Easy Same Day Pizza Dough Recipe (Ready in Under 2 Hours)

I better not catch you buying pizza from the store! This same day pizza dough recipe is about to change your pizza game forever. With just 4 basic ingredients and no special equipment needed, you’ll be making restaurant-quality pizza at home in no time.

Growing up in a Persian household, pizza night was sacred. My mom would make this exact dough from scratch, prep all the toppings, and we’d gather around to create our own pizza. She had one secret ingredient that transformed every pizza, I’ll share that with you later!

Why this Pizza Dough Recipe Will Become Your Go To…

Here’s what sets this same-day pizza dough apart:

• Quick 60-90 minute rise time, no overnight waiting required
• Makes TWO perfect pizzas from one batch
• Uses basic pantry ingredients you already have
• No stand mixer needed
• Creates that perfect chewy texture with crispy edges
• Freezes beautifully (more on that later!)
• Versatile enough for thin or thick crust

PLUS, hundreds of others tried it and loved it!

Watch the Video Tutorial

Don’t feel like reading? Watch my step-by-step video tutorial where I show you exactly how to make this Pizza dough from scratch, if not continue on, I promise to share all my secrets written out. 

Ingredients You’ll Need 

This pizza dough recipe relies on just a few basic pantry staples, but each plays a crucial role in creating the perfect pizza dough:

• All-Purpose Flour (3 cups): Don’t worry about fancy “00” flour or specialty blends. Regular all-purpose flour creates perfect pizza dough every time.
• Instant Yeast (1 Tbsp): This is our secret weapon for same-day pizza. Unlike active dry yeast, instant yeast doesn’t need proofing, saving you time and effort.
• Sugar (1 Tbsp): More than just sweetness, sugar feeds the yeast and helps create that gorgeous golden-brown crust. Fun fact: you can swap this for maple syrup if you prefer!
• Salt (1/4 tsp): Just a little goes a long way in enhancing flavor and controlling yeast growth.
• Warm Water (1 1/4 cups): Temperature matters! It should feel comfortable to touch – not hot, not cold.
• Olive Oil (3 Tbsp): Creates tenderness and adds incredible flavor to your dough.

If you want to make it gluten-free? Check out my 1 for 1 gluten-free flour recipe.

Essential Equipment (Keep It Simple!)

One of the best things about this Pizza dough recipe? You don’t need fancy equipment. Here’s all you need and you can grab it from your favorite dollar store:

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Kitchen towel
• Pizza pan or baking sheet
• Pizza cutter
• Butter for greasing pans (yes, butter – not oil! Trust me on this one)

Let’s Make Some Pizza Magic Happen…

Step 1: Making Your Pizza Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine your flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Give it a quick mix.
2. Pour in your warm water and olive oil all at once. Mix with a spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and begin kneading. Need help with kneading? Watch my step-by-step kneading tutorial.
4. Now here’s where you may get nervous, this dough is SUPPOSED to be sticky! Don’t worry. Just knead until there’s no dry flour left, and you’re good to go.

Step 2: Wait for the Pizza Dough to Rise

This is where the magic happens:

1. Place your dough in a clean bowl and cover with a kitchen towel.
2. Find a warm spot for rising. Here’s my pro tip: I use my microwave as a proofing box! Just make sure not to turn it on.
3. Let it rise for 60 to 90 minutes or it’s until doubled in size.
4. Want extra airy dough? Here’s a game-changing tip: every 30 minutes, gently punch down the dough and fold the edges to the center. This creates amazing texture!

Step 3: Creating Your Pizza

1. Once doubled, divide your dough into two equal portions. Yes, TWO! This recipe makes enough for two pizzas because, trust me, you’ll want both.
2. Shape each portion into a ball.
3. Here’s where my mom’s secret comes in… Butter your pizza pans! Don’t use parchment paper (it makes the bottom soggy) and don’t use oil. Butter creates the perfect crispy bottom.
4. Stretch each dough ball into a circle or rectangle. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect, homemade pizza should have character!

Step 4: Topping and Baking

1. Add your favorite toppings (If you want to know the toppings I’m adding to my same day Pizza dough keep reading)
2. Bake in a preheated 400-425°F oven for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly.

How to Store Your Same Day Pizza Dough

Same Day Pizza Dough Storage

Planning to make your Pizza a few hours ahead? Cover the shaped dough with a clean kitchen towel and refrigerate. Let it come to room temperature before adding toppings and baking.

Storing the Pizza Dough in the Fridge

Here’s a little secret from my own kitchen: when my fiancé and I make this recipe, we always use both dough balls. We enjoy one pizza fresh from the oven and freeze the second (fully baked) for the next day. Surprisingly, the frozen and reheated pizza often tastes even better than the first! Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.

Pizza Dough Make-Ahead Options

The dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours after rising. Just let it come to room temperature before shaping.

Freezing Your Pizza Dough

You can freeze the unbaked dough for up to 3 months. After dividing into portions, wrap each dough ball tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

Troubleshooting Your Same Day Pizza Dough

Let’s tackle some common issues:

• Too Sticky? Remember, this dough is supposed to be sticky! Resist the urge to add more flour unless it’s absolutely impossible to handle.
• Not Rising? Check your yeast’s expiration date and make sure your water temperature is just warm, not hot.
• Tough Dough? You might be kneading too much. Stop as soon as there’s no dry flour left.

Beyond our basic troubleshooting, here are more specific issues and solutions from years of pizza making:

• Dough Won’t Stretch: Let it rest for 10 minutes at room temperature. The gluten needs to relax.
• Bubbles During Baking: Prick the dough with a fork before adding toppings.
• Soggy Center: Don’t overload with wet toppings, and make sure your oven is fully preheated.
• Dough Springs Back: This means it needs more rest time. Give it 5-10 minutes between stretching attempts.
• Torn Dough: Your dough might be too cold. Let it warm up slightly.
• Uneven Rising: Your proofing spot might be too cold. Try my microwave-proofing box trick!

The Art of Pizza Toppings – Persian Style

Forget the Italian Pizza you know… Let me tell you about Persian pizza! It’s a unique fusion that might sound unconventional but tastes incredible. My favorite combination includes:

• Classic marinara (made with strained tomatoes, more on that below!)
• Corn (yes, corn! Trust me on this one)
• Mushrooms
• Onions and peppers
• Beef or chicken salami
• And the secret ingredient, a generous sprinkle of oregano right after baking
• Oh, don’t forget to drizzle some homemade ketchup on top (don’t let the italians hear that one!)

Speaking of marinara sauce, here’s a money-saving tip from my kitchen… Buy tomatoes at the end of summer when they’re abundant and affordable. My fiancé and I once bought an entire pallet of tomatoes to make our own strained sauce for the winter. While we were questioning our life choices while covered in tomatoes, having homemade sauce all winter made it worth it!

Whether you’re starting your own pizza night tradition or just craving some homemade comfort food, this recipe won’t let you down. And remember, margarita pizza isn’t in my vocabulary. Load up those toppings and make it your own.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop a comment below and let me know your favorite toppings combinations. 

Did you try this recipe?

Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below and share it on Facebook, & Pinterest!

Thank you!
-Minoo

Easy Same Day Pizza Dough Recipe (Ready in Under 2 Hours)

Minoo Mahdavian

Never buy store-bought pizza dough again! This same day pizza dough recipe requires just 4 ingredients and 30 minutes of prep time.

4.50 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Rise Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 55 minutes mins

Servings 2 Pizzas

Calories 898 kcal

Equipment

• Baking Bowls
• Mesh Strainer
• Measuring Cups
• Kitchen Towel
• Spatula
• Pizza Tray
• Cutting Board
• Pizza Cutter

Ingredients 

USMetric

 

0.5x1x2x3x

• ▢ 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Active Dry Yeast
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Sugar (Or Maple Syrup)
• ▢ ¼ Tsp Salt
• ▢ 1 ¼ Cup Warm Water
• ▢ 3 Tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
• Add warm water and olive oil all at once. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
• Knead just until no dry flour remains. Dough will be sticky – that’s perfect!
• Place in a clean bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled.
• Optional but recommended: Punch down every 30 minutes for airier texture.
• Divide dough into two portions.
• Stretch each portion on a buttered pizza pan.
• Top as desired and bake at 400-425°F for 20-25 minutes.

Video

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Nutrition

Calories: 898kcalCarbohydrates: 150gProtein: 20gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gSodium: 303mgPotassium: 220mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6gVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 9mg

*Nutrition Disclaimer

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword easy, Quick Meal, same day

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