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Homemade pizza dough recipe: tips and tricks for perfect dough
Have you always dreamed of recreating the taste of authentic Italian pizza at home? The secret lies in impeccable homemade pizza dough. In this article, we'll take a look at how to make the perfect pizza dough, as well as some tips on how to make your creations even better.
Basic recipe for homemade pizza dough
Before exploring different variations, it's crucial to master the basic recipe. It's simple, fast, and makes for delicious dough.
Ingredients- 500 g type 00 flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 300 ml lukewarm water
- 10 g salt
- 15 g fresh yeast (or 5 g dry yeast)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Preparation:
- Mix flour and salt in a large bowl.
- Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and gradually add to the flour mixture, mixing well.
- Add the olive oil and knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and leave the dough to rise for 1-2 hours, until it doubles in volume.
- Deaerate the dough and divide into individual balls to prepare your pizzas.
Pizza dough variations to suit all tastes
Mastering the basic recipe opens the door to many variations. Here are a few suggestions for diversifying your creations:
Thin pizza dough
For a thin, crisp pizza dough, reduce the amount of yeast to 5 g (fresh yeast) or 2 g (dry yeast), and let the dough rest for 24 hours in the refrigerator. Slow fermentation will produce a finer texture.
Thick pizza dough
For a thick, chewy dough, increase the amount of yeast to 20 g (fresh yeast) or 7 g (dry yeast), and let the dough rise for 2 to 3 hours at room temperature.
Gluten-free pizza dough
For a gluten-free variation, replace the wheat flour with a gluten-free flour (such as rice or corn flour) and add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum to improve the dough's elasticity. Knead well and leave to rise as for the basic recipe.
Vegan pizza dough
For a vegan dough, use vegan sourdough (a combination of flour and water fermented for several days). Replace the yeast with around 200 g of sourdough and adjust the amount of water accordingly. Leave the dough to rise for 6 to 8 hours at room temperature. [ Read here ]
Tips and tricks for a successful homemade pizza dough
Here are a few tips to help you make exceptional pizza dough:
Also not to be missed
- Water temperature: Use lukewarm water (35-40°C) to activate the yeast properly. Water that's too hot can kill the yeast, while water that's too cold can slow down fermentation.
- Resting time: Don't neglect resting time. It allows the yeast to ferment and the dough to develop flavor and texture.
- Flour type: Type 00 flour is ideal for pizza dough, but all-purpose flour or bread flour can also be used.
- Roll out the dough by hand: Avoid using a rolling pin to roll out the dough, as this may crush air bubbles formed during fermentation. Use your hands to gently stretch the dough to the desired thickness.
Variant summary table
Type of dough | Quantity of yeast | Resting time | Additional tips |
---|---|---|---|
Thin dough | 5 g (fresh yeast) or 2 g (dry yeast) | 24 hours in refrigerator | Slow fermentation |
Thick dough | 20 g (fresh yeast) or 7 g (dried yeast) | 2 to 3 hours at room temperature | - |
Gluten-free dough | 10 g fresh yeast (or 5 g dry yeast) | 1 to 2 hours at room temperature | Add 1 tsp xanthan gum |
Vegan dough | 200 g vegan sourdough | 6 to 8 hours | Adjust water quantity |
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
1. Can the pizza dough be prepared in advance?
Yes, pizza dough can be prepared in advance. Once kneaded, you can leave it to rise and then store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours. This will also give your dough a better flavor.
2. How can I prevent pizza dough from sticking to the work surface?
To prevent pizza dough from sticking, lightly flour your work surface and hands before rolling out the dough. You can also use a sheet of baking paper.
3. Can I freeze homemade pizza dough?
Absolutely, you can freeze homemade dough. Simply divide the dough into individual portions, wrap in cling film and place in the freezer. To use the dough, let it thaw in the fridge for several hours before rolling out and topping.