How Do Pizza Shops Make Their Dough -13+ Easy Steps
Hey there,
If you were wondering,
How Do Pizza Shops Make Their Dough?
You are in the right place.
The key to a delicious pizza is its crust, which is one of the most adored meals in the world. Every pizza starts with the dough, regardless matter whether you like a thin, crunchy crust or a thick, chewy one.
Have you ever wondered how pizza shops make their dough? Well, wonder no more because we’re here to give you the inside scoop.
Making pizza dough is not as difficult as you might think. It’s a simple process that involves just a few key ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, water, and sometimes sugar or oil.
The key to making great pizza dough is using the right ingredients and proportions to let it rise properly.
Different pizza shops have unique methods and recipes for making dough, but the basic principles remain the same.
In this article, we’ll look more closely at the steps involved in preparing pizza dough and advise on how to create the ideal crust consistently.
Whether you’re a seasoned pizza maker or just starting, this post will give you a better understanding of what goes into making great pizza dough. So, let’s get started.
How Do Pizza Shops Make Their Dough?
How Do Pizza Shops Make Their Dough? Pizza dough is an art that may be made with minimal effort by combining a few essential components. Bread flour, yeast, salt, water, and occasionally sugar or oil are the main components of pizza dough. When making dough, choosing the right flour is vital since it can affect the final product’s texture, flavor, and nutritional value.
To make the dough, mix the dry ingredients, then add the water and any additional ingredients. The mixture is then kneaded until it becomes smooth and elastic. Once the dough has been formed, it needs to rise, which is where the yeast comes in. Carbon dioxide gas is produced when the yeast ferments the dough’s sugar, causing the dough to rise.
Different pizza shops have secret recipes and techniques for making dough, but the basic process is the same. Some pizza shops will let their dough rise for hours or even overnight, which results in a light and airy crust. Others prefer a shorter rising time for a denser, chewy crust.
Finding the right ingredient balance and allowing the dough to rise properly are the keys to making great pizza dough; with practice and patience, you can make pizza dough at home that rivals even the best pizza shops. So, Why Not Give It a Shot? Homemade Pizza Is Sure to Please Your Family and Friends.
How Do Pizza Shops Make Their Dough: a Step-by-step Guide
Ready to impress your taste buds with the perfect pizza crust? Let’s dive into the world of pizza dough and discover the secret ingredients and steps that make it so delicious. Get ready to whip up the best pizza from scratch, folks! 🍕🙌”
1 – Gather Pizza Dough Ingredients
Before you start making your pizza dough, it’s essential to make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. The essential ingredients for pizza dough are flour, yeast, salt, water, and sugar or oil. You’ll want to measure each ingredient before mixing to ensure you have the proper proportions.
When choosing your flour, choosing the right type for the crust you want to achieve is essential. Bread flour is a popular choice, as it has a higher gluten content, which helps create a chewy crust. All-purpose flour will also work and result in a lighter, airier crust.
Yeast is the key ingredient that makes the dough rise, so choosing fresh, active yeast is important. Salt and sugar or oil are added for flavor and texture, and water is used to bring the dough together.
Having all the ingredients ready before mixing will ensure a smooth and efficient dough-making process. So gather your ingredients, clear your countertop, and get started on the road to pizza heaven!
2 – Measure Flour for Dough
Once you gather all your ingredients, it’s time to measure the flour. Flour should ideally be measured with a kitchen scale, but it can also be measured with standard measuring cups. It would be best to remember that flour’s density varies, making volume measurements less reliable.
When measuring flour, it’s important to use the proper technique. Achieve accurate results by filling a measuring cup to the brim with flour using a spoon and then lightly tapping the edge of the cup with the blade of a knife. Avoid packing the flour into the cup to avoid an overly solid and heavy crust.
The success of your pizza dough depends on your ability to measure the flour precisely. An overly-floured crust will be thick and dense, while under-floured dough will be sticky and difficult to shape. Make sure to measure everything out precisely, and you’ll have a delicious pizza crust in no time.
3 – Add Yeast to the Flour Mixture
You should add the yeast to the flour once you have measured it. Yeast is responsible for the dough’s rise and airy, fluffy texture. Both active dry yeast and quick yeast can be used.
Active dry yeast has to be activated before it can be used. To do this, you can dissolve it in warm water with a bit of sugar. This is done so that the yeast may grow and become active, causing the dough to rise.
But quick yeast may be added directly to dry ingredients without needing to be activated. This is the way to go if you’re short on time or want a less complicated dough preparation method.
No matter which type of yeast you choose, it’s important to ensure it’s fresh and active. Expired or dead yeast will produce a dough that doesn’t rise, giving you a dense, heavy crust.
So add your yeast to your dry ingredients, take a deep breath, and let’s get ready to make some pizza dough.
4 – Mix Dry Ingredients for Dough
With your yeast added to the flour, it’s time to mix the dry ingredients for your pizza dough. This step is as simple as adding salt and sugar or oil to the flour mixture, then whisking everything together until it’s well combined.
The salt and sugar or oil help enhance the flavor of the dough while also helping to create a more tender texture. The sugar or oil also helps feed the yeast, which will help the dough rise more efficiently.
It’s important to mix the dry ingredients thoroughly so that everything is evenly distributed throughout the dough. You can do this with a wooden spoon or stand mixer equipped with a dough hook.
Once your dry ingredients are mixed, you’re one step closer to having perfect pizza dough! So please take a moment to admire your handiwork, and let’s move on to the next step.
5 – Add Water to Dough Mixture
Now it’s time to add the water to the dough mixture. The water helps bring the dough together, making it easier to knead and shape. Using the right amount of water is essential, as too much water will result in a sticky, difficult-to-work-with dough, while too little water will result in a dry, crumbly dough.
To add the water to the dough mixture, pour it into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until it’s evenly distributed. The dough must be kneaded without a mixer until it is smooth and elastic. You may let the dough hook do the job in a stand mixer.
As you add the water and mix, the dough should start to come together and form a cohesive ball. Mix until all the ingredients are evenly combined and the dough is smooth and elastic.
With the water added, your dough is ready for the next step. So pat yourself on the back, and let’s move on to the exciting part of shaping and kneading!
6 – Knead Dough to Develop Gluten
After the dough has been created, the next step is to knead it. The gluten in the dough is developed during the kneading process, which gives the dough its elasticity and structure.
You may use your hands or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for the kneading process. The dough should be turned onto a floured surface and kneaded by hand. If you have a stand mixer, you may use the dough hook to save time.
Although kneading dough is very straightforward, it might take a while. The dough has to be worked on for 5-10 minutes or until it is smooth and elastic. The dough will become more flexible and easy to work with as the gluten strengthens throughout kneading.
Smooth and elastic dough that isn’t too sticky is a sign that it’s done. If it’s too sticky, add more flour, a pinch at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
Once the dough has been kneaded appropriately, you may proceed to the next stage. Get a standing ovation from me, and let’s get set to let the dough rise.
7 – Place Dough in Greased Bowl
Now that your dough is kneaded to perfection, it’s time to place it in a greased bowl for rising. This is an important step, as it allows the yeast to ferment and produce gas, making the dough rise and become fluffy.
To prepare the bowl, grease it with a little bit of oil or cooking spray. That way, the dough won’t adhere to the bowl and can be easily removed afterward.
To proceed, oil a basin and flip the dough into it so that all sides are lubricated. This will prevent the dough from drying out as rapidly.
Cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap to speed up the rising process and place it in a warm spot. Depending on the temperature and humidity of your kitchen, this might take anywhere from thirty minutes to several hours.
As the dough rises, it will double in size and become more fluffy and light. When the dough has risen to your liking, it will be ready to shape into pizza crusts and bake.
8 – Cover Dough for Rising
With your dough placed in a greased bowl, it’s time to cover it and let it rise. This step is crucial, as it allows the yeast to ferment and produce gas, making the dough rise and become fluffy.
To cover the dough, place a clean cloth or plastic wrap over the top of the bowl. Ensure the cloth or plastic wrap is secure so no air can get in and dry out the dough.
It’s time to let the dough rise now. The time needed for the dough to rise is variable and is affected by several factors, including kitchen temperature and humidity, yeast type, and amount of flour used. It might take as little as 30 minutes or as long as a few hours for the dough to double.
You’ll see the dough become more fluffy and light as it rises. When the dough has risen to your liking, it will be ready to shape into pizza crusts and bake!
So, grab a book or watch a movie, and let the dough do its thing. With a little patience, you’ll have the perfect pizza dough ready to bake into delicious, crispy crusts.
9 – Let Dough Rise for 1-2 Hours
With the dough covered and placed in a warm, draft-free location, it’s time to let it rise. This is a crucial step in the pizza-making process, as it allows the yeast to ferment and produce gas, making the dough fluffy.
The time needed for the dough to rise is variable and is affected by several factors, including kitchen temperature and humidity, yeast type, and amount of flour used. The dough has to rise for at least two hours, preferably more.
You’ll see the dough become more fluffy and light as it rises. This is a good sign that the yeast is doing its job and that the dough is ready to be shaped into pizza crusts and baked.
To keep an eye on the dough as it rises, lift the cloth or plastic wrap every 30 minutes to see how it’s progressing. When the dough has risen to your liking, it will be ready to shape into crusts and bake!
So, please sit back, relax, and let the yeast do its magic. In no time, you’ll have the perfect pizza dough ready to bake into delicious, crispy crusts.
10 – Punch Down Risen Dough
After letting the dough rise for 1-2 hours, it’s time to punch it down. This step is essential, as it helps to remove any large pockets of air that have formed in the dough.
To punch down the dough, use your fist to push down on the center of the dough gently. Then, fold the dough over on itself a few times until all the air has been released.
Once you’ve punched down the dough, it’s time to shape it into pizza crusts. This can be done by dividing the dough into equal pieces and then rolling each piece out into a circle or oval shape.
Punching down the dough may seem like a small step, but it’s crucial to the overall success of your pizza. Removing the air pockets will ensure that your crust will be crispy and chewy, not airy and tough.
So, grab your rolling pin and shape some pizza crusts. With some elbow grease, you’ll have perfectly formed dough, ready-topped and baked to perfection.
11 – Divide Dough into Pieces
With the risen and punched-down dough in front of you, it’s time to divide it into pieces. This step is pretty straightforward and will allow you to make multiple pizza crusts with a single batch of dough.
To divide the dough, use a sharp knife or dough cutter to slice it into equal pieces. The size of each piece will depend on the size of the pizza you want to make. For example, if you want to make individual-sized pizzas, you’ll need to divide the dough into smaller pieces.
After the dough has been cut into portions, you may roll them into balls by tucking the sides under and then gently pressing the bottoms together. This will aid in making a dough ball that can be rolled out into a uniform crust.
So, get ready to get your hands messy and divide that dough like a pro. In no time, you’ll have multiple pizza crusts ready to be topped with your favorite ingredients.
12 – Form Dough into Balls
With the dough divided into pieces, it’s time to form each part into a ball. This step is about shaping the dough into a smooth, round ball that’s easy to work with.
To form the dough into balls, tuck the edges of each piece under and gently pinch them together at the bottom. Keep working the dough in your hands until it’s formed into a smooth, round ball.
Handling the dough gently during this step is essential, as over-kneading it can result in a tough and chewy crust. The goal is to create a ball of dough that’s firm but still pliable so that it’s easy to roll out into a pizza crust.
With your dough balls formed, you can place them onto a lightly floured surface, cover them with a clean kitchen towel, and let them rest for a few minutes. This will allow the gluten in the dough to relax, making it even easier to work with.
So, go ahead and form those dough balls, and get ready to take your pizza game to the next level.
13 – Let Dough Balls Rest
With your dough balls formed and ready to go, it’s time to let them rest. This step is about allowing the gluten in the dough to relax so that it’s even easier to work with when you roll it out into a pizza crust.
Dough balls can be rested on a lightly floured board, covering them with a clean kitchen towel, and let sit for a few minutes. Because the gluten in the dough will have had time to relax, the dough will become more malleable and manageable.
Handling the dough gently during this step is essential, as over-kneading can result in a tough and chewy crust. So, take it easy, and let your dough balls rest.
With your dough balls rested, you’re ready to roll them out into pizza crusts, top them with your favorite ingredients, and bake them to perfection.
So, go ahead and let those dough balls rest, and get ready to enjoy some seriously delicious pizza.
14 – Preheat the Oven for Pizza
With your dough balls rested and ready to go, it’s time to preheat your oven for pizza. This step is about getting your oven to the perfect temperature for baking your pizza.
To preheat your oven for pizza, set it to the desired temperature, typically around 425°F to 450°F. Let your oven preheat for at least 15-20 minutes to be evenly heated and ready to bake your pizza.
Different ovens can vary in temperature, so it’s always a good idea to use an oven thermometer to check the temperature and make any necessary adjustments. This will help ensure that your pizza bakes evenly, with a crispy crust and melted cheese.
With your oven preheated, you’re ready to roll out your dough, top it with your favorite ingredients, and bake your pizza to perfection.
So, go ahead and preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a delicious, oven-baked pizza in no time.
15 – Roll Out Dough for Pizza
With your rested dough balls and preheated oven, it’s time to roll out your dough for pizza. This step involves getting your dough to the perfect shape and size for your pizza.
Start dusting your work surface with flour to roll out your dough. Then, gently press one of your dough balls into a flat disk, and use a rolling pin to roll it out into your desired shape and size.
If you’re new to rolling out dough, don’t worry! It takes a bit of practice, but with a little elbow grease and a steady hand, you’ll be rolling out perfect pizza dough in no time.
As you roll out your dough, turn it often, and add more flour as needed to prevent it from sticking to your work surface or rolling pin. You can also use your hands to gently stretch the dough out to your desired size if you prefer.
With your dough rolled out, it’s time to add your toppings and bake your pizza to perfection. So, go ahead and roll out your dough, and get ready for a delicious, hot-out-of-the-oven pizza in no time.
16 – Add Toppings to Pizza Dough
Now that you’ve got your rolled-out pizza dough, it’s time to add the toppings. This is where the fun starts, and you get creative with your pizza toppings.
There’s no right or wrong way to add toppings to your pizza. Some people like to start with a layer of sauce, while others like to start with cheese. Some people like to add their toppings in a specific order, while others go for it and add everything at once.
Possible condiments are as varied as the pizza itself. It’s easy to get a pizza that suits your tastes, including pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, olives, onions, and garlic. Avoid piling on too many toppings, or your pizza’s crust may get mushy.
When adding your toppings, distribute them evenly across the pizza. This will help ensure that each slice of pizza is packed with flavor and has the right balance of toppings.
With your toppings added, it’s time to bake your pizza to perfection. So, go ahead and get creative with your toppings, and get ready for a delicious, hot-out-of-the-oven pizza!
17 – Bake Pizza to Perfection
It’s finally time to bake your pizza to perfection! This is where all your hard work and patience pay off, and you enjoy a hot, fresh, and delicious pizza.
Pizzas are best cooked in a dedicated pizza oven for the best results and a consistently crisp crust. Before placing your pizza in the oven, ensure it’s at the right temperature (around 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
Pizzas baked on pizza stones or baking sheets tend to cook more evenly than those baked directly on the oven rack. The crust will burn slower this way.
Place your pizza in the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and the dough is golden brown. Pizzas can burn quickly, so keep an eye on them in the oven and remove them as soon as they reach the desired doneness.
Please don’t cut into your freshly baked pizza for a minute or two after taking it out of the oven. There’s no more to say. You have successfully created your homemade pizza. Enjoy.
Conclusion: How Do Pizza Shops Make Their Dough
In conclusion, it’s easy and satisfying to make pizza dough from scratch, despite its complexity. Each step—from measuring the ingredients to letting the dough rise to shape the dough into balls to baking it to perfection—is critical in achieving the desired crust and flavor.
Whether you’re an experienced pizza maker or just getting started, these instructions will help you make a dough that everyone will love. Also, you never know; maybe someday you’ll establish your pizzeria.
Making your pizza dough from home is a great way to save money and give yourself complete control over the quality of the materials you use. So the next time you’re hungry for pizza, make the dough yourself and experience the difference.
That’s all I’ve got for you guys, A detailed explanation of the pizza dough-making process. It’s pizza time, so get your hands dirty.
Jeff Smith is a Restaurant Consultant with over 20 years of hospitality experience ranging from server to owner and general manager. He focuses on Restaurant POS technology as well as restaurant marketing. Make sure to check out our world famous restaurant resources page for a comprehensive offering of hand picked resources and tools to help your business. You can also check out some of our other restaurant business articles.
