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Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe: Perfect for Family Nights

There’s something magical about making pizza from scratch—it fills the kitchen with warmth, laughter, and the delicious aroma of fresh dough baking to perfection. This simple homemade pizza dough recipe is so easy that even the kids can help! Customize it with your favorite toppings and enjoy a fun, homemade meal together. Try it tonight and make dinner a family tradition!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour or bread flour, divided
  • 1 packet instant yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for extra flavor)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing
  • ¾ cup warm water

Instructions

  1. Mix the Dough:
    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and garlic powder. Add the olive oil and warm water, and mix until combined.
  2. Knead the Dough:
    Gradually stir in another 1 cup of flour until the dough forms a soft, elastic ball. If the dough is too sticky, add the remaining 1/3 cup flour, a little at a time. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
  3. Let the Dough Rise:
    Brush a clean bowl generously with olive oil. Place the dough ball in the bowl, turning it to coat lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 30-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
  4. Shape the Dough:
    Once risen, punch down the dough and transfer it to a floured surface. Knead for 1 minute until smooth. Roll it out into a large circle or your desired shape.
  5. Prepare for Baking:
    Place the dough on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Poke the dough all over with a fork to prevent air bubbles, then brush lightly with olive oil.
  6. Add Toppings and Bake:
    Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread pizza sauce over the dough, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, and add your favorite toppings. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
  7. Serve:
    Slice the pizza into wedges and serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Water Temperature: Make sure the water is warm (not hot) to activate the yeast properly.
  • Rising Time: If you’re short on time, let the dough rise in a slightly warm oven (turned off) to speed up the process.
  • Toppings: Get creative! Try pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a BBQ chicken variation.
  • Storage: Leftover dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for later use.

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