How to Make Deliciously Chewy Sourdough Pizza Dough at Home

It's no secret that pizza is beloved worldwide. Hailing from the cobbled streets of Italy, this rich, delicious meal is a treat for the pallet, with rich flavors like tomato sauce, garlic, mozzarella cheese, and fresh herbs all dancing in harmony together on the tongue.

But the shining star of a fantastic pizza is its pizza dough. With a crispy crust and a deliciously chewy middle, a great pizza dough can make or break a pizza. And don’t get us wrong – although traditional pizza dough is delicious, there's just something special about baked sourdough pizza.

Sourdough can be a little bit intimidating if you’ve never made it before. This bread takes a good few weeks to make, and there are a whole lot of steps involved. But once we break it down, you'll see that sourdough pizza dough isn't really that hard to get the hang of. It takes a little bit of patience, some time, and a whole lot of love. But don't worry - we'll help you get that delicious sourdough pizza crust right from the comfort of your own home.

Why Make Sourdough Pizza Dough?

The real question is - why not make sourdough pizza dough? Any lover of traditional pizza dough is bound to fall in love with a sourdough base. Sourdough produces a deliciously crisp and chewy crust that pizza lovers everywhere can't help but prize. Sourdough also goes through a long fermentation process, which gives this famous bread its signature tangy and slightly soured flavor.

Sourdough bread is also a fantastic alternative to other breads. This is all to do with its fermentation process, which increases the nutrients, giving you many more vitamins and minerals. Sourdough is also much easier for people to digest because its natural bacteria breaks down gluten. (However, it's worth mentioning that sourdough isn't entirely gluten-free - so keep that in mind.)

The short of it is sourdough pizza takes a really long time to make - but it's all worth it in the end when you have a mouthful of that warm, fluffy texture.

Everything You Need to Make Delicious Sourdough Pizza

Pizza Party Size 🥳

Prepa Pizza Dough Kit

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Prepa Pizza Kits are an easy way to make the perfect sourdough pizza crust, even if you're a complete beginner. We provide everything you need to make delicious pizza dough. All you need to do is swap the yeast in our kit for your sourdough starter.

6 Organic Ingredients - We provide everything you need to make a delicious pizza dough, including organic pizza flour.

A Healthy Alternative - With no artificial flavors, additives, and processed oils, you can enjoy a healthy and delicious meal for the whole family.

Authentic, Italian Taste - Bring the taste of Italy right into your home.

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Our Favorite Pizza Tools

If you've fallen in love with pizza and you're planning to add our recipe to your cooking arsenal, the right tools can make everything so much easier. Here are some of our favorites that are worth investing in. They’ll help you with all aspects of the pizza process – from shaping and baking your dough to achieving that crispy crust.

• Pizza Stone or Steel - A pizza stone or baking steel is a game-changer for home bakers who want perfect, restaurant-quality pizza. These tools retain heat, helping your pizza cook evenly, which gives it that golden crust we all love.
• Pizza Peel - A pizza peel helps you transfer your pizza from the countertop to the oven without tearing your dough, which is pretty common - especially when you’re working with high-hydration sourdough.
• Dough Scraper or Bench Knife - Shaping and dividing sourdough pizza dough is much easier with a dough scraper. This miracle of a tool helps you portion the dough without sticking and keeps your workspace clean.
• Digital Kitchen Scale - Ever heard the phrase "baking is a science"? That's because precision is key in baking, and a digital scale will make sure you get the right balance of ingredients - right down to the last gram.
• Pizza Cutter - This tool makes slicing through a hot, steaming crust a breeze.
• Temperature Probe or Thermometer - This tool will let you know when you've kneaded your dough enough. Twenty-three degrees is the perfect dough temperature before resting.
• Baking Mat or Parchment Paper - A baking mat or parchment paper will help keep your pizza from sticking to the peel or baking surface. This makes it great for delicate doughs or more sticky doughs (like sourdough).
• Stand Mixer - A mixer with a dough hook can make kneading dough so much easier, especially when it comes to specific Italian breads such as biga.

Making a Sourdough Starter

If you love sourdough bread, then you'll fall head over heels for our sourdough pizza dough recipe.

As we said, making a great sourdough pizza needs a little bit of love and patience. A natural sourdough starter is built using the natural yeast in the air, which means it can take 7, 14, or even 30 days to build before it's ready for your pizza dough.

But once you know the steps, it's pretty straightforward. And once you've nailed our ultimate sourdough starter recipe, you can make absolutely delicious sourdough pizza dough straight from scratch.

Here's everything you need.

Equipment

• 1 jar or container with a lid
• Note - You'll need a big jar for this recipe. Make sure the jar is at least four times the size of the mixture you put in it so it has plenty of room to expand.
• A rubber band or a string
• Note - This is to mark the starter.

Ingredients

• Strong flour
• Note – You need high-protein flour for this recipe. It's typically best to use hard red flour, but you can also use a stronger soft white wheat, as long as you mix it 50/50.
• Water

Instructions

Day 1:

1. In your jar, mix 50g of strong flour and 50g of water until it's combined.
2. Mark the top of the starter with a rubber band or string. This is important for the future, as you'll be able to see whether your starter has grown and by how much.
3. Place the cap loosely on top of the jar. Make sure you don't seal it completely! Then, leave the jar with the starter in overnight.

Day 2:

1. The next day, remove 50g of the mix from the jar. Replace it with 25g of flour and 25g of water. This step is known as "feeding" the starter.

Days 3 - 7 / 14:

Repeat this process and keep feeding your sourdough starter every day, adding equal parts flour and water for the next 7-14 days. After a while, you should notice that your starter is bubbly and active with a tangy aroma.

The goal is for the starter to double in size - otherwise known as "blooming." As your starter blooms, keep feeding it. This can take anywhere from 7 to 14 (and even up to 30) days.

Once it's big and blooming, your starter is ready to go, and you can turn it into a delicious sourdough pizza crust!

Slowing Down the Feeding Process

When you're making pizza, you won't need to use all your starter right away. If your starter is nice and blooming, but you want to make sure it lasts, put it in the refrigerator. This will slow down the feeding process, meaning you'll only have to feed it once every 7 days.

Once you're ready to use your sourdough starter again, all you have to do is remove the jar from the refrigerator and start the feeding process once again. Keep feeding it on your countertop until the starter is back to blooming, and then it's ready to use.

The Best Sourdough Pizza Crust Recipe

Once your starter has bloomed, it’s time to make the pizza dough.

Ingredients:

• 100g of the sourdough starter
• 1000g flour
• Note - a lot of people use bread flour because of its high-protein content.
• 650g cold water
• 30g sea salt

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix the cold water and the sourdough starter until it combines. It should have a milky appearance.
2. Add in 10% of the flour, and mix again. It's important to note that this doesn't need to be exact, as it acts as a barrier between the yeast and the salt.
3. Add the salt into the mix and stir until it dissolves.
4. Add the remaining flour. This should create a shaggy dough that feels wet.
5. Transfer the shaggy dough onto a clean, dry work surface, ready for kneading.
6. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth. This could take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on your kneading abilities. To check if your dough is ready, lightly touch the top. If it doesn't stick to your finger, then it should be ready to go.
7. Shape the smooth dough into one large ball. Place it back into the mixing bowl and cover with a kitchen towel or a plastic wrap. If you're using a plastic wrap, we recommend lightly brushing the top of the dough with olive oil. It's important not to use too much, as this will break down the gluten structure and impact the quality of the dough!
8. First Rest - Let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. But remember, the longer you rest your dough, the longer the fermentation, and the easier the next step will be.
9. Once you've rested your dough for at least 30 minutes, put it in the refrigerator and leave it for a maximum of three days.
10. Once your dough has rested, you can divide it into dough balls. Place each ball at least 2 fingers apart on a deep sheet tray or in a proofing container.
11. Second Rest – Rest until the dough balls have doubled in size and are touching. This means they've reached the proper fermentation and are ready for you to make a delicious sourdough pizza with them.

A Quick Tip

If you want less flour-tasting dough, we recommend putting the dough balls back in the refrigerator overnight and using them the next day. This will break down the flour and give you a better taste.

Assembling the Pizza

Once your dough is ready, use your hands (or a rolling pin) to stretch it out into a circle. Assemble your toppings on your pizza peel, with your choice of sauce, cheese, herbs, or any other ingredients. (Keep reading to see some of our combination recommendations for a sourdough pizza crust!)

Make sure to heat your oven up as high as it will go. If you have a baking steel or stone, now is a great time to put it in the oven to preheat. 

Bake your pizza for 5 - 10 minutes.

Then - voila! Your delicious sourdough pizza is ready.

Our Top Tips for Perfect Pizza Every Time

Whether you're hosting a pizza party with friends, having a pizza night at home, or just fancy a few slices all for yourself, a few extra tips can take your pizza from tasty to truly unforgettable.

The first tip we recommend is using our sourdough pizza recipe above. There's a lot of misinformation and a lot of different sourdough recipes out there, but our recipe will ensure you get delicious pizza every single time.

Then, follow these tips for pizza so good you'll think it came straight from the cobbled streets of Italy.

1. Use High-Quality Ingredients - You get what you pay for, and baking is no exception. Investing in high-quality ingredients (like those found in our Prepa Pizza kits) will give you a better taste. For example, when it comes to making the dough, using flour with a higher protein content will give you a deliciously chewy texture.
2. Go Fresh, Fresh, Fresh! - When it comes to your pizza toppings, choose fresh, high-quality ingredients. We're talking about rich San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella cheese. Whether you're choosing to make a Margherita pizza or a BBQ Texan, fresh toppings will make your sourdough pizza shine.
3. Less is More - When you're making sourdough pizza dough, the star is really the sourdough itself. Avoid overloading with pizza toppings, as this can actually weigh your sourdough down and make for a less-even bake. It's important to strike a balance. Go for a thin layer of tomato pizza sauce, a few slices of mozzarella, and a sprinkle of fresh basil.
4. Use a High Hydration Dough - Sourdough pizza tends to have a higher water content than other doughs. This is a good thing, as more water will give you a light, airy, and bubbly pizza crust. However, keep in mind that higher hydration can also lead to a stickier dough. It may be tempting to add more flour for kneading - but don't! Not if you want that perfect sourdough pizza dough.
5. Preheat Your Oven - The pizzas you sample from authentic Italian restaurants will likely be baked in a pizza oven, giving them their classic crispiness and that slightly charred crust. If you want to replicate that, you need a super hot oven to bake your pizza. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach (usually around 500°F or 260°C) for at least 45 minutes to an hour before baking.
6. Use a Pizza Stone or a Baking Steel - Getting your hands on a pizza stone, pizza pan, or baking steel will be well worth it for achieving restaurant-style pizza. These aren't just gimmicks - they give you an even, intense heat that actually mimics a wood-fired oven. Make sure to preheat the stone or steel before baking your pizza.
7. Don’t Overwork the Dough - Kneading dough is hard work, but too much hard work can actually impact its texture. Keep a gentle hand when kneading and shaping. Once you shape the dough into balls, avoid handling it too much.
8. Keep an Eye on Your Bake - Depending on your oven and the thickness of your crust, sourdough pizza can bake very quickly - as quickly as 5 to 10 minutes. It’s easy to go from perfectly baked to overdone in just a minute or two. Keep an eye on your pizza, and wait for the crust to become golden and the cheese to start bubbling.
9. Want Extra Crispness? Use Olive Oil - Brushing a light layer of olive oil on the edges of the crust before baking can give you that super crispy pizza crust.
10. Serve Immediately - Sourdough pizza is best enjoyed straight from the oven while the crust is crispy and the cheese is fresh. Let the pizza rest for just a minute or two before slicing, but don’t wait too long – sourdough’s airy texture is at its best when hot.

Make Perfect Sourdough Pizza Every Time

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Make healthy and authentic pizza dough without worrying about ingredients or measurements. Our Prepa Pizza kits ensure perfect pizza every time, even if you’ve never made a pizza before. 

When it comes to making a sourdough pizza crust, all you have to do is swap out our yeast packet for your active, blooming starter.

6 Organic Ingredients - Our kits include everything you need to make a delicious pizza dough, including flour, yeast, salt, water, olive oil, and a splash of honey.

Flour Imported From Italy - We bring the authentic taste of Italy right into your home with our premium flour.

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The Best Topping Combinations for a Sourdough Pizza

One of the best things about making sourdough pizza is experimenting with toppings. You can always go for your tried-and-tested favorites, but if you want something new, we have a huge list of classic and creative topping combinations that will delight any pizza lover's pallet.

Classic Margherita

Margherita is a classic for a reason. These simple ingredients let the sourdough’s flavors shine. Not to mention, the sweetness of the tomatoes and the creaminess of the mozzarella balance the tangy flavor of the dough perfectly.

Toppings: Fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Prosciutto and Arugula

The salty prosciutto and peppery arugula add layers of flavor to the pizza, while the balsamic glaze brings a touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the sourdough.

Toppings: Prosciutto, fresh arugula, shaved Parmesan, mozzarella, a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Mushroom and Truffle Oil

Earthy mushrooms and truffle oil are a fantastic match for sourdough’s rich flavor. The subtle garlic and herbs add depth, while truffle oil gives it a hint of luxury - perfect for impressing at any pizza party.

Toppings: Mixed wild mushrooms (such as cremini, shiitake, and oyster), mozzarella, garlic, truffle oil, fresh thyme or rosemary.

Four Cheese (Quattro Formaggi)

The mix of cheeses adds layers of creamy and mature flavors, creating a rich experience that will make cheese lovers adore every single bite.

Toppings: Mozzarella, fontina, Gorgonzola, Parmesan

Spicy Italian Sausage and Peppers

The heat from the sausage and red pepper flakes contrasts nicely with the sourness of the dough.

Toppings: Spicy Italian sausage, roasted bell peppers, red onion, mozzarella, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.

Mediterranean Veggie

This combination of olives, feta, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes captures those iconic flavors of the Mediterranean and works well with a sourdough pizza crust.

Toppings: Artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta, red onion, mozzarella, fresh oregano.

Pepperoni with Hot Honey Drizzle

This fan-favorite comes with a twist. Bring out the spicy and savory flavors of pepperoni with the sweet heat of hot honey. Delicious!

Toppings: Pepperoni, mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of hot honey after baking.

White Pizza with Ricotta and Spinach

If you or your guests aren't a fan of tomato sauce, this pizza is for you. Use creamy ricotta and mozzarella to pair with the sourdough crust. Spinach and a hint of nutmeg give this pizza freshness and warmth.

Toppings: Ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, baby spinach, and a pinch of nutmeg.

Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes

The basil pesto provides a fresh, herby flavor that complements the sourdough, while cherry tomatoes add bursts of juiciness that make the tongue tingle.

Toppings: Basil pesto, fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Sourdough Pizza Dough

Does Neapolitan Pizza Use Sourdough?

Neapolitan pizza traditionally comes from Naples, Italy, and is made with yeast, as opposed to a sourdough starter. Because of this, a sourdough pizza crust is more likely to be chewier compared to the crispy crust of a Neapolitan-style pizza.

However, the dough isn't the only feature of Neapolitan pizza. This pizza is usually made with very few toppings. According to the AVPN (The True Neapolitan Pizza Association), there are a few traditional pizzas in this style:

• Marinara – Made with tomato, oil, oregano, and garlic.
• Margherita – Made with tomato, oil, mozzarella, or fior di latte, grated pecorino romano, and basil.
• Quattro Stagioni – Made by adding artichokes, tomatoes, basil, mushrooms, prosciutto, and olives to four separate sections of the pizza.
• Capricciosa - Made with ham, mushrooms, artichokes, olives, and mozzarella cheese.
• Ripieno Napoletano - A calzone originating from Naples.

With this in mind, there's no reason why you can't combine traditional Neapolitan pizza toppings with a sourdough base.

Why is My Sourdough Pizza Chewy?

Usually, with this type of pizza, a chewy crust is a good thing. Sourdough is bound to be chewier than other types of more traditional pizza dough. However, you don't want to feel as if you're chewing your pizza crust forever. If you find your sourdough is too chewy and it's impacting the quality of your pizza, there could be a few reasons why.

• You Over-Kneaded the Dough - This process can actually cause too much gluten to develop, which will result in a much tougher texture.
• You've Under-Proofed - Not letting your dough rise for long enough can also make your sourdough pizza dough much more dense and chewier. Following our recipe above is a sure way to avoid under-proofing your dough, giving you the best texture and flavor possible.

Why Won’t My Sourdough Pizza Dough Rise?

If your sourdough pizza dough isn’t rising, here are a few possible reasons:

1. The Starter is Not Active Enough - Your starter should be bubbly. If not, you need to keep feeding it until it doubles in size. Only then is it ready to use.
2. Your Kitchen is Tool Cold - A sourdough starter thrives best in warmer environments. If your kitchen is too cool, it might take longer to double in size. (That's why we put it in the refrigerator when we don't need to use it quite yet). Try placing it in a warm spot that will let it come to room temperature.
3. The Dough Hasn’t Had Enough Time to Proof: Sourdough needs a long fermentation process to enhance the flavor and texture. Allow time for both bulk fermentation and a cold ferment to develop its flavor and help it rise properly.

Can I Freeze Sourdough Pizza Dough?

Yes, absolutely! Freezing sourdough pizza dough won't impact your dough's flavor at all, and it's a great way to stop it from going to waste. Just make sure to separate the dough into individual portions before freezing, and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

You can freeze sourdough for up to three months! When you're ready to use it, take it out of the freezer and let it come to room temperature before working with it again.

Get Everything You Need to Make Delicious Pizza Dough at Home

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Prepa Pizza Dough Kit

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The secret to any great pizza is in the dough. Making pizza dough has never been easier, all because of Prepa Pizza's pizza dough kits. Our kits provide a simple and easy way for you to create delicious and authentic pizza dough from scratch without having to guess at measurements or follow unreliable online recipes and hope for the best.

Our kits give you authentic, restaurant-quality pizza - that's much healthier, too!

They're perfect for impressing friends during pizza parties, hosting family pizza nights, or just bringing the authentic taste of Italy right into your home.

6 High-Quality Ingredients

At Prepa Pizza, our focus is on quality and authenticity. Unlike other store-bought doughs or pizzas, we only use organic ingredients that bring the rich and immersive flavors of Italy right into your kitchen.

Our kit contains six essential ingredients: flour yeast, salt, water, olive oil, and a little bit of honey for sweetness. We also import all our flour directly from Italy, which is what gives our kits their authenticity and ensures you can create a perfect pizza dough every time.

Perfect for Any Pizza Style

Our kits aren't just great for making sourdough pizza. Whether you’re craving a thin-crust Neapolitan Margherita or a thick, chewy, deep-dish pizza, create that perfect dough every single time.

Our dough doesn't just make pizzas! You can also create garlic bread knots or breadsticks - perfect for those pizza parties. With our kits, there are endless options for mouth-watering creations.

A Big Time Saver

One of the best things about our Prepa Pizza Kits is how easy they are to use. We pre-measure and package all our ingredients, so you don't have to spend time finding what you need or prepping. Just follow our instructions, and you're ready to go.

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Perfect for Beginners

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Conclusion

Sourdough is not like traditional pizza dough. It brings something a bit different to the table with new textures and tangy flavors. It takes more effort to make, too - you need patience and a little bit of love to create great sourdough. But there's a reason why this type of bread is so beloved around the world - with its crispy, chewy, and delicious flavor, sourdough is impossible to resist, especially when loaded with all your favorite pizza toppings.

So the next time you're having a pizza party, or you want to impress your family with a delicious meal, load up our sourdough pizza crust recipe and whip up a meal they'll never forget.