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Homemade pizza dough base.

The Best Easy Italian Pizza Dough

This is THE BEST Italian pizza dough you will ever make. Easy to make without a mixer, and it bakes up with a crispy base and a chewy crumb. Load on all your favorite toppings or keep it simple with cheese and tomato sauce.
4.55 from 22 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
resting time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Bases

Ingredients

Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients:

  • In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, and sea salt.

Prepare Wet Ingredients:

  • Measure the warm water (110°F or 43°C).
  • Add olive oil to the water and whisk together.

Combine Ingredients:

  • Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.
  • Pour in half of the water-oil mixture.
  • Begin mixing with your hands or a dough hook if using a stand mixer.
  • Gradually add the remaining water mixture until the dough forms a shaggy but not sticky consistency.

Knead the Dough:

  • By Hand: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes.
  • By Mixer: Set the mixer to medium/low speed and mix with the dough hook for 5 minutes.
  • The dough should be smooth and springy. If it doesn't spring back when gently pressed, knead for an additional 2-3 minutes.

First Rise:

  • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl.
  • Cover and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size. In a cooler kitchen, this may take up to 1 hour.

Divide and Store:

  • Once risen, punch down the dough to release the air.
  • Divide into 4 balls.
  • Wrap unused dough in plastic wrap or place in freezer bags and freeze.

Shape the Dough:

  • On a lightly floured surface, press the remaining dough from the center outward, leaving a ½-inch border for a fluffy crust.

Prepare for Baking:

  • Place the shaped dough on a lined baking tray or pizza stone.
  • Top with your favorite sauce and toppings.

Bake:

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and toppings are cooked.

Notes

  • Use your hands to shape the dough for a rustic, authentic pizza base.
  • Proper kneading is crucial for a chewy crust. If you don't use a mixer, ensure the dough is smooth and elastic by hand.
  • High oven temperature improves pizza quality. If possible, use a pizza stone for better results.
  • Nutritional information is per pizza base, equivalent to a pizzeria medium.

Nutrition

Calories: 760kcal | Carbohydrates: 131g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 788mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 8mg
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