You Got Questions?, We Got Answers!
Note: This post may affiliate contain links to products or services. You may be redirected to our partner’s sites when you press the link.ย We may receive a commission at no additional cost if you buy any of their products or services. For more info, see our Advertiser Disclosure.
Find answers to all of your homemade pizza questions
We’ve gathered a compilation of our homemade pizza FAQs.ย You will find answers on how to make pizza and solve the most common problems.ย If you can’t find an answer to your question, contact us, and we will be glad to help you!
Pizza Dough FAQs
-
What is the best pizza flour?
To know which flour to use when making pizza at home, you first need to know which pizza you are making. ย Different pizza styles get better results with different flours. So what makes the flours different?ย Their protein contents. ย Flours are classified by their protein levels or gluten content. The protein content defines the strength of the dough, which in turn will determine the style of the pizza.ย Here is how it works. High protein or High Gluten flour (14-15%) yields crisp, chewy crust perfect for New York Style, medium protein or Bread Flour (12-13%) yields crisp, bready crust perfect for Neapolitan or Sicilian Style, and low protein or All-Purpose flour (10-12%) yields a thicker softer crust preferable for Chicago Deep Dish. So the next time you buy flour, check the label to find the protein content so you can make the best pizza.
-
What is the order of ingredients when mixing pizza dough?
The order of ingredients when mixing pizza dough will depend on the kind of yeast you are using.ย If you are using Instant Yeast the order is Flour, Yeast, Water, and Salt.ย
On the other hand, if you are using Active Dry Yeast the order is Water, Yeast, Flour, and Salt.ย If your recipe calls for additional ingredients will follow the Flour, Yeast, and Water for both types of yeast, leaving the Salt for last.
-
Why didn’t my pizza dough balls rise?
If your dough balls didnโt rise, itโs because there was little or no fermentation. Why does this happen? Here are some of the reasons why your dough didnโt ferment:
1- The yeast was dead.ย Try a new batch with fresh yeast.
2- Not enough yeast.ย Check your recipe yeast should be from 1% to 5% of your flour. Try increasing your yeast by 1% increments if you get the proper rise.
3) The dough is too cold. The best fermentation temperature is 80F.
4) Not enough time for fermentation.ย The first fermentation should be from 1 to 1 ยฝ hrs. and second fermentation from 8 to 72 hrs. -
Why do my dough balls rise too much?
If your dough balls rise too much, itโs because there was too much fermentation. What went wrong?ย Here are some of the reasons for excessive fermentation:
1) The dough is too warm. ย If the temperature is above 80F it can double yeast activity.
2) There may be too much sugar or too little salt in the dough. Sugar increases yeast activity, while salt has an inhibition or retardation effect. -
Why is my dough not stretching?
Short answer, let it rest!ย Many people want to start shaping their pizza dough right away and attempt to stretch and shape their dough before it is fully proofed.
This will cause the dough to shrink and resist being stretched into a nice crust. If your dough is resisting, you need to let your dough rest at room temperature for at least 30 mins or longer before stretching.
-
Why is my pizza dough shrinking?
A pizza dough that keeps shrinking is caused by excessive development of the gluten network in the dough. You can prevent your dough from shrinking by proofing the dough for longer as gluten relaxes over time.
You can use a different flour that has a lesser protein content.
Mix and stretch your dough by hand as it reduces the stress of the dough.
Ingredients FAQs
-
Which yeast should I use to make pizza?
You can’t go wrong when buying yeast.ย You can use fresh, instant, or active dry yeast to make pizza at home.ย The key factor is what works best for you.ย Fresh yeast is extremely perishable, so unless you can going to use all of it in one day, it is not recommended.ย Instant yeast works a little faster than active dry, but in turn, less time is less flavor.ย
We support active dry when making pizza at home because it gives you a sense of security.ย By activating the yeast first, you make sure the yeast is alive, and you are good to go.ย When using instant yeast, you mix it with the flour, and if the yeast is dead, we wasted all that flour.ย Long story short, try them both and see which one gives you the best results.
-
Can I use table salt to make pizza?
Yes, you can, just try to avoid using Iodine Salt as it has an iodine aftertaste.ย Fine Sea Salt is best.ย The fine grains of the salt will mix well with the flour and other ingredients.
Baking FAQs
-
Why do I get air bubbles in my pizza?
The number one reason you get bubbles in your crust is that the dough is too cold. Cold dough will be resistant to the fast expansion of gases that is occurring during baking.
If the gluten structure is tight, the gases will find the weakest spots to expand, therefore producing bubbles.ย After the second fermentation, let your dough ball sit at room temperature for about 1 hr. to prevent bubbles in your crust.
-
How long do I bake my pizza?
The baking time of your pizza will depend on the kind of oven you are using as different ovens deliver different temperatures.ย For the average kitchen oven that reached an average of 500F the total cooking time should be from 12 to 15 minutes.ย If you have a wood-fired oven at a temperature above 800F, the cooking time is from 3 to 5 minutes.
Check Our Recommended Products
Enjoy!
Not a PRO? Not a Problem!
Take a pizza class to bring your pizza skills to the next level,
so you can be a PRO!
Related Posts
Costco Pizza Delivery: Find How You Can Get It Now!
the PROs
People go to Costco’s food court for many different reasons, but the cheesy slice of pizza they serve is among …
Pizza for Beginners: Don’t Buy Pizza, Make It! Here’s How to Get Started!
the PROs
You have this idea that you want to make pizza at home as opposed to ordering it, but where do you start? Donโt worry! Here you will find answers and directions to all your questions.
Pizza Toppings Under Cheese or Over Cheese? [Why the Order Matters]
the PROs
Is Pizza Cheese on Top or Bottom? Hey pizza lovers, are you wondering if you should layer pizza toppings under …
Newsletter
Subscribe to our Recipe of the Week newsletter and receive our partners’ latest recipes, tips, and discount offers.
Keep in Touch!