Sourdough Pizza Recipe

Sourdough pizza is a delicious alternative to traditional pizza crust. The sourdough starter adds a tangy flavor and chewy texture that is sure to impress. Making this sourdough pizza recipe at home is easier than you might think and can be a fun activity for the whole family.

To make a sourdough pizza, you will need to start with a sourdough starter. This is a mixture of flour and water that has been left to ferment for several days. Once you have your starter, you can mix it with flour, water, and salt to make the dough. Let the dough rise for several hours before shaping it into a pizza crust.

The toppings for a sourdough pizza can be as simple or as complex as you like. Classic toppings like tomato sauce, cheese, and pepperoni work well, but you can also experiment with more unusual combinations like fig and prosciutto or roasted vegetables and goat cheese. With a little practice, you can create a delicious sourdough pizza that is sure to become a family favorite.

Understanding Sourdough

Sourdough is a type of bread made from a natural yeast starter instead of commercial yeast. The fermentation process of sourdough gives it a unique flavor and texture that cannot be replicated with other breads. The wild yeast in the sourdough starter breaks down the gluten in the flour, making it easier to digest and giving the bread a chewy texture.

To make your own sourdough starter, you will need flour and water. Mix equal parts of flour and water in a jar and let it sit for a few days until bubbles form. This is a sign that the wild yeast is active and the fermentation process has begun. From here, you can feed your starter with more flour and water to keep it alive and active.

Sourdough can be used in a variety of recipes, including sourdough bread and sourdough pizza crust. When making sourdough pizza dough, it is important to use a high-protein flour to achieve a chewy crust. The sourdough starter can also be used to add flavor to the pizza sauce.

Overall, understanding sourdough is key to creating delicious sourdough recipes.

By mastering the fermentation process and creating your own sourdough starter, you can take your baking to the next level.

You can read how to add sourdough discard to any recipe here!

Gathering Your Ingredients

Before starting to make sourdough pizza, it is important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here are the main ingredients required to make a delicious sourdough pizza:

• Purpose Flour: This is the most common type of flour used for making pizza dough. It has a lower protein content compared to bread flour, which makes it easier to stretch and shape.
• Bread Flour: This type of flour has a higher protein content, which makes it ideal for making chewy and crispy pizza crusts.
• Fresh Mozzarella: This type of cheese is made from fresh milk and has a soft and creamy texture. It is the perfect cheese for making pizza as it melts easily and has a mild flavor.
• Mozzarella Cheese: This type of cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a firmer texture compared to fresh mozzarella. It is a good option for those who prefer a more stringy and stretchy cheese on their pizza.
• Tomato Sauce: This is the base sauce used for making pizza. It is important to choose a good quality tomato sauce that is not too watery or too thick.
• Warm Water: Water is a crucial ingredient in making pizza dough. It is important to use warm water (around 105°F to 115°F) as it helps activate the yeast.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This is an optional ingredient that can be added to the pizza dough or used as a topping. It adds a rich flavor to the pizza.
• Whole Wheat: This is a healthier alternative to purpose flour. It has a nutty flavor and a higher fiber content.
• Semolina Flour: This type of flour is made from durum wheat and is used to dust the pizza peel or baking sheet. It prevents the pizza dough from sticking and gives the crust a crispy texture.
• Favorite Toppings: This is where you can get creative and add your favorite toppings to the pizza. Some popular toppings include pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, olives, and sausage.
• Sourdough Starter: This is a crucial ingredient for making sourdough pizza. It is a natural leavening agent that gives the pizza dough a unique flavor and texture.

By gathering all the necessary ingredients beforehand, making sourdough pizza at home can be a fun and rewarding experience.

Preparing Your Workspace

Before starting to make sourdough pizza, it is essential to prepare your workspace. This step will make the process more manageable and enjoyable. The following are some tips to help you prepare your workspace:

First, gather all the necessary equipment, including a large mixing bowl, a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, a large bowl for proofing, an oiled bowl, a lightly floured surface, a work surface, a bench scraper, a rolling pin, a pizza peel, parchment paper, a pizza stone, a baking steel, an outdoor pizza oven, a home oven, and a cast iron skillet.

Next, clean your workspace thoroughly. Make sure there are no lingering crumbs or debris that could affect the quality of your pizza.

Once your workspace is clean, lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. This will help prevent the dough from sticking and make it easier to work with.

If using a pizza stone or baking steel, preheat it in the oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If using an outdoor pizza oven, allow it to heat up to the desired temperature.

Finally, assemble all the ingredients needed for the pizza. This may include the sourdough starter, flour, water, salt, olive oil, tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice.

By preparing your workspace ahead of time, you can ensure that the pizza-making process goes smoothly and enjoyably.

Making the Dough

Making sourdough pizza dough is a simple process that requires a few basic ingredients. The dough is made from flour, water, salt, and sourdough starter. The dough is then left to rise for several hours before being shaped into a pizza base.

To make the dough, start by mixing the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the sourdough starter and water and mix until a sticky dough is formed. The dough should be wet and sticky, but not too wet that it cannot be handled.

Once the dough is mixed, it is time for the bulk fermentation process. This is the first rise of the dough and it usually takes between 6-12 hours. During this time, the dough is left to rest in a warm place, covered with a damp cloth.

After the bulk fermentation, the dough is divided into smaller dough balls. The dough balls are then left to rest for a few hours, which is known as the final proof. This allows the dough to relax and become easier to shape.

When it is time to shape the dough, it is important to handle it gently. Use your hands to stretch the dough out into a thin base, leaving a slightly thicker crust around the edge.

Sourdough pizza dough is known for its high hydration, which means it has a lot of water in the dough. This gives the pizza base a chewy texture and crispy crust. However, it can be tricky to work with high hydration dough, so it is important to handle it gently.

Overall, making sourdough pizza dough is a simple process that requires a bit of patience and practice. With the right ingredients and techniques, anyone can make a delicious sourdough pizza base that is sure to become a favorite.

Shaping and Proofing the Dough

Once the dough has rested for at least 24 hours, it’s time to shape and proof it. This is an important step in the sourdough pizza-making process, as it helps to develop the gluten and create a chewy crust.

To start, divide the dough into equal pieces. Depending on the size of your pizza, you may want to divide it into 2-4 portions. If this is your first attempt at making sourdough pizza, it’s best to start with smaller portions.

Next, shape each portion into a tight ball. To do this, use your hands to gently pull the surface of the dough towards the center, creating tension. Repeat this process until the dough forms a tight ball.

To prevent the dough from sticking to your hands, wet your hands with a little olive oil. This will also help to create a slightly crispy crust.

Once you’ve shaped each portion into a ball, place them on a lightly floured surface and cover with a damp cloth. Let the dough proof for at least 2-3 hours in a warm spot, such as near a sunny window or on top of the oven.

During the proofing process, the dough will continue to rise and develop flavor. After 2-3 hours, the dough should have doubled in size and be ready to use.

Overall, shaping and proofing the dough is an important step in making sourdough pizza.

By dividing the dough into equal portions, shaping it into tight balls, and allowing it to proof in a warm spot, you can create a delicious and chewy crust that’s perfect for your favorite toppings.

Topping and Baking Your Pizza

Now that you have your sourdough pizza crust ready, it’s time to add some delicious toppings and bake it to perfection. Here are some tips to help you create a great pizza.

Toppings

The toppings you choose will depend on your personal taste, but here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Top of the dough: Start with a layer of tomato sauce or pesto on top of the dough. This will help keep the toppings in place and add some flavor to the crust.
• Fresh basil: Add some fresh basil leaves on top of the sauce for a burst of freshness and flavor.
• Drizzle of olive oil: Drizzle some olive oil on top of the basil leaves for extra flavor and to help the pizza brown nicely in the oven.

Next, add your favorite toppings such as cheese, meats, vegetables, and herbs. Be careful not to overload the pizza with too many toppings as this can make it difficult to cook evenly.

Baking

To get the best sourdough pizza crust, you’ll need to bake your pizza on a hot stone. Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) with the stone inside for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Next step is to slide your pizza onto the hot stone using a pizza peel. Bake the pizza for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Once your pizza is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your perfect sourdough pizza!

Overall, this simple sourdough pizza crust recipe combined with your favorite toppings and a hot stone can result in the best sourdough pizza crust you’ve ever tasted.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Sourdough Pizza Recipe

Making homemade sourdough pizza can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some tips and tricks to help you create the perfect sourdough pizza:

Room Temperature

Make sure your sourdough starter and dough are at room temperature before using them. This will help the dough rise properly and create a chewy crust.

Plastic Wrap

When covering your dough with plastic wrap, make sure it is oiled or floured to prevent the dough from sticking to it. This will also help keep the dough moist during the cold ferment process.

Cold Ferment

Cold fermenting your dough for at least 24 hours will help develop the flavor and texture of your pizza crust. This is a good thing to keep in mind when planning a pizza party.

Water Mixture

Using too much water in your dough can make it difficult to handle and shape. Aim for a dough that is slightly sticky but easy to work with. A good rule of thumb is to use 70-75% hydration, which means 70-75 grams of water for every 100 grams of flour.

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Homemade Sourdough Pizza

Using a homemade sourdough starter instead of commercial yeast will give your pizza a unique flavor and texture. If you don’t have a sourdough starter, try making one using one of the many sourdough bread recipes available online.

Easy Sourdough Pizza Recipe

For an easy sourdough pizza recipe, try using a 1:1:1 ratio of sourdough starter, flour, and water. Mix the ingredients together and let the dough rest for 30 minutes before shaping and adding toppings.

I also found this delicious recipe on Farmhouse on Boone, I absolutely love her recipes!

Steering Wheel

Use a steering wheel motion when shaping your pizza dough to create an even thickness and prevent tearing. This technique involves using the back of your hands to gently stretch the dough while rotating it.

Homemade Pizza Sauce

Making your own pizza sauce is easy and allows you to customize the flavor to your liking. Try using canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and your favorite herbs and spices.

Full Recipe

Here is a full recipe for sourdough pizza:

• 250g sourdough starter
• 250g flour
• 175g water
• 5g salt

Mix the ingredients together and let the dough rest for 30 minutes. Divide the dough into two portions and shape into balls. Let the dough cold ferment for 24-48 hours.

Preheat your oven and pizza stone to 500°F. Shape the dough into a pizza and add your desired toppings. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

Little Bit

If your dough is a little bit too wet or dry, adjust the hydration by adding small amounts of flour or water until you reach the desired consistency.

Recipe Card

Consider creating a recipe card with your favorite sourdough pizza recipe and sharing it with friends and family. This will make it easy for them to recreate your delicious pizza at home.

Next Time

If your first attempt at making sourdough pizza doesn’t turn out perfectly, don’t worry! Use what you learned to make adjustments for next time and keep practicing until you achieve the perfect crust.