This is the best pizza dough with only 6 ingredients. It’s easy to make, has a crispy, chewy crust and is our favorite for homemade pizza night!
My family loves pizza recipes and we pair the dough with my white pizza sauce or red pizza sauce and toppings for pizza better than take-out!
Table of Contents
The Best Pizza Dough Recipe
My family loves to make homemade pizza recipes on the weekends. While this easy crust recipe is our favorite, we make it in all different forms. A few of our other go-to’s are French bread pizza, pizza chicken roll-ups, pizza dip and pizza pinwheels.
This homemade pizza dough recipe is the best! It’s easy enough for beginners and comes together in just 60 minutes from start to finish. The chewy crust is so flavorful and is our go-to for pizza night. Just add your favorite toppings and serve with fresh breadsticks !
Ingredients for Homemade Pizza Dough
No fancy ingredients are needed to make this simple pizza crust at home!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Warm water: You will lukewarm water around 110°F. It should be warm to the touch but not hot.
- Active dry yeast: This may be labeled active yeast at the store. Instant yeast or rapid yeast may also be used to make pizza dough.
- Granulated sugar: Feeds your yeast.
- Olive oil: I like to use extra virgin olive oil.
- Salt: Adds some flavor to the dough.
- All-purpose flour: Regular all-purpose flour works the best, but if you like a chewier crust use bread flour.
How to Flavor the Dough
Most of the flavor in pizza comes from the toppings you add to it before baking! If you would like to jazz up the flavor in the crust, though, it’s easy to do!
- Garlic powder: Add just a dash, around 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder should work.
- Dried basil or dried oregano: You can add up to a Tablespoon of one or the other or a combination of the two. Use more or less to suit your tastes.
- Italian seasoning: Add up to a Tablespoon of Italian herbs to flavor the dough.
How to Make Homemade Pizza Dough
Making your own pizza dough at home is easy to do! Just follow these step-by-step instructions.
- Activate the yeast. Start by proofing the yeast. Simply add 1 cup of warm water (110°F), 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast and 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar in a small bowl. Mix together, then cover with plastic wrap. Let sit until it begins to foam, similar to the left photo below. This usually takes about 5-10 minutes.
- Mix the dough. Once the yeast mixture has foamed, pour it into a large bowl along with 2 Tablespoons oil and salt. Add 2 cups flour (make sure to measure the flour correctly) and knead by hands or with a dough hook until combined. Then add in more of the flour in 1/4 cup increments and knead until the dough is smooth. Continue kneading dough for about 5 minutes.
- Let rise. Shape into a ball and rub a little oil around the dough. Place into a bowl and cover with saran wrap. Let rise for about 20 to 60 minutes. It doesn’t need to rise that much, you just want it to puff up a bit.
- Roll the dough. Once your dough has puffed up, it’s time to roll it out. I like to roll mine out about 1/4″ thick on a pizza stone. You could make it a little thinner or thicker based on preference, however just know that the cooking time will vary.
- Spread on the sauce. After your dough is rolled out, you can add the sauce. We usually use a classic tomato-based pizza sauce, but feel free to use Alfredo sauce or pesto.
- Add toppings. Then it’s time to add your favorite toppings! My kids love plain cheese or pepperoni. However, I love topping mine with burrata cheese, fresh sliced tomatoes, jalapenos and arugula. Yum!
Recipe Tips
You may wonder if there are any secrets to making this easy pizza dough recipe! Here are some tips to consider:
- Choose the right flour and use a high-quality yeast.
- Don’t overwork the dough. Kneading your dough too much can result in a tough crust. Mix the ingredients just until they come together, and then let the dough rest for a few minutes before shaping.
- A slow rise can help develop the flavors and texture of your dough. You can refrigerate this dough up to 12 hours if desired.
- Use high heat: A hot oven is key to achieving a crispy crust. Preheat your oven to at least 450°F (230°C), and use a pizza stone or steel to help evenly distribute the heat.
Favorite Pizza Recipes
There are so many uses for this best homemade pizza dough recipe! You can load it with your favorite pizza toppings or here are a few of our favorite pizza recipes:
- Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
- Easy BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
- Spinach Pesto Pizza
- Spinach Artichoke Pizza
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza
FAQ
I use all-purpose flour to make this easy crust recipe. No fancy flours like bread flour or 00 flour needed! However for a classic Neapolitan-style pizza, use “00” flour or a blend of “00” and all-purpose flour.
I typically let mine rise anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. You want it to puff up a bit, but it doesn’t need to rise all that much. If you want to do a slow rise, cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator overnight.
If you’re looking for a pizza dough recipe with no rising time, check out my easy no yeast pizza dough.
I like to roll out my dough with a rolling pin on a floured surface, however you can toss it as well. Once rolled or tossed, it should be about 12 inches wide and 1/4-inch thick.
No need to precook the dough prior to adding the toppings! Simply roll it out, add sauce, your toppings of choice and then bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
Storing and Freezing Pizza Dough
- Storage: Since this recipe makes two pizzas, you may ask ‘how long does pizza dough last in your fridge’, which is a great question! You can store the dough after it has fully risen, covered, in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. Allow room for the dough to expand as it will continue to rise.
- Freeze: Yes, you can freeze pizza dough! Let the dough fully rise (at least an hour) before dividing into 2 or 4 balls. Wrap it in plastic wrap and seal in a zip-top bag. Freeze up to 3 months any longer than that and the yeast starts to break down. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Love to make homemade dough from scratch? Try this empanada dough recipe, whole wheat pizza dough or all butter pie crust!
More Pizza Recipes
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Pizza Dough Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil , divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons table or fine sea salt
- 2 ½ – 3 cups all-purpose flour , plus more for the work surface
Optional toppings: Pizza sauce, Shredded or sliced mozzarella, Sliced tomatoes, Fresh basil, Pepperoni, Sliced bell peppers, Olives, Sliced onion, Mushrooms, Canadian bacon, Pineapple, Jalapenos
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix 1 cup water, 1 Tablespoon yeast, and 1 Tablespoon sugar. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit 5 minutes, or until it starts to foam.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the yeast mixture, 2 Tablespoons oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Add 2 cups flour and stir on medium low (or can be done by hand) until combined. Add 1/4 cup more flour at a time and knead until the dough is smooth, soft, and just a little bit sticky, but not to where the dough still sticks to the bowl. Knead about 3 to 5 more minutes.
- Roll into a ball and rub the remaining 1 Tablespoon oil around the dough. Place into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest 20 to 60 minutes, or until the dough puffs up a bit. It doesn’t need to rise much.
- Preheat the oven to 475°F. On a floured work surface, cut the dough in half and roll it out with a rolling pin or toss until 1/4-inch thick and 12-inches wide. Repeat with the other half of dough. You can also make 4 6-inch pizzas.
- Lightly brush oil onto a pizza stone or large baking sheet. Transfer dough to the stone or baking sheet. Press dents into the dough using your fingers to prevent bubbling. Spread pizza sauce over the dough and add your favorite toppings.
- Bake 15 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. If baking smaller pizzas, check for doneness around 12 minutes.
Notes
- Canadian bacon, pineapple, jalapeno (optional)
- Mushroom, green bell peppers, onion, pepperoni
- Fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and fresh basil
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: Bread, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Italian, Kid-Friendly, Pizza, Reader Favorites, Yeast Bread
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This has been my go to recipe since trying it! It’s quick and easy and delicious!
So happy to hear this! Thanks for the review!
I loved this recipe! I usually don’t have good luck with bread but this recipe worked great! It was light and fluffy and tasted delicious! I added a few seasonings to the dough and it worked out well.
So glad you enjoyed the pizza dough :)
I was always a little intimidated by making my own pizza dough so I used to buy it from the store but after making this twice now I don’t think I’ll ever buy dough again. Really easy and bakes up beautifully. I doubled the batch last time I made it and froze half. It froze really well and tasted just as good so I’d definitely recommend making a double batch and freezing some for a rainy day.
This is the only pizza dough recipe I use it taste good and turns out great Everytime and my husband likes it.
Best ( and easiest) pizza recipe I’ve tried. Thanks so much for sharing it.
I just came across your site and I’m so thrilled, I pinned you to my favorites bar so I can consistently refer back. I just love the simplicity, especially when you have littles that you are trying to please! Great job on your site =)
I am so glad that you found me! Thanks so much on the compliment. This pizza dough is one of the best go-to Friday night dinners.
Family said this is the only recipe to use from now on! Turned out perfect!
Can this be made with Gluten Free baking flour( Bob’s Red Mill)?
I haven’t tested it, but that should work. Let us know how it goes!
Does this turn out like N.Y.-style crust ? I can’t wait to try it. I’m glad that I don’t need semolina like my old recipe does. It’s becoming difficult to find and ordering it online is costly. I get your emails and follow you on Pinterest. Thank you for your recipes and tips.
You could let the dough sit in the fridge for 24 hours to make it more like a New York style crust.
Best pizza dough out there. Thanks for this recipe!
Ah, thanks so much for your review!
Love this dough!
Wondering how long will this dough last in the fridge? Thanks
About 24 hours (don’t let it rise on counter beforehand, it will rise in the fridge).
Did not make yet
But will.
Enjoy!
Super easy! Tasted great! We put the pizzas on the big green egg!
That sounds amazing! Grilled pizza is the best :)
This is the ‘best friend’ of pizza dough recipes! It’s always there for you, forgives you when you make mistakes, and everyone seems to like it.
I’ve used it for over a year now as my ‘go to’ recipe and it still hasn’t let me down—even with a cross country move and subsequent change in elevation.
I have even added herbs and cheese to make it a more complex crust as well as successfully turned half of the dough into quick breadsticks. It’s just a solid, basic recipe that you’ll come back to over and over again!
Thank you SO much for this thoughtful comment, Chelsea! I’m so happy to hear you have enjoyed the recipe so much. It’s one of my family’s favorites too :)
This is a fan favorite at our house! It’s tried and tested and never seems to fail. It makes our pizza nights a big hit! 👏🏼
Yay! Pizza nights are the best!
We love your pizza dough recipe!! It is crunchy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Fun for our kids to make home made pizzas with us.
Yay! I’m so glad to hear the dough was a hit with your family. Thanks for the comment and review, Vicki!
just making one pizza, can I freeze the remaining dough?
Yes, of course!
I tried this recipe for dinner and we loved it!
Awesome! Thanks for the comment :)