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.

Time: Active=10 minutes, Inactive=1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours
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Ingredients

1 1/8 cups warm water
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt

Directions

Combine the water, yeast, olive oil, and honey in a large mixing bowl. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it is slightly frothy. Add 2 1/2 cups flour and 2 teaspoons salt and stir until combined.
Turn mixture out onto a clean, dry surface and begin to knead, adding the remaining 1/2 cup flour as necessary. Form the dough into a ball and return to the mixing bowl. Cover with a towel and leave to rise for 1-2 hours, until roughly doubled in size.
To make pizza, preheat oven to 450°. On a baking sheet, press the dough ball out as thin as you can make it, being careful not to stretch it out. Top with your chosen toppings and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the crust is golden and toppings are hot.

Adapted from How Sweet Eats

Homemade Pizza Dough