Olive Oil Pizza Dough
Most people would not expect that olive oil pizza dough is a very typical pizza dough technique.
However, utilizing a little bit of oil in most dough recipes can be a helpful addition, as it helps tenderize the final baked crust.
Oil is a form of fat which contains a lot of flavor; one of the reasons why fatty foods are so popular in our diets.
Oil in and on dough helps prevent any liquid from seeping into the dough making it soggy.
What Is Olive Oil Pizza Dough?
Olive oil pizza dough is made with a generous amount of olive oil which helps add flavor, and color, to the final baked crust.
Since water and oil do not mix, it also creates a barrier allowing the dough to bake without becoming soggy.
Pizza crusts are often brushed with olive oil before the toppings are put on.
When cheeses, fresh mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, Greek olives, red peppers, along with a host of other toppings are added.
You may find that you have a moisture fest on your hands which can make a regular dough soggy.
A little bit of olive oil brushed on top of the dough will help protect from that happening.
Another thing oil can do is to produce crispiness and if you add more oil to the dough the more crispy, and flaky it will be once baked.
There is such a thing as too much oil, so be aware as you experiment.
What About Toppings?
The sky’s the limit when it comes to toppings.
Almost any food will lend itself to a great pizza topping if you like it.
Typical toppings for this kind of crust can range from pepperoni ham, ground beef, sun dried tomatoes.
Greek olives, red onions, grilled boneless chicken breast served with a special blend of cheeses, fresh mozzarella.
I like simpler toppings like fresh basil, ricotta cheese, and tomato topped pizza, with an extra drizzle of olive oil.
Go ahead and experiment, create your own tomato sauce, try anything as a topping as long as you like it.
Make a fresh salad to go with it, romaine lettuce, tomato, greek olives, along with a nice creamy Italian dressing on the side.
How To Make Olive Oil Pizza Dough
The steps you follow for making this olive oil pizza dough is very similar to making any other bread dough.
Add to a large bowl the flour, salt, instant yeast, sugar and garlic powder then whisk together until fully mixed.
Create a well in the flour mix and add the water and oil.
Mix gently with your hands or a stand mixer until a dough forms, adding extra water if too dry, or flour if too wet.
Knead for a few minutes, then cover, and place in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size.
Punch down the dough and portion it into the desired sizes.
This recipe will make four decent size pizzas.
How To Best Handle A Pizza Dough
There are some things to keep in mind when it comes to handling pizza dough.
Avoid the temptation to quickly stretch your pizza dough, as this could cause it to tear.
It is better to gently, working with the dough, allow it to stretch slowly and carefully for best results.
Don’t over knead your dough, all you really need is four three to four minutes tops; you don’t want gluten too strong.
Invest in a pizza stone, or pizza steel for your oven; this will add exponentially to your pizza results.
Don’t add too many toppings and think about the moisture content each one will bring to your pizza.
Learn to be comfortable using a pizza peel, for much better results when moving the pizza.
Always use the best ingredients you can get, especially the flour, it will make a huge difference.
Best Olive Oil For Pizza Dough
I look for several things in olive oil depending on how I am going to use it.
If I really want to experience the true olive oil flavor, pepperiness and all, then I want to choose something that will light up my taste buds.
Something earthy, fruity, full, and a little bit bitter.
On the other hand if I am including it in cooking, or baking I don’t want the olive oil flavor to overwhelm the dish.
Therefore, I will tend to use something a bit milder with a more fruity, mild, and buttery flavor.
The best oils for baking use and for most other things will be extra virgin or virgin, but nothing below that designation.
You will, however, want to use something that is more on the mild side, and leave the oils with a more pungent flavor for dipping.
Due to cost, some pizza bakers create olive oil ‘special blends’ that may include canola or other oils.
High quality extra virgin olive oil will make all the difference to the taste of your pizza.
It’s always good to know your oil, where it comes from and how it was processed.
My picks would be as follows:
Olive Oil Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 3¼ cups All Purpose Flour
- ¾ tsp Instant Yeast
- ¾ tsp Salt
- ¾ tsp Sugar
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- 1½ cups Water
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, salt, sugar and garlic powder in a bowl until well combined.
- Make a well in the middle and pour in the water and olive oil.
- Mix until a dough emerges. As always when making dough, add more liquid if dry and more flour if wet until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Let rise for an hour or until double in size. Punch down and cut into the appropriate sizes for the pizza you are making.
- Preheat oven to its highest temperature.
- Brush the rolled out dough with extra virgin olive oil.
- Spoon tomato sauce if you choose, add toppings.
- Bake for ten to fifteen minutes depending on your oven. Watch closely.
- Enjoy!
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Olive Oil Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 3¼ cups All Purpose Flour
- ¾ tsp Instant Yeast
- ¾ tsp Salt
- ¾ tsp Sugar
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- 1½ cups Water
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, salt, sugar and garlic powder in a bowl until well combined.
- Make a well in the middle and pour in the water and olive oil.
- Mix until a dough emerges. As always when making dough, add more liquid if dry and more flour if wet until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Let rise for an hour or until double in size. Punch down and cut into the appropriate sizes for the pizza you are making.
- Preheat oven to its highest temperature.
- Brush the rolled out dough with extra virgin olive oil.
- Spoon tomato sauce if you choose, add toppings.
- Bake for ten to fifteen minutes depending on your oven. Watch closely.
- Enjoy!
I made this recipe and it turned out excellently. When I ate the leftovers the next day the crust was just as good as the first day-not soggy at all.
Such an amazing dough, and even better crust! I was looking for a recipe that called for a little more olive oil than usual, and this was incredible. It’s a really soft, spring-y, silky dough to work with, and the baked crust is divine – so tender, light and crispy. Definitely making it my go-to recipe – thank you!