Name: Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 16 h
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon sugar; ½ teaspoon dry yeast; 1 cup room temperature water; 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve ever dreamed of making pizzeria-style pies in your own kitchen, the Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough is your ticket to that bubbling, chewy, perfectly blistered crust you crave. This recipe transforms humble pantry staples into an unforgettable base for your favorite toppings. The long, cold fermentation creates depth of flavor and an irresistible texture that lets sauce and cheese truly shine. Trust me, after you bake your own Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough, pizza night may never be the same!

Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

It’s amazing how just a handful of thoughtfully combined ingredients can bring pizza dough to life. Each one has a starring role, so opt for the best you have on hand for truly authentic Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough results.

All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, creating just the right balance between tenderness and chew.
Salt: Boosts flavor and strengthens the dough’s gluten structure for a sturdy, airy crust.
Sugar: A little sweetness feeds the yeast, helping your dough get a gorgeous rise and golden color.
Dry yeast: Just enough to give a gentle lift during the slow, cold proof—no fast, bready dough here!
Room temperature water: It brings everything together, hydrating the flour and kicking off gluten development.
Olive oil: Adds a subtle richness and helps create that signature tender crumb in your finished pie.

How to Make Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough

Step 1: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Start by adding your flour, salt, sugar, and yeast to the bowl of your stand mixer. Give them a quick mix with the paddle or your hand to ensure the yeast is evenly distributed. This simple step ensures that every bit of your Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough rises exactly as it should.

Step 2: Mix in the Water

Pour in the room temperature water and start mixing on low until a scrappy dough forms. Don’t worry if it looks a little rough—it’ll smooth out as we knead. The water hydrates the flour while helping the gluten networks start to form, a crucial step for that classic chewy texture.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Fit your mixer with the dough hook and knead on low speed for 5 minutes. This is where the Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough begins to take on its elastic character. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can knead by hand with a bit of effort (and love!) on your floured countertop.

Step 4: Add the Olive Oil

Drizzle in the olive oil and let the mixer knead for another 5 minutes. The oil absorbs into the dough, making it supple and easy to stretch. You’ll notice your dough becomes much smoother and even more satisfying to handle.

Step 5: Rest and Divide

Transfer the dough to your counter and let it rest for 10 minutes. This short break helps relax the gluten, making it even easier to shape. Afterwards, divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a smooth, tight ball.

Step 6: Cold Ferment the Dough

Place each dough ball in a greased bowl or container, cover tightly, and pop them in the refrigerator. The slow, cold rise—anywhere from overnight up to three days—develops incredible flavor. This is the secret behind Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough that tastes just like your favorite pizza joint’s!

Step 7: Shape and Assemble Your Pizza

When you’re ready to bake, heat your oven to 550 degrees (with a pizza stone, if you have one) about an hour beforehand. Gently stretch or roll each dough ball into a 12 to 14-inch round. Lay each crust on parchment for easy transfer and top with sauce, cheese, and all your favorites.

Step 8: Bake to Pizza Perfection

Transfer your topped pizza (parchment and all) onto the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake 4–6 minutes until the crust is beautifully golden and the cheese is bubbling. That’s it—the Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough magic unfolds right before your eyes!

How to Serve Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough

Garnishes

Take your finished pie over the top with vibrant garnishes. Fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of good olive oil, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, or even some red pepper flakes can make those classic flavors pop. Each garnish brings a burst of color and a finishing touch of deliciousness to your Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough.

Side Dishes

This dough deserves star treatment at your next meal, so round out your pizza night with bright salads, garlicky roasted vegetables, or a classic antipasto platter. These sides bring balance, freshness, and complement every bite of cheesy, bubbling pizza.

Creative Ways to Present

Get playful! Try cutting your baked pizza into squares for party bites, roll up mini calzones, or serve individual pizzas on wooden boards for a fun, pizzeria vibe at home. The Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough is endlessly versatile, turning even a cozy weeknight dinner into something memorable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra dough, you’re in luck! Store the remaining dough balls in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to three days. When you’re ready, just bring to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping and baking with the same fantastic results.

Freezing

The Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough freezes beautifully. Lightly coat the dough balls in olive oil, wrap snugly in plastic, and pop them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight and let them rest at room temp before baking.

Reheating

Nothing beats fresh, but you can revive leftover pizza slices by reheating in a hot oven on a baking sheet for a few minutes or in a covered skillet. The crust will regain its crispness and the cheese will melt into gooey, irresistible perfection all over again.

FAQs

Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough?

Absolutely! Bread flour has a higher protein content, which can give your crust an even chewier texture and more structure. Just know that it might be a bit tougher to stretch, but the results are delicious if you love that classic, chewy pizzeria-style bite.

What’s the benefit of refrigerating the dough overnight?

Letting the Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough cold proof allows the flavors to develop longer and more deeply. That overnight chill relaxes the gluten and produces those trademark bubbles and tang you find in great pizza dough—plus, it makes dough handling a breeze!

Is a pizza stone required for this recipe?

No pizza stone? No worries! While a stone does help mimic a pizzeria’s fiery oven by giving extra crispness underneath, you’ll still get a great result using a rimless baking sheet or even an upside-down cookie sheet. The key is a super-hot oven and a bit of parchment for easy transfer.

Can I make this dough without a stand mixer?

Yes! You can knead by hand if a mixer isn’t handy. Simply bring the ingredients together and knead on a lightly floured countertop for about 10-12 minutes, adding the olive oil partway through, until you get a smooth and elastic dough.

How do I know when my pizza dough is ready to bake?

The Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough is ready once it’s puffy, a bit jiggly, and easy to stretch without tearing. After shaping, when it holds its round shape on parchment and doesn’t spring back too quickly, you’re good to go!

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to take your pizza nights to a whole new level, you’ll absolutely love trying out the Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough. Once you taste the airy bubbles, crispy crust, and that sought-after chew, you’ll want to keep this recipe on repeat. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if your kitchen becomes everyone’s new favorite pizzeria!

Real-Deal Pizzeria Pizza Dough Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 12 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 16 hours (including refrigeration)
Yield: 2 pizza crusts 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Learn how to make the perfect pizzeria-style pizza dough at home with this easy-to-follow recipe. This dough is versatile and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days for future pizza nights.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon dry yeast
1 cup room temperature water
1 Tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add water and mix until incorporated. Knead with dough hook on low speed for 5 minutes.
Add oil: Incorporate olive oil into the dough and knead for an additional 5 minutes.
Rest the dough: Place dough on countertop and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Divide and shape: Divide dough in half, shape each half into a smooth ball. Place in greased containers, cover, and refrigerate overnight or up to 3 days.
To Bake:
1. Preheat oven: Place pizza stone in oven and preheat to 550°F.
2. Stretch dough: Flatten and stretch each dough ball into a 12 to 14-inch circle on parchment paper.
3. Build pizza: Add sauce, cheese, and toppings on the parchment-lined pan.
4. Bake: Transfer pizza to oven and bake for 4-6 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is melted.

Notes

You can customize your pizza with your favorite toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
For a crispier crust, preheat the pizza stone in the oven for at least 30 minutes before baking the pizza.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian