Easy Pizza Crust
Over the years I have tried many pizza crust recipes, some were to “crispy” and others were to “doughy”. After many tries I was able to tweak this recipe to perfection.
What you cook your pizza on and what temperature you bake it at plays a big part on how the crust consistency will be and what the pizza will taste like. I’ll get into more of those specifics below.
This recipe calls for only five ingredients which you probably already have in your kitchen.
-Flour
-Yeast
-Salt
-Honey
-Water
I make the dough by hand but if you have a kitchen aid or some other type of bread mixer you can use that. In a bowl or your mixer, add the warm water, honey and yeast and let sit for five minutes. I typically use instant yeast but if you are using active yeast make sure it sits for 5-8 minutes or until bubbly.
When it comes to the temperature of the water you want to makes sure it’s warm enough to activate the yeast but not to hot otherwise it will kill it. It’s recommend to have the water temperature between 105 degrees and 115 degrees fahrenheit.
Next add the salt and slowly add in the flour. If mixing by hand, mix with a wooden spoon or spatula between each cup of flour. If using a mixer, turn on low to medium speed and add flour gradually. Once the dough forms a soft dough knead for 5-8 minutes. If kneading by hand, turn out onto a floured surface. Knead dough adding a little flour here and there to prevent the dough from sticking to the counter or your hands.
Next plop the dough into a oiled bowl and cover. I like to use a clean damp dish cloth or cling wrap. Place in a warmer place for one hour or until dough doubles in size. I put mine in my husbands office or on top of the fridge since heat rises.
Divide into two and roll out on a floured surface to desired shape. We generally do a 16″ round pizza but you can roll into what ever size pan you are planning to cook your pizza on including rectangle baking sheets if you don’t have pizza pans or a pizza stone.
My husband is the expert in our house when it comes to cooking pizza. He’s done lotsa of research on how hot the oven should be and we have found that the hotter the better to get the soft dough with a nice golden crunch on the bottom.
A pizza stone will help you achieve that perfect combination of soft and crispy but don’t worry, your pizza will still taste amazing using a regular pizza pan or evening a baking sheet. We preheat our oven to as hot as it will go which is 550 degrees for a pizza stone or 450 degrees for any other pan.
Place the dough on pizza stone or a greased pizza pan or baking sheet. Add all your favorite toppings and pop in the oven. If cooking on the pizza stone at 550 degrees, it should only take about 12-15 minutes for it to cook. For any other pans cooking at 450 degrees it takes about 15-20 minutes. In the last few minutes I like to keep an eye on the pizza and check the bottom of the crust to see how golden I want it.
Once pizza is cooked, remove from oven and let rest for about 10 minutes. You don’t want to eat it right away otherwise you’ll burn your mouth. Trust me, I’ve done it.
Easy Pizza Crust
Ingredients
- 1½ cups Warm Water
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 1 tbsp Instant Yeast Active yeast will work too just make sure to proof it for 5-8 minutes
- 3½ cups All-purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Salt
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl or kitchen aid/bread mixer, combine the warm water, honey and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
- Add the salt and slowly incorporate the flour, mixing on low to medium speed or use a wooden spoon or spatula if mixing by hand. Mix until soft dough forms. Knead for 5-8 minutes. If kneading by hand, transfer to a floured surface, add flour as needed so that the dough doesn't stick to your hands or the counter.
- Transfer to a lightly greased bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 550 degrees if you are using a pizza stone or 450 for any other pan.
- Divide dough into two and roll into desired shape and size. For round pizza, roll out to about 16". Poke dough with fork and lightly brush dough with olive oil.
- Place dough on pizza stone and top with your favorite toppings. If using a pizza pan or baking sheet, lightly grease and than follow the same steps.
- Cook pizza at 550 for about 12-15 minutes until bottom is golden brown.