Homemade pizza holds a special place in the hearts of many, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures that cater to individual preferences. Crafting the perfect homemade pizza starts with the dough, where the balance between chewiness and crispiness is key. A simple dough made from flour, yeast, water, salt, and a touch of olive oil forms the foundation for a delicious crust. The magic lies in allowing the dough to rise slowly, developing its flavor and texture over time, resulting in a base that’s both airy and flavorful.
Once the dough is prepared, the toppings take center stage, offering endless possibilities for customization. From classic Margherita with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to more adventurous combinations like barbecue chicken or Mediterranean-inspired toppings, there’s a homemade pizza variant to suit every taste. The key to a successful homemade pizza lies in the quality and freshness of the ingredients. Opting for ripe, seasonal produce, premium cheeses, and flavorful meats ensures a pizza bursting with flavor and vibrancy.
To elevate the taste of homemade pizza, attention to detail in the cooking process is crucial. Preheating the oven and using a pizza stone or baking steel creates the perfect environment for achieving a crispy, golden crust. Topping the pizza with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil before baking adds richness and enhances the flavors of the ingredients. The aroma that fills the kitchen as the pizza bakes to perfection is a testament to the care and craftsmanship that goes into creating a homemade culinary masterpiece. Ultimately, whether enjoyed as a cozy family dinner or shared with friends during a casual gathering, homemade pizza brings people together with its irresistible taste and comforting appeal.
“Homemade pizza is a blank canvas waiting to be painted with your favorite flavors.”
Homemade Pizza
Print RecipeIngredients
- 2½ cups organic all-purpose flour(300 grams)
- 1 teaspoon dry active yeast or instant yeast (3 grams)
- ½ cup warm water + 2 tbsp. (or as needed)
- 1½ tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon organic sugar(or 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup)
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal(or fine semolina)
- For Pizza Sauce:
- 400 grams tomatoes(fine chopped or pureed)
- 2 garlic (cloves chopped finely)
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs(or 1 teaspoon dried oregano, adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper(coarse crushed or powder)
- 1½ tablespoon oil(preferably olive oil)
- 1 teaspoon organic sugar
- For Pizza Toppings:
- 200 grams Mozzarella cheese (use as needed)
- 1½ cups Mix vegetables sliced or cubed (capsicum, onions, olives, tomatoes, mushrooms)
- ½ teaspoon Italian herbs( or oregano as desired)
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes(optional)
Instructions
1. Make Pizza Dough:
- Start by adding ½ cup of lukewarm water to a big mixing bowl. If your bowl feels chilly, give it a quick warm-up by swishing some hot water around in it. Then, pour out the hot water and replace it with the lukewarm water. Aim for water that’s comfortably warm, around 40 to 43 degrees Celsius or 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Check the water temperature with your finger to make sure it’s warm but not too hot. Then, sprinkle in the yeast and sugar. Give it a gentle stir, then let it sit untouched for 10 to 12 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, the yeast mixture should start bubbling or foaming, showing that it’s alive and ready to go. If it doesn’t bubble up, it means the yeast is inactive and won’t work for your dough. In that case, it’s best to start over with fresh lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast.
- When the water turns frothy, add flour, salt and oil. Next mix and make a soft dough adding more water if needed.
- Knead the dough very well until soft & elastic for about 5 to 6 mins.
- To check if it is done, poke it with your finger. It should dent easily and bounce back slowly. This is an indication of the dough being ready.
- Apply a thin layer of oil to the bowl and the dough as well. Keep covered with a moist cloth or a lid.
2. Proofing Pizza Dough:
- Allow the dough to rise at room temperature until it doubles or even triples in size. The perfect temperature for this is between 26°C (80°F) and 32°C (90°F). Depending on how warm your room is, it could take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours for the dough to rise.
- Be careful not to use high temperatures, as they can kill the yeast. Let the dough rise slowly for a better flavor development. In colder weather, you can proof it in your Instant Pot using the yogurt setting on low.
3. Prepare Pizza Sauce:
- Either blend or finely chop the tomatoes. For the sauce, warm some oil in a pan and cook the garlic until it’s fragrant. Next, toss in the red chili flakes and give it all a good stir.
- Throw in the tomatoes, along with some salt and sugar. Give it all a good stir, then let it cook partially covered, as it tends to splatter quite a bit.
- Continue cooking until the sauce thickens up and is just right for spreading (not too thin). Then, toss in your favorite herbs and some crushed pepper for extra flavor.
- Mix and taste the sauce. You may add more salt, herbs and pepper to suit your taste buds. Set this aside to cool.
4. Prepare Veggies:
- Bring your choice of veggies to room temperature. Avoid using cold veggies from the refrigerator as they let out moisture on the pizza making it soggy.
- Rinse and slice or cube the veggies. Separate the layers of onions. Avoid chopping them too small or too large.
- If using bottled olives drain them to a small strainer. Grate or cube the cheese and set aside.
5. Make Pizza Thin Crust:
- When the dough rises well, punch it a few times to deflate and remove air bubbles.
- Transfer the dough to the work area. Divide to 2 to 3 portions depending on the size you prefer.
- Knead it a bit and gently shape it to round balls. If the dough is too sticky then sprinkle some flour & knead. After this step you may make the pizza or cover the bowl with a cling wrap and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
- When you are ready to make the pizza, preheat the oven to the highest temperature, 220 to 240 C or 470F for at least 25 to 30 mins. Place a baking tray or a cast iron pan in the middle rack and heat it as well in the oven.
- Sprinkle some cornmeal over the pizza tray. Place the pizza dough over the tray and flatten it slightly.
- Add few drops of oil on the dough. Begin to spread and stretch the dough on the tray with your fingers. Flatten to a 9 inch thin even base. Keep the edges slightly thicker than the center. (with this recipe you can make three 9 inch thin crust pizzas or one 14 inch thin crust).
- Spread the pizza sauce as desired, leaving about ¼ inch on the edges. Layer the grated cheese and then the veggies. Lastly sprinkle Italian herbs and red chili flakes. To finish off top with more cheese if desired avoiding over the veggies.
- Place the pizza tray right over the hot baking tray or cast iron pan in your oven. Bake for 10 to 12 mins or until the pizza base becomes crisp, golden and cheese turns slightly golden.
- If your cheese doesn’t turn golden, you can move it to the top rack and bake for another 1 to 2 mins.
- Slice and serve pizza hot or warm.
Homemade Pizza
