Spicy Pizza Dough

Updated at: Wed, 16 Aug 2023 21:08:37 GMT

Step 1

Add salt and spices into one of the bowls of flour (145g).

Step 2

Pour about 2 cups of warm water at temperature above into the mixer bowl and rest for a few minutes so that the bowl’s temperature will almost match the warm water that will shortly be added. Dump out the warm water after a few minutes.

Step 3

Add the warm water, yeast, and granulated sugar to the mixer bowl and whisk together gently. Cover and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

Step 4

Add the olive oil and flour/salt/spice mixture. Beat on low speed for 2 minutes.

Step 5

Pause mixing to scrape the hook and sides if needed.

Step 6

Gradually add the other bowl of flour on medium speed (fold/knead setting). You may need more or less flour than what is in this bowl of flour. Mix until the dough is forming into a cohesive, elastic ball and is beginning to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Step 7

The dough will still be slightly sticky but still should be manageable with your hands. Poke it with your finger – if it slowly bounces back, your dough is ready to rise. If not, keep kneading. This could take anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes, depending on your OCD level.

Step 8

Drizzle a separate, large, clean bowl generously with acceptable olive oil and use a pastry brush to brush up the sides of the bowl.

Step 9

Lightly dust your hands with flour and form your pizza dough into a round ball and transfer to your olive oil-brushed bowl. Use your hands to roll the pizza dough along the inside of the bowl until it is coated in olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place. You can also use the dough rising function on your bread maker if you have one. Don’t use the bread maker to mix the pizza dough as it usually does a crap job.

Step 10

Allow dough to rise for 60 minutes or until doubled in size.

Step 11

Once the dough has risen and is ready, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth (about 3-5 times).

Step 12

On a lightly floured work surface using lightly floured hands, gently flatten the dough into a disc. Place on prepared pan and, using lightly floured hands, stretch and flatten the disc into a 12-inch circle. Lift the edge of the dough up to create a lip around the edges if you like. For thin crust, use about ¾ or the dough. For thick crust, use all the dough.

Step 13

Cover dough lightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and allow to rest for a few minutes as you prepare your pizza toppings.

Step 14

Drizzle additional quality olive oil (about a Tablespoon or more) over the top of the pizza and use your pastry brush to brush the entire surface of the pizza (including the crust) with olive oil.

Step 15

Use a fork to poke holes all over the center of the pizza to keep the dough from bubbling up in the oven.

Step 16

Spread marinara/pizza sauce over the oiled pizza dough.

Step 17

Add your proteins (salami, pepperoni, chicken, etc.).

Step 18

Add your cheeses (mozzarella, sharp cheddar, feta, etc.).

Step 19

Add vegetables.

Step 20

Top with a few pieces of spicy salami or pepperoni to give a nice crispy crunch.

Step 21

Preheat oven at 450 F.

Step 22

Bake at 450 F for 15-25 minutes (keep an eye on it). Use a spatula to lift the pizza a bit to determine how well it’s cooked. Sometimes the top edges blacken a bit, but you want all cheese melted, top most meat slices a little crispy, and the bottom well cooked but not burnt. You’ll figure it out.

Step 23

Once done, let the pizza rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.

Step 24

Slice and serve.

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