This recipe for small batch pizza dough makes the perfect amount for one large pizza! This recipe comes together quick and is made with just a few simple ingredients so you can have homemade pizza dough anytime!
If you are looking for an easy pizza dough recipe that’s enough to make one pizza, this is the recipe for you! This recipe makes a one-pound dough ball with no special equipment required!
Use this recipe to make my delicious Italian Sausage Bread or this classic Italian Stromboli recipe. For another fun pizza variation, use this Italian Focaccia recipe to make the most amazing and fluffy pizza crust!
Pizza Dough for Two!
This no fail recipe for small batch pizza dough makes the perfect amount of dough for two people. With this recipe you’ll be able to make enough for one large 10-inch or 12-inch pizza.
Most recipes will make enough dough for two or more pizzas. This recipe is perfect when you just want to make one pizza.
I love to have this recipe on hand for busy weeknights because it comes together fast and makes the perfect pizza dough every time. Plus, because this is a small batch recipe, you can easily make it with your hands, no stand mixer required!
You’ll love that this recipe is made with a few simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have. It’s the perfect dough for adding all of your favorite pizza toppings and has the best results every time!
So, if you want to make just enough pizza for two adults, give this small batch pizza dough recipe a try. You’re going to love it!
Ingredients
- Yeast: you’ll need to use active dry yeast. This small batch pizza dough recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of the yeast. Store leftover yeast sealed in the refrigerator.
- Sugar: granulated sugar is used to activate the yeast. You could substitute an equal amount of honey.
- Water: use warm water to activate the yeast. Ideally the water should be 110-115 degrees, slightly warmer than room temperature.
- Flour: all purpose flour works best but you could make this with bread flour or even gluten free flour.
- Olive Oil: use a good quality extra virgin olive oil to flavor the dough and grease the bowl.
- Salt: kosher salt adds the best flavor.
- Toppings: top this dough with all your favorite pizza toppings. Use tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and whatever meats and veggies you like.
How to Make Small Batch Pizza Dough
This recipe for small batch pizza dough comes together quick with no special equipment required. This make just enough dough for one large pizza, or 3-4 mini pizzas.
You will need about an hour for this quick pizza dough to rise, but no second rise is needed. You can bake this on a pizza round, pizza stone, or on a baking sheet or sheet pan.
Step 1: proof the yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and instant yeast. Stir to combine the ingredients.
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The yeast mixture should be foamy and proofed after about 10 minutes. If the yeast is not foamy, then your yeast could be dead. You will need to start over with fresh yeast.
Step 2: knead the dough
In a large bowl, stir together the flour and kosher salt. Then, pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together and is flaky.
Pour the dough onto a well-floured surface. Knead the dough using your hands until it is soft and elastic. The minutes of kneading will depend on your dough, but 4-5 minutes should suffice.
The dough should be smooth and elastic. Add more flour if needed to reach desired consistency.
Step 3: dough rise
Once the dough is kneaded, it will need to rise for an hour for shaping. Grease a bowl with a bit of olive. Then place the dough in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
Set the dough in a warm place to rise for about an hour. You’ll know your small batch pizza dough is ready when it has doubled in size.
Step 4: top and bake
Once the dough has risen, use your hands or rolling pin to shape the dough into desired shape and size. This easy recipe makes enough for about a 12-inch pizza or to fit a standard baking sheet.
Preheat the oven and top the dough with whatever toppings you like such as pizza sauce and shredded mozzarella. Place on center rack in preheated oven and bake until the crusts are golden brown.
Can you make small batch pizza dough ahead?
- This is a great small batch pizza dough recipe to make ahead of time. To make ahead, just prepare the dough as instructed and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- You can also freeze the dough after it is made. Just store in an airtight container in the freezer and bring to room temperature before using.
Small Batch Pizza Dough (for one large pizza)
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup warm water
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour (205 grams, plus more for kneading)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus more for greasing the bowl)
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water. Stir and set aside for 10 minutes, or until yeast is foamy.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add in the yeast/water mixture and olive oil. Stir until the mixture comes together and is flaky.
- Pour the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5-6 minutes. The dough should be soft and elastic.
- Form the dough into a ball and place in a large bowl that has been greased with olive oil, rolling the dough ball so that the olive oil coats the dough. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and set in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size; about an hour.
- Remove dough from bowl and place on floured surface. Stretch and roll out the dough to achieve desired size and shape. You can make this into a 10-inch round pizza, or shape it to fit a rectangular baking pan.
- Add on desired toppings and bake in a preheated 450 degree oven for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
Notes
- If your yeast does not get foamy, it is likely dead and you will need to start with a new batch.
- You can make this dough up to a day in advance. Just cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- This recipe makes enough for one large pizza. Or you can use to make this Italian sausage bread, Italian stromboli, or stuff with toppings to make a calzone.
My dough was a bit dry. What should I do next time to fix that? A little oil or less flour?
Thank you
Hmm… I would try a bit less flour. Did you weigh the flour before using? I find that the weight listed yields the perfect consistency for the dough.