Simple Homemade Pizza Dough

With only six ingredients, Simple Homemade Pizza Dough is so easy to make it can be pizza night at home any night of the week!

Making your own Simple Homemade Pizza Dough makes making pizzas at home super easy! And by making your own, you save time, money and everybody gets what they want.

This recipe makes the crust for 2 – 14 inch pizzas or 4 individual sized pizzas (7 inch). The dough is great for pizzas cooked in a conventional oven but is also delicious when cooked on the grill or in any pizza oven!

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Pizza Crust Yeast vs. Regular Yeast

How is Pizza Crust Yeast different than Regular Active Dry Yeast?

Pizza crust yeast is a dough conditioning yeast that changes how it combines the dough ingredients. As a result, the dough rises faster and the dough is more relaxed, making it easier to stretch and shape.

Do I have to use Pizza Crust Yeast to make Simple Homemade Pizza Dough?

Nope! There is absolutely no need to try to find Pizza Crust Yeast when you go to the store or to make another trip. Making pizza dough with regular yeast is just as good!

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Useful Equipment for Making Homemade Pizzas

• Pizza Stone – Pizza stones absorb heat easily and retain that heat for a long period of time. This mimics the effect of a pizzeria’s brick oven by raising the temperature and providing an extra-hot surface to bake the pizza. (Food Network)

• Pizza Pans – You can totally use pizza pans to create your pizza and bake on! Make sure to dust with a generous amount of cornmeal or lightly grease before setting the dough onto the pan. Another way to use them is to flip a pizza pan or baking sheet upside down so there is not a lip, sprinkle generously with cornmeal so the dough doesn’t stick, create your pizza and then slide directly onto a baking stone.

• Pizza Peel – If you are baking your pizza on a pizza pan or baking sheet, you really don’t need to invest in a pizza peel. If you make pizza often and/or cook directly on a baking stone in the oven or on a grill, you will want to look into getting one! We use the thin, metal version.

• Pizza Dough Docker (pictured above) – Using a dough docker is one easy thing that we have started doing to create a consistent, crispy crust. Pizza crust rises and expands when baked and making little holes throughout the crust keeps the dough from having big air bubbles. You can also do this with a fork!

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What you’ll need to make Simple Homemade Pizza Dough

• warm water
• sugar
• active dry yeast or Pizza Crust yeast
• all purpose flour
• salt
• olive oil
• Cornmeal (for dusting)

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How to make Simple Homemade Pizza Dough

Making pizzas at home is one of those fun family bonding activities that costs very little and doesn’t require a special occasion.

Since every great pizza begins with a great pizza crust, this recipe is for making your own Simple Homemade Pizza Dough is the perfect first step.

With crispy edges, great flavor and a soft and chewy texture, all you have to do is add your favorite toppings and bake. Make delicious pizzas and awesome memories at the same time!

Pour the water into a liquid measuring cup and add the sugar, stirring to combine.

Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water and let sit for 5-10 minutes until yeast becomes frothy.

The perfect temperature for yeast is 105 – 115 degrees F. Usually putting the water in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or using warm tap water is all it takes to get to this temperature. If the water is too hot the yeast could die and the dough won’t rise!

Pour the flour and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the dough hook attachment, slowly add the yeast mixture, mixing on low speed until combined.

Add the olive oil and continue to knead on low speed for 5-6 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.

Remove from bowl and place on a lightly floured surface. Form into a ball and place into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 90 minutes or until doubled in size.

Once the dough has risen, preheat the oven or grill to 500 degrees F.

Remove the pizza dough from the bowl, dust it with flour and knead it briefly. Divide the dough into two portions and roll out into 14 inch rounds.

Generously sprinkle cornmeal on the pizza stone or pizza pan before putting the pizza crust down to keep it from sticking.

Top with whatever toppings you like and bake in a 500 degree F oven, on the grill or in a pizza oven for 8-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your pizza crust and toppings.

Pictured Above, our favorite PIZZA MARGHERITA: Lightly paint the crust with olive oil, rub minced garlic into the oil, top with sliced Roma tomatoes, chopped basil and some shredded mozzarella. Sprinkle with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. 

Pizza is ready when the crust is browned and cheese is melted. Enjoy!

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