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Prepared homemade pizza dough base topped with sauce, cheese, and basil on a floured wooden board next to raw dough balls.

No-Fuss Classic Pizza Dough

A simple and reliable pizza dough recipe that yields a tender, chewy crust with a perfect crisp. Ideal for any homemade pizza night, this dough is easy to work with and delivers delicious results every time.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 2 pizzas
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 850

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 1 1/2 cups Warm water (105-115°F / 40-46°C)
  • 2 1/4 tsp Active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
  • 1 tsp Granulated sugar
  • 3 1/2 - 4 cups All-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil plus more for bowl
  • 2 tsp Fine sea salt

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
  • Kitchen towel or plastic wrap
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

Activate the Yeast
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy. This indicates the yeast is active.
Combine Dry Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 1/2 cups of the all-purpose flour and the fine sea salt.
Mix and Knead the Dough
  1. Pour the olive oil into the activated yeast mixture. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer (with a dough hook) until a shaggy dough forms. If using a stand mixer, knead on low speed for 7-8 minutes. If kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until it's smooth and elastic. Add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the dough is too sticky, but avoid adding too much.
First Rise
  1. Lightly oil a clean large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough ball in the bowl, turning it once to coat with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Prepare for Use
  1. Once doubled, gently punch down the dough to release the air. Divide the dough into two equal portions. Each portion is enough for one 12-inch pizza. You can use the dough immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

For best results, allow refrigerated dough to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before shaping. To freeze, wrap individual dough balls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using. This dough can also be used for calzones or flatbreads.