The BEST Pizza Dough Recipe – Soft, Chewy & Perfectly Crispy

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This homemade pizza dough is soft, chewy, and crisp on the edges, making it the perfect base for any pizza! Whether you love a thin crust or thick, fluffy pizza, this foolproof dough will give you a restaurant-quality pizza at home.

✔ Crispy Outside, Soft Inside: Perfect texture for any toppings.
✔ Easy to Make: Just 5 simple ingredients!
✔ Versatile: Works for Neapolitan, thin crust, deep dish, or calzones.
✔ Make-Ahead Friendly: Refrigerate or freeze for later use.

Ingredients

For 1 large pizza (or 2 medium pizzas), you’ll need:

3 ½ cups all-purpose or bread flour
1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast or instant yeast
1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar (helps activate the yeast)

Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy (skip this step if using instant yeast).

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes (or use a stand mixer for 5 minutes) until smooth and elastic.

Step 3: First Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Shape & Bake

Preheat oven to 475°F (250°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
Punch down the dough and roll it out to your desired thickness on a lightly floured surface.
Transfer to a pizza pan or baking sheet, adding toppings of choice.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy.

Pizza Topping Ideas

Classic Margherita

✔ Tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil

Pepperoni Lovers

✔ Tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella, spicy pepperoni

BBQ Chicken

✔ BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, red onion, cheddar cheese

Veggie Delight

✔ Tomato sauce, bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, spinach

Nutrition Information (Per Slice – Dough Only)

(Approximate values based on ingredients used.)

Calories: 180
Carbohydrates: 36g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 2g