- 2
Ingredients
- 3/4 3/4 3/4 cup lukewarm water
- 1 1 1 teaspoon active-dry yeast
- 2 2 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 3/4 3/4 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 2 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 1/2 1/2 1/2 cup sauce: classic red sauce or a white sauce
- Toppings: sautéed onions or mushrooms, sliced red peppers, pepperoni, cooked sausage, bacon, etc.
- Cheese: one or a combination of shredded mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, fontina, romano, and asiago
Preparation
Step 1
The key to a really good pizza is, of course, the crust. I make pizza at home at least once a week, so you can be sure this recipe comes to you after years of very meticulous kitchen testing!
How To Make Thin-Crust Pizza: Watch the Video
This crust has a nice bit of crunch, but it's pliable enough to fold in half if required. The mild wheat flavor is a nice backdrop to whatever toppings you want to layer on top.
Since we're keeping the crust on the thinner side, this dough doesn't actually require time to rise. You roll it out after kneading it briefly and let it rest on the counter while you prepare the toppings. When it goes in the oven, the heat gives the bread a quick burst of rising, so it will still have some chew when you bite into it.
This said, letting the dough rise a little or even refrigerating it overnight gives the dough even more depth of flavor and a crackling crust. Once you've finished kneading, let it rise until doubled, divide it in two, and store the balls of dough in separate containers. When you're ready to make your pizza, take the dough out of the fridge and let it warm up a bit while you prepare the toppings — 10 minutes or so should do it.
I never knew a simple pizza dough could be so versatile, but this one truly is. By cutting a corner and skipping the rise, this oven-baked crust straddles the line between crisp and chewy. Baked on the back of a preheated baking sheet, this thin crust is deceivingly sturdy — strong enough to hold traditional toppings or a brush of jam and a curl of prosciutto to serve as a fancy flatbread at your next dinner party. If you have an hour or less, this is the pizza to make at the last minute for family and friends.
Makes 2 (10-inch) pizzas
; serves 4
Arrange a rack in the bottom third of the oven, place a heavy baking sheet on the rack, and heat to 450°F.
Pour the water into a medium bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the water, and let stand until the yeast has dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add the flour and salt. Mix with a stiff spatula or wooden spoon until floury, shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto the counter, and knead the dough until it forms a smooth, slightly tacky ball that springs back when you poke it, 5 to 8 minutes. If the dough sticks to your hands like bubblegum, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it’s easier to work with; avoid adding too much flour if possible.
Cover the dough with the upside-down bowl or a clean kitchen towel and let sit while you prepare the pizza toppings, about 10 minutes.
Carefully remove the preheated baking sheet from the oven and place it upside down on a wire rack. Transfer the dough directly onto the upside-down baking sheet. Brush the dough with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Spread 1/4 cup sauce into a thin layer onto dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle on cheese and other toppings.
Bake until the crust is golden-brown and the cheese looks melted and toasty, 8 to 12 minutes. Remove the pizza from the oven and cool for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Repeat with the remaining dough and toppings.