Do you want to learn how to take your pizza dough to the next level? Then keep reading.
You should never underestimate the importance of pizza dough when making pizza. It provides that base upon which the rest of the pizza is built and is the foundation of flavour. That’s why, so often, your pizza dough is the defining element of whether the finished product is delicious or disgusting.
So, if you want to make the best possible at-home pizza, here are five ways to take your pizza dough to the next level:
1. Make it From Scratch
It may sound obvious, but the most basic way of achieving next level pizza dough is by making it yourself from scratch rather than buying a pre-made base from the supermarket.
A lot of people tend to shy away from making pizza dough from scratch, thinking that it’s too difficult, messy or time-consuming. But trust us, making pizza dough from scratch is the number one way of taking your pizza dough to the next level.
Making pizza dough from scratch often isn’t as difficult as people seem to think. It is essentially just four ingredients: yeast, flour, water and oil. While it may take a little more time an effort than using a ready-made pizza base, the end result is definitely worth it.
2. Choose the Right Flour
When making pizza dough, try to opt for bread flour rather than regular flour. This kind of flour contains more protein other kinds of flour, which turns into gluten when kneaded. It is this gluten that gives incredible pizza its iconic and deliciously chewy texture and what separates gourmet pizza from all the other pizzas out there.
If you’re trying to make your pizza a little healthier, you can also opt for whole wheat or buckwheat flour, which is usually less processed than regular flour and therefore contains more fibre.
3. Knead the Dough to Perfection
One of the most common mistakes people make when making pizza dough from scratch is failing to knead it enough. Kneading dough to perfection takes time, patience and a fair amount of strength.
When you knead pizza dough, you’re doing more than just combining all the ingredients; you’re changing the molecular structure of the gluten in the dough. This is because as you knead the dough the proteins that are found in gluten line up to form chains of amino acids, creating a matrix within the dough.
You’ll know your dough has been kneaded enough when you can pinch a bit of it between your two thumbs and forefingers, gently stretch it and it is able to form a thin translucent layer without breaking.
4. Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Proofing
Nobody likes waiting but waiting for your dough to proof is an essential part of making the perfect pizza dough. After all, good things come to those who wait.
Once you have kneaded your dough, you’ll want to leave it to rise. How long you do this for will depend on the temperature of the place you put it in: the warmer it is, the faster it will rise; the colder it is, the slower it will rise.
Proofing occurs due to the yeast eating sugars in the flour, resulting in carbon dioxide bubbles forming throughout the dough. This process not only gives your dough a light and airy texture, but can also improve its flavour.
5. Stretch It, Don’t Roll It
Years of seeing pizza being made in movies and on TV has led a lot of people to believe that rolling pizza dough out is how you get its round shape. In fact, tossing pizza is a much more accurate portrayal of pizza formation.
You shouldn’t actually need a rolling pin when making your pizza dough – stretching is a much more effective method of shaping it. Much like kneading, stretching your pizza dough will help with gluten formation, which ultimately helps your dough to be the perfect balance of chewy and crunchy. And remember, when shaping pizza, it doesn’t necessarily have to be perfectly round. Having an imperfectly shaped pizza base can actually add to its artisanal charm.
Want Next Level Pizza Dough Without the Fuss?
If you’re craving exceptional pizza made on incredible pizza dough but can’t be bothered to make it yourself, get in touch with 11 Inch Pizza. Available for delivery throughout Melbourne’s inner-city suburbs, each and every pizza dough is still hand-kneaded to perfection.
We use traditional Italian techniques as well as everything we’ve learnt over the years to consistently create perfect pizza dough. When you choose 11 Inch Pizza, you don’t have to worry about receiving bland or cardboard-like pizza; we guarantee that every single pizza will feature a deliciously chewy and flavourful pizza base.
Get in touch with 11 Inch Pizza or order online today for the perfect pizza experience.
