Description
Crafting perfect homemade pizza dough brings Italian culinary magic right into home kitchens. Golden, crispy crusts with delicate textures invite friends and family to savor authentic flavors that connect cooking passion with delightful shared meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Flour and Liquid):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) warm water
Leavening and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons oil
Pizza Sauce Ingredients:
- Fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast by whisking it with sugar in lukewarm water, allowing the mixture to bloom and become foamy for approximately 5 minutes.
- Create a flour mound on a clean work surface, forming a well in the center. Pour the activated yeast liquid and olive oil into the crater, gradually incorporating the dry ingredients until a shaggy dough emerges.
- Knead the dough vigorously on a lightly floured surface, utilizing the heel of your palm to stretch and fold the mixture for 6-8 minutes until achieving a smooth, elastic consistency.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled ceramic bowl, covering it with a damp kitchen towel. Allow it to proof in a draft-free environment at room temperature for 60-75 minutes until it doubles in volume.
- Deflate the risen dough by gently pressing down with your fingertips. Divide into two equal portions for thin-crust pizzas, rolling each piece into a circular shape approximately 1/8 inch thick.
- Position the rolled dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 475°F, ensuring it reaches the full temperature before baking.
- Layer preferred toppings across the surface, leaving a small border around the edges. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and toppings are thoroughly heated.
- For sauce, sauté minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add chopped tomatoes, herbs, and seasonings. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, then briefly blend for desired consistency.
Notes
- Choose instant yeast for quicker rising and more reliable results when making pizza dough.
- Warm water between 105-110°F activates yeast perfectly without killing the live cultures.
- Knead dough on a clean, lightly floured surface to prevent sticking and develop gluten structure for a chewy texture.
- Rest pizza dough for an additional 15-20 minutes after shaping to enhance flavor and improve crust elasticity.
- Experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free flour for alternative dietary needs while maintaining similar dough consistency.
- Brush olive oil on the crust edges before baking to create a golden, crispy finish that looks professional.
- Use a pizza stone or preheated baking sheet for crispier crust and more even baking temperature.
- Prep Time: 100 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 165 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg