Fresh, stone-baked pizza straight from a proper Mediterranean oven is one of my all-time favorite foods. I consider myself a foodie with a mature palate, and I would gladly trade any hot meal for a really good pizza. I love it.
Pizza is versatile: it works for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack. Serve miniature pizzas as starters, invite friends and offer each person a different topping, or try a sweet pizza for dessert. This article focuses on the most basic version — a perfect crust for a simple tomato sauce.
I learned to make pizza at home because dining out every time felt excessive and frozen or takeout pizzas don’t satisfy a true pizza lover. Below is a straightforward guide to a reliable, tasty pizza crust you can top any way you like.
Basic Pizza Crust
The Greedy Vegan
45 minutes
15 minutes
1 hour
2 small pizzas.
608 kcal
Ingredients
- 350 g 2 ½ cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoon dry yeast
- 250 ml 1 cup lukewarm water
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
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In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, salt and sugar, then make a well in the center. Add half the lukewarm water and the yeast, and let it sit about 5 minutes at room temperature. Add the remaining water and mix lightly with a fork until combined. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes.
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You can use a stand mixer or food processor to knead the dough, but many bakers prefer hand-kneading for texture. Knead until the dough forms a soft, non-sticky ball that springs back when pressed.
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Place the dough ball in a lightly floured bowl, dust the top with a little flour, and cover with a kitchen towel. Let it rest in a warm spot until it doubles in size, about 30–45 minutes.
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Preheat your oven to its highest temperature. Real pizza is baked in very hot stone ovens, so the hotter the oven the better.
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Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface, divide it into two balls, and roll each into a pizza base. If you don’t have a pizza stone, pizza pans work well—lightly grease them with oil so the dough won’t stick and the crust stays crisp.
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Add your favorite sauce and toppings, then bake in the preheated oven for about 10–15 minutes, until the crust is crisp and edges are golden. Baking time depends on your oven’s maximum temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!