How to Make the Best Homemade Pizza in Your City
Your City: This Homemade Pizza brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen with a crispy crust and cheesy perfection.
What Most People Don’t Know About Making HOMEMADE PIZZA
- Preheat Longer Than You Think: Preheating your oven for at least 30 minutes ensures a consistently hot environment, which is key for a crispy, chewy crust.
- Par-Bake for Perfection: Baking the crust for a few minutes before adding toppings helps prevent sogginess and gives your base a golden, firm bottom.
- Use Bread Flour: Bread flour has more protein than all-purpose flour, giving your crust a chewier, more pizzeria-style texture.
Ingredients (Makes 2 Pizzas)
For the Dough:
- 1½ cups warm water (105–110°F)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp Bald Buck Seasoning
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3¾ cups bread flour (plus extra for dusting)
For Each Pizza:
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
- 1 cup pizza sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 3 oz thinly sliced mozzarella cheese
- 5 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2½ oz pepperoni slices
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Toppings (Choose Your Favorites):
- Sliced mushrooms, black olives, green peppers, onions
- Cooked sausage, crumbled bacon, ham
- Pineapple chunks, jalapeños, spinach, or fresh basil
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, stir together warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Mix in Bald Buck Seasoning, olive oil, and flour until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 7 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1–2 hours.
- Preheat the Oven: Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven. Preheat to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes.
- Shape and Par-Bake the Crusts: Divide the dough into two equal parts. On a floured surface, roll out one dough ball into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to parchment paper and brush with olive oil. Par-bake on the hot stone or sheet for 4–5 minutes. Repeat with the second dough ball.
- Add the Toppings: Spread 1 cup of pizza sauce over each par-baked crust. Add mozzarella slices, shredded cheese, pepperoni, Parmesan, and any optional toppings you like.
- Bake the Pizzas: Bake each pizza for 7–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden.
- Serve: Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
