How to make homemade pizza dough: Follow this easy recipe

There’s nothing like homemade pizza, and making your own dough is easier than you think! With just a little time, a few ingredients and following our tips and you’ll get the best results for creating this traditional Italian recipe, originating in Naples. Making pizza dough at home is not only fun but also a great activity for the whole family—kids will love getting hands-on with the process and learning about cooking.

For a dough with a rustic flavor, use 70% bread flour and 30% whole wheat flour. If you’re a fan of extra-crispy pizza crust, all you have to do is preheat your oven to the highest temperature for 30 minutes, then generously add oil to your baking tray, and add the cheese during the last two minutes of baking. This will prevent the cheese from releasing excess moisture or grease, keeping the crust perfectly crisp. Once baked, transfer the pizza immediately to a cooling rack to allow the bottom to dry and achieve the ideal texture. 

This step is crucial to ensure the underside dries properly, giving you the best texture. At that point, all you have left is to enjoy your favorite pizza. Pro tip: You can make as much pizza dough as you like because it freezes beautifully.

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Recipe: Homemade Naples Pizza Dough

Time: 130 minutes | Easy Level | 4 Servings

Ingredients

• 500 grams (about 4 cups) of flour
• 10 grams (2 teaspoons) of baker’s yeast
• 250 milliliters (1 cup) of warm water
• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of flaky salt

Instructions

1. Dissolve the yeast in a bit of warm water.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the dissolved yeast and olive oil.
3. Use a wooden spoon to start mixing, gradually adding the rest of the water until a soft dough forms.
4. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes on a floured surface, adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking.
5. Place the dough in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rest for one hour.
6. Divide the dough into four portions and let them rise for another hour, covered with a damp cloth. If you have leftover dough, you can freeze it without any issues.
7. Flour your work surface and roll out each portion of dough with a rolling pin, shaping it into a circle or rectangle.

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Topping and baking tips

Once the dough is rolled out, spread a layer of tomato sauce (homemade is best!) and add your favorite toppings—shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, or anything you love.

For the perfect bake:

Preheat your oven to 475°F for at least 30 minutes.Bake the pizza on the lowest rack for 5–8 minutes, until the crust is golden and crispy and the cheese is bubbly.

Let the pizza cool down on a rack to maintain its crispness. Slice, serve, and enjoy a homemade pizza that rivals your favorite pizzeria!