Wood-Fired Pizza Dough | The Recipe Critic

This is the perfect beginner’s guide for making wood-fired pizza dough! Pizza expert, Chef Brandon Price, taught me how to make authentic homemade pizza, and now you get to learn too!

Start planning a pizza night with friends because you will learn how to master wood-fired pizza dough! Serve your pizzas with this popular salad, this antipasto salad, and these breadsticks.

The BEST Wood-Fired Pizza Dough

There is NOTHING like wood-fired pizza dough because it makes the world’s best pizza! And the only way to learn how to make it is from a true professional. It was a privilege to have my friend, Chef Brandon Price, teach me how to make wood-fired pizza dough. You will love his pizza dough recipe because it tastes so authentic! It’s light and airy with perfect crispy edges. Chef Brandon has worked in the restaurant industry for over 20 years and has a diverse culinary background. After owning and operating numerous successful restaurants, Brandon ultimately found his passion with pizza! He now shares his passion and expertise with the world teaching pizza classes. His mission is to inspire others to create their own pizza masterpieces and we are so lucky to learn from the best of the best!

Even though this wood-fired pizza dough is SO amazing, feel free to use my quick and easy pizza dough recipe if you prefer. Pizza ovens are all the rage right now and I love my Gozney pizza oven. Check out my other top picks for portable pizza ovens!

Ingredients Needed

It couldn’t get any more simple than this wood-fired pizza dough recipe. The dough, sauce, and toppings are simple and absolutely delicious. Chef Brandon highly recommends using ’00’ Flour because it creates an airy and crispy pizza crust.

Pizza Dough

• Pizza Flour: Find ’00’ flour at most grocery stores or online. All-purpose flour can be used, but your crust will have a chewy texture.
• Cold Water: Cold water is best to help mix the pizza dough because it helps prevent the flour from clumping.
• Salt: Regular table salt works great.
• Yeast: I used active dry yeast but you can also use rapid dry yeast.
• Sourdough Starter: I have a great recipe if you choose to use sourdough starter in your pizza dough, but it is completely optional!

Pizza Toppings

• Canned Tomatoes: Cento brand is high-quality tomatoes produced in Italy and they have an authentic flavor that is perfect for this wood-fired pizza!
• Fresh Mozzarella: Fresh is a MUST! Pull off pieces of mozzarella to add to the pizza.
• Pepperoni: Use good-quality pepperoni slices.
• Fresh Basil: Top the finished pizza with fresh basil leaves!

Let’s Make Wood-Fired Pizza Dough

Follow the step-by-step instructions that Chef Brandon taught me! You’ll find the pictures super helpful and I’m so excited to pass along his knowledge of pizza dough. He has mastered this recipe and I can’t wait for you to try it!

Pizza Dough

1. Combine: Add the flour, yeast, salt, and sourdough starter (if using) to a large bowl then stir to combine. Create a “well” in the center of the flour and pour in the water.
2. Add the Water and Mix the Dough: Pour the water into the flour mixture then mix using your hands until a dough forms. Knead the dough a few times before you cover and rest it!
3. Let it Rest: Cover the dough with the bowl and let it rest for 20 minutes.
4. Make Dough Balls: Divide the dough evenly into 6 balls, about 200 grams each then cover and refrigerate the dough overnight or for up to 3 days.
5. Remove from Fridge: Remove the dough from the refrigerator 2 hours before using.

Shape the Pizza

1. Turn Over: Turn the risen dough ball over on the counter.
2. Push Dough: Push the dough out from the center moving outward.
3. Flip Dough: Flip the dough over then continue to push a spread the dough out to be a 12″ round. Remember which side is the bottom of the crust. 

Pizza Toppings

1. Break up Tomatoes: Pour the canned tomatoes into a medium bowl. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the tomatoes and use your hands to help break up the tomatoes. Yes, your hands! Simply squeeze and break down the whole tomatoes into small pieces.
2. Add Sauce to Dough: Spread 3 tablespoons of sauce onto the pizza round. 
3. Add Toppings: Place pieces of fresh mozzarella on top of the sauce, followed by the pepperoni slices.

Cook the Pizza

1. Prep Oven: Preheat the pizza oven to 900 degrees Fahrenheit according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Slide: Gently lift the edge of the assembled pizza then quickly slide the pizza spatula underneath the entire pizza.
3. Cook: Use the pizza spatula (aka pizza peel) to slide the pizza into the pizza oven using short and fast motions. The pizza cooks in less than 1 minute, so stay close by and work quickly.
4. Rotate: After about 30 seconds of cooking, use the pizza spatula to quickly turn and rotate the pizza in the oven to cook all sides evenly.
5. Garnish: Once the pizza is cooked through and slightly darkened, remove it from the pizza oven. Then top with fresh basil, slice, and enjoy!

More Pizza-Inspired Recipes

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