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From-Scratch Pizza Dough

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Cooking
Table of Contents
⏲️ Time~1hr 15min same-day — 15 min work, 45-60 min rise. Optional 2-3 day cold ferment for better flavor.
🫂 Serves2 pizzas (~28cm / 11in each)
📆 Holds3 days in the fridge in sealed containers. Freezes well for longer.

Prerequisites
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Tools
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  • Stand mixer w/ dough hook OR clean work surface for hand kneading
  • Bench scraper or knife (for dividing dough)
  • Kitchen towel or plastic wrap
  • Airtight containers (only needed if cold fermenting)

Ingredients
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  • 500g tipo 00 or all-purpose flour
  • 8g active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
  • 7g kosher salt
  • 350mL warm water (~40° ± 2°)
  • 15mL olive oil

Additional items
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  • Flour for dusting.
  • Olive oil for coating dough balls.

Make dough
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  1. Combine the warm water and yeast in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it’s foamy on top.
  2. Add flour and salt to the stand mixer bowl (or a large mixing bowl). Give it a quick stir to combine.
  3. Pour in the yeast-water and olive oil. Mix with the dough hook on low until a shaggy dough forms (~2 mins). If kneading by hand, stir until it comes together then turn out onto a floured surface.
  4. Knead on medium speed for ~8 minutes (or by hand: push with the heel of your palm, reform into a ball, repeat). The dough is done when it’s pillowy and smooth with a slightly tacky but not sticky surface. It should pass the windowpane test — pinch off a small piece and stretch it thin enough to see light through without tearing.

Divide and proof
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  1. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using a bench scraper or knife, divide into 2 equal pieces.
  2. Shape each piece into a boule: fold the edges under itself while rotating against the surface to build tension. Set each boule on the floured surface and dab the tops with a bit of olive oil to keep them from drying out.
  3. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Let rise at room temperature until roughly doubled, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

At this point you have two paths:

  • Same-day: go straight to stretching.
  • Cold ferment (recommended if you have time): transfer each boule to its own oiled airtight container — large enough for the dough to double again. Refrigerate for 2-3 days. The slow cold rise develops a noticeably nuttier, more complex flavor. When you’re ready to use them, pull the containers out and let the dough come to room temperature on a floured surface under a towel, 30-45 minutes.
Whit Huntley
Author
Whit Huntley
Computer wanker. The views expressed here are mine alone, unless they are also yours.