Classic Pizza Hut-Style Pizza Dough Recipe
This Pizza Hut–style dough recipe replicates the soft, chewy crust that is iconic to Pizza Hut pizzas. Made simply with flour, yeast, water, and oil, the dough is kneaded to develop gluten, allowed to rise for a fluffy texture, and then baked to perfection. This recipe provides a delicious base for creating your favorite pizza toppings at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 large pizza crust (12-inch) 1x
- Category: Bread/Dough
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm water (around 110°F/43°C)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or olive oil)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Mix yeast and water: In a small bowl, combine the warm water with sugar and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Form the dough: Add the yeast mixture and vegetable oil to the flour. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Shape it into a pizza crust by stretching or rolling it out to your desired size and thickness.
- Bake the dough: Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). If desired, prebake the crust for 5-7 minutes before adding toppings to achieve that crispy bottom. Then add your favorite toppings and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
Notes
- Warm water is critical for activating yeast but should not be too hot to kill the yeast.
- Letting the dough rise fully ensures a soft, airy crust.
- Prebaking the dough results in a crisper crust resembling Pizza Hut’s style.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with olive oil for a richer flavor.
- Use a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet heated in the oven for a crispier crust.
Keywords: Pizza Hut dough, pizza crust recipe, homemade pizza dough, soft pizza dough, pizza base
