Homemade Pizza Dough Soft (Printable Version)

Soft and chewy dough with a crisp crust ideal for classic margherita or loaded pizza variations.

# Everything You’ll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups bread or pizza flour
02 - 2 teaspoons instant or rapid rise yeast
03 - 2.5 teaspoons kosher or cooking salt
04 - 4 teaspoons white sugar
05 - 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1 1/3 cups warm tap water (about 110°F)
07 - 1 tablespoon extra flour for working surface
08 - 2 teaspoons extra olive oil for coating dough

→ Toppings (per pizza)

09 - 1 1/3 cups freshly grated mozzarella
10 - 1/4 cup pizza sauce
11 - Toppings of choice

# Steps to Cook:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar until evenly distributed.
02 - Pour in warm water and olive oil, then stir until a shaggy dough forms.
03 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Lightly oil a clean bowl, place the dough inside and turn to coat. Cover and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1½ hours until doubled in size.
05 - Punch down the dough, divide into 3 equal balls, and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes before shaping.
06 - Preheat the oven to 475–500°F. Roll or stretch each dough ball into a 10 to 12 inch circle and lightly brush the edges with olive oil.
07 - Spread 1/4 cup pizza sauce on each crust, then top with mozzarella and desired toppings.
08 - Bake the pizzas for 10 to 15 minutes until the crust turns golden and the cheese bubbles. For best results, bake on a pizza stone or the lowest oven rack.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - For enhanced flavor, refrigerate the dough for 24–48 hours after kneading (cold fermentation).
02 - Using a preheated pizza stone yields an extra crispy crust.
03 - Dough balls can be tightly wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months.
04 - If the dough feels sticky, add flour sparingly during kneading.