Is there anything better than a homemade pizza night? The smell of baking dough, the bubbling cheese, and the endless possibilities for toppings make it a fun and delicious tradition. The secret to a truly great homemade pizza isn’t just the sauce or the cheese—it’s the crust. This recipe for a simple, yet delicious pizza crust is a game-changer. It’s designed to be light and airy on the inside with a perfect chew on the outside, and it’s easy enough for even a beginner baker to master.
The key to a good dough is patience. Giving the yeast time to “bloom” and the dough time to rise properly is what creates that incredible texture and flavor. This recipe uses a stand mixer to make the kneading process effortless, but you can absolutely knead it by hand as well. Get ready to ditch the takeout menu and create your new favorite pizza night tradition.
Homemade Pizza Crust
Ingredients
- 2 packets (about 4.5 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons organic cane sugar
- 1.5 – 2 cups warm water (105-115^\circF)
- 4 cups organic all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Redmond’s salt (or other sea salt)
- 1/2 teaspoon organic garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions - In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and 1.5 cups of warm water. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy and bubbly. This is called “blooming” the yeast and it confirms that it’s active and ready to go.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, salt, garlic powder, and olive oil.
- With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients. If the dough seems too dry, add a little more warm water, one tablespoon at a time, until it comes together.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium and knead the dough for 5 minutes, or until it forms a smooth, elastic ball.
- Lightly oil a large bowl. Transfer the dough ball to the bowl and turn it once to coat. Cover the bowl with a warm, damp kitchen towel.
- Place the bowl in a warm place and let the dough rise for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. At this point, you can divide the dough for multiple pizzas or use it all for one large one.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness and shape. Transfer it to a pizza pan or a baking sheet.
- To prevent a soggy crust, you can par-bake the crust for about 10 minutes before adding your toppings.
- Add your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The total baking time will vary depending on your oven and toppings.