Best Water for Pizza Dough: Temperature, Quality, and Hydration

What is the Best Water for Pizza Dough?

Have you ever wondered why your homemade pizza dough never quite reaches the lofty heights of your favorite pizzeria’s crust?

The secret may be hiding right under your nose or flowing from your kitchen tap. The key to a mouthwatering, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside pizza crust lies in the water you use!

But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.

This post is your ultimate guide to understanding the importance of water temperature, quality, and hydration in your quest for the perfect pizza dough.

Uncover this essential ingredient’s mysteries, find the best water for pizza dough, and soon you’ll be wowing friends and family with your pizzeria-worthy creations.

So, let’s get started.

Best Water for Pizza Dough

Water— a key ingredient often overlooked but vital to the perfect crust. The best water for pizza dough is clean, tastes good, and is at the right temperature.

Whichever water you choose, it is integral to achieving the right dough hydration level, significantly influencing the dough’s texture and the finished crust’s quality.

Water plays a crucial role as a hydrator, temperature regulator, and flavor enhancer. Discover the optimal quality and temperature for water in your dough and how to nail the perfect hydration percentage.

Understand these elements, and you’re one step closer to achieving pizza perfection.

Best Water Quality

In terms of quality, if your tap water tastes good and is free from any strong flavors or odors, it’s suitable for making pizza dough.

However, if your tap water has a high chlorine content or any off-flavors, it may interfere with yeast fermentation and dough flavor. In these cases, using filtered or bottled water can be beneficial.

In some styles of pizza, particularly Neapolitan pizza, some chefs swear by using mineral water due to its unique mineral content, but this is generally considered an extra step for the purist and not necessarily a requirement for great pizza dough.

The most important factor is that the water is clean, tastes good, and is at the right temperature to activate your yeast.

Best Water Temperature

The best water for pizza dough is typically lukewarm tap water, which is usually sufficient for most home bakers. It’s essential that the water is not too hot as it can kill the yeast, with the ideal temperature being between 105-110°F (40-43°C) for active dry yeast. Speaking of fermentation, aim to maintain an ambient temperature of around 80°F to ensure the dough develops a beautifully rich and complex flavor.

Best Hydration Percentage

Regarding hydration, a 65% water-to-flour ratio is the sweet spot, balancing pliability and structure for an irresistible texture.

Lastly, don’t fret too much about water quality—any safe and enjoyable water should be more than sufficient for your pizza dough.

By keeping these crucial factors in mind, you’ll be well on your way to pizza dough perfection.

What is the Role of Water in Pizza Dough?

The role of water in pizza dough is multifaceted, serving as a vital component for hydration, gluten development, and yeast fermentation. Water helps bind and hydrate the flour, creating a cohesive dough that is pliable and elastic.

It also aids in the formation of gluten, giving the dough structure and strength.

Additionally, water activates the yeast, facilitating fermentation and contributing to the dough’s flavor and texture.

We are looking for flavor to satisfy our taste buds and be happy. 

So, why do we add water if water doesn’t have any flavor?  

Precisely, the flavor in a pizza crust comes from flour, salt, and yeast. 

Depending on the grain, the flour will have different flavors; the yeast fermentation process sets the tone, and the salt brings that tone to another level.  

All these elements are naturally dry, so we needed to figure out how to combine them without changing harmony. What ingredient is better other than water?

It certainly doesn’t bring any flavor to the equation, but it acts as a binding agent, like the orchestra conductor that brings all his artists together for the perfect symphony.   

The orchestra conductor doesn’t play any instruments, but there wouldn’t be a concert without them.

Water is an essential ingredient in pizza dough, crucial in determining its overall quality and characteristics.

Does Water Make a Difference in Pizza Dough?

Yes, water does make a significant difference in pizza dough. While it may seem like a simple, unassuming ingredient, water plays a crucial role in the dough’s hydration, gluten development, and fermentation process.

The temperature, quality, and quantity of water used can greatly impact the dough’s texture, elasticity, and flavor profile.

By optimizing these factors, you ensure your pizza dough achieves the perfect balance between crispness and tenderness, ultimately elevating your homemade pizza to new culinary heights.

So, don’t underestimate the power of water—give it the attention it deserves, and watch your pizza dough transform!

After flour, water is the second most significant component of pizza dough. 

• Water gets absorbed by the flour, swells up the flour’s starches, and makes the dough sticky.
• Water triggers gluten formation, creating a firm structure in pizza dough.
• Water activates the yeast, so it can begin to grow.
• Hard water with a high mineral content can make your dough tough, while soft water has the opposite effect, causing your dough to be too relaxed.

Accordingly, the best water for pizza dough you use will undoubtedly make a difference in the final result of your crust.

What are the three fundamental components of water that you need to control to make pizza dough?

There are three factors that you need to take very seriously when making pizza at home:

Volume

Temperature

Water Quality

Pizza Dough Water Volume

The volume will measure the amount of water we will introduce to our dough. Depending on how much water you add, there will be a direct effect on the result of your crust.

This water content is known as hydration.

To find which is the best water for pizza dough, you must determine what the correct amount for your taste.

We give you some parameters, but maybe you don’t like the results. You can quickly go up or down on these numbers to reach your own.

Pizza Dough Water Temperature

Pizza dough water temperature is pivotal in achieving the ideal dough consistency and activating the yeast for proper fermentation. The optimal water temperature range for pizza dough is between 95°F and 105°F. Within this range, the yeast thrives, ensuring an even rise and well-developed flavor.

Too hot or too cold water can hinder yeast activity, leading to inconsistent results or even dough that fails to rise. By carefully monitoring and maintaining the appropriate water temperature, you set the stage for a perfect pizza dough that boasts the right texture, elasticity, and taste balance.

If the water is too cold, it will take forever to ferment.

On the other hand, if the water is too hot, it could kill the yeast and not ferment at all.

When activating the yeast for pizza dough, the water should be around 95F to 105F.

Pizza Dough Water Quality

The quality of water used in pizza dough can impact your final product’s overall flavor and texture. While it might not be the first thing that comes to mind, water quality should not be overlooked. Any water that is good enough to drink will generally be suitable for pizza dough.

Tap water, filtered water, or bottled water can all produce excellent results if they are free from impurities or off-flavors that could negatively affect the dough.

In some cases, highly chlorinated tap water may slightly impact the dough’s fermentation process, but filtered water can easily mitigate this. You’ll be one step closer to a delicious, pizzeria-worthy crust by ensuring you use high-quality water in your pizza dough.

What’s in Your Water?

There are three factors professional pizza makers take into consideration concerning the best water for pizza dough these are:

• Hardness
• Purity
• Acidity

Hardness

The hardness is measured to be determining the mineral content in the water. The minerals in your water can directly affect yeast fermentation and the texture of your dough.

Hard water is rich in minerals, usually calcium and magnesium.

For the yeast to live and grow, it needs these minerals to grow faster in hard water.  

Acidity

Pure water is considered neutral and has a PH of about 7. That means it’s neither acidic nor alkaline. 

PH Scale

Most tap water ranges from 6.5 to 8 on the pH scale and works fine for pizza dough.

Purity

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines “pure water” as water free from all types of bacteria and viruses.

But there is more to purity than just that. Water is a compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen, so pure water would be water that contains nothing but hydrogen and oxygen.

However, pure water of this sort typically doesn’t exist except in controlled environments. For homemade pizza, we are not going to worry about it. 

So, if you want to know what’s in your water, just buy a water purity test kit to check the purity of your water.

These tests typically measure chlorine, nitrates, nitrites, minerals such as iron, copper, and lead, and the hardness of your water.

Check the EPA’s guidelines on testing your water here.

Here is the Water Purity Test the PRO’s at Homemade Pizza Pro Use and Recommend

Best Water for Pizza Dough – FAQs

What Kind of Water Should You Use for Pizza Dough?

Most tap water will be fine for making pizza dough. Just follow a simple rule; if your water is good enough to drink will be good enough for pizza.

Take a sample of your water; if it has a high chlorine content or is too hard, buy purified drinking water.

Can You Use Bottled Water for Pizza Dough?

Any bottled water should be good enough, except mineral water.

Mineral water doesn’t have the minerals necessary for the yeast to grow, ferment, and develop flavor.

Best Bottled Water for Pizza Dough

If you prefer to use bottled water for your pizza dough, it’s best to choose natural spring water due to its balanced mineral content, which can add a nuanced flavor to your dough. We prefer brands like Evian or Fiji, which are known for their quality and consistent taste.

However, the “best” water can be subjective and depends on personal preferences and the specific flavor profile you’re aiming for. Some bakers might prefer water with higher mineral content, such as San Pellegrino, to enhance the complexity of the dough’s flavor.

It’s also worth noting that using bottled water for baking is more of an optional upgrade rather than a necessity. Most tap water (provided it tastes good and is safe to drink) or filtered water will work just fine for making quality pizza dough.

We did the homework, and Aquafina is one that has the least minerals in it, so we try to avoid it for making pizza.

What is Pizza Dough Hydration?

Pizza dough hydration is the ratio of water to flour in the dough, expressed as a percentage. It is crucial in determining the dough’s texture, elasticity, and overall handling properties.

A higher hydration level results in a wetter, more pliable dough that produces a lighter, airier crust, while lower hydration yields a stiffer dough with a denser crumb.

The ideal pizza dough hydration generally falls around 65%, striking a perfect balance between pliability and structure. By carefully adjusting the hydration level of your pizza dough, you can achieve the desired texture and mouthfeel, ultimately crafting the perfect crust for your homemade pizza.

Check our article on pizza dough hydration per pizza style to learn how to adjust hydration depending on the pizza style you want.

Pizza dough hydration is the amount of water in the dough relative to the flour by weight. 

Mixing 100 grams of flour and 65 grams of water, the dough hydration is 65% (65 ÷ 100). 

Here’s a video on what is pizza dough hydration presented by Ooni.

To learn more about pizza dough hydration, check our article: Pizza Dough Hydration – Mastering the Art of the Perfect Crust.

How Do You Calculate Hydration for Pizza Dough?

To calculate hydration, you divide the total weight of water by the total weight of flour; the result will be a decimal number that you will multiply by 100 to get the percentage.

Remember, Flour is always 100%, so that will be our base or denominator.

To make things easy and you don’t have to deal with fractions. 

We’ve created a Baker’s Percentage Calculator where all you have to do is enter the weight of your ingredients, and you will find out the percentage in a second.  

What is the Best Hydration for Pizza Dough?

The best hydration for pizza dough is 65% for most baking conditions. Hydration will vary according to the baking temperature.

For example, true Italian pizzaiolos use pretty low hydration, ranging from 55% to 59%.

However, that is because they use wood-fired ovens that reach temperatures up to 950°F.

Such heat evaporates the water quickly, and the dough firms up quickly, creating a beautiful, crisp yet foldable crust.

On the other hand, if you have hydration of 75% or more and bake the pizza in your home oven at 500°F, it will take from 20 to 30 minutes to cook.

Since the water content is so high, evaporating will take much longer. The longer baking time will cause your crust to be soggy and chewy.

The water inside the dough is what creates the hole structure in your pizza crust.

In high-hydration doughs, all that steam building up inside the hot dough expands the bubbles, creating an airier structure in the finished crust.  

On the other hand, soft water can make for slow-rising dough with a weaker gluten structure.  

Why 65% Hydration is Best for Pizza Dough?

1. The results that 65% hydration brings to the crust are phenomenal.
2.  65% Hydration is the average hydration of all yeast bread, so if you are a bread baker, you are probably familiar with this percentage.

We are adapting professional pizza baking rules from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana for home use.

They typically suggest less hydration, they range from 50 to 59%, but that is because they use ovens that reach up to 950°F.

We found that for homemade pizza in the average kitchen oven that can only reach up to 500°F, 65% provides extraordinary results.

What is High Hydration Pizza Dough?

High hydration in pizza dough is considered any hydration over 65%.

Remember that 65% is the average percentage for any yeast dough, so anything above that will be regarded as high.  

Your percentages are different for all those bread bakers out there; we get it. 

What you consider high hydration might be different. But here we are making homemade pizza, not bread.   

High hydration doughs will take longer to cook in the average kitchen oven. It also will have a direct effect on the result of your crust.

Do You Use Hot or Cold Water for Pizza Dough?

To make pizza dough, it’s better to use warm water at 95 degrees F so that the yeast can activate faster.

What Happens if You Add Too Much Water to Pizza Dough?

When you add too much water to your dough:

1. It will take longer to bake as all that water needs to evaporate. The average kitchen oven only reaches temperatures up to 500°F, so prepare yourself to wait for your pizza to be done in 20 to 30 minutes. Using a wood-fired or gas oven, you can get temperatures up to 950°F. In those instances, the cooking time will be reduced significantly.
2. The texture of your crust will probably be soggy and chewy rather than crisp and firm. At the end of the day, it is a matter of taste and what you like. Experiment and try different hydration percentages to see which you prefer.

Humidity Effect on Pizza Dough

Humidity is an additional source of hydration for your pizza dough.

Is measured by a formula called “Hydroscopic”, which tells you how much humidity a substance can absorb from its surrounding, in this case, flour.

But this is too scientific.  

In simpler terms:

You add water to flour to make the dough, but flour also absorbs water from the air. A humid environment will make your dough wetter. So, you must be careful if you have a humid kitchen.

How Room Temperature Affects Your Pizza Dough

There is no exact temperature that defines what room temperature is.  

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language identifies room temperature as around 68°–72°F.

Depending on what your kitchen temperature is, it will determine how long the first fermentation will take if you are fermenting at room temperature.

The average temperature at the first fermentation should occur should be around 80°F. 

Unless you live in Florida, your kitchen will probably be less than 80°F.

Most kitchen ovens these days have a “Proofing” setting that is around 80°F for most ovens.

Having a humidity meter in your kitchen and a thermometer is very useful. 

We recommend the ThermoPro TP50 because it gives kitchen temperature and humidity readings.  

Effect of Steam on Pizza Dough

It is fair that we discuss the effects of steam on your pizza dough. 

Because what happens when you set the pizza in the oven? Immediately, the water starts evaporating and starts creating steam.

The amount of water in your dough also affects how much the crust will rise. 

More Water = More Puff

When the water heats up in the oven, it creates steam, especially when the pizza first goes in the oven.

Steam helps transfer heat to the dough faster, giving it an initial blast of heat that will puff the dough quickly. Professional bakers call this oven spring.

More water in the dough gives a better oven spring.

You can inject some steam into the kitchen oven by adding a couple of ice cubes to the bottom of the oven or spraying water on the oven walls right after you set the pizza in the oven.

How Do You Rehydrate Pizza Dough?

When the pizza dough is left uncovered or exposed to air for an extended period of time, it dries and develops a crust.

This crust or shell encasing the dough ball breaks when you pull it apart. At this point, the dough is not good for making pizza as it will not expand to make the crust properly.  

To rehydrate the dough ball, you can get a small container with water, and with your hand, you tap or sprinkle water on the dough ball.

You can also use a bottle sprayer for this, which is what we think is the best solution. Spray some water over the dough, cover it, and let sit at room temperature for about 1 hour. 

The dough will absorb the water, hydrate, and be good for pizza again.

How Does Water Temperature Affect Your Pizza Dough?

The water temperature will affect the fermentation process of the yeast.

Additional Resources on Water for Pizza Dough

The Last Slice

So now that you know the importance of water in pizza making, what is the best water for pizza dough, and how to manage temperature, volume, and water quality.

You should be able to troubleshoot your pizza dough and determine if anything went wrong or if you developed a formula that gives you the desired results.  

By tasting your pizza, you can reveal how water affected the overall pizza structure and flavor; and if it met your expectations.

Test the best water for pizza dough by looking in detail at the hydration percentage that worked best for you.

So, what do you need to look for? Let’s point it out:

Flavor

Does the crust have any flavor without cheese, sauce, or any of the toppings?  

If the yeast fermented properly, the crust should have a subtle aroma and sublime bready, yeasty flavor.

Crust

Did the crust rise enough to have an identifiable rim?

If the rim is flat, the hydration was too low.

Does the crust have any bubbles?

Examine the inside of the crust and look for air pockets. High hydration will give you more pockets, while low hydration will not provide any pockets at all.

How is the overall structure?

More water will give you a soggy and chewy crust, while less water will provide a drier and stiffer crust.

Appearance

What is the color of the crust?

If the pizza dough had the correct hydration, the crust should look puffy and with a cream color and little dark spots.

If you haven’t done so, try it, experiment with different hydration percentages, and see how water affects your pizza dough under your circumstances and expectations.

At the end of the day, it’s your pizza, you did it, so it should be the best for you!

So, what do you think?

Is your water the best water for pizza dough?

Does water really make a difference?

Does it reveal how good your pizza is?

Let us know; we would love to learn more.

Enjoy!

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