Homemade Pizza Dough

Instructions

• Pizza Dough – First Rise
• In a large bowl, mix 625 ml of room temperature water with 1 ½ tbsp of salt.
• Add ½ cup of flour to create a liquid dough (a “buffer” — yeast doesn’t like salty water) and mix well by hand until fully dissolved.
• Add ½ tsp of active dry yeast, then incorporate the rest of the bag of flour.
• Stir with a wooden spoon. Once the dough starts to come together, knead it lightly in the bowl.
• Transfer to a work surface and knead the dough for 10 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour to your surface.
• Place the dough in a very large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.
• Pizza Balls – Second Rise
• Divide the dough into 6 equal balls (about 250g to 270g each).
• Shape each portion into a smooth ball.
• If you want to freeze the dough, see notes below.
• For immediate use: Place the balls in a large dish, leaving 1 inch between each ball. Cover and let rise at room temperature for about 2 hours.
• Shaping the Pizza
• On a generously floured surface, place a ball of dough.
• Add a generous amount of flour on top.
• Gently press around the edges with your fingers to form the crust. Lightly press the center.
• Flip the dough and gently stretch it with your hands until it reaches 10 to 12 inches. Add more flour as needed.
• Do not use a rolling pin — it flattens the beautiful airy texture!
• Make sure the dough isn’t sticking to your surface — if it is, add more flour.
• Top with sauce, cheese, and your favorite ingredients.
• Using a well-floured pizza peel, give it a quick jerk to make sure the pizza moves freely.
• Baking Methods
• Pizza Oven: Preheat your oven to the highest setting, then slightly reduce the heat. Using a well-floured pizza peel, slide the pizza onto the stone with a quick motion. Bake for about 15–20 seconds, then rotate the pizza slightly. Continue rotating until the crust is golden brown on all sides. Total cooking time is about 1:30 to 2 minutes.
• Conventional Oven: Place a pizza stone or steel on the middle rack for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 500°F during this time. Slide the pizza onto the hot surface and bake for 5–10 minutes, until the crust is golden and crispy. Finish under the broiler if needed.
• BBQ: Place a pizza stone or steel on the BBQ and preheat on high (500°F–550°F) for at least 30 minutes. Slide the pizza onto the hot surface, close the lid, and cook for about 5–10 minutes, keeping a close eye on it.