We have been making our own pizzas from scratch, even the pizza dough for such a long time now. Â
Maybe it’s because I am a control freak when it comes to my food.
I want the perfect pizza, perfect flavours, my choice of ingredients and definitely my own cheese to topping ratios.
When pizzas are homemade they also seem less like junk food. We make our own base from these 3 Easy Pizza Doughs and we use quality, fresh ingredients.
Because I have been making these easy pizza dough bases for so long, I now have three separate methods. Each method results in a perfect crust each time.
Three Separate Methods For Making Pizza Dough
Today I wanted to share each of my recipes and methods so regardless of what equipment you have on hand you can enjoy your very own homemade pizza dough from scratch.
Once you have the perfect pizza crust I suggest you try making my favourite pizza. I have also provided links to some of my most delicious pizza recipes.
The picture above is the Rustic Smoked Salmon Pizza. I haven’t shared this one before so it’s at the bottom of the story.
The Three Easy Pizza Doughs and Their Methods
- Traditional Hand Kneaded Pizza Dough – Hand kneading – Requires no machines or gadgets just a little muscle and patience.
- Breadmaker Pizza Dough – If you have a bread maker handy this is a “set and forget,” still a little time consuming
- Thermomix Pizza Dough – Very quick and easy but you need a Thermomix.
Even making a simple Hawaiian Pizza is so much more delicious when you make your own base. Above is a picture of a simple garlic pizza I made.
It has a bit of red onion, rosemary from the garden and some olives. You could also add some delicious stringy cheese and you would be in pizza heaven.
Pizza Dough using a Bread Maker
Ingredients
- 500 gm Bakers Flour
- 10 gm yeast
- 5 gm sugar
- 5 gm salt
- 310 ml warm water
- 20 ml oil
Instructions
- Throw all the ingredients into a bread maker.
- Set the machine to pizza dough.
- Come back to it when the machine finishes.
- Too easy!
- Lightly oil 4 pizza trays 2 x 20cm diameter and 2 x 25cm diameter.
- Divide the dough into four balls. Two balls should weigh 170gm each and the other two dough balls should weigh 240gm.
- Roll the dough ball into the desired shape and place in the pizza trays. (170gm for 20cm tray)
- Allow the dough to proof in the tray for a light fluffy pan crust style.
- Once they have proofed as desired they can be refrigerated for later use or topped with fillings and cooked immediately.
Below is an example of a Mixed Berry and Mascarpone Calzone which has been allowed to proof a second time prior to the sweet dessert filling being added. The fluffy deep pan base is ideal for a dessert pizza.
The next method is using my new best friend in the kitchen. The Thermomix Pizza dough is so simple I almost didn’t believe it would produce results I would be happy to serve.
I was wrong! It’s the quickest of all methods and works especially well for a thin and crispy base.
Thermomix Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 500 gm Bakers Flour
- 10 gm yeast
- 5 gm sugar
- 5 gm salt
- 310 ml warm water
- 20 ml oil
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in the Thermomix bowl.
- Mix on speed 5 for 10 seconds.
- Choose the dough setting. Set for 2 minutes on the interval speed.
- Place dough in an oiled bowl so the dough won't stick, cover with plastic wrap.
- Allow the dough to proof until doubled in size.
- When ready to use, punch the dough down and roll into the desired shape.
- Top with pizza ingredients and bake.
- *cook time = the approximate proofing time.
The picture below is another of my all time favourite homemade pizzas.  Pictured is the Smokey Steak & Cheese Pizza with Caramelised Onion. It features deliciously melted brie and a sweet caramelised onion. Very simple and so delicious!
If you don’t have either of these machines you are still able to make the perfect pizza dough. The old fashioned method is just as easy as the other two methods.
The only difference is you need a little bit of muscle to knead the dough. Kneading the dough activates the gluten and gives the dough the stretchy texture.
Making Pizza Dough by Hand
Ingredients
- 500 gm Bakers Flour
- 10 gm yeast
- 5 gm sugar
- 5 gm salt
- 310 ml warm water
- 20 ml oil
Instructions
- In a jug with a 2 cup capacity, place the warm water, yeast and sugar. Stir to combine and set aside in a warm area until the mixture is very frothy.
- Place the flour and salt in a large bowl and combine.
- Make a well in the centre of the flour and add the water mixture and the oil.
- By hand combine the ingredients until a dough forms.
- Oil the bench top and place the dough ball on the oil.
- Knead the pizza dough for 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
- Oil the original large mixing bowl and place the kneaded dough back in the bowl.
- Cover with bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes or until dough has doubles in size.
- Punch the dough down and use as desired.
Last, but not least is my favourite Rustic Smoked Salmon Pizza. I have never had a bought smoked salmon pizza as good as my version. Â Best of all it is so quick and simple to make.
Rustic Smoked Salmon Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 Pizza Base made as per one of the above methods
- 200 gm Superior Gold Gravadlax
- 50 gm Pizza Sauces or tomato paste
- 1/2 red onion sliced
- 1/2 cup rocket
- 100 gm tzatziki
- 60 gm pizza cheese
- 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius
- Roll out the base.
- Spread with pizza sauce.
- Top with onion and cheese.
- Cook the pizza for 5-10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Top with salmon rocket and tzatziki.
- Squeeze lemon over the pizza to serve.
There we have it three easy pizza doughs from scratch and a few delicious ideas on how to top them. What is your favourite topping for your pizza dough?