Description
Busy Days Pizza Dough is a quick and easy homemade pizza dough recipe perfect for weeknights. With simple pantry ingredients and minimal rise time, you can have a fresh, golden crust ready to bake and top with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings. This recipe yields a versatile dough that produces a deliciously chewy and crispy pizza base in just under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Proof the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dough: Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl. Stir with a spoon or use a dough hook attachment to mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a mixer with a dough hook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 30 to 40 minutes, or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles, then roll it out to your desired thickness on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Top and Bake: Add your choice of sauce, cheese, and toppings. Bake in a preheated oven at 475°F (245°C) for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Notes
- This dough can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours to develop more flavor.
- For a chewier crust, substitute half of the all-purpose flour with bread flour.
- To achieve a crispier bottom, par-bake the rolled-out crust for 5 minutes before adding toppings.
