Description
This Make-Ahead Homemade Pizza Dough recipe offers a quick and easy way to prepare fresh, soft pizza dough that can be stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. Combining simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, instant yeast, kosher salt, olive oil, and warm water, this dough yields a perfectly golden crust with a chewy texture, ideal for customizing with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp instant yeast
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- ¾ cup very warm water
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and kosher salt. With the mixer running on low speed fitted with the paddle attachment, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until it is evenly incorporated into the flour mixture. Then, pour in the very warm water and mix just until the dough begins to come together.
- Form and refrigerate dough: Lightly oil a separate mixing bowl with olive oil. Transfer the dough to this bowl and shape it into a smooth ball, coating it lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to use the dough, allowing the flavors to develop and the yeast to work slowly.
- Preheat oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to a high temperature of 500ºF (260ºC) to ensure a crisp and golden crust.
- Shape and top dough: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and shape it into a circle on a floured surface. Add your preferred pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings evenly across the dough surface.
- Bake pizza: Place the prepared pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use very warm water (not boiling) to help activate the yeast effectively without killing it.
- Refrigerating the dough overnight enhances flavor and texture but can be used within a few hours if needed.
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated to 500ºF for the best crispy crust.
- Feel free to customize toppings according to your taste preference – vegetables, meats, and herbs all work wonderfully.
- The dough can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
