A regular pizza night is a great way to keep the whole family happy. It's even better if you make your own dough. Don't worry — you don't need to be a master Italian chef to give it a go. Just follow these simple steps.
A basic pizza dough recipe
The secret to homemade pizza dough is using double zero (00) flour, which is extra strong and will help create that all-important stretchy texture. Grab a bag and get to work:
- Mix 650g of flour with a sachet of dried yeast and two teaspoons of salt. Stir in 25ml olive oil and 50ml warm milk, and mix together until a soft dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for five minutes until the dough is smooth and feels elastic to the touch. Put it in a bowl and cover it with a clean tea towel. Let it rise for about 90 minutes until it doubles in size.
- Give it a good punch to knock it back, then knead again. Roll it into a ball and leave it for an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 240°C.
- Divide the dough into six pieces to make individual pizzas, or keep it whole to make one large pizza. Stretch it out using your hands until it's the shape you want, and add your chosen toppings.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until cooked through.
TOP TIP: If you have a stand mixer, use it to knead the dough. Otherwise, get stuck in with your fists and enjoy the workout.
How to make thin and crispy pizza dough
You don't need a specific thin-crust pizza dough recipe — you just need to shape it to your chosen diameter. Traditional Italian recipes always use a thin and crispy pizza dough. Stretch it carefully, working it with your fingers, for the best results. Don't panic if you tear a hole in the dough — just roll it back into a ball and start again.
A thick-crust pizza dough recipe
Use the basic pizza dough recipe for a thick crust, but replace the olive oil with more milk. This will give you a pizza with a soft, chewy crust — one of the best dinner ideas when you want to replicate a takeaway at home.
Pizza recipes to try at home
Now that you know how to make pizza dough, it's time to consider some toppings. Of course, everyone has their favourite pizza recipes, from the classic Italian Margherita to the protein-packed meat lovers' pizza. You can even reach for a tin of pineapple for a homemade Hawaiian pizza — just don't let the Italians know.
Pizza doesn't have to be junk food. In fact, it can be a true gourmet treat with the right toppings. Try black olives, grilled artichoke and serrano ham pizza for a Mediterranean-inspired delight. Another gourmet choice is pizza bianca, or white pizza, which doesn't have any tomato sauce. This truffled mushroom white pizza has an earthy, deeply savoury flavour — a lot more sophisticated and grown-up than your average takeaway.
How to make pizza dough more versatile: go beyond the pizza
Naturally, when you make pizza dough at home, you probably want to turn it into pizza. However, there are a few other things you can do with it. A calzone is like a folded pizza and makes a great alternative to the classic open dish. This calzone with bacon, peppers, and mozzarella is a tasty way to try it for yourself.
Homemade dough balls are a quick and easy option when you want a starter. Serve them with softened butter mixed with garlic and herbs, and you'll have an utterly moreish, takeaway-style treat. Make more than you think you'll need, as these tasty bites will disappear faster than you might imagine.
Sweet pizzas are a fun, unusual variation of the classic recipe. Popular in countries like Brazil and Australia, dessert pizzas are easy to whip up. Replace the olive oil in the dough with melted butter for an extra-rich flavour, then top the pizza with nuts and sliced fruit, like strawberries and bananas. To finish it off, drizzle it with Nutella, melted chocolate or maple syrup. Then, add marshmallows and cook until they're half-melted and delightfully gooey.
FAQs
How should I roll out pizza dough for a thin crust?
Traditionally, pizza dough is stretched, not rolled. Start with a ball of room-temperature dough on a floured surface and gently pull it, rotating it after each pull for an even result. Pick up the dough and hold it between your hands, letting gravity help you get a thinner result.
How can I make a crust on pizza dough?
Leave a slightly thicker edge on the outside of your pizza dough circle. Remember to leave this part empty while topping your pizza.
Can you freeze pizza dough?
Yes. Roll the risen dough into balls, wrap tightly in clingfilm, and freeze immediately. Frozen dough will last for about three months. Let it defrost completely before using.
How can I make pizza dough without yeast?
Pizza dough without yeast won't taste quite like the real thing, but it can still be tasty. Follow a recipe for scones that uses baking powder, and you'll get scone pizza dough. It doesn't need to rise, so it'll be ready much faster.
How long does pizza dough last in the fridge?
When stored properly, homemade pizza dough can last three to five days in the fridge.