How To Make the Best Bread Machine Pizza Dough

Jump to Recipe

Preview: This is the best bread machine pizza dough I’ve ever made with a bread machine. You can do it, too. Use the DOUGH cycle on your bread machine to make this flavorful crust.

I once worked for a major pizza chain in their research and development department. After seeing how much oil goes in the bottom of their pizza pans, I decided to make my pizzas at home as often as possible.

If you are a beginning bread maker, this recipe is for you. I can’t think of a better place to start. It’s best for a medium-thickness crust, but you can also roll it thin for a thin-crust pizza.

This recipe started with Wolfgang Puck’s “Perfect Pizza Dough” recipe published in the Parade probably over 30 years ago. I have adapted it for a bread machine and made a few minor changes.

I love to make pizza crust in my bread maker using the DOUGH cycle. If I use the timer function in conjunction with the DOUGH cycle (not available on all machines), the dough will be ready to roll out the moment I walk in the door after a long day.

pizza made with bread machine pizza dough sliced and ready to eat

Ingredients and substitutions:

ingredients for bread machine pizza dough

WATER: I keep spring water in the house specifically for bread because it’s chlorine-free and yeast-friendly. If you don’t have any, use tap water (lukewarm).
SUGAR: Use granulated sugar. No substitutes.
OLIVE OIL: You may substitute vegetable oil but a good olive oil adds just the right flavor.
HONEY: Lyle’s Golden Syrup or Corn Syrup are possible substitutes. Some people say brown sugar could be substituted but I haven’t tried it and can’t recommend an amount.
SALT: I use table salt or sea salt. If you use Kosher salt, add a pinch extra.
BREAD FLOUR: Bread flour gives this recipe a nice “chewy” characteristic. Substitute unbleached all-purpose flour if you don’t have bread flour. Your crust will still be tasty.
INSTANT OR BREAD MACHINE YEAST: Instant or bread machine yeast (same thing) is always my first choice with a bread machine. Active dry yeast can be substituted but it may be a little slower to rise.

Bread Maker Pizza Dough FAQ

How can I make pizza in a bread machine?

You can’t. You can only make the dough. Use the DOUGH cycle to mix and knead the dough. Then, dump the dough out of the bread machine pan onto a lightly floured surface. Finally, assemble the pizza on a pizza pan and bake it in your conventional oven.

Do I have to use a pizza stone?

No. Stones help to make the crust crispy without scorching the crust. But you can get a crisp crust with this recipe if you use plenty of oil in the pan, a hot oven, and a dark-colored, heavy pizza pan or baking sheet.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes. Make the dough with the DOUGH cycle. When the cycle finishes and the dough has doubled in size, remove the dough from the bread machine pan and divide it in half. Drop each dough ball into a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, place the dough in the freezer.

When you get ready to use the dough, let it warm to room temperature and get puffy before you can shape it. Then, proceed as usual to make your pizza.

Does it matter what order I add the ingredients to the pizza?

1. Sauce
2. Cheese
3. Meat and veggies
4. Add fresh herbs after the pizza bakes.

I need to make LOTS of pizza. Can I double the recipe?

You can double this recipe only if your bread machine can handle 6 cups of flour. Most have a maximum capacity of 3-4 cups. Otherwise, I suggest you make more than one batch of dough and chill it ahead of time (See question above.) Chilling the dough develops the flavor and makes a better pizza.

How do you get the dough to stretch without making a hole?

Experience. But if you’re having trouble, allow the dough to rest a few minutes and come back to it. It will stretch a little more after each rest.

Why is my pizza dough so dry?

The most likely reason is that you added too much flour. It’s best to weigh the flour. But if you don’t have scales, hold back 1/4 cup of the flour in the beginning and add it only if needed after the machine has mixed the dough for 5-10 minutes.

To fix dry dough: Add water one tablespoon at a time until the dough sticks to the side of the bread machine pan, then pulls away cleanly.

Why is my pizza dough so sticky?

You probably added too much water (or didn’t add all the flour called for in the recipe). Add more flour–one tablespoon at a time–until the dough looks like the dough in the video. The perfect pizza dough will stick to the side of the pan, then pull away cleanly.

How to make bread machine pizza dough:

adding ingredients to bread machine pan — Add all ingredients to the bread machine pan in the order listed: Wet ingredients first, flour and yeast last.

starting the machine on the DOUGH cycle. — Select the DOUGH cycle and start.

how the dough should appear — Make any corrections (more flour or more water) to make the dough look like this. (See video.)

how dough should look at the end of the DOUGH cycle — The dough should double in size by the end of the DOUGH cycle. If not, leave the dough in the pan until it doubles.

dividing pizza dough — Remove dough to a floured surface, cut in half, and shape each half into a smooth ball. Cover and allow to rest for about 10 minutes.

greasing the pan with oil spray — Spray or grease your pizza pan with plenty of olive oil.

spreading the dough with your fingers — Use your fingers to spread the flour inside the pan. If it keeps shrinking back, let the dough rest for a few minutes and try again.

adding sauce on top of pizza — Spread a thin layer of sauce over the dough. You should still be able to see the dough through the sauce.

adding cheeese to pizza — Sprinkle cheese over the sauce. You should still be able to see the sauce beneath the cheese.

adding remaining toppings — Add toppings such as meat or veggies over the cheese. A heavy hand with fillings will make it difficult for your pizza to bake in the middle. The result will be soggy pizza.

examining the bottom of the crispy, brown crust — Bake in a 450˚F oven. The crust should be crispy and brown. Nobody likes a soggy crust.

I’ve included nutritional information for the crust only. However, your choice and amount of toppings will be an unknown variable.

Honey Whole Wheat Pizza Dough from Your Bread Machine

Honey Whole Wheat Pizza Dough gets a make-over with directions and amounts appropriate for a bread machine.

6+ Bread Maker Tips You Need to Know To Make Marvelous Bread

These bread machine secrets will help you get off to a good start with your bread machine.

A Crusty French Bread for the Bread Machine

This recipe is for a simple, crusty French bread you can mix up in your bread machine and bake in the oven for the freshest bread ever.

How To Get a Crispy Pizza Crust Without a Pizza Stone

9 Secrets to making the best pizza without a pizza stone.

If you enjoyed this recipe, it would help others and me if you left a five-star rating inside the recipe card below. 🤩 No comment required. Thank you.

Hope to see you again soon!
Paula

p.s. Questions or suggestions? Please email me: Paula at saladinajar.com.

Yield: 2 round crusts (16 slices)

Best Bread Machine Pizza Dough Recipe

This pizza crust is made with a bread machine (although easily converted to a stand mixer recipe or by hand) and is simple enough for a beginner to make.

Prep Time 2 hours

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 12 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup + 1 tablespoon spring water (241 gr)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar (4 gr)
2 tablespoons olive oil (25 gr)
1 tablespoon honey (21 gr)
1 teaspoon table salt (6 gr)
3 cups (360 gr) bread flour
2 teaspoons fast-rising or bread machine yeast (6 gr)

Instructions

Place ingredients in bread machine in order given. Select the DOUGH cycle and start. Peek at the dough after 5 minutes. It should be gathering into a ball that sticks to the edge of the pan, then pulls away. If it doesn't still add a tablespoon of water. If it won't pull away after sticking, add a tablespoon of flour.
Preheat oven to 500˚F.
When the DOUGH cycle completes and the pizza dough is double the original size, remove dough from the bread pan to a floured surface. Divide into 2 pieces and shape each half into a ball. Cover and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes.
Spray 2 heavy pizza pans (I use 2 13-inch round pans) or a baking sheet with olive oil. Push and cajole pizza to the desired thinness with your hands. Using a rolling pin tends to make the dough compact. If the dough is resistant to stretching, let it sit and relax for a few minutes then come back to it.
Layer sauce first (don't overdo it), cheese, and then meat and/or vegetables. Watch the amounts. Excess toppings will cause your pizza to take too long to bake and may result in a soggy middle.
Bake in a preheated oven. Turn the temperature back 450˚F after you put the pizza in. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden on the edges and the cheese is turning golden brown in spots on top of the pizza.
Let cool for 2-3 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Directions for making bread with a stand mixer or by hand:

To make this recipe in a heavy-duty stand mixer, add ingredients to the bowl in the same order. Turn on low to mix until all ingredients are moistened. Using the dough hook, turn speed to 2 or 3 and continue beating/kneading until dough becomes smooth and elastic about 5-10 minutes. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place. Deflate dough gently and shape rolls as indicated in the recipe.
If making by hand, combine all ingredients into a shaggy ball in a large bowl. Turn dough out on a floured surface and knead with your hands until dough becomes smooth and elastic, a process that will likely take 10-20 minutes depending on your experience. Place the dough ball into a greased bowl. Cover and allow to rise until double. Deflate dough gently and shape the dough as indicated in the recipe

Please note: You can substitute active dry yeast for instant or bread machine yeast. There is no longer any need to dissolve it. Be aware that it may be a little slower acting than instant yeast, but it'll get there.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. But don't worry. This doesn't change the price you pay.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

2 slices
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 142Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 134mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g

Patti

Thursday 16th of September 2021

I haven’t made this yet, planning on making it in a few hours. But I wanted t thank you for giving the weights as well as measurements on your recipes. I’ve recently started to weigh my ingredients, especially for baking. It’s always helpful to have it already done, instead of having to go through charts to get the measurements! I use the Ingredient Weight Chart from King Arthur, which is many, many pages, but it gives the measurements for everything you could ever think of. It’s amazing how many things that you think would be the same weight, but are totally different, such as flours. They vary from 120 grams a cup for All purpose and bread flour, to 106 for Ryes and Pumpernickel flours, to 156 for Gluten-free All purpose Flour!

Anyways, thank you. I’m hoping to make calzones or Stromboli with the dough, so I’ll let you know how it goes!

Paula

You're most welcome, Patti. I know the Ingredient Weight Chart from King Arthur quite well. It's what I use for most recipes although not everything is on the list. Can't wait to hear how your pizza dough turns out.

Jeann

Wednesday 5th of May 2021

OMG....BEST pizza dough that I have ever baked or eaten. I just love it! I am on a low sodium eating plan and I used 'Windsor salt free substitute' and it was still 'Fabulous'. Thank you!!!!Best, Best, Best. Thank you.

Friday 7th of May 2021

I love comments like this! So glad you like it. It has served our family well for over 30 years.

suzy

Wednesday 24th of March 2021

I use a cast iron pan. Pour a little oil in pan. Sprinkle a bit of cornmeal black pepper and oregano on the pan. Spread pizza dough. Let rise for 1/2 hour. Turn oven burner on med and turn broiler on. Put pan on stove, then spread sauce on edge to edge. Sprinkle a little parmesan. After 5 minutes add cheese (I don't shred it I slice it) and any other toppings. Two more minutes and check bottom of pan to see if crust is brown. Then put under broiler until cheese is melted. For a home pizza it is amazing. I got the method from my son-in-law. Everyone who makes pizza this way says it is quick, easy and tastes great. I use a cast iron griddle so it is a little lighter.

I have a question. your recipe makes 2 pies. If you want to freeze one, what do you do when you want to bake it. Do you freeze it before the rise. I am confused. Thanks for a great recipe as usual.

Suzy, You have several great ideas here. I've never thought of sprinkly black pepper or oregano on a pizza pan. Using the stove and the broiler would make this so quick. Good to know when hungry people are stalking in the kitchen.

In regards to your question: I would freeze the dough after you pull it out of the bread machine. When you get ready to use it, let it thaw in the fridge if you have time. Make your pizza once the dough is soft and puffy.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your method.

Blessed and Highly favored

Saturday 27th of February 2021

Amazzzing. Just made this and wow! My husband I are shocked how good this was. Mind you I did not have olive oil. I also did not have a pizza pan so I tried one pizza on the bottom side of a cookie sheet and the other in a cast iron skillet. The cast iron skillet or pan pizza was fabulous!!!!oh man I wish I made just the right amount of crisp and softness on the inside. Of course coated the pan generously as well. I will not use another recipe

Liz

Saturday 6th of February 2021

Love your recipes. Was making this and ingredient list calls for 2 Tbsp olive oil (100 g), but my olive oil is only 28 g. Was the recipe perhaps including the olive oil used for oiling the pan before baking?

Hi Liz,

Thanks for writing. You are right. 28 g of olive oil is all you need in the dough. The oil for oiling the pan is at your discretion. I will correct it.