Homemade Pizza Dough
Instructions:
You won’t believe how simple it is to make pizza dough at
home. And because the dough freezes very well (at least
for a couple of weeks), it’s even practical to whip up a
batch for one or two people and tuck the rest away for
another day.
To make pizza dough by hand or with a standing
mixer, follow the directions, but use a bowl and a heavy
wooden spoon or the mixer’s bowl and the paddle attachment
instead of the food processor. When the dough
becomes too heavy to stir, use your hands or exchange
the mixer’s paddle for the dough hook and proceed with
the recipe.
3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, plus more as
needed
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 teaspoons coarse kosher or sea salt, plus extra for
sprinkling
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
MAKES: Enough for 1 large or 2 or more small pies
TIME: 1 hour or more
- Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a food processor. Turn the machine on and add 1 cup water and the oil through the feed tube.
- Process for about 30 seconds, adding more water, a little at a time, until the mixture forms a ball and is slightly sticky to the touch. If it is still dry, add another tablespoon or two of water and process for another 10 seconds. (In the unlikely event that the mixture is too sticky, add flour a tablespoon at a time.)
- Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and knead by hand for a few seconds to form a smooth, round dough ball. Put the dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap; let rise until the dough doubles in size, 1 to 2 hours. (You can cut this rising time short if you’re in a hurry, or you can let the dough rise more slowly, in the refrigerator, for up to 6 or 8 hours.) Proceed to Step 4 or wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or a zipper bag and freeze for up to a month. (Defrost in the bag or a covered bowl in the refrigerator or at room temperature; bring to room temperature before shaping.)
- When the dough is ready, form it into a ball and divide it into 2 or more pieces if you like; roll each piece into a round ball. Put each ball on a lightly floured surface, sprinkle with flour, and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let rest until they puff slightly, about 20 minutes.
- Whole Wheat Pizza Dough.
- With a nutty flavor and a little fiber: Use 11/2 cups each whole wheat and white flour (all-purpose or bread flour). You’ll probably need to add closer to 11/2 cups water or maybe even a little more.