How to make pizza crust

Need to know how to make pizza crust? Then you are on the right pizza blog. One character of a great pizza is a great crust. Some like the crust thin, others like it crispy while others, fluffy and thick.

fully baked pizza

Making pizza crust might sound difficult from other recipes but trust me, by the time you get at the end of this article you will be in a position to effortlessly make one at home.

With the proper pizza tools like a pizza paddle and a pizza cutter. You will be able to accomplish this with no problems.

So why go through the trouble when you can get buy a frozen one at the store?

Nothing good comes easily. Money can buy you pizza dough, but one made with your great attention is sure to make a better pizza crust. If you do some research, a majority of pizza dough recipe are different. However, they all come from same ingredients: yeast, water, flour, salt, oil and sometimes, sugar.

Here is how to make pizza crust (thick and chewy)

Yield: two 12-inch pizzas

Preparation time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes


  • 3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour (440g)
  • 2 ¼ tsp. of red star yeast (1 packet)
  • 2 Tsp of olive oil.
  • 1 1/3 warm water (320 ml)
  • ¾ tsp of salt
  • 1 Tsp of granulated sugar
  • Cornmeal


Proofing: In a large bowl, mix the yeast and warm water. Gently stir and let it sit for 5 minutes, until the yeast foams and dissolve. If your yeast does not dissolve, then it’s dead. Add flour, salt, oil and sugar (optional). Mix with a dough mixer or with hands.

If you mix the ingredient and it’s too wet, add a ¼ cup more flour. By the end of the kneading the dough, it should be smooth and elastic. To be sure, poke your dough with your finger. If it slowly bounce back, then you are good to continue. Otherwise, keep kneading.

how to make pizza crust

How to make pizza crust

Shape your pizza dough into a ball then place it in a mixing bowl coated lightly with oil. Turn the ball over several times until it’s covered with a layer of oil. Wrap the dough with plastic paper.

For the pizza dough to rise, it needs to be placed in a warm environment. Heat your oven to 200F and turn it off. Place your dough, leave the oven door slightly and let it sit for 30 minutes. After that, close the oven door and let the dough rise for 1 hour 20 minutes.

Divide the dough into two balls. Let them rest for 15 more minutes. You can choose to make pizza crust with one dough and freeze the other one for later use.

Preheat your oven to 475 degrees F. Let it heat for 30 minutes until every inch is very hot. Dust and oil two baking sheets with olive oil. To dust, use cornmeal.

flattened pizza dough

Flatten each ball, if using two, on the lightly floured surface into 12-inch circle. If using a pizza stone, then place the dough on a lightly dusted pizza peel.

To prevent the dough from getting too soggy from the topping, brush the top lightly with olive oil. To avoid bubbling, use your finger to push dents on the surface of the dough.

Add your favorite toppings and use the pizza peel to place the dough on the pizza peel. Let it bake for 12-15 minutes.

If fully baked the pizza should have a crust. Slice using a pizza cutter and serve while hot.

If there is any leftover, cover it tightly and store in a refrigerator.

More information about ingredients used in our  how to make pizza crust

Yeast: You can choose to use dry or wet yeast. Dry yet is 50% slower.

Water: temperature is crucial when it comes to water in how to make pizza crust. Anything above 120F will kill the yeast. No fermentation, no dough rise, no pizza crust.

Flour: You can use any white flour. However, for better result use unbleached all-purpose flour.It absorbs water better compared to bleached flour.

Oil: oil prevents the crust from getting too soggy from your toppings.

Salt: it’s all about the flavor. Also, control yeast activity.

Sugar: sugar helps increase yeast activity and tenderize the pizza dough.

Cornmeal: Cornmeal helps the dough not to stick on the pizza peel. Also adds flavor and crispy texture to the pizza.

Did you find this article “how to make pizza crust” useful? How were the results? Share your experience with the rest.














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