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Home ยป Recipes ยป Main Dishes

Modified: May 30, 2023 ยท Published: Sep 2, 2020 by LaKita ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

Homemade Pizza Crust

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Homemade Pizza Crust is an easy pizza dough that is perfect for beginners. It creates a soft, seasoned, delicious foundation for the best homemade pizza the whole family is sure to love.

overhead view homemade pizza in cast-iron skillet with red pepper flakes, parmesan cheese, napkin, and pizza cutter

I love homemade pizza!

This really isnโ€™t a secret, but I think it stems from my childhood, my dad was not a fan of pizza and so growing up we rarely had it for dinner. Doesnโ€™t that sound about right though? Poor little LaKita was deprived of pizza growing up and so as an adult, pizza is what she wants to indulge in weekly.

But seriously even though I know my way around a good pizza, using active yeast to make homemade dough was so scary to me. It also seemed like way too much work when I could just go to the store and purchase pizza dough from the bakery and it still felt as if it was homemade.

I would find myself looking at homemade pizza recipes and as soon as I saw the words yeast and rise I was stepping away from that recipe with a quickness. All of that changed when a friend showed me how easy it really is to make homemade pizza crust and I have to admit that I cannot believe that I let one little packet of active dry yeast intimidate me for so long.

What ingredients for a pizza crust recipe?

ingredients to make pizza dough in separate containers on marble surface

  1. All-purpose flour
  2. Active dry yeast
  3. Warm water
  4. Salt
  5. Granulated sugar or honey
  6. Olive oil
  7. Italian seasoning

How to make Easy Pizza Dough:

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attached, pour in the all-purpose flour, salt, and Italian seasoning. Turn the mixer on low speed to combine the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, stir together the warm water and sugar until the sugar has completely dissolved. Add the active dry yeast and stir just enough to combine with the water sugar mixture. 

pyrex pitcher with water and small bowl with sugar for homemade pizza crust

Slowly pour the yeast mixture into the stand mixer bowl along with the flour mixture. Turn the mixer on the lowest speed possible and once all the ingredients begin to come together add in the olive oil.

homemade pizza crust in stand mixer bowl

Continue to mix everything together on low speed for about 10 minutes. Once the pizza dough begins to come together to stick onto itself and form a loose dough ball, turn off the mixer, it is ready for the next step in the process. 

Place the dough on a clean lightly floured surface. With floured hands, knead the dough until it forms a smooth dough ball that springs back when pressed with the finger. The dough will be sticky but should not come apart. 

overhead view of homemade pizza crust on counter with napkin

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Place the pizza dough into a bowl that is lightly greased with olive oil. Also, lightly coat the outer surface of the pizza dough ball with a little more olive oil. Pizza dough loves olive oil. 

pizza dough covered with olive oil in stand mixer bowl

Cover loosely with a towel or plastic wrap, place in a warm (draft-free) area, and allow the dough to rise for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.

pizza crust in mixer bowl that has doubled in size after rise time.

Gently press the air out of the dough. It is ready to use to make pizza!

overhead view pizza dough in mixer bowl with air pressed out of it.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Roll the dough out into a 12-inch round or as thick as you prefer.

pizza dough divided an rolled out on marble surface

Press the dough on a heated and lightly greased 12-inch pizza pan or cast-iron skillet. Spread on top of the pizza dough a layer of pizza sauce and all of your favorite toppings.

uncooked pizza in cast-iron skillet next to a stripped napkin

Place into the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the center of the crust has been fully cooked. Remove pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before cooking. Serve warm.

close up side view of homemade pizza that has been sliced in cast-iron skillet

Tip to make the best pizza dough:

  • Do not add all the all-purpose flour at one time. Add in 2 ยฝ cups, to begin with, and if you find upon mixing the dough is too wet, add an additional ยฝ all-purpose flour at a time until the dough is tacky in texture but not wet. Do not add more than 3 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour in total. 
  • If the pizza dough appears to be too dry during mixing, add in an additional 1 tablespoon olive oil. 
  • Any kind of olive oil is fine. I prefer to use plain extra virgin olive oil. 
  • The Italian seasoning adds additional flavor to the pizza crust but may be omitted in this recipe. 
  • The granulated sugar may be substituted with honey instead in the same unit of measure. 
  • If you do not have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand for 10 to 15 minutes. 
  • This pizza dough recipe makes enough for 4 small pizzas or 2 medium size pizzas. Feel free to divide the dough according to your preference. 

๐Ÿ“– Recipe

pizza in cast iron skillet

Homemade Pizza Crust

LaKita Anderson
Homemade Pizza Crust is an easy pizza dough that is perfect for beginners. It creates a soft, seasoned, delicious foundation for the best homemade pizza the whole family is sure to love.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Resting Time 1 hour hr
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 195 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ยฝ to 3 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour, sifted (plus additional to knead the dough mixture into a ball or form the pizza)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (or 2 ยผ teaspoons)
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or honey
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus additional to cover dough and bowl during rising)
  • ยฝ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)

Instructions
 

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attached, pour in 2 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and Iยฝ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Turn the mixer on low speed to combine the dry ingredients.
  • In a separate small bowl, stir together the 1 cup warm water and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (or honey) until the sugar has completely dissolved. Add the 2 ยผ teaspoons or packet of active dry yeast and stir just enough to combine with the water-sugar mixture.ย 
  • Slowly pour the yeast mixture into the stand mixer bowl along with the flour mixture.
  • Turn the mixer on the lowest speed possible and once all the ingredients begin to come together add in 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  • Continue to mix everything together on low speed for about 10 minutes.
  • *If the dough appears to be too wet and not sticking together, add in an additional ยฝ cup all-purpose flour until it is tacky but not wet. Do not add more than 3 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour in total. If the dough appears to be too dry add an additional 1 tablespoon olive oil to the dough mixture.
  • Once the pizza dough begins to come together to stick onto itself and form a loose dough ball, turn off the mixer, it is ready for the next step in the process.ย 
  • Place the dough on a clean lightly floured surface. With floured hands, knead the dough until it forms a smooth dough ball that springs back when pressed with the finger. The dough will be sticky but should not come apart.ย 
  • Place the pizza dough into a bowl that is lightly greased with olive oil. Also, lightly coat the outer surface of the pizza dough ball with a little more olive oil. Pizza dough loves olive oil.ย 
  • Cover loosely with a towel or plastic wrap, place in a warm (draft-free) area, and allow the dough to rise for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
  • Gently press the air out of the dough. It is ready to use to make pizza.
  • If you are not ready to use the pizza dough immediately, wrap the dough ball in plastic wrap or place into a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator for 24 hours. It will continue to rise and you will have to press the air out once again when ready to use.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Roll the dough out into a 12-inch round or as thick as you prefer.
  • Press the dough on a heated and lightly greased 12-inch pizza pan or cast-iron skillet. Spread on top of the pizza dough a layer of pizza sauce and all of your favorite toppings.
  • Place into the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the center of the crust has been fully cooked. Remove pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before cooking. Serve warm.
  • Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Do not add all the all-purpose flour at one time. Add in 2 ยฝ cups, to begin with, and if you find upon mixing the dough is too wet, add an additional ยฝ all-purpose flour at a time until the dough is tacky in texture but not wet. Do not add more than 3 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour in total.ย 
  • If the pizza dough appears to be too dry during mixing, add in an additional 1 tablespoon olive oil.ย 
  • Any kind of olive oil is fine. I prefer to use plain extra virgin olive oil.ย 
  • The Italian seasoning adds additional flavor to the pizza crust but may be omitted in this recipe.ย 
  • The granulated sugar may be substituted with honey instead in the same unit of measure.ย 
  • If you do not have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand for 10 to 15 minutes.ย 
  • This pizza dough recipe makes enough for 4 small pizzas or 2 medium size pizzas. Feel free to divide the dough according to your preference.ย 
Calories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 5gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 294mgPotassium: 59mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gCalcium: 9mgIron: 2mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword pizza crust
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

two slices of homemade pizza on white plate with napkin

Want a few more easy homemade pizza recipes? Try these:

  • Homemade Margherita Pizza
  • Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Pizza
  • Homemade Supreme Pizza 
  • Easy Pizza Bowls 

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas for this Homemade Pizza Crust? Please share them in the comments below!

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Comments

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Mary says

    March 28, 2023 at 11:17 am

    What's the best pizza sauce?

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      March 29, 2023 at 12:51 pm

      Hi Mary! There are so many options but lately I'm loving and using Mutti Napoli Pizza Sauce!

      Reply
  2. Monica says

    January 23, 2016 at 10:20 am

    I love this! And you chose minimal cheese + greens. Fairly healthy = my fave! Pinning this for later reference. Thank you! <3

    Reply
    • admin says

      January 23, 2016 at 2:44 pm

      Thank you so much! Yes I tried to keep it fairly healthy ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. Tamara says

    January 22, 2016 at 8:22 am

    Oh wow - no pizza for your dad! I think homemade is the best.
    Your photos are luscious. I'd totally eat that.

    Reply
    • admin says

      January 22, 2016 at 9:03 am

      Thank you! I know...isn't that terrible. He will eat it now, but only from pizza hut and it has to be meat lovers ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  4. Akaleistar says

    January 21, 2016 at 9:16 pm

    Homemade pizza is the best, and the crust looks so good!

    Reply
    • admin says

      January 22, 2016 at 9:01 am

      Thank you...Homemade really is the best ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

More about me โ†’

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