Ditch store-bought pizza dough and make your own with this easy Italian pizza dough recipe, made with simple ingredients! This dough is the perfect balance of thin and hearty, and it is super easy to make!
After we got back from our Italian adventure this year, I was determined to figure out how to make homemade pizza dough the way the Italians make it. On our vacation we did a food tour, cooking class, and we inquired about secrets to authentic Italian pizza, to which we found out that there is a distinct way dough is made that creates their perfectly balanced pizza. I tested out my recipes to find out which comes closest to that glorious pizza we had in Italy, and this is it!
If you’re looking for a super easy Italian pizza dough recipe that will transform your homemade pizzas into perfectly crisped, tasty pizza pies, you have to try this recipe!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Easy Italian Pizza Dough Recipe
- What You’ll Need to Make Homemade Pizza Dough
- How to Make Easy Italian Pizza Dough
- FAQ’s: Storing, Alternatives, & Substitutions
- Easy Italian Pizza Dough Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Easy Italian Pizza Dough Recipe
- It’s foolproof – pizza crust doesn’t have to be complicated. When my husband and I visited Italy this year, we learned so much about authentic Italian pizza, making and honestly, the simpler, the better! This recipe has just a few staple ingredients, a very easy process, and comes out perfect every time!
- It’s the perfect thinness – making the perfect thin crust pizza comes down to a few factors that this recipe takes into account. A local Italian man in Ischia told us one of their secrets to the best thin crust pizza we’ve ever tried: less yeast. In America, we tend to use more yeast to get that puffed up pizza hut-style pizza. This is far from it! This recipe will make the most authentic artisan Italian pizza you’ll love.
- It won’t break apart when shaping – I can’t tell you how many recipes I’ve tried where the dough is so thick and rubbery it breaks apart the second I try shaping it into a crust. This is not one of those recipes! This dough is shapeable, easy to handle, and makes for the perfect pizza crust!
And when you LOVE this recipe, you should top it with my pizza sauce recipe made with fresh tomatoes or my sweet and tangy bbq sauce recipe, and create a unique blend of flavors such as: bbq chicken pizza, hot honey chicken pizza, hot honey ricotta pizza, and pepperoni pizza with hot honey. Can you tell I love my hot honey?
What You’ll Need to Make Authentic Italian Pizza Dough
- Flour (6 cups) – Use 00 flour for a lighter crust, or all-purpose flour as an easy substitute. Italians use 00 religiously, but all-purpose will work as well.
- Yeast (1 ½ teaspoons) – Instant yeast helps the dough rise quickly and easily. It’s a balancing act between enough, but not too much.
- Sea Salt (1 teaspoon) – Enhances the flavor of the dough.
- Cold Water (2 ½ cups) – Slows yeast activation for better flavor development. It also gives the dough it’s perfect and workable texture.
- Olive Oil (2 tablespoons) – Adds moisture and a rich flavor to the dough.
How to Make Easy Italian Pizza Dough Recipe
- Preheat oven to 475°F for at least one hour. If using a pizza stone, place the stone in the oven before preheating.
Using a Stand Mixer:
- Attach the dough hook and mix the flour, salt, and yeast on low speed until combined. Gradually add the cold water.
- Continue mixing on low speed for 8-10 minutes, until the dough is sticky but smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Add more flour if the dough is too wet or more water if too dry.
- Divide the dough into 6 pieces and shape each into a ball. Drizzle with olive oil and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for 1 hour.
By Hand:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt.
- Add the cold water and mix until combined.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10-12 minutes, until smooth but slightly sticky.
- Divide the dough into 6 balls and let rest for 1 hour, covered, before shaping.
Shaping the Dough:
- Dust your work surface with flour or cornmeal. Shape each dough ball (one at a time) into a pizza crust round using your hands, then stretching the dough on the surface.
- Transfer the shaped crust onto your pan or pizza stone. Add quality pizza sauce or bbq sauce and your desired toppings. My favorite pizzas include bbq chicken pizza, hot honey ricotta pizza, hot honey chicken pizza, and pepperoni pizza with hot honey.
- Brush the edges of the crust with olive oil (and herbs, if desired) for a golden brown finish.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!
FAQ’s: Storing & Substitutions for Homemade Pizza Dough
You can store the dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
Yes! While 00 flour gives the dough a lighter, crisper texture, all-purpose flour works just as well for a delicious crust.
You can use active dry yeast instead. Simply dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water (about 110°F) before adding it to the flour mixture. Allow extra rise time.
es, you can substitute the regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Be sure to follow package instructions, as gluten-free dough may require different handling.
Absolutely! You can mix dried herbs like oregano or basil, or even garlic powder, directly into the dough for extra flavor.
Easy Italian Pizza Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups flour 00 or all-purpose
- 1 ½ teaspoons yeast
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 ½ cups cold water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475°F for at least one hour. If using a pizza stone, place the stone in the oven before preheating.
Using a Stand Mixer:
- Attach the dough hook and mix the flour, salt, and yeast on low speed until combined. Gradually add the cold water.
- Continue mixing on low speed for 8-10 minutes, until the dough is sticky but smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Add more flour if the dough is too wet or more water if too dry.
- Divide the dough into 6 pieces and shape each into a ball. Drizzle with olive oil and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for 1 hour.
By Hand:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt.
- Add the cold water and mix until combined.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10-12 minutes, until smooth but slightly sticky.
- Divide the dough into 6 balls and let rest for 1 hour, covered, before shaping.
Shaping the Dough:
- Dust your work surface with flour or cornmeal. Shape each dough ball (one at a time) into a pizza crust round using your hands, then stretching the dough on the surface.
- Transfer the shaped crust onto your pan or pizza stone. Add your desired toppings.
- Brush the edges of the crust with olive oil (and herbs, if desired) for a golden brown finish.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!
Notes
- Use Cold Water: Cold water helps slow the yeast activation, allowing for a longer rise time and better flavor development.
- 00 Flour vs. All-Purpose Flour: If available, 00 flour is preferred for a lighter, crispier crust, but all-purpose flour works well as a substitute.
- Adjusting Dough Consistency: If the dough feels too sticky, gradually add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add a little more water.
- Resting Time: Letting the dough rest after forming the balls allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to shape and stretch without tearing.
- Preheat Your Oven: Preheating the oven with a pizza stone (if you have one) ensures a crisp, evenly cooked crust.
- Storage Tip: The dough can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
Let me know in the comments if you loved this easy Italian pizza dough recipe!
Other recipes you may enjoy:
Every time I make this pizza dough recipe it turns out perfect! It’s easier to handle the dough than any other recipe I’ve tried!
Tasted so similar to the pizza I had when I visited Italy! I was surprised at how easy it was to make.