A FAQ with advice on how to make your pizza dough a success, and different recipes to change from the “Margherita”!
5 pizzaiolo tips for successful pizza dough
By following these tips, you'll get delicious homemade pizza dough every time.
1/ What kneading method for the dough?
Knead the dough long enough to develop the gluten, but not so long that it becomes too elastic. Approximately 10 minutes of kneading by hand or 5 minutes with a stand mixer.
2/ What water temperature for homemade pizza dough?
Use lukewarm water (around 35-40°C) to activate the yeast more quickly and promote fermentation, which will result in a lighter, airier dough.
3/ How much rest time?
Let the dough rest in a warm, draft-free place for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator, to allow for slow fermentation and flavor development.
4/ What type of flour should I use?
Use high protein flour (around 12-14%) such as durum wheat flour or type 00 flour to achieve a soft yet elastic pizza dough texture.
5/ How to stretch the dough?
Stretch the dough by hand or with a rolling pin to an even thickness, leaving a thicker border to form the crust. Avoid overstretching the dough to preserve its air bubbles and light texture.
Find the video recipe for pizza dough here on our YouTube channel My Barbecue
3 pizza recipes to change from the “margherita”
1/ Goat cheese and fig pizza
Recipe Ingredients
- Pizza dough
- Goat cheese
- Fresh figs
- Honey
- Rocket
- Olive oil
Maximus wood-fired oven heating time: Approximately 45 minutes
Wood-fired oven temperature: 300-350°C
Cooking time: 5-7 minutes
Steps for preparing this wood-fired pizza recipe
- Preheat your Maximus wood-fired oven to a temperature of approximately 300-350°C for approximately 45 minutes.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Generously spread the goat cheese over the rolled out dough.
- Spread the sliced fresh figs over the goat cheese.
- Drizzle with honey to taste.
- Slide the pizza into the preheated wood-fired oven and bake for 5-7 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and add a handful of fresh arugula on top.
- Drizzle lightly with olive oil before serving.
2/ Seafood pizza with pesto sauce
Recipe Ingredients
- Pizza dough
- Pesto sauce
- Mixed seafood (shrimp, squid, mussels)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Mozzarella
- Fresh basil
Maximus wood-fired oven heating time: Approximately 50 minutes
Wood-fired oven temperature: 350-400°C
Cooking time: 6-8 minutes
Steps for preparing this wood-fired pizza recipe- Preheat your Maximus wood-fired oven to a temperature of approximately 350-400°C for approximately 50 minutes.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread a thin layer of pesto sauce over the dough.
- Arrange the mixed seafood and cherry tomatoes over the sauce.
- Add mozzarella pieces to the seafood.
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil.
- Slide the pizza into the preheated wood-fired oven and bake for 6-8 minutes until the seafood is cooked through and the cheese is melted and golden.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and serve hot.
3/ Vegetarian pizza with roasted squash and spinach
Recipe Ingredients
- Pizza dough
- Butternut squash, diced and roasted
- Fresh spinach
- Goat cheese or feta
- Pumpkin seeds
- Tomato sauce
Maximus wood-fired oven heating time: Approximately 40 minutes
Wood-fired oven temperature: 300-350°C
Cooking time: 5-7 minutes
Steps for preparing this wood-fired pizza recipe- Preheat your Maximus wood-fired oven to a temperature of approximately 300-350°C for approximately 40 minutes.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread the roasted squash cubes and fresh spinach over the dough.
- Crumble the goat cheese or feta over the vegetables.
- Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.
- Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the vegetables and cheese.
- Slide the pizza into the preheated wood-fired oven and bake for 5-7 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and serve it piping hot.