Easy Homemade Pizza Dough

If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your kitchen into your very own pizzeria—complete with the smell of freshly baked crust and the sound of loved ones laughing over toppings—then you’re in the right place. This Easy Homemade Pizza Dough recipe is the kind of simple magic that brings everyone to the table.

There’s just something special about starting from scratch. I still remember the first time I made pizza dough with my little ones: flour on their cheeks, tiny fingers poking at the dough, and big decisions about whether to go classic cheese or wild with pineapple and jalapeños. 🍍🌶️

And let’s be real… no one ever fights over who gets to knead the dough at our house. Everyone does it. It’s that fun.

So, whether it’s a Friday night, a birthday bash, or just a regular ol’ Tuesday where you need a little joy, this recipe is your go-to for soft, chewy, golden crusted happiness—made with love. 💕

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🍞 Why This Pizza Dough Is a Must-Make

There are a few key reasons I always come back to this particular dough recipe:

• Quick and simple. No fancy mixer required. Just a bowl, a spoon, and your hands.

• Foolproof. Even if you’ve never touched yeast before, you’ve got this.

• Perfect texture. Crispy edges, chewy center, and strong enough to hold all the toppings.

• Deliciously customizable. Thick crust, thin crust, garlic brushed edges—it’s your pizza, your way.

If you’ve been intimidated by homemade dough, let this be your gentle, flour-dusted encouragement. You CAN do this, and it’s going to taste amazing!

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🥖 Ingredients (Makes 1 Large Pizza or 2 Mediums — Serves 4)

Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to make this pizza dough from scratch:

Dry Ingredients:

• 2⅓ cups all-purpose or bread flour (divided)

• 1 packet instant yeast (2¼ tsp)

• 2 tsp sugar

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional, but highly recommended for flavor!)

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for brushing the dough)

• ¾ cup warm water (about 110°F—not too hot, not too cold)

Friendly baker tip: Bread flour gives your crust that extra chewiness, but all-purpose flour still works beautifully!

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Directions

1. Activate the Magic

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and garlic powder.

Now add in the olive oil and warm water. Stir until combined and the mixture looks sticky but workable.

2. Bring It Together

Gradually stir in another cup of flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. Add a little more flour if needed, but don’t overdo it. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky—not stiff or dry.

Too sticky to handle? Dust your hands with flour and keep kneading. It’ll come together!

3. Let It Rise

Oil a clean bowl generously. Place the dough in, turn it once to coat it in the oil (helps it stay soft), and cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap.

Let it rest in a warm, cozy spot for 30–60 minutes, until doubled in size. (I usually preheat my oven for 2–3 minutes, then turn it off and let the dough rise inside.)

4. Punch, Knead & Roll

Once risen, punch down the dough gently and knead it on a lightly floured surface for about 1 minute.

Roll it out into your desired shape—circle, rectangle, heart (hey, I don’t judge)—and place it on a greased pizza pan or baking stone.

Use a fork to poke small holes across the surface (this helps it bake evenly and not puff up too much), and brush lightly with olive oil to crisp up the edges.

5. Top It Off

Preheat your oven to 425°F.

Add your sauce, cheese, and favorite toppings—pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, pineapple, fresh basil… go wild!

6. Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

Let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing (if you can wait that long!), and then dig in!

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📊 Nutrition (Per Serving)

Approximate values per serving (1/4 of the dough with basic toppings):

• Calories: 341

• Carbohydrates: 59g

• Protein: 8g

• Fat: 8g

• Saturated Fat: 1g

• Sugar: 2g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sodium: 296mg

Want to lighten it up? Try using part whole wheat flour or add fresh veggies as your main toppings!

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💡 Tips for Pizza Night Success

• Short on time? You can make the dough earlier in the day and let it rise slowly in the fridge—just let it come to room temp before rolling.

• Double the batch. Trust me on this—once people taste it, they’ll want seconds. Or thirds.

• Make it mini. Let everyone roll their own personal pizza. It’s fun, creative, and everyone gets exactly what they want.

• Get creative with sauces! Try pesto, BBQ sauce, or even garlic cream for something different.

• Leftover dough? Wrap it tight and freeze for up to a month. Perfect for spontaneous pizza cravings!

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🍕 Our Favorite Pizza Topping Combos

Need a little inspo? Here are some of our favorite family go-to’s:

Chef’s favorite? Garlic olive oil base with mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Chef’s kiss! 😘

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❤️ Why This Dough Brings People Together

Making pizza from scratch isn’t just about food—it’s about connection. It’s about laughing when someone puts marshmallows on their half (yep, it’s happened), or feeling proud as your kids spread sauce like tiny pizza pros.

It’s also about the joy of sharing something you made with your own two hands. That’s why this dough recipe means so much to me. It’s more than flour and water—it’s family time. It’s comfort. It’s love baked into every slice.

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🧺 Storage & Reheating Tips

Have leftovers? Lucky you! Wrap them tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F for 5–7 minutes to bring that crust back to life.

Have extra dough? Oil it lightly, wrap in plastic wrap, and store in the fridge for 24 hours or freeze for later.

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✨ Final Thoughts from Your Friendly Baker

If you’ve never made homemade pizza dough before, I hope this post inspires you to give it a try. It’s simple. It’s rewarding. And it’s the kind of recipe that turns into tradition.

So gather your crew, roll up your sleeves, and make some dough made with love. Whether you’re cooking with your partner, your kiddos, or just treating yourself to a cozy night in—this recipe will leave your heart (and your belly) full.

Happy baking, happy eating, and may your crusts always be golden.

— Your Friendly Baker 🍕✨

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