Here's a classic and straightforward pizza dough recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
Make a well in the center and pour in the warm water and olive oil.
Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms.
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough back into the mixing bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
Preheat your oven to the highest temperature setting (usually around 475-500°F or 245-260°C) and place a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet inside the oven.
Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions for two 12-inch pizzas or leave it whole if you prefer a thicker crust.
On a floured surface, roll out each portion of dough into your desired pizza shape and thickness.
Transfer the rolled-out dough to a parchment paper-lined pizza peel or another inverted baking sheet.
Add your favorite pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings of choice.
Carefully slide the parchment paper and pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven.
Bake the pizza for about 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a moment, and then slice and enjoy!
This recipe should yield a delicious and versatile pizza dough that you can customize with your favorite toppings. Remember that pizza dough can be quite forgiving, so feel free to experiment and adjust the recipe to suit your preferences. Enjoy your homemade pizza!