Making homemade pizza is a simple and joyful way to bring the family together around the table. With this easy, foolproof pizza dough recipe, you'll be creating delicious, personalized pizzas in no time.

Pizza dough was one of the first recipes I ever tried with yeast, and to be honest, I was a bit nervous. But with this foolproof recipe, you can make amazing pizza dough every time.

Making a delicious pizza at home is a joyful experience, especially when you start with the perfect dough. Not only is homemade pizza dough more affordable than store-bought, but it also gives you the freedom to create a pizza just the way you like it.

The Secret to Great Pizza Dough

The key to making the best pizza dough is keeping it moist. Since homemade pizzas often bake longer, you don’t want the crust to dry out. Adding the right amount of water is crucial.

Choosing the Right Flour for Your Pizza Crust

While Italians often use Tipo 00 flour for pizza dough, all purpose flour works just as well and is something most of us have on hand. The difference is subtle—dough made with all-purpose flour might be a little softer, but you can easily improve this by preheating your oven, cooking at a higher temperature, and using a preheated pizza stone on the lower oven rack.

Is Homemade Pizza Dough More Affordable?

As we all look for ways to be good stewards of our resources, making your own pizza dough at home is a wonderful way to save money. Plus, when you make it yourself, you know exactly what’s in it—no preservatives or strange ingredients—just pure, delicious flavor.

Tips for Perfecting Homemade Pizza

In addition to making your own dough, you can elevate your homemade pizza by adding a touch of garlic, rosemary, or Italian seasoning to the crust before baking. Use a combination of fresh mozzarella and shredded cheese for a delicious, cheesy topping. Whole milk mozzarella is ideal.

For the sauce, a simple one works best. This homemade pizza sauce is perfect, but if you prefer store-bought, Rao’s is my favorite brand.

And don’t forget to use a pizza stone! It doesn’t need to be fancy; even a basic stone will work wonders. While there are many pans to choose from, and I’ve made deep-dish pizza in a cast iron skillet, a preheated pizza stone is the way to go for a regular, hand-tossed crust.

Ingredients for the Best Pizza Dough Recipe

This recipe will quickly become your go-to for making homemade pizza dough. It requires just a few basic ingredients, but the results are truly special.

All-purpose flour: No need for anything fancy— unbleached King Arthur flour works wonderfully.

Olive Oil: This helps create a crispier crust and keeps the tomato sauce from soaking into the dough.

Water: The water should be between 110°F and 115°F to activate the yeast.

Sugar: A bit of sugar not only feeds the yeast but also tenderizes the dough.

Kosher Salt: Use kosher or sea salt for the purest flavor.

Yeast: Instant yeast will give you a crispier crust with a shorter rise time, while active dry yeast results in a softer crust and takes a bit longer.

Garlic Powder (optional): Adding a touch of garlic powder to the dough adds great flavor.

How to Make Homemade Pizza Dough

Whether you’re using active dry yeast or rapid-rise yeast, the process is similar. The difference lies in the rise time and the amount of sugar used. Full instructions and measurements can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Proof the yeast: Start by adding warm water, yeast, and sugar to a small bowl. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast is dissolved and foamy.

Make the dough: Combine 3 cups of flour, kosher salt, and garlic powder (if using) in a large mixing bowl. Add all of the yeast mixture and olive oil.

• If mixing by hand, stir with a wooden spoon until the dough starts to come together. Turn it onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 15 minutes, adding flour 1 tablespoon at a time if the dough is sticky.
• If using a stand mixer, mix on low speed for 10 seconds with the paddle attachment, then switch to the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 3 minutes. Add flour as needed if the dough is sticky.

Let the dough rise: Coat a bowl with oil and place the dough inside, turning it to coat all sides. Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size. If using rapid-rise yeast, this can be done in a warm oven in about 40 minutes; for active dry yeast, allow 1½ hours.

Make the pizza: Once risen, the dough can be rolled out or hand-tossed. Press out any air bubbles before baking.

• If using a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven at 500°F for 30 minutes. Place the dough on the stone, add your toppings, and bake for 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden.
• If using a pizza pan, lightly coat it with olive oil, preheat the oven to 500°F, and bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes.

Making Pizza Dough in Advance

You can refrigerate the dough for up to four hours or freeze it for up to three months. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before using it.

Making homemade pizza dough is a simple yet rewarding way to bring family and friends together. Enjoy the process, and as you create, remember that the best moments are often found in the simple joys of life, shared with those we love.

I hope you and your family enjoy this delicious pizza dough as much as we do! If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out—please leave a comment below or give this recipe a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook or Pinterest for more family-friendly recipes and tips!