How to Make a Delicious Pizza Base at Home

Creating a pizza base at home can yield some of the most delicious and personalized pizzas. Whether you are a pizza lover or you simply want to add a new culinary challenge to your repertoire, learn how to make a no knead crust and a traditional pizza dough recipe for perfect pizza at home.

Artisan No Knead Pizza Crust

Trying a no knead crust can be an interesting and rewarding experiment. For this recipe, you only need some milk, yeast, olive oil, sugar, and flour to create an artisan-style pizza base.

Begin by assembling the ingredients: 1.25 cups of milk, 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and as much flour as needed. Whisk together the milk, yeast, and sugar until the yeast is dissolved. If you have milk that is almost sour, this method is perfect for using it up. Start whisking in the flour, a little at a time, until you achieve a smooth consistency. Then, add 1 teaspoon of salt and keep whisking until the mixture can be easily cleaned off the whisk. Switch to a spoon or spatula and continue adding flour until the mixture forms a sticky, tacky ball of dough. Place the dough in a clean, oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Let it sit at room temperature for at least 12 hours, but 20 hours is even better. About 3 hours before you plan to use the dough, punch it down to release any air. You can then knead in a little more flour and shape it into a slightly flattened circle. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes before using it as a pizza base.

Simple Pizza Dough Recipe

For those who prefer a traditional pizza dough, here's a simple recipe to follow:

Combine 1 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of dry yeast, and a pinch of sugar in a large bowl. Mix well. In a small bowl, stir together 1 cup of tepid water (approximately 110°F) with the yeast and a tablespoon of olive oil. Let the yeast rise for a few minutes until bubbles start to appear on the surface. Meanwhile, in a new bowl, mix 1.5 cups of flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. Combine the two mixtures and knead until they start to come together as a dough. If needed, knead for about 5 minutes. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and leave it in a warm place until it doubles in size. This process usually takes about 1 hour. Pre-shape the dough and let it rise again, about 30 minutes. This dough is now ready to make pizza bases.

Detailed Homemade Pizza Recipe

If you're ready to make a whole pizza, here's a comprehensive guide to homemade pizza bases:

Start by mixing the flours and salt in a large bowl. In a small bowl, stir 1 cup of warm water (about 110°F) with the yeast and olive oil. Let the yeast rise and then pour this mixture into the flour and knead with your hands until dough forms. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and set it aside to rest for 15 minutes. Divide the dough into equal parts and shape each into a ball. Use a rolling pin to roll out each ball into a rotis-style shape, making it thinner if you prefer a thinner crust. Brush the crust with a thin layer of olive oil and top with your favorite toppings. Transfer the pizza onto a hot stone in a preheated oven (500°F) and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and crisp on the edges.

Now that you have these methods at your disposal, why not give them a try and experiment with different toppings and flavors? Homemade pizza bases are the best way to get the perfect balance of crispiness and chewiness, making for a truly memorable pizza experience. Happy cooking!