You only need 6 ingredients to make this easy pizza dough recipe! It yields a chewy, flavorful crust that will take your homemade pizza to a new level.
When I first started making homemade pizza, looking up a pizza dough recipe (let alone writing one!) never crossed my mind. I loved coming up with fresh topping combinations, but back then, making my own dough seemed like too much fuss. Kneading it, letting it rise… It couldn’t be worth the effort, right?
Wrong! Because in reality, making homemade pizza dough doesn’t take that much effort at all.
A few years back, after Jack started experimenting with baking bread, garlic knots, and soft pretzels, he thought he’d give a pizza dough recipe a try. To our surprise, it was incredibly simple. It only required a few basic ingredients, and aside from the rising time, the process was quick.
Since then, we’ve perfected our own easy pizza dough recipe. It yields a crust that’s chewy, flavorful, and nicely puffed around the edges, just how we like it. The next time you’re having an at-home pizza night, skip the store-bought dough, and give it a try! I think you’ll love it too.
Easy Pizza Dough Recipe Ingredients
Our easy pizza dough recipe calls for 6 basic ingredients:
- All-purpose flour and (optional) white whole wheat flour. I really like this combination – it packs a whole grain punch, but it isn’t as dense as an all whole-wheat dough. If you like, you can make this recipe with 100% white whole wheat flour or 100% all-purpose flour. It works both ways, but the crust will be denser and chewier if you make it with all whole wheat.
- Active dry yeast. It helps the dough rise, yielding a nice and puffy crust.
- Water. For moisture. Make sure that it’s warm, but not too hot, to help activate the yeast.
- Maple syrup. Its sugars feed the yeast, helping the dough rise.
- Sea salt. Add a generous pinch for a flavorful crust.
- And extra-virgin olive oil! For richness, moisture, and flavor.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Pizza Dough
Making this pizza dough recipe is easy! Here’s what you need to do:
First, proof the yeast. Stir together the yeast, warm water, and maple syrup in a small bowl. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy. Heads up: if the yeast doesn’t foam, it’s likely expired. Discard the mixture and try again with a new package of yeast for the best results.
Next, make the dough. Combine the flours and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Pour in the yeast mixture and a tablespoon of olive oil. Mix until the dough forms a ball around the hook, 5 to 6 minutes. If the dough is too wet and sticky to form a ball, mix in a little more flour. If it’s dry, add water, 1/2 tablespoon at a time.
Then, let it rise. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and use your hands to form it into a smooth ball. Brush a large bowl with olive oil, and set the dough ball inside. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and set the dough aside to rise until it doubles in size, about 1 hour. Tip: it’ll rise best somewhere warm, like a sunny kitchen countertop!
Finally, stretch the dough. When the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and stretch it into an approximately 14-inch circle on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Top with pizza sauce and your favorite toppings! If you need ideas, I’ve shared a few of my favorite pizza recipes below.
Best Pizza Dough Recipe Tips
- Get ahead. Don’t feel like waiting for dough to rise on a weeknight? I get it! Luckily, you can make this pizza dough recipe ahead. Make the dough and allow it to rise. Then, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen dough overnight in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature before stretching and assembling your pizza.
- No pizza stone? No problem. Homemade pizza connoisseurs swear by baking your pizza on a pizza stone. We’ve never had one, though, and our homemade pizza has always come out great. I love using this hole-y pizza pan because it gets the bottom of the crust nice and crisp, and a cast-iron skillet does the same. In a pinch, a regular old baking sheet works too!
Favorite Homemade Pizza Recipes
The crust is covered…let’s talk toppings! Check out these recipes for fresh ideas:
Pizza Dough
Serves 3 to 4
Learn how to make pizza dough! This easy pizza dough recipe calls for 6 simple ingredients, and it yields a delicious chewy crust. Add your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
- ¾ cup warm water
- 1½ teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 (¼-ounce) package active dry yeast
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, see note
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
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In a small bowl, stir together the water, maple syrup, and the yeast. Set aside for 5 minutes, until the yeast is foamy.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, place the flour and salt. Mix on medium speed until combined. Add the yeast mixture and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Mix on medium speed until the dough forms into a ball around the hook, 5 to 6 minutes. If the dough is too dry to form a ball, add water ½ tablespoon at a time until the mixture comes together. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
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Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead into a smooth ball.
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Brush a large bowl with the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil and place the dough inside. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to rise until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
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Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Stretch to fit a 14-inch pizza pan or similar.
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Top and bake according to the pizza recipe you are using, typically 10 to 13 minutes in a 500° oven, or until the crust is browned.
This recipe can also be made with half all-purpose flour and half white whole wheat flour for a slightly more whole grain version.