Mastering homemade pizza: Secrets to perfect dough every time

Homemade pizza is one of those dishes that can easily become a culinary hit in any kitchen. Its simplicity, combined with the ability to add your favourite ingredients, makes it one of the more popular choices. Whether you prefer classic flavours or more exotic compositions, it all starts with the dough.

The essential ingredients for the dough include type 00 flour, warm water, yeast, sugar, salt, and olive oil. These ingredients are key to achieving the perfect dough consistency, which will be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside after baking.

Why is type 00 flour the best for pizza dough? First and foremost, type 00 flour is very finely ground, making it perfectly smooth and delicate. This fine grinding allows for an elastic dough preparation, which is crucial during kneading and forming the pizza base.

Type 00 flour also features a higher gluten content, making the dough more stretchable.

Ingredients for the pizza dough:

• 500 grams of type 00 flour
• 50 grams of fresh yeast or 7 grams of instant yeast
• 400 mL of warm water (approximately 14 fluid ounces)
• 2 teaspoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• Salt to taste, usually around 1-2 teaspoons

First, prepare a starter from the yeast. In a small bowl, mix the yeast with warm water and sugar and set aside for a few minutes so the yeast can start working and create tiny bubbles on the surface of the mixture. This is a sign that they have started working. After activating the yeast, combine it with sieved flour, a pinch of salt, and olive oil, and begin mixing the ingredients.

How to knead pizza dough: The next step is to knead the dough properly. Place the dough on a pastry board or a kitchen countertop lightly sprinkled with flour and begin to knead it gently. Knead for at least 15 minutes. The finished dough should not stick to your hands.

Transfer the finished dough to a bowl greased with olive oil, cover it with a clean cloth, and set aside to rise for at least two hours.

When the dough has risen enough, it's time to proceed to the final stages of preparation for baking. First, gently knead the dough to remove excess air, then divide it into smaller portions. Form each into a round base of preferred thickness.

Spread tomato sauce on the formed base and add your favourite ingredients. There's ample opportunity for experimentation – mozzarella, salami, fresh herbs, or mushrooms will enhance the taste of homemade pizza.

At what temperature do you bake pizza? Preheat the oven to 230 degrees Celsius (approximately 450 degrees Fahrenheit), allowing for a crispy crust while keeping the inside of the dough soft and delicate. Place the prepared pizza on the lower shelf of the oven and bake for about 8-10 minutes, constantly checking the degree of doneness. The baking time may vary depending on the size of the pizza.