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Neapolitan Pizza Dough Recipe

4.6 from 121 reviews

This classic Neapolitan Pizza Dough recipe yields a soft, elastic dough perfect for making authentic thin-crust pizzas. Using Tipo 00 flour, yeast, salt, olive oil, and water, this dough undergoes a fermentation process that enhances its flavor and texture, resulting in a traditional base that’s crispy yet tender.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 500 grams Tipo 00 Flour (or any other 00 Flour)
  • 1/2 tbsp Instant dry Yeast
  • 1 tbsp Salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 310 ml Room temperature Water
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions

  1. Mix Water and Salt: In a bowl, combine the 310 ml of room temperature water with 1 tablespoon of salt, stirring until the salt dissolves completely.
  2. Create a Starter Batter: Add 10% of the flour (about 50 grams) to the salted water and mix thoroughly until you achieve a thin, pancake batter-like consistency.
  3. Add Yeast: Stir in 1/2 tablespoon of instant dry yeast into the starter batter, mixing well to activate the yeast.
  4. Add Remaining Flour and Mix Dough: Gradually add the remaining 450 grams of flour and start mixing until everything comes together into a homogeneous dough ball.
  5. Rest the Dough: Set the dough ball aside in the bowl for 1 hour to allow initial fermentation and gluten development.
  6. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough ball to a clean surface and knead it vigorously for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  7. Portion and Ferment: Divide the dough into individual dough balls and place them in an airtight container.
  8. Fermentation Process: Refrigerate the dough balls for 24 to 48 hours for slow fermentation to develop flavor, or leave them overnight at room temperature for quicker fermentation.
  9. Bring to Room Temperature Before Use: If refrigerated, remove the dough balls and bring them to room temperature for about an hour before shaping and baking your pizza.

Notes

  • Tipo 00 flour is ideal for Neapolitan pizza dough due to its fine grind and high protein, but other 00 flours can be substituted.
  • Long fermentation (24-48 hours) in the refrigerator develops better flavor and dough strength.
  • Bringing the dough to room temperature before shaping ensures easier handling and better oven spring.
  • Kneading time is important to develop gluten for elasticity, do not skip or shorten.
  • Use olive oil to add moisture and improve dough extensibility.

Keywords: Neapolitan pizza dough, Italian pizza dough, pizza dough recipe, homemade pizza dough, Tipo 00 flour pizza dough