Step by step: Basic pizza dough

Serves: 4 (makes enough for 1 large or 4 small pizzas)

Time to make: 10 mins , plus 30 mins proving

Ingredients

More weights & measures

1 cup plain flourall purpose flourX plus extra for kneading

½ cup wholemeal flour

8g sachet dried yeast

pinch of salt

½ teaspoon dried basil or mixed herbs

about ⅔ cup lukewarm water

cooking spray oil, to grease

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Instructions

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1 Place flours in a large bowl with yeast, salt and dried herbs. Make a well in the centre. Use a palette knife or wooden spoon to mix in just enough water to bind mixture.

2 Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 minutes to form a smooth (not sticky) ball. Use a little extra flour if you need to.

3 Spray a bowl and plastic wrap with a little oil spray. Place dough in bowl and cover with wrap. Set aside in a warm, draft-free place to prove (rise) for about 30 minutes.

4 Check dough has proved – when a finger is pressed on the dough, it will spring back a little.

5 Once dough is proved, use your fist or knuckle to punch down on dough. Turn out on a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth.

6 Prepare dough for your favourite topping. Roll out dough to make 1 large pizza, or 4 smaller pizzas.

Variations

Use this dough to make delicious Chicken and capsicum pizza.

HFG tip

Keep it warm. Make sure the kitchen and utensils are warm before you start making dough. Your dough will rise more quickly – about 30 minutes for one quantity of our basic recipe.
Lukewarm water added to flour activates yeast, which enables the dough to rise. Be careful – hot water ‘kills’ yeast. ‘Hand-hot’ water is ideal.
Invest in a pizza pan if you’re a pizza fan. Forming a standard round pizza will be easier and if you buy one with a perforated disc, air can circulate easily for a crisp crust.
Plastic wrap is ideal for covering dough once it’s kneaded. Spray plastic lightly with oil to prevent any sticking to the dough.
Always preheat the oven before cooking pizza.

Nutrition Info (per serve)

No nutrition information available for this recipe.

Note: This nutrition analysis is a guide only. Nutrition composition will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. See our guides on your optimal daily nutrition intake, and supermarket shopping.