By Bornika Das
July 21, 2023
Although we often indulge in pizzas from restaurants, sometimes we want to make it at home as well. Crafting a perfect homemade pizza dough from scratch is both rewarding as well as delicious. By mastering a few key secrets, you can elevate your homemade pizza to a new level. Today, we’ll share some 10 kitchen hacks to make a perfect pizza dough at home.
Start with high-quality ingredients. Opt for fresh, unbleached all-purpose flour or bread flour, as they have a higher protein content, which contributes to a better texture.
Properly activate your yeast to ensure a good rise. Dissolve yeast in warm water with a pinch of salt. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it become frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use.
Allow the dough to rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 24 hours. This slow fermentation process develops the dough's flavour, improves texture, and makes it easier to handle.
It is a technique that involves mixing the flour and water before adding the yeast and salt. This allows the gluten to develop naturally, resulting in a more elastic dough. Let the flour and water rest for 20 minutes before adding yeast and salt.
Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process helps to develop the gluten further and creates a lighter, chewy crust.
After kneading, allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size. This generally takes 1-2 hours depending on the temperature. Cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
Divide the dough into individual portions and shape them into balls. Cover the balls with a damp cloth and let them rest for 15-20 minutes before shaping them into pizza crusts.
Preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible, typically around 500°F (260°C) or higher. A hot oven ensures a crispy, golden crust and prevents the toppings from making the dough soggy.
Bake the dough on a preheated pizza stone or baking steel. These materials retain heat and help to distribute it evenly, resulting in a better crust.
Avoid overloading the pizza with too many toppings, as it can lead to a soggy crust.