Description
This Busy Days Pizza Dough recipe provides a quick and easy way to prepare fresh pizza dough with minimal ingredients and effort. Perfect for last-minute pizza nights, the dough comes together with active dry yeast, warm water, flour, salt, and olive oil, requiring just over 50 minutes including rising time. The result is a smooth, elastic dough ready to be topped and baked to your liking, or refrigerated for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Yeast Mixture
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 cup warm water (about 110°F)
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus more for greasing)
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Make dough: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough begins to form.
- Knead dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 5–7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten structure needed for a good pizza base.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 30–45 minutes, or until it doubles in size, giving the dough a light and airy texture.
- Shape dough: Once risen, punch down the dough gently to release trapped air. Roll it out on a floured surface to your desired thickness and shape to prepare for toppings.
- Use or store: Use the dough immediately to add your favorite pizza toppings and bake accordingly, or refrigerate it for up to 24 hours for convenience and later use.
Notes
- Ensure the water is warm but not hot to prevent killing the yeast; around 110°F is ideal.
- For a crispier crust, roll the dough thinner and prebake slightly before adding toppings.
- Refrigerated dough should be brought to room temperature before shaping.
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with bread flour for a chewier texture.
- If you want a quicker rise, place the dough in a slightly warmed (not hot) oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Bread/Dough
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: pizza dough, easy pizza recipe, quick pizza dough, homemade pizza base, yeast dough
