To make pizza at home, follow these key steps:
1. Prepare the Pizza Dough
- Mix warm water (about ½ cup at 105-110°F or 40-43°C) with yeast and a little sugar. Let it sit for 10-12 minutes until frothy to activate the yeast.
- Add flour (about 2½ cups), salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture.
- Mix and knead the dough for 5-6 minutes until soft, elastic, and slightly sticky. If too sticky, sprinkle some flour.
- Let the dough rise covered with a cloth or lid until doubled in size. For better flavor, refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days and bring to room temperature before use
2. Shape the Dough
- Punch down the risen dough to remove air bubbles.
- Divide into portions and shape into round balls.
- Flatten and stretch each ball into a thin circle (about 9-12 inches) with fingers, keeping edges slightly thicker for the crust.
- Use cornmeal on your baking tray or pizza peel to prevent sticking
3. Add Sauce and Toppings
- Spread pizza sauce evenly on the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Add grated cheese and your choice of toppings like vegetables, meats, or herbs.
- Sprinkle Italian herbs and chili flakes if desired
4. Bake the Pizza
- Preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible (around 475°F or 240°C) for at least 25-30 minutes, ideally with a baking tray or pizza stone inside.
- Place the pizza on the hot tray or stone and bake for 8-12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- For a crispier top, you can move the pizza to the top rack for the last 1-2 minutes
Tips
- For a thicker crust, stretch the dough thicker, prick with a fork, and pre-bake the base for 5-7 minutes before adding toppings.
- Use olive oil to coat the dough edges for extra crispness.
- If dough shrinks back while shaping, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before trying again
This method yields a classic homemade pizza with a crisp crust and delicious toppings. You can customize toppings to your preference and experiment with different cheeses and sauces
