How to make crispy, fragrant Pizza at home – simple recipe

If you love delicious pizzas but don’t want to go out due to concerns about price, taste, or simply want to create your own custom pizzas, this article is for you! X-BBQ will guide you on how to make a pizza with a crispy, airy crust and delicious, easy-to-find toppings in just about 5 minutes. Let’s explore this simple recipe to make tasty pizza right at home.

5 Key ingredients for a delicious Pizza:

• Sourdough starter (Levain or Poolish): A sourdough starter adds a rich, complex flavor to the dough thanks to the overnight fermentation process.
• Bread flour: Bread flour has a high protein content (12.7%), which helps the dough become elastic, easy to stretch, and maintain a neutral flavor that enhances the pizza toppings.
• Olive oil: Olive oil makes the dough more elastic and easier to shape, while also contributing to a crispy, light crust when baked.
• Warm water: Water at a temperature of about 78°F (25.5°C) accelerates the fermentation process, ensuring that the yeast works efficiently.
• Fine sea salt: Fine sea salt dissolves easily and provides a uniform salty flavor. Coarse salt or iodized salt is not suitable, as it can affect the dough’s texture.

Combining these ingredients creates the perfect pizza dough—soft, chewy, and crisp

How to make Pizza

To make the perfect pizza, you need to prepare all the ingredients for the crust, your favorite toppings, and a good oven. The process of making the pizza dough can be quite intricate; if you’re not careful, the crust can turn out soggy or lack the right elasticity when shaping. Another important factor is temperature; only when the oven reaches the right heat will the crust become perfectly crispy as desired. Let’s explore the detailed steps to create a delicious pizza, from preparing the ingredients to baking it in the oven.

How to prepare Pizza dough

Ingredients:

• Warm water (around 80°F): 510ml
• Levain starter: 235g
• Bread flour: 850g (prepare extra for dusting while shaping the dough)
• Salt: 16g
• Olive oil: 20g (prepare extra for greasing)

Instructions

Stage 1:

• In a large bowl, combine the water and yeast, stirring until the yeast is fully dissolved.
• Add the bread flour and salt, then mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough until it no longer sticks to your hands.
• Add the olive oil to the dough and let it rest for about 1 hour.

Stage 2:

• After the dough has rested, begin stretching and folding it. Start from the farthest edge of the bowl, pull the dough, and press down on the center. Repeat this 4 times, rotating the bowl 90 degrees each time.
• Fold the freshly stretched dough underneath itself, then let it rest for another hour. Afterward, repeat the folding process on the other side.

Stage 3:

• Divide the dough into equal portions.
• Let the dough rise again:
  • Quick Rise: Leave it at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate for 1-5 hours.
  • Long Rise for More Complex Flavor: Refrigerate for 6 hours to 3 days for a deeper flavor.

Prepare the Pizza sauce

• Muir Glen tomato sauce
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Minced garlic: 2 cloves
• Fresh oregano, chopped: 2.5 teaspoons
• Salt: ¾ teaspoon
• Black pepper: ¼ teaspoon

Prepare the toppings

• Mozzarella cheese (fresh or shredded)
• Vegetables: Mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, olives
• Cooked meats: Bacon, sausage, chicken, fish, seafood
• Herbs: Basil, mint, oregano, fresh basil leaves
• Olives (pitted and torn into pieces)

Shaping the Pizza dough:

• Gently press down on the dough with your hands to form a round or oval shape. Start from the center of the dough and use your fingertips to press down, stretching and thickening the dough evenly. As the dough begins to thin out, gently rotate it, using your hands to pull the dough outward. Be careful not to tear or over-stretch the dough.
• You can also use a rolling pin to roll the dough out evenly. Roll from the center outwards to maintain an even thickness for the crust.

|See more: Types of pizza crust

Check the size and shape:

• Make sure the dough is the right size for your baking tray. The typical pizza dough has a diameter of about 25-30 cm (depending on your preferences and oven size). If the dough is uneven or too thick, you can adjust it by hand.

Create a thick crust (Optional):

• If you prefer a thicker crust, gently fold the edges of the dough over to create a higher rim. This is also the area where you can brush on some olive oil or melted butter to achieve a golden color when baking.

Ready to bake:

• Once shaped, the pizza dough is ready for you to add your sauce, cheese, and favorite toppings before placing it in the oven.

Tip:

• To make the crust extra crispy, you can pre-bake the dough before adding the toppings, called the “par-bake” method. Bake the dough for about 5 minutes at high heat before adding sauce and toppings.
• If the dough contracts when stretching, let it rest for a few minutes to make it easier to stretch.

Finishing the Pizza

Spread the sauce on the Pizza dough:

• Use a spoon to spread the pizza sauce evenly over the surface of the dough. Ensure the sauce covers the dough from the center outwards, but avoid spreading it too close to the edges.

Add the cheese:

• Once the sauce is evenly spread, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top. The cheese is the first and essential layer to help the toppings stick to the pizza. Spread the cheese evenly across the pizza. You can also add a bit of Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Add the toppings:

• After the cheese, add your favorite toppings. These may include:
  • Meats: Evenly distribute slices of pepperoni, sausage, chicken, or bacon on top of the cheese.
  • Vegetables: Add vegetables such as mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or olives.
• Ensure the toppings are spread evenly over the pizza to prevent overcrowding, allowing the pizza to cook evenly.

Bake the Pizza:

• Once the pizza is assembled, preheat a pizza stone in the oven at 230-250°C (450-475°F) for 15-30 minutes. Then, place the pizza in the oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes (depending on the thickness of the dough and the amount of toppings). The cheese will melt, and the toppings will blend together.

Add seasoning and olive oil:

• Sprinkle some oregano, basil, minced garlic, or fresh basil leaves on top of the pizza. These herbs will enhance the aroma and flavor.
• If desired, you can brush a layer of olive oil over the surface of the pizza to create a glossy finish and give it a golden color when baked.

Serve:

• Once the pizza is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice it into pieces and enjoy while it’s still hot. You can add fresh basil or your favorite spices before serving.

Tips for adding toppings:

• Don’t overload with toppings: To prevent the pizza from becoming too heavy or soggy, balance the amount of toppings. Too many toppings can make the pizza wet and difficult to cook evenly.
• Add toppings after baking (Optional): If you’re using delicate toppings like greens (basil, arugula) or fresh vegetables, you can add them after the pizza has baked to preserve their freshness and vibrant colors.

Conclusion:

We hope that with this simple and easy pizza recipe, you’ll be able to create delicious homemade pizzas without needing to go out. From preparing the dough to choosing colorful toppings, each step can be customized to your personal taste, resulting in a truly unique and creative dish. Try it today and enjoy a wonderful meal with family and friends. Wishing you success and a fun culinary experience with your homemade pizza!