Quick & Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe (Perfect for Weeknights!)
Making pizza at home has never been easier! This quick pizza dough recipe comes together in just 10 minutes of prep, requires only a handful of ingredients, and delivers a soft, chewy, and flavorful crust. Whether you’re making thin crust, thick crust, or personal pizzas, this dough is the perfect base for your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Pizza Dough Recipe
- Minimal ingredients – Just flour, yeast, water, olive oil, sugar, and salt!
- Quick prep time – 10 minutes to mix, 75 minutes to rise.
- Versatile – Works for personal pizzas, flatbreads, or even breadsticks.
- Better than store-bought – No preservatives, just fresh, homemade goodness.
Ingredients for Quick Pizza Dough
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons sugar – Helps activate the yeast.
- 1 ½ cups warm water – About 110°F, to properly bloom the yeast.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour – For a soft yet chewy crust.
- 1 teaspoon salt – Essential for flavor.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil – Adds richness and helps with crispiness.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Pizza Dough
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. This means the yeast is active and ready to work.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook on low speed for 2 minutes. If kneading by hand, work the dough on a floured surface for 3 to 4 minutes, until it becomes smooth.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Drizzle olive oil over the dough, coating it completely to prevent drying out. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise for about 75 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
Once risen, turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Divide it into four pieces for personal pizzas, or keep it whole for one large sheet pan pizza. Stretch the dough to your desired shape and thickness.
Baking Tips for the Best Homemade Pizza
- Preheat Your Oven – Set your oven to 475°F (250°C) and let it heat for at least 30 minutes before baking for the crispiest crust.
- Use a Pizza Stone – If you have a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven for the best texture.
- Don’t Overload the Toppings – Too many toppings can make the crust soggy. Stick to a balance of sauce, cheese, and toppings.
- Brush the Crust with Olive Oil – This helps achieve a golden, crispy edge.
How to Store & Freeze Pizza Dough
- Refrigerate: Store dough in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
- Freeze: Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Pizza Dough Variations & Substitutions
- Whole Wheat Pizza Dough – Substitute 1 cup of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier crust.
- Gluten-Free Pizza Dough – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour.
- Herb-Infused Dough – Add 1 teaspoon dried oregano, basil, or garlic powder for extra flavor.
Delicious Ways to Use This Pizza Dough
- Classic Margherita Pizza – Tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil.
- BBQ Chicken Pizza – BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, red onion, and cheese.
- White Garlic Pizza – Olive oil, ricotta, mozzarella, and roasted garlic.
- Breakfast Pizza – Scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese.
This quick and easy pizza dough recipe is a must-have for busy weeknights! Whether you’re making classic cheese pizza, a veggie-loaded masterpiece, or a fun flatbread, this dough is light, chewy, and absolutely delicious.
This Recipe is in my Cookbook, From Scratch!
I’m excited to share my cookbook with you, created with sustainability and flavor in mind! From Scratch is packed with delicious, eco-conscious recipes designed to nourish both you and the planet. Every dish is carefully crafted to use fresh, local ingredients, and focuses on minimizing waste while maximizing taste.
From wholesome breakfasts to hearty dinners, my cookbook offers a variety of plant-based meals that are easy to prepare and full of nutrients. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or simply enjoy meals that are better for you and the Earth, this cookbook is your guide to eating in a way that’s both kind to the planet and satisfying to your taste buds. You can grab your copy here:
Check Out The Pantry Labels
In 2024, I released a set of Pantry Labels with recipes that are dishwasher-safe and fit the lids of mason jars perfectly.
Each labels has the recipe to refill the dry mix jar, as well as the recipe to make the item if applicable.
Quick Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Add yeast, sugar and warm water to the bowl of a stand mixer or a mixing bowl. Let rest for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.
- Add flour and salt, mix until dough comes together. Knead for 2 minutes.
- Drizzle olive oil on the dough ball and rotate until coated. Put in an airtight container and let it double in size for around an hour and a half.
- After the dough has doubled, turn out onto a floured work surface. Divide dough into four personal pizzas or one large sheet pan. Stretch the dough to desired size.
