How to Make the Perfect Easy Pizza Dough
Italian · Easy · 30 min · 4 servings
This simple and stretchy pizza dough is one of the most entertaining kid friendly recipes because kids can shape and top their very own personal pizzas. Little hands love punching down the dough and adding their favorite toppings.
Why this recipe works
This Easy Pizza Dough recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 285 calories with 8g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast one packet
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pizza sauce for topping
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl and let sit for 5 minutes until the mixture looks foamy and bubbly. This tells you the yeast is alive and active. If it does not foam, start over with fresh yeast.
Step 2: Make the Dough
Add the flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Kids love helping with this step.
Step 3: Let Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm spot for at least 30 minutes until roughly doubled in size. Punch down the dough and divide into 4 equal portions.
Step 4: Shape Bake and Top
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Let kids stretch and shape each dough portion into a personal pizza. Spread pizza sauce and add desired toppings. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- all-purpose flour → bread flour for a chewier and crispier pizza crust
- active dry yeast → instant yeast using the same amount with no proofing step required
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using water that is too hot which kills the yeast and prevents the dough from rising
- Not letting the dough rise long enough which results in a dense and flat crust
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 285 calories, 8g protein, 54g carbs, 3g fat, 2g fiber.
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