Soft and Crispy Homemade Pizza Recipe (In the Oven)

Learn how to make the best homemade pizza recipe with simple ingredients! Soft, crispy, and easy to prepare, this pizza recipe is perfect for deep dish or thin crust pizzas.

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How do you make a good Homemade Pizza?

I never thought I would learn how to make homemade pizza dough. I thought it was too difficult. Mixing the dough. Letting dough rise. Shaping the dough.

The task seemed daunting so I let my hubby always make the pizza. I was reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver and something happened. I became brave and took the pizza plunge and here is what happened. I made pizza all by myself.

There’s nothing quite like a fresh, homemade pizza dough recipe that’s easy to make and results in the perfect crust. Whether you’re whipping up a deep dish pizza or a thin, crispy pizza crust, knowing how to make pizza dough from scratch can transform your homemade pizza game.

Over the years, I’ve tested countless recipes for pizza dough, and this one stands out as the best pizza dough recipe—soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and full of flavor. If you’ve ever wondered how to prepare pizza dough or how do you make pizza crust, this post will guide you step by step, from using the right bread flour and olive oil to letting the dough rise at room temperature on a lightly floured surface.

Original post was created May 2010 and the updated January 2025

💖Why we love this homemade pizza dough recipe

• Easy to Make with Simple Ingredients
  • This easy pizza dough recipe uses pantry staples like purpose flour, bread flour, and olive oil. No fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients required—just classic flavors and techniques.
• Perfect Texture Every Time
  • The dough rises beautifully, creating a soft yet crispy pizza crust that’s just right for both deep dish pizza and thin crust lovers alike.
• Versatile and Customizable
  • Whether you’re making a traditional Margherita pizza or loading up your pizza pan with toppings, this recipe adapts to whatever you love.
• Quick and Convenient
  • With just a few steps, you’ll have homemade pizza dough ready to go. It's a great go-to recipe when you’re craving pizza but want to skip delivery.
• Tried-and-True Method
  • This recipe of pizza crust has been perfected over time to ensure consistent results. From the dough rising at room temperature to rolling it out on a lightly floured surface, every step is foolproof.

Well, the real story is Chef was home on a break and he assisted a little. Well, maybe more than a little. But now, a few months later...I can do it all by myself and so can you!

Pizza has become a new Friday night go to recipe and that is partially why my take-out orders have subsided a bit (except for last week).

🍽️ How to Make Soft and Crispy Homemade Pizza Dough

Here is how to make this delicious recipe (the full recipe is below!):

Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 420°F. In a small bowl, sprinkle the yeast over warm water, whisk lightly, and let it sit until foamy (about 5 minutes).

Step 2:
Brush a large bowl with olive oil to prepare it for the dough.

Step 3:
In the yeast mixture, whisk in sugar, olive oil, and salt. In a separate bowl, make a well in the center of the flours and pour in the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.

Step 4:
Transfer the dough to the oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size (usually less than an hour).

Step 5:
Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface. Knead until smooth, adding flour as needed to prevent sticking. Divide the dough into two balls.

Step 6:
Roll out the dough on a pizza pan. Brush the edges with olive oil and pre-bake for 10 minutes.

Step 7:
Add your toppings: spread tomato sauce, sprinkle fresh mozzarella, and add extras like olives or anchovies. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, adding mozzarella in the last 5-10 minutes to avoid over-browning.

Step 8:
Slice and enjoy your perfect homemade pizza!

What temperature do you bake homemade pizza?

Bake homemade pizza at 420°F to 500°F for the best results. A hotter oven ensures a crispy crust and evenly cooked toppings. Preheating the oven and using a pizza stone or steel enhances the crust's texture.

Do you need a pizza peel?

A pizza peel is helpful but not essential. It makes transferring your pizza to and from the oven much easier, especially if you’re using a pizza stone or steel. If you don’t have one, you can use parchment paper or the back of a baking sheet to slide the pizza in and out of the oven.

How to par bake pizza crust?

To par bake a pizza crust:

1. Roll out your dough and place it on a pizza pan or stone.
2. Brush the edges with olive oil for added flavor.
3. Bake in a preheated oven at 420°F for 5-10 minutes until the crust is set but not browned.
4. Remove from the oven, add your sauce and toppings, and finish baking for another 15-20 minutes.
   Par baking prevents the crust from becoming soggy when adding toppings.

What cheese is best for homemade pizza?

Fresh mozzarella is a classic choice for its creamy texture and meltability. Shredded low-moisture mozzarella works well for a more traditional American-style pizza. For extra flavor, consider adding Parmesan, provolone, ricotta, or goat cheese to complement your toppings.

Homemade Pizza Ideas for Toppings – What can I put on a homemade pizza?

Here are some creative and classic topping ideas:

• Vegetables: Sliced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, spinach, arugula, or zucchini.
• Proteins: Pepperoni, sausage, grilled chicken, prosciutto, bacon, or anchovies.
• Cheeses: Fresh mozzarella, ricotta, feta, goat cheese, or blue cheese.
• Sauces: Traditional tomato sauce, pesto, garlic butter, or olive oil with herbs.
• Fruits: Pineapple (controversial but loved by some), figs, or caramelized pears.
• Extras: Fresh basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, olives, capers, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

🫙 Leftovers and Storing

• Storing Dough: If you don’t use all the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezing Dough: Divide the dough into portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use.
• Storing Baked Pizza: Place leftover slices in an airtight container or wrap in foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating Pizza: Reheat in a preheated oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes to restore the crispy crust, or in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can make the crust soggy.

📃 Substitutions & Variations

• Flour: Swap out whole-wheat flour for all-purpose or bread flour if you prefer a softer crust.
• Oil: Use avocado oil or melted butter instead of olive oil for a different flavor profile.
• Sweetener: Replace sugar with honey or agave syrup for a natural sweetener.
• Herbs: Add dried oregano, basil, or garlic powder to the dough for an herby flavor boost.
• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend designed for yeast recipes. You may need to adjust liquid quantities slightly.
• Toppings: Experiment with creative toppings like roasted vegetables, fresh arugula, or goat cheese for a unique twist.

❓ FAQ'S

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Easy Homemade Pizza (In The Oven)

This Easy Homemade Pizza recipe makes a really soft and crispy dough! A great recipe for beginners. Top it with your favorite toppings and you won’t need pizza delivery any more! It comes together with 6 basic ingredients!

Prep Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time2 hours hrs

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: pizza

Servings: 10 slices

Calories: 230kcal

Author: Lora

Equipment

• Digital Kitchen Scale
• mixing bowls
• Wooden Spoon
• Dough Scraper
• Pizza Peel

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 2 packets active dry yeast
• ¼ cup olive oil plus more for the bowl
• 2 Tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 2 cups all -purpose flour plus more for kneading
• 2 cups whole-wheat flour could use all-purpose flour

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 420 F.
• Sprinkle the yeast in a bowl with the warm water. Whisk it around a little and let it stand until foamy (about 5 minutes). Brush another large bowl with olive oil.
• In the bowl with yeast, whisk sugar, oil, and salt. Make a well in the middle of the flours and pour in the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. Transfer the flour mixture to an oiled bowl.
• Cover the bowl (I cover with a kitchen towel)and let stand in a warm spot to rise (until dough is about doubled in size). Since I’m in Florida, it’s easy to find a warm spot and it usually rises in less than an hour.
• While the dough is rising, I prepare my toppings. I like to add about a cup of tomato sauce. I add about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and fresh basil to the sauce. You want your sauce to glisten.
• If I am adding anchovies and olives. I chop them a little.
• When your dough has risen, turn it out onto a well-floured surface. It can be a bigger cutting board or your kitchen counter…whatever works for you. With floured hands, knead the dough until smooth and divide into two balls. This was the part I had trouble with because I didn’t add enough flour to make the dough pliable. It was sticking to my hands and I was getting frustrated. Don’t be afraid to add a little flour to the board and to your hands…it will get absorbed.
• Now you have to stretch the dough on your pizza pan. You could add cornmeal to the pan before you add the dough. I have a pan that has wholes on bottom so the cornmeal idea didn’t work for me.
• Brush a little olive oil around dough and pre-bake it for about 10 minutes in a 420 oven.
• After pre-bake it, spoon the sauce on the dough and spread it out. Next, add your toppings. If you don’t have the extra yummy fresh mozzarella, you could use shredded mozzarella. Bake for another 15-20 minutes. Add the mozzarella the last 5-10 minutes or it will get too brown.
• Depends on your oven and how you like your pizza cooked. You could make both dough rolls or make one, freeze the other half and use it another day if you didn’t bake both.

Nutrition Disclaimer

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.

Notes

• Flour: You could use all-purpose flour, 00 flour, or bread flour. I sometimes use 1/2 AP flour and whole-wheat flour. Sometimes I use 3 cups of all-purpose and 1 cup of whole-wheat flour. I try to be really healthy, but my kids prefer the pizza with less whole wheat.

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 466mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 0.001mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 2mg

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