Description
Rustic homemade pizza dough brings Italian culinary magic straight to kitchen counters with simple ingredients. Kneading, rising, and shaping become a delightful journey where perfection meets passion, inviting you to create authentic flavors that dance across your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
Leavening and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by combining warm water, sugar, and yeast in a spacious mixing vessel. Allow the mixture to rest and become frothy, approximately 5-10 minutes.
- Incorporate olive oil, salt, and a portion of the flour into the activated yeast mixture. Blend thoroughly using a wooden utensil or dough attachment until a rough, loosely formed dough emerges.
- Transfer the dough onto a generously floured work surface. Knead the dough vigorously for 6-8 minutes, gradually introducing additional flour as necessary to achieve a smooth, pliable texture.
- Lightly coat a clean bowl with olive oil and place the kneaded dough inside. Shield the dough with a moistened cloth or plastic membrane, then position in a warm, draft-free environment to ferment and expand for 1-1.5 hours.
- Gently deflate the risen dough, redistributing the internal gases. If preparing multiple pizzas, segment the dough into appropriate portions.
- Using a rolling pin, stretch and shape the dough to desired thickness on a flour-dusted surface. Layer preferred toppings across the dough’s surface.
- Slide the prepared pizza into a preheated oven at 475°F (245°C). Bake for 12-15 minutes, monitoring until the crust transforms into a golden, crisp foundation.
Notes
- Activate the yeast properly by using warm water between 100-110°F to ensure proper fermentation and rising.
- Control moisture carefully when kneading by adding flour gradually to prevent a dry, tough dough.
- Rest the dough in a draft-free, warm spot like near a preheated oven to maximize volume and develop better flavor.
- Experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free flour blends for alternative dietary needs while maintaining similar texture and structure.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 2000 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg