The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipes

OVERNIGHT PIZZA DOUGH RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large bowl or measuring cup combine warm water (110 F), yeast, sugar, and oil. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula and set aside to foam for 3 mins.Pro-tip- instant yeast does not need to be activated but I like to ensure my yeast is good and working for me. You may choose to add all ingredients directly to the flour.
• Measure the flour and salt in a mixing bowl or stand mixer with the dough hook. Add the yeast mixture and combine well.Pro-tip - if you do not like kneading I highly recommend using a stand mixer with the hook attachment.
• Knead - By hand - transfer to a well-dusted worktop and knead for 3 minutes - Stand mixer - once all the flour is well incorporated knead on medium for 2 minutes Pro tip - since we have less yeast in this dough and we are going to leave it overnight we do not need to knead to for too long.
• When the dough is soft, shiny, but still slightly sticky shape into a ball. Place the dough in an oiled bowl seam side down. Coat the surface with oil to prevent drying. Cover bowl with plastic wrap.
• Then, place into the refrigerator overnight - up to 24 hours.
• The next day, take the bowl out of the fridge at least 2 hours before you plan to use it. Then, turn the dough out onto a well-dusted floured work surface. De-gas, reshape into a ball. Then roll into a small log. Pro-tip - at this point there is no need for additional flour. So use a light dusting of flour
• Divide the dough into three (for 3 x 12-inch thin-crust pizzas) or two equal pieces (for 2 x 12-inch thick-crust pizzas). Place the balls of dough on a baking sheet.Pro tip - Let the dough rest again for 10 minutes (it will become easier to stretch).
• Preheat oven with pizza stone for at 425°F/220°C/Gas Mark 6 for at least 20 minutes. Pro tip - the pizza must go into a very hot oven only then will you get a good balance of soft, chewy and golden crust.
• Roll one piece of dough to about 12 inches. The dough is soft and elastic you can stretch the dough with your hand to preserve the air bubbles or use a rolling pin. Transfer pizza to the pizza peel or pizza pan (see video).Pro tip - Place parchment paper on a pizza peel or use a pizza tray (parchment is less messy than cornmeal dust or flour).
• Let the pizza base rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Brush the edges of the pizza with olive oil. Pro tip - resting will proof the dough and make those edges puff when baked. Brushing with oil will give a nice golden crisp crust.
• Spread the pizza sauce and add your toppings. Generously sprinkle with cheese - I like to use a mix of mozzarella, parmesan, and cheddar.
• Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven from the pizza peel to the pizza stone (or baking tray).
• Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are crisp and golden and the cheese is melted beautifully. Top with fresh basil leaves.
• Pizza is best eaten fresh out of the oven. Be careful of hot melting cheese especially when serving kids.

OVERNIGHT PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• In mixer bowl, thoroughly combine the flour and salt and make a well in the center. In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine the yeast, olive oil, and lukewarm water. Pour the wet mixture into the well in the dry mixture and begin mixing the two together with dough hook, gradually incorporating the dry into the wet. After about 3 minutes, when the wet and dry are well combined, turn off the mixer and let it rest, uncovered, for 15 minutes. This allows time for the flour to absorb the moisture.
• Turn the mixer back on and knead the mixture for about 3 minutes. The dough will be moist and sticky, but after a few minutes of kneading it should come together into a smooth mass; add a teaspoon of flour at a time if it seems too wet. Divide the dough into 2 pieces, shape them gently into balls, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 24 and up to 48 hours before using. This process, called proofing, allows for the fermentation that gives the dough structure-which means a chewy, pliable crust-and flavor. One ball with make one thin-crust 12" pizza, enough to serve 2 people generously. The other one can be frozen and used another time; thaw in refrigerator for several hours.
• TO COOK: Preheat oven to 450 or 500 F., with baking stone on center rack; allow to heat at least 45 minutes.
• Place ball of dough on a floured counter, cover loosely with plastic wrap. When dough is a puffy, after about 30 minutes, gently press with fingertips and stretch it into a 12" circle - it will most likely be uneven in shape. Don't roll with a rolling pin, as that flattens all the bubbles and lightness in the dough. Lift the round, stretch the top edge gently, and let the weight pull it larger. Sprinkle a peel or rimless baking sheet with some semolina or cornmeal and AP flour. Place stretched dough onto peel, allow to rest 5 - 10 minutes. Spread crust with 3-4 oz. pizza sauce, any meat or veggie toppings, and 4 oz. grated mozzarella. Slide from peel onto heated stone , bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese begins to brown and crust is nicely browned. If you are using cooked meat topping, you can bake it without cheese for about 5 minutes to heat through and firm up the crust, then add cheese and bake for another 5 minutes.