How To Make Pizza Dough With 00 Flour
How To Make Pizza Dough With 00 Flour
A truly amazing pizza just can’t be delivered. If you’re looking for a 00 flour pizza dough recipe, look no further than this easy-to-follow guide. Our step-by-step instructions feature pro tips from our pizza making experts along with photos and our favorite homemade pizza recipes. Each detail is important in achieving the best pizza crust—from the perfect flour (tipo 00 flour) to kneading methods to the dough rise and bake time.
What is 00 Flour, Why Use It, And Where Is It Best To Buy
What’s type 00 flour? you might wonder. It’s a hard durum wheat finely ground and specially sifted to be superfine and powder-like. This is what gives authentic pizzeria-style pizza its flair. The fine grind and ideal gluten content of this superior flour is just why its key. From thinner crispy crusts to thicker, chewier crusts —all with that signature fresh-bread flavor.
Ingredients You Need
- 4 1/4 cups (500g or 1.1 pounds) DeLallo Pizza Flour Tipo 00, plus more for dusting
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (8g) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (1.5g) active dry yeast
- Pinch of sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (350ml) lukewarm water
- 2 tablespoons (25g) DeLallo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
How To Make Homemade 00 Flour Pizza Dough Step-by-Step
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.
Step 2: Slowly add in the water and olive oil. Using a fork, stir to combine. Continue mixing around the bowl until a soft, ragged dough begins to form.
Step 3: Knead the dough in the bowl or on a lightly floured surface. To knead, fold dough over onto itself and press, only dusting with more flour if needed. Knead for 2-3 minutes to form a smooth dough.
Step 4: FIRST PROOFING. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with an air-tight lid or plastic wrap. Allow it to rest at room temperature for 2 hours. The dough will have grown slightly in size.
Step 5: Remove dough from the bowl and portion into 3 pieces, approximately 9 ounces (255g) each.
Step 6: Generously dust both sides of the dough. Gently gather, fold and tuck the dough to capture the air inside and to form a smooth, round ball.
Step 7: SECOND PROOFING. Place each dough ball, seam-side down, into a container or tray. Cover with plastic wrap or lid.
Fast Fermentation Method (to use immediately): Place each dough ball, seam-side down, into a container or tray. Cover with plastic wrap or lid.
Slow Fermentation Method: Refrigerate container of dough balls for 8-24 hours. This creates a more flavorful dough with air pockets that puff up when pizza cooks. Remove the dough from the refrigerator
at least 1.5 hours before making pizza.
Step 8: Preheat the oven to 500-550˚F, or the highest temperature the oven can reach. Dust your hands and work surface with flour. Gently stretch each dough ball into a 10-12” round pizza crust. If dough resists stretching and is difficult to work with, let it rest for a few minutes and try again.
Step 9: Arrange dough on desired baking surface and top with sauce, cheese and toppings. Once toppings are arranged, place pizza onto a preheated pizza stone.
- If using a pizza pan or baking sheet, be sure to grease the surface or line with parchment paper.
- If using a baking stone or steel, place the dough on a pizza peel dusted with flour or corn meal.
Step 10: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the crust becomes golden brown.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pizza Flour
What is the difference between all purpose flour and 00 flour?
While they share a similar protein content, type 00 flour is made with soft wheat, where all-purpose flour is made with a combination of both hard and soft wheat. The biggest difference is in the texture. Type 00 flour is milled for a superfine, powder-like texture—the perfect flour for creating crispy, airy crusts.
Is 00 flour the same as bread flour?
Not quite. Type 00 flour has a protein content of 12%, where bread flour usually falls between 13-14%. Despite this difference, type 00 flour can be used in breadmaking.
Can I use 00 flour for cakes, pasta and bread?
It is generally fine to use type 00 in the same way that you use all-purpose flour. They share a similar protein content, but the difference is in their texture. All-purpose flour is made up of both soft and hard wheat, while type 00 flour is made with soft wheat. Type 00 is known for its superfine texture—a product of its specialized milling. This soft, powder-like flour is perfect for creating that irresistibly airy, crispy crust. So while you can use type 00 flour for coatings, breadings, pasta and baked goods, type 00 flour really shines in the pizzeria as the foundation for superior pizzas, calzones and focaccia breads.
Is 00 flour the same as semolina?
No, semolina flour is made from durum wheat and milled much more coarsely than the superfine, powder-like texture of type 00 flour. Semolina flour is known as “pasta flour.”
Is 00 flour gluten-free?
No, it contains gluten. Type 00 flour is made with wheat.
Can I freeze my homemade pizza crust?
Yes, we recommend freezing the dough in balls. To use, simply bring them to room temperature before forming crusts. To freeze formed pizza crusts, bake them briefly before freezing. Bake crusts until soft and still light in color.