Homemade Pizza Dough

I like to think of pizza as the ultimate equalizer. With so many variations, there’s something for everyone to like.

I also feel like you can tell a lot about a person from their pizza preferences, and pizza compatibility is a good indicator of personal compatibility. I’d even go so far as to say that ordering pizza together should probably be a part of everyone’s premarital counseling. What kind of toppings? Is it ever okay to have pineapple on pizza? Thin or thick crust? Feelings about deep dish? So many important decisions and deeply revealing preferences involved in pizza.

This is my favorite pizza crust to make at home because it is easy, uses normal pantry ingredients, and is pretty darn quick. By the time the dough has risen, you’ll have had just enough time to agree on toppings with whoever you’re sharing your pizza with.

Here’s how you make it:

Combine 1 1/8 cups warm water with 1 tablespoon yeast, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 tablespoon honey in a big bowl. Stir it all together and let it sit for 10 minutes. When you come back, it’ll be a little bit frothy.

Next, add 2 1/2 cups of the flour and 2 teaspoons of salt. Don’t forget the salt! It’s easy to forget (that’s what I tell myself so I feel better about forgetting it sometimes), but if you’ve ever had bread without salt in it, you know what a mistake this is. Stir the the flour and salt into the liquid mixture until combined. It will still be on the sticky side.

Now, turn the dough mixture out on a clean, dry surface, and add the last 1/2 cup flour as needed while kneading.

Place the ball of dough back into your mixing bowl, cover loosely with a towel and leave in a warm place to rise for 1 to 2 hours.

And now you’re ready to make a delicious homemade pizza! Or breadsticks, or calzones, or whatever else you like to do with pizza dough.