Perfect 00 Flour Pizza Dough Recipe | Homemade Guide
The quest for the perfect homemade pizza often begins with the choice of flour. 00 flour, known for its fine texture and high elasticity, is the gold standard among pizza aficionados.
Ingredients
- 1 kg about 8 cups of 00 flour
- 3 cups of lukewarm water
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon of active dry or instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon of kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- Optional: Cornmeal for dusting the pizza peel
Instructions
1. Mixing the Dough:
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the lukewarm water. Stir in the olive oil, yeast, salt, and sugar until everything is dissolved.
- Add the Flour: Gradually add the 00 flour to the bowl, mixing continuously to avoid lumps. Keep mixing until a rough dough starts to form.
2. Kneading:
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface. Knead it for about 10 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky.
3. First Rise:
- Let It Rise: Place the kneaded dough back in the bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise at room temperature for about 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
4. Shaping the Dough:
- Divide the Dough: After the first rise, punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Divide it into 8 equal parts for individual pizzas.
- Shape the Balls: Take each piece and form it into a ball by folding the dough underneath itself. Let the balls rest for a few minutes.
5. Preparing for Baking:
- Preheat the Oven: Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat it to its highest temperature, usually between 475°F to 500°F (245°C to 260°C).
- Shape the Pizza Base: Take a dough ball and gently stretch it out by hand or with a rolling pin to your desired thickness, ideally about 1/8-inch thick.
6. Adding Toppings:
- Prepare Toppings: Lightly sauce the stretched dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Add cheese and other toppings sparingly to avoid weighing down the dough.
7. Baking:
- Bake the Pizza: Slide the prepared pizza onto the preheated stone using a floured pizza peel. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
8. Serving:
- Cool and Serve: Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the cheese set and makes it easier to cut.
