Italian · serves 2

Pizza Dough from Scratch

Twenty minutes of work, and every base after this one is easier.

60 min Some work Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 15g fresh yeast or 2 tsp dry yeast
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Method

  1. Stir the yeast into the water and leave it 5 minutes until it foams. No foam means dead yeast — start again.
  2. Make a well in the flour, salt, sugar and oil, pour the yeast in, and knead hard until smooth and elastic.
  3. Cover with a damp cloth, 20 minutes in a warm place.
  4. Knock the air out with your palm, ball it, and refrigerate until you need it — cold dough is easier to shape.
  5. Push each portion out from the centre into a 12-inch circle, leaving the rim thicker.
  6. Top and bake at the highest heat your oven does, until the edge is blistered.

Questions people ask about Pizza Dough from Scratch

How long does Pizza Dough from Scratch take?

About 60 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of yeast in Pizza Dough from Scratch?

Use there is no swap that behaves the same. Use a baking-powder recipe instead of forcing it.

Can I make Pizza Dough from Scratch ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Pizza Dough from Scratch vegetarian?

Yes, and as written it is vegan too. Check your specific brands if that matters to you.

Do I need an oven for Pizza Dough from Scratch?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Pizza Dough from Scratch?

A green salad and bread. Nothing else needed. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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