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Pizza Dough

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Makes enough for 1 large or 2 or more small pies 1x

Time 1 hour or more

Units Scale

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, plus more as needed
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 2 teaspoons coarse kosher or sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a food processor. Turn the machine on and add 1 cup water and the oil through the feed tube.
  2. Process for about 30 seconds, adding more water, a little at a time, until the mixture forms a ball and is slightly sticky to the touch. If it is still dry, add another tablespoon of two of water and process for another 10 seconds. (In the unlikely event that the mixture is too sticky, add flour a tablespoon at a time.)
  3. Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and knead by hand for a few seconds to form a smooth, round dough ball. Put the dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap; let rise until the dough doubles in size, 1 to 2 hours. (You can cut this rising time short if you’re in a hurry, or you can let the dough rise more slowly, in the refrigerator, for up to 6 to 8 hours.) Proceed to Step 4 or wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or a zipper bag and freeze for up to a month. (Defrost in the bag or a covered bowl in the refrigerator or at room temperature; bring to room temperature before shaping.)
  4. When the dough is ready, form it into a ball and divide it into 2 or more pieces if you like; roll each piece into a round ball. Put each ball on a lightly floured surface, sprinkle with flour, and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let rest until they puff slightly, about 20 minutes. Proceed with any pizza recipe.

— Recipe from How to Cook Everything: Completely Revised Twentieth Anniversary Edition 

Recipe variations

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough: With a nutty flavor and a little fiber: Use 1 1/2 cups each whole wheat and white flour (all-purpose or bread flour). You’ll probably need to add closer to 1 1/2 cups water or maybe even a little more.

Crunchier Pizza Dough: This dough may be a little more difficult to handle, but it has superior flavor and a pleasant crunch: Substitute 1/2 cup cornmeal for 1/2 cup of the flour.