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Perfect Homemade Pizza Dough: A Step-by-Step Guide

I have been making homemade pizza dough for years, my kids help me with it and its so special to make together. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of making your own pizza dough from scratch. With this recipe, you’ll create a soft, stretchy dough that makes 8 dough balls, perfect for 9-inch pizzas. It’s versatile, freezer-friendly, and ideal for a family pizza night or entertaining friends. 
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Proving Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 dough balls

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kg bread or strong flour
  • 14 g fast-acting dried yeast (2 packets)
  • 630 ml tepid water (200ml boiling water + 430ml cold water)
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions
 

Activate the Yeast

  • Measure 630ml tepid water into a jug. Combine with the yeast, olive oil, and sugar, stirring gently.
  • Let it sit for 15 minutes until bubbles form on the surface. This activates the yeast.

Mix the Dough

  • Set up your Kenwood Chef Baker XL (or use another stand mixer).
  • Place the large mixing bowl on the scales, press the weighing function to ON, and measure 1kg of flour directly into the bowl.
  • Add the salt to the flour.
  • Attach the dough hook, then slowly pour in the yeast mixture while mixing on low speed.
  • Knead the dough in the mixer for 20 minutes until smooth and elastic.

First Prove

  • Remove the bowl from the mixer, cover with a clean tea towel, and place it in a warm spot.
  • Allow the dough to rise for 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Shape the Dough Balls

  • Once risen, punch the air out of the dough.
  • Lightly flour your work surface and divide the dough into 8 equal portions (approximately 190g each).
  • Roll each portion into a smooth round ball.

Second Prove

  • Dust two trays with flour and place 4 dough balls on each tray.
  • Cover with a clean tea towel or cling film and let them prove for another 30 minutes.

How to Make the Pizza

  • Preheat the Oven
    Set your oven to 200ºC (fan) or 400℉.
  • Stretch the Dough
    Lightly dust your work surface with flour.
    Take one dough ball and use your hands to gently push it out, keeping its round shape. Aim for a diameter of 9 inches. Stretch the dough if needed.
  • Assemble the Pizza
    Transfer the dough to a baking tray.
    Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the base, leaving a small border for the crust.
    Sprinkle on grated cheese and add your toppings sparingly for evening cooking.
  • Cook the Pizza
    Bake for 10–12 minutes, removing the tray for the last 2 minutes to crisp the base directly on the oven rack.
    The pizza is ready when the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.

Freezing Pizza Dough

  • To Freeze:
    1) After shaping the dough into balls, place them on a tray. Cover with cling film or foil and freeze for 3 hours.
    2) Once frozen solid, use a spatula to gently release the dough balls from the tray.
    3) Transfer the dough balls into small food bags and return to the freezer. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
  • To Use Frozen Dough:
    1) Remove the dough ball from the freezer and its bag.
    2) Place it on a floured tray, cover with cling film, and defrost in the fridge overnight.
    3) Take the dough out of the fridge and leave it at room temperature for 1–2 hours before using.
    4) Dust your worktop with flour, and follow the pizza-making instructions above.
Keyword Dinner, Lunch, Meal Prep, Pizza
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