Effortless Homemade Pizza Crust Recipe

Effortless Homemade Pizza Crust offers a delightful homemade pizza dough that serves as a perfect canvas for your favorite toppings, finished with a tantalizing garlic butter brush.

This simplified pizza crust underwent rigorous testing in my kitchen to ensure it strikes the balance of ease and taste, capable of accommodating all your beloved pizza fixings. With a thickness of approximately 1/4-inch, it achieves the ideal crispiness. Additionally, a decadent touch of garlic butter is applied around the crust post-baking, elevating its gourmet appeal.

Pizza Crust Ingredients

• Yeast: Active dry yeast is utilized in this recipe. It necessitates activation in warm water (110°F-115°F/43°C-46°C) for roughly 10 minutes to unleash its full potential. Water temperature is critical; too cold won’t activate the yeast, while excessively hot water will kill it.
• Bread Flour: Bread flour is the flour of choice here. With a higher protein content (above 12%), it imparts a crisp texture to the crust. Alternatively, using all-purpose flour will yield a softer crust.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil is incorporated into the pizza crust dough. Additionally, a light brushing of oil is applied to the bowl where the dough rests.
• Garlic Butter: While not an ingredient in the dough itself, a luxurious touch of garlic butter is a post-baking addition that elevates the pizza’s flavor profile.

How to Make Pizza Crust

There’s no need to resort to store-bought crusts once you’ve experienced the simplicity and delectability of this recipe. Begin by activating the yeast in warm water, a process taking about 10 minutes. Once activated, combine it in a large bowl with bread flour, oil, salt, and sugar.

Mix the dough using a wooden spoon, then proceed to knead it by hand until it forms a cohesive mass. Adjust consistency by adding water if too dry, or flour if too sticky. Knead for 5-10 minutes.

After kneading, transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover, and allow it to rise in a warm area until doubled in size, roughly 30 minutes.

When ready, preheat the oven and roll out the dough on a floured surface, forming a 10-12 inch circle, about 1/4-inch thick. Add desired toppings and bake for 15-18 minutes. Towards the end of baking, prepare the garlic butter. Once baked, brush the crust with the garlic butter, then allow the pizza to rest briefly before slicing.

Making the Dough in a Food Processor

While hand mixing is preferred for optimal results, the dough can also be prepared using a food processor. Simply combine flour, oil, salt, and sugar in the processor fitted with a dough blade attachment. Gradually add the activated yeast until the dough forms. Continue as instructed.

Can I Freeze the Dough?

Absolutely! The pizza crust dough freezes well. Ensure it’s frozen after rising and ready for use. To freeze, tightly wrap it in a freezer-safe plastic bag, removing excess air, and store for up to 2 months.

When ready to use, thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator (or for at least 12 hours). Allow the thawed dough to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling out and assembling your pizza.

For the Perfect Sauce

Pair this crust with our fast, easy, and delicious Pizza Sauce recipe!

Ingredients

Pizza Crust Dough

• 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• ¾ cup warm water, 110°F-115°F (43°C-46°C)
• 2 cups bread flour, plus extra for flouring rolling surface
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon for brushing bowl for dough
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Garlic Butter

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine yeast and water. Stir and set aside until foamy (approximately 10 minutes).
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, oil, salt, sugar, and yeast mixture using a wooden spoon, then knead by hand until dough forms. Adjust consistency with water or flour as needed.
3. After thorough mixing, knead the dough for 5-10 minutes.
4. Brush a bowl with olive oil, add the dough, cover, and allow it to rise in a warm area until doubled (about 30 minutes).
5. Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
6. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a 10-12 inch circle, approximately ¼-inch thick, and transfer to a 12″ (or larger) pizza pan.
7. Add toppings and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. During the final minutes of baking, prepare the garlic butter. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, then mix in salt and garlic powder.
9. Immediately after baking, brush the crust with garlic butter.
10. Allow the pizza to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.