How Long Does It Take To Make Pizza Dough?

Figuring out how long a recipe will take can feel confusing at times. Do you want to make pizza dough from scratch but don't know where to start? Luckily, we've done plenty of research into this topic and have all the answers here for you. Let's get into them below.

You can expect pizza dough to take about an hour to make. Of course, every recipe will be slightly different, so you could have your dough ready for the fridge in closer to 30 minutes. Again, this depends on the ingredients, methods, and skill set of the person cooking, so every timeline is unique.

As we begin, we will cover all things pizza dough and discuss how long yours will take to cook. Whether you need a quick recipe for dinnertime or want to get the full Italian experience, we're here to offer some help. With that said, let's dive right into this post!

Does Making Pizza Dough Take A Long Time?

Although it is possible to make pizza dough quickly, this isn't the case most often. Since you have to allow your dough 24 hours of fridge time for optimal flavor, creating a delicious pizza from scratch can be daunting.

It isn't necessarily required to wait an entire day for your dough to rise/settle, so you could get away with a few hours of refrigeration. Of course, your pizza won't taste as good, but it won't take days to create.

So if you want an authentic Italian pizza-making experience, we recommend waiting it out.

Do I Have To Let Pizza Dough Rise?

Yes, it is a good idea to let your pizza dough rise. Placing your freshly made dough into the fridge for about 24 hours will allow it to rise correctly.

You want to wrap your dough in saran/plastic before putting it into your refrigerator to keep it fresh. Additionally, you'll want to let your refrigerated dough sit for about 30 minutes before you use it to make pizza, so this can take time.

Again, not doing this won't necessarily ruin your meal, but it will affect the quality and flavor of your pizza.

Can You Use Pizza Dough That Hasn't Risen?

Yes, you can still use pizza dough that hasn't risen. Generally, not allowing your dough to rise and settle in the refrigerator will result in a smaller crust.

You may also notice your pizza crust lacks flavor because no yeast fermentation has occurred. Although fermentation sounds like it wouldn't help add flavor to your crust, it is very important/beneficial.

Furthermore, according to Crust Kingdom, you can use dough that hasn't risen for thin crust pizza without noticeable changes, so that's something to consider.

They also say that using un-risen dough won't work well for thicker crust pizza recipes, so make sure your dough goes into the fridge if you want a deep dish.

Does Dough That Hasn't Risen Taste Bad?

No. Your pizza dough won't taste bad if you skip the rising process. Typically, dough that doesn't rise will lack flavor and thickness, but this shouldn't negatively affect its taste.

You also won't have the yummy air bubbles in your pizza that we all know and love, which is enough to change most people's minds. Again, if you're in a time crunch and need your pizza done ASAP, we don't think that skipping the rising process will be the worst thing.

How Do You Make Pizza Dough From Scratch?

For anyone wanting to make pizza dough from scratch, this won't be too hard. To begin:

1. Gather your ingredients (flour, yeast, water, salt, and olive oil).
2. Mix them by hand or with a stand mixer (usually 5-10 minutes).
3. Once mixed, knead your dough by hand or beat it using a mixer.
4. Place the dough into a greased mixing bowl and cover it tightly.
5. Set the bowl into your fridge and let it sit overnight.
6. After 12-24 hours, remove your bowl from the refrigerator.
7. Remove your dough from the bowl and punch down to release air bubbles.
8. Divide your dough into two, and roll each piece into a 12-inch circle.
9. Top the dough with your favorite pizza toppings and place it into the oven.
10. Bake your pizza at 450-500 degrees for 15 minutes, and you're done!

Again, if you don't want to wait overnight for your dough to rise, you can skip that step, although it will affect how flavorful your crust is. Furthermore, you could also try letting your dough sit in the refrigerator for a few hours rather than 24, which will at least allow some fermentation to happen.

Is It Worth Making Your Own Pizza Dough?

We think this is worth trying for those on the fence about making their own pizza dough. Besides being as fresh as possible, making pizza dough at home can be a great way to get the family together.

On top of that, making dough from scratch isn't very hard. Like we said above, this doesn't require much more than a mixer, bowl, and a few ingredients, so anyone can try it.

However, if you're in a hurry, you might want to buy pre-made dough instead and then top it with fresh ingredients yourself. At least with this option, you still get to "make" your own pizza, just without all of the waiting.

How Long Does Pizza Take To Cook?

Most times, a pizza won't take more than 14-20 minutes to cook. Home Run Inn Pizza claims that you will know your pie is done cooking once the crust turns golden brown and the cheese bubbles, so those are things to look for.

Additionally, your pizza should cook quickly if your oven is hot, so the higher the temperature, the shorter you'll wait. We recommend setting your oven to 450-500 degrees for optimal pizza cooking.

Should You Eat Pizza Right Away?

Generally, it's OK to eat your pizza right out of the oven. Considering this is the best time for flavor and heat in a pie, giving your pizza a few minutes to cool down is all you need.

We don't think you need to wait more than 2-5 minutes for your pizza to be safe to eat, so this won't be very long. Again, everyone has a different heat tolerance, so you might be able to dig in right away and skip the wait.

What Happens If You Don't Cover Pizza Dough In The Fridge?

Now that you've made your pizza dough, it's time to put it in the refrigerator. When it comes to covering or not covering dough, we recommend wrapping your bowl/container in plastic.

If you forget to do this, expect your dough to be hard in the morning or after the 24 hours pass. Like anything in the fridge, it's best to keep your food in an airtight container, as cold air isn't always good for texture and quality.

Can You Leave Pizza Dough In The Refrigerator Too Long?

Although it is good to allow pizza dough to ferment inside the refrigerator, it is possible to overdo it. Generally, pizza dough will stay good for up to five days in the fridge, so make sure to use yours before that deadline.

According to MasterClass, the amount of yeast in a specific dough can also affect its shelf life, so this could be different for everyone. In addition, how well you wrap your dough will also impact its flavor after a few days of refrigeration, so the tighter, the better.

As we mentioned, the more air that reaches your pizza dough, the harder it will be, making it challenging to cook with.

Can You Put Pizza Dough In The Freezer?

Yes! The freezer is a great idea if you don't want to use your pizza dough in the next few days or even weeks. Your dough will generally stay fresh for up to four months frozen, so this is great for long-term storage.

However, keeping your pizza dough in the freezer too long can affect its consistency and flavor, so be careful. Anything more than 3-4 months isn't usually a good idea for dough, so that's something to consider.

Furthermore, you need to make sure your pizza dough is in the fridge for 24 hours before you freeze it to ensure the formation process occurs. Not doing this will affect how your dough freezes and, ultimately, how it tastes.

To Wrap It All Up

Knowing your times is essential whether you love making pizza from scratch or want to try it. We found that pizza dough won't take long to make, although you should let it ferment in the fridge for about 24 hours.

However, this step isn't required, so you can certainly skip the refrigerator if you are in a hurry to make dinner. Furthermore, you should also consider your oven's temperature, which will speed things up during the final cooking stage. We recommend between 450 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Regardless, don't forget to use a mixer to make your dough and wrap it tightly before refrigeration.

Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related kitchen posts below!

Should You Roll Or Stretch Pizza Dough? Pros And Cons Revealed

Can You Put Pizza In An Air Fryer? [Frozen & Fresh Pizza]

How Much Yeast Do You Need For Pizza Dough?