Simple Pizza Crust

Place 1 cup of flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl and mix to combine. Use bread flour if you have it, but I’ve used all-purpose many, many times and it’s fine, too.

Add 1 1/3 cups very warm tap water and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Mix well. Add additional flour, about another 1 1/2 cups until dough forms a loose ball. Knead for 3-5 minutes. Cover and allow dough to rise for about an hour. Rising time is somewhat flexible. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it after 15-30 minutes if I was in a hurry. Divide dough into four portions.

Place each portion on a sprayed pizza pan or cookie sheet and pat out into about a 12-inch circle. I know some people toss pizza dough or stretch it somehow, but the best way I’ve found to deal with pizza dough is to press it out using the flat part of my fingers. Keep trying, experience goes a long way.

If your dough is sticky, add a little extra flour. If it resists stretching, let it rest for a little bit. A minute or two can make a big difference.

Preheat your oven to 425 F. Use a fork to poke holes all over the pizza dough. Bake for about 5-9 minutes until crust is set but make sure to remove it from the oven before it begins to brown too much.

Add pizza sauce, desired toppings and shredded cheese, usually mozzarella. Bake for an additional 5-7 minutes. Remove from oven when cheese is melted.