Description
Crispy, golden pizza hut-inspired homemade dough brings Italian pizzeria magic straight to kitchen counters. Cheesy, herb-infused slices promise restaurant-quality comfort with zero delivery wait times.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup milk
Optional Toppings:
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp cornmeal (for dusting)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm water and milk, allowing it to foam and become frothy for about 5-7 minutes, indicating the yeast is alive and ready.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, and optional dried oregano and garlic powder, creating a uniform dry mixture.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the activated yeast liquid and olive oil.
- Knead the dough vigorously for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky, developing gluten structure.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for approximately 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the risen dough to release trapped air and transfer to a surface dusted with cornmeal.
- Gently stretch and shape the dough into a round pizza base, maintaining an even thickness throughout.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to ensure a crispy crust.
- Transfer the shaped dough onto the preheated surface and bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before adding your preferred pizza toppings.
Notes
- Yeast Activation Tip: Always use lukewarm liquid (around 110°F) to activate yeast without killing it, ensuring a perfect rise and fluffy texture.
- Flour Selection Hack: Use bread flour for a chewier crust or mix all-purpose and bread flour for balanced texture and crispness.
- Kneading Technique: Develop gluten by stretching and folding dough instead of just pushing, creating a more structured and elastic base.
- Temperature Matters: Let dough rise in a warm spot like near a preheated oven or inside a turned-off oven with the light on for consistent rising.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg