✨Margarita pizza✨
Dough recipe
🍕 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast, equal to 1 packet. See notes.
🍕¾ cup warm water, 105-115° F
🍕2 teaspoons sugar
🍕2 cups all-purpose or bread flour, plus up to 1/3 cup as needed (250-290 g)
🍕1 teaspoon salt
🍕¼ teaspoon garlic powder
🍕 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for bowl/crust
🍕combine all and place is to oiled bowl and let sit for 45mins. Or until doubled in size.
🍕 after double punch down dough and knead 3/5 times then roll out into 12’’ circle ⭕️
🍕 oil whole crust, poke holes in crust with a for to avoid bubbles
🍕 add desired toppings
🍕 Bake at 425 for about 15-18 mins until golden brown
Making a delicious Margherita pizza at home is incredibly rewarding and allows full control over the freshness and quality of your ingredients. One tip I’ve found helpful when working with pizza dough is to ensure the water temperature is just right—between 105-115°F—to activate the instant yeast properly without killing it. This helps your dough rise perfectly within the recommended 45 minutes. When shaping the dough into a 12-inch circle, I like to gently stretch it by hand rather than using a rolling pin. This keeps the air bubbles intact in the dough, contributing to a lighter, crispier crust. Also, coating the crust with olive oil before poking holes with a fork prevents large air pockets while giving a nice golden finish. For toppings, using fresh mozzarella is essential to achieving that authentic Margherita flavor. I usually tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces instead of slicing it, which allows it to melt evenly. Adding fresh arugula after baking adds a slight peppery bite and a fresh contrast to the creamy cheese. Baking at 425°F for 15-18 minutes ensures the crust cooks through while the cheese perfectly melts and starts to brown. Keep an eye on the pizza towards the end to avoid overcooking. Once out of the oven, a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of sea salt elevate the flavors further. Overall, making Margherita pizza from scratch is a fun and satisfying experience, and the taste of fresh mozzarella paired with peppery arugula on a crisp homemade crust is simply unbeatable. Don't hesitate to experiment with your toppings and find your favorite combination!
