magic

Pour in olive oil and warm water, stirring with enthusiasm until everything melds together smoothly. The mixture should start looking like a promising pizza adventure.

• Craft the Perfect Texture

Gradually introduce additional flour, working the dough until it transforms into a supple, cohesive ball that effortlessly pulls away from the bowl’s edges. Don’t worry if it feels slightly sticky – that’s part of the charm.

• Prepare the Rising Sanctuary

Coat a clean bowl generously with olive oil, ensuring every inch gets a luxurious sheen. This will be your dough’s cozy home for the next phase.

• Shape and Oil the Dough

Roll the dough into a silky smooth sphere, then lovingly massage olive oil across its entire surface. This helps create a gorgeous golden exterior and keeps the dough moist.

• Let the Dough Breathe

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and tuck it into a warm spot. Give it about 30 minutes to expand and develop its delicious personality – it should nearly double in size.

• Massage and Flatten

Gently deflate the risen dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Give it a few quick kneads to restore its smooth demeanor.

• Create the Canvas

Use your hands or a rolling pin to stretch the dough into a beautiful 12-inch circle. Pinch and fold the edges to create a tempting raised border that’ll cradle your toppings.

• Prepare for Baking Brilliance

Line a pizza pan with parchment paper and transfer your carefully crafted dough. Drizzle olive oil across the surface and use a pastry brush to ensure complete coverage.

• Final Touches and Baking

Poke gentle fork holes in the center to prevent unwanted bubbling. Preheat the oven to 425°F, add your favorite sauce and toppings, then bake for 13-15 minutes until the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown. Slice immediately and enjoy your homemade pizza masterpiece!

Tips for Stretch, Rise, and Flavor

• Boost Flavor Punch: Experiment with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano to elevate your pizza dough's taste profile. Fresh or dried herbs work wonderfully and add depth to the basic recipe.
• Temperature Control Technique: Ensure warm water is precisely 110°F to activate yeast perfectly. Cold water prevents rising, while too hot water kills yeast microorganisms instantly.
• Gluten-Free Transformation: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly version. Add xanthan gum for better texture and elasticity during kneading process.
• Overnight Fermentation Method: Refrigerate prepared dough for 24 hours to develop deeper, more complex flavor. Slow fermentation creates restaurant-quality crust with enhanced taste and improved digestibility.

Foolproof Pizza Dough Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Homemade pizza dough celebrates Italian culinary traditions with simple ingredients and expert techniques. Bakers can create delicious crusts that elevate home cooking experiences you’ll savor with each crispy, flavorful slice.

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Ingredients

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• 2–2 ⅓ cups (250–295 g) bread flour or all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• ¾ cup (177 ml) warm water
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp sugar
• ¾ tsp salt
• ⅛–¼ tsp garlic powder and/or dried basil leaves (optional)
• Additional olive oil (for coating)

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Instructions

1. Mixing Base: Combine all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and dried basil in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a fragrant dry foundation.
2. Liquid Integration: Pour olive oil and warm water into the dry ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon until a cohesive mixture forms, gradually incorporating remaining flour to develop an elastic, smooth dough.
3. Initial Preparation: Coat a clean bowl with olive oil, shape the dough into a perfect sphere, and roll it to ensure complete coverage, then drape with plastic wrap and position in a warm environment.
4. Rising Phase: Allow the dough to expand for 30 minutes, doubling in volume while simultaneously preheating the oven to 425°F (215°C).
5. Shaping Process: Gently deflate the risen dough, transfer to a floured surface, and knead briefly before stretching into a 12-inch circular foundation, carefully crimping the edges to create a defined crust.
6. Pre-Baking Preparation: Drizzle olive oil across the dough surface, distributing evenly with a pastry brush, then puncture the center with fork tines to prevent air bubble formation.
7. Topping and Baking: Apply pizza sauce and selected toppings, then bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes until the crust turns golden-brown.
8. Serving: Remove from oven, allow brief cooling, slice into wedges, and serve immediately to enjoy optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Use warm water between 105-115°F to ensure proper yeast activation without killing the microorganisms, which helps achieve optimal dough rise and texture.
• Master Dough Consistency: Add flour gradually to control moisture, stopping when dough becomes elastic and pulls cleanly from bowl sides, preventing dense or overly sticky results.
• Optimize Rising Environment: Place dough in a draft-free, warm spot around 80-85°F, like near a preheated oven or on a warm kitchen counter, to encourage faster and more consistent rising.
• Prevent Soggy Crust: Fork-punch the dough center before adding toppings to eliminate potential air bubbles and create a crispier base that resists moisture from sauce and ingredients.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 1.5 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg