Pizza is a dish that has been around for centuries. There is something about pizza that just makes everyone happy. Whether you’re a college student who loves nothing more than a cheap and easy meal or a foodie who appreciates the artisanal pies made with the finest ingredients, pizza is always a crowd-pleaser.
If you’ve never made your own before, don’t be intimidated – it’s actually quite simple! This guide will teach you how to knead pizza dough like a pro. Let’s get started!
Kneading pizza dough is not difficult, but it does take a little time and effort. The goal is to work the dough to be stretchy and elastic. This will result in a chewy crust with a nice bite to it.
What Will Happen if You Can Not Knead Dough Correctly?
If you can not knead dough correctly, the end result will be a pizza with an uneven crust. The dough will be too sticky or dry, making it difficult to work with and leading to an unsatisfactory finished product. Learning how to knead pizza dough is a simple process that anyone can do with a little practice. So you can understand how much important kneading can be in making pizza.
Few Things You Should Know While Kneading Pizza Dough
There are a few things you should know while kneading pizza dough. Such as:
- Make sure you have plenty of flour on hand to keep the dough from sticking to your hands or the counter.
- Use firm, steady pressure when kneading the dough.
- Knead for about 8-10 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- If the dough becomes too sticky, add a little more flour to prevent it from sticking.
- If the dough becomes too dry, add a small amount of water until it returns to the desired consistency.
- Once the dough is kneaded, shape it into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl.
- Cover the dough with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes to an hour before using it to make your pizza.
Kneading pizza dough is an important step in making a great pizza. By taking the time to knead the dough correctly, you will end up with a pizza crust that is evenly textured and has the perfect amount of chewiness.
How to Knead Pizza Dough In Just 7 Steps
Pizza dough is a versatile and forgiving dough to work with. Whether you’re making pizza from scratch or just want to try your hand at the homemade dough, kneading is a critical step in the process. Here’s how to do it like a pro.
Step 1: Use Floured Surface
Start with a lump of dough on a clean, floured surface. Flour your hands and begin to work the dough, folding it over on itself and pressing down with the heels of your hands. Rotate the dough a quarter turn after each fold and press. You have to be firm but not too rough.
Step 2: Continue Kneading
Continue kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic. This will take about 10 minutes of constant work. If the dough becomes too sticky, add more flour a little at a time. Add a few drops of water if it’s too dry and not coming together. Make sure to work the water into the dough completely before adding more. And also, be careful not to add too much water at once or your dough will become sticky.
Step 3: Shape Dough
Once the dough is smooth, shape it into a ball. Place it on a lightly floured surface, cover with a damp towel, and let it rest for 20 minutes. This will allow the gluten in the flour to relax so the dough will be easier to work with. But you have to careful not to let it rest for too long or the dough will become difficult to work with again.
Step 4: Prepare For Baking
After the dough has rested, shape it into a flat disc or whatever shape you like your pizza to be. Place it on a lightly floured baking sheet, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise for 30 minutes. In that case, you have to be more concerned about the temperature and humidity of your kitchen. If it’s too cold, the dough will take longer to rise. If it’s too hot, the yeast will work too quickly and the dough will become over-proofed and collapse.
Step 5: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to the highest setting, at least 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up. In that case, you don’t need to preheat the oven because the stone will be hot enough. So, preheat the oven if you don’t have a pizza stone. But make sure that the oven is hot before putting the pizza in.
Step 6: Roll Dough For Thickness
When the dough has risen, and the oven is hot, stretch or roll the dough out to your desired thickness. Place it on a pizza peel or baking sheet and add your favorite toppings. While placing the toppings on the pizza, be careful not to add too much or the pizza will become soggy. So you have to care about the amount of sauce, cheese, and toppings that you use.
Step 7: Start Baking
Carefully transfer the pizza to the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake the pizza for 10-15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling. If you’re using a pizza stone, slide the pizza onto the stone and bake it directly on the hot surface. Otherwise, bake it on the baking sheet. And that’s it! You’ve just made a delicious pizza right in your own kitchen.
Now that you know how to knead pizza dough, why not try your hand at making some homemade pizza tonight? Just remember to be careful with the amount of sauce, cheese, and toppings that you use. And if you’re using a pizza stone, make sure to preheat the oven so that it’s nice and hot before you slide the pizza onto the stone. With a little practice, you’ll be a pro in no time.
Additional Tips To Knead Pizza Dough
- If the dough is too sticky, add more flour a little at a time. Add a few drops of water if it’s too dry and not coming together. Make sure to work the water into the dough completely before adding more.
- Be careful not to add too much water at once or your dough will become sticky.
- Once the dough is smooth, shape it into a ball. Place it on a lightly floured surface, cover with a damp towel, and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- If it’s too cold, the dough will take longer to rise. If it’s too hot, the yeast will work too quickly, and the dough will become over-proofed and collapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Should You Knead Pizza Dough for?
You should knead pizza dough for about 10 minutes. The dough should be smooth and elastic when you’re done. If it’s too sticky, add more flour a little at a time. Add a few drops of water if it’s too dry and not coming together. Make sure to work the water into the dough completely before adding more.
Can You Over-Knead Pizza Dough?
Yes, you can over-knead pizza dough. If you knead the dough for too long, the gluten will become over-developed and the dough will be tough. So be careful not to over-knead the dough. Make sure to stop as soon as the dough is smooth and elastic.
Do I Need to Let Pizza Dough Rest?
Yes, you should let the pizza dough rest for 20 minutes before shaping it. This will allow the flour’s gluten to relax, making the dough easier to work with. But you have to be careful not to let it rest for too long, or the dough will become difficult to work with again.
Do You Let Pizza Dough Rise Before Kneading?
No, you don’t let pizza dough rise before kneading. The yeast will start to work as soon as it’s mixed into the flour and water. So there’s no need to let the dough rise before kneading. Make sure to knead it for 10 minutes to develop the gluten fully.
How Many Times Should You Let Pizza Dough Rise?
You should let pizza dough rise at least once, but it can be beneficial to let it rise again. Letting it rise a second time will make the dough even more flavorful and tender. But you have to be careful not to let it rise too much, or the dough will become over-proofed and collapse.
Conclusion
Kneading pizza dough is an important step in the pizza-making process. It helps to develop the gluten in the flour, which gives the crust its chewy texture. Kneading also allows for the incorporation of air bubbles into the dough, which makes it light and fluffy.
By following these simple steps, you will get to know how to knead pizza dough, and you can create a delicious and authentic pizza right at home. We hope this guide was helpful and that you’ll be able to make a delicious pizza for your family and friends. Happy cooking!
