Homestyle Thick-Crust Pizza Dough
Indulge in the rich, tender delight of Homestyle Thick-Crust Pizza Dough, perfect for pizza lovers who appreciate a hearty, doughy base. This recipe yields a thick crust that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, ideal for holding a generous layer of your favorite toppings. Once baked, brush it with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese for a delectable side dish that complements any pasta meal. This crust can be prepared by hand, but for optimal results, a heavy-duty stand mixer is highly recommended due to the substantial dough volume. For a faster rising time and convenience, feel free to use a tablespoon of dry yeast. Bake a batch and freeze extras for future pizza nights; they’ll reheat beautifully!
N/A
Servings
800
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
dry yeast
1 (8 g) package or 2 1/4 teaspoons (For faster rising, use 1 tablespoon.)
sugar
1 teaspoon
warm water
2 1/2 cups total (1/4 cup for yeast activation, 2 1/4 cups for the dough.)
olive oil
6 tablespoons
flour
6 cups (All-purpose or bread flour.)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (Can substitute with 1 teaspoon.)
kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon
black pepper
1/8 teaspoon (Freshly ground preferred.)
thyme or rosemary
1/8 teaspoon (Chopped, use either or both depending on preference.)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of warm water (around 105°F) with 1 teaspoon of sugar and the dry yeast. Mix gently and let it sit for 5-7 minutes until it becomes foamy.
2
In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the foamy yeast mixture with the remaining 2 1/4 cups of warm water, 6 tablespoons of olive oil, 6 cups of flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, kosher salt, black pepper, and your choice of herbs (thyme or rosemary).
3
Mix the ingredients thoroughly until a dough forms. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment.
4
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
5
Place the kneaded dough back into a greased bowl and cover it with a damp towel. Allow it to rise in a warm place for 34-40 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
6
Once risen, punch down the dough to release air and divide it into three equal parts.
7
Grease three pizza pie pans with olive oil and place each dough portion into a pan. Use your fingertips to dimple the dough evenly throughout.
8
Sprinkle each dough with approximately 1/8 teaspoon of kosher salt, fresh black pepper, and either chopped rosemary or thyme.
9
Cover the dough again with a damp towel and let it rise for an additional 50-60 minutes, allowing it to puff up.
10
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). When ready, bake each pizza crust for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.
11
Let the crusts cool slightly, then freeze any leftovers for later enjoyment. These crusts reheat beautifully!
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
120g
Carbs
16g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Homestyle Thick-Crust Pizza Dough?
Homestyle Thick-Crust Pizza Dough is a hearty base for pizza lovers, yielding a crust that is crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside.
Can I make this pizza dough by hand?
Yes, this dough can be prepared by hand, though a heavy-duty stand mixer is highly recommended due to the substantial volume of the dough.
What are the recommended uses for this crust beyond pizza?
Once baked, you can brush it with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt, garlic powder, and shredded mozzarella cheese to serve it as a side dish for pasta meals.
How do I activate the yeast for this recipe?
Combine 1/4 cup of warm water (around 105 degrees Fahrenheit) with 1 teaspoon of sugar and the dry yeast, then let it sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
Can I speed up the rising time for the dough?
Yes, for a faster rising time and added convenience, you can use one tablespoon of dry yeast.
What type of flour should I use?
The recipe calls for 6 cups of flour, and you can use either all-purpose or bread flour.
Which herbs are recommended for the dough?
You can use approximately 1/8 teaspoon of chopped thyme or rosemary, or a combination of both depending on your preference.
How long should I knead the pizza dough?
After the ingredients form a dough, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
How long is the first rise for this dough?
Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 34-40 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
What should I do after the first rise?
Once risen, punch down the dough to release air and divide it into three equal parts.
How many pizzas does this recipe make?
This recipe yields enough dough for three pizza pie pans.
How do I prepare the pans for the dough?
Grease three pizza pie pans with olive oil before placing the dough portions inside.
What is the purpose of dimpling the dough?
Using your fingertips to dimple the dough evenly throughout helps create the characteristic thick-crust texture.
How long is the second rise?
After placing the dough in the pans and seasoning it, let it rise for an additional 50-60 minutes until it puffs up.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long do I bake the pizza crust?
Bake each pizza crust for approximately 25 minutes or until it becomes golden brown.
Can I freeze the finished pizza crusts?
Yes, you can freeze any extras for future pizza nights; they are designed to reheat beautifully.
Is there a salt substitute for the dough?
While the recipe calls for 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, you can substitute it with 1 teaspoon if preferred.
What type of pepper is best for the seasoning?
Freshly ground black pepper is preferred for sprinkling over the dough before baking.
How much sugar is required?
One teaspoon of sugar is used to help activate the yeast.
How much olive oil is needed for the dough?
The recipe requires 6 tablespoons of olive oil for the dough mixture, plus extra for greasing the pans.
What is the calorie count for this recipe?
The recipe contains 800 calories as listed.
What is the fat content of the dough?
The dough contains 20 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this thick-crust dough?
There are 120 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in the recipe?
The recipe contains 16 grams of protein.
Does the dough require a specific environment to rise?
Yes, place the dough in a greased bowl covered with a damp towel and allow it to rise in a warm place.
How much yeast is in a standard package for this recipe?
A standard package is 8 grams, which is approximately 2 1/4 teaspoons.
What should I sprinkle on the dough before the second rise?
Sprinkle each dough with 1/8 teaspoon of kosher salt, fresh black pepper, and chopped rosemary or thyme.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy pizza dough recipe, especially when using a stand mixer.
What style of pizza is this recipe best for?
This recipe is perfect for Italian-style thick-crust pizzas that require a sturdy base for many toppings.