Simple Homemade Pizza Dough

Name: Simple Homemade Pizza Dough
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 2 pizzas
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 cup warm water; 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt

This is my go to dough recipe for a perfect crust with a chewy middle and golden, crispy edges every single time.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Italian· September 5, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

20 minutes

Total

1 hour 35 minutes

Serves

2 pizzas

There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh pizza baking in your own kitchen. I love this recipe because it is straightforward and reliable, which makes it perfect for a fun Friday night with the family.

Since this recipe makes enough dough for two pizzas, I usually bake one right away and tuck the second ball into the freezer for a rainy day. Just remember to let it thaw slowly in the fridge before you are ready to use it.

🧺 Ingredients

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let it sit for about five minutes until the mixture looks foamy.
2
Add the flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough begins to form.
3
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it with your hands for about five minutes until it feels smooth and elastic.
4
Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about one hour until it has doubled in size.
5
Punch the dough down to release the air and divide it into two equal portions. Use one immediately for your pizza or wrap the other tightly for the freezer.

💡 Tips

If you want the best crust, let the dough rest for another twenty minutes after you stretch it onto your pan. You can keep the extra dough in the freezer for up to one month if you wrap it well in plastic wrap.

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