Some people feel intimidated by creating restaurant-style pizza at home, but achieving superb homemade pizza is a lot easier than you might think.
The next time you’re tempted to pick up the phone and order delivery, do yourself a favor and review these tips to create a delicious pie from the comfort of your own home.
1. Make Sure the Oven is HOT
If you want to recreate restaurant-quality homemade pizza, you’ll need to get your oven piping hot. Restaurant pizza ovens can get quite fiery, so make sure your oven temperature is cranked up to at least 500 degrees.
2. Don’t Use Cold Dough
Room temperature dough is much easier to work with than a batch that’s been in the fridge for hours. About a half-hour before cooking, set the dough on the counter so it can warm to room temperature.
3. Cook Your Pizza on the Right Surface
To achieve an artisan feel, it’s best to cook your pizza on a preheated surface. The most efficient way to achieve this is to use a pizza peel. There are many varieties to choose from bamboo to stainless steel and even cast iron. Whatever surface you choose, be sure to warm it up in your preheated oven for at least a half-hour before baking your pizza. In the meantime, prep your pie on a floured surface or a sheet of parchment paper so that it will be ready to go!
4. Stretch the Dough by Hand
Once your dough has been warmed to room temperature, it will be elastic enough to stretch it with ease. Skip the rolling pin and don’t worry about making the perfect circle. Instead, stretch and pat it down so it has a slightly bubbly texture.
5. For Crispy Crust, Par-Bake It First
If crispy crust is what you crave, par-bake it for about 5-8 minutes before adding toppings. Cook it until it’s beginning to brown, and be sure to let it cool slightly afterward.
6. Don’t Overdo It on the Sauce
No one likes soggy crust, so combat this by adding just a thin layer of sauce. You can spruce things up by thinking outside of the box with your sauce options, such as:
- Pesto
- BBQ sauce
- Salsa
- Ranch dressing
- Alfredo sauce
7. Brush the Crust with a Blend of Olive Oil and Garlic
Once you’ve added your sauce, cheese, and other desired toppings, brush the crust with an olive oil and garlic blend for the final touch. This amplifies the overall flavor and takes it to the next level.
8. Rotate and Elevate
Once in the oven, turn the pie as soon as the bottom begins to develop a browned crust. Doing this will ensure that it cooks evenly. When your pizza is done, transfer it to a cooling rack to keep the crust crisp as it cools. All that’s left is to slice it up and enjoy your delicious creation!
Visit Spoons ‘n Spice for Pizza-Making Essentials
Spoons ‘n Spice is proud to carry all of the essentials for creating the best homemade pizza. With over 17,000 items in stock, we guarantee that you’ll find what you’re looking for. We’re mindful of the COVID-19 pandemic and currently offer online shopping, in-store pickup, and curbside pickup. Just give us a call when you arrive, and we’ll take the item you purchased outside for you.
We’re located in the Sugarhouse Shopping Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Reach out with any questions you may have today!