Best Thin Pizza/Flatbread Dough

Pizza Oven

Pizza Oven

No news here, I still love pizza and having recently spent some time with my brother and sister-in-law who have a real outside wood fired pizza oven I just had to do one more pizza post (not the last I’m sure).  Getting the oven ready is quite a process involving several hours of loving attention, special wood and lots and lots of smoke, but the result was worth it – especially since I wasn’t the one providing the loving attention!

Smokey Pizza Oven

Chef Tom hard at work

I like thin crust, thick crust and everything in between and have found this recipe to be even better than my original favorite (recipe here).  The main difference is the high gluten flour that I don’t always have on hand so I still use the other recipe as an alternate.  This dough is simple to make, easy to shape and can be rolled very thin almost like a cracker (popular with the designated taste tester – Husband).
Printable Recipe Pizza Dough

  • 3 3/4 cups Hi-Gluten Four
  • 1 teaspoon yeast
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water, enough to make a smooth, soft dough
  • 2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning (optional)
Mix together all the ingredients except the water in a food processor, mixer or bread machine (or of course you could do it by hand) add water and process until it is well mixed and smooth (you may need a little more or less).
Allow to rise in a covered, oiled bowl for 1 hour or wrap in plastic and refrigerate for up to 2 days.  If refrigerated, let it come to room temperature when you’re ready to use.
Shape the dough to the thickness you like.  It makes a great thin, almost cracker like crust or flatbread.
Cover the dough while you preheat the oven and a pizza stone if you have one to the highest setting your oven allows.
Add your pizza toppings, or if making flatbread, brush it with plain, garlic or herb flavored oil and seeds or shredded cheese.
Bake for about 8-10 minutes until the crust is crisp and the toppings (for pizza) are cooked.

12 Comments

  1. frugalfeeding
    frugalfeeding on October 10, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    I love the photos! this must be an awesome way to cook.

    Reply
  2. Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
    Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide on October 10, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    I got stuck at the top of your post. The oven just kind of had me mesmerized! This is just fantastic.

    Reply
  4. Just A Smidgen
    Just A Smidgen on October 10, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    This is incredible photography! I think my next house needs one of these pizza/wood burning ovens. Is Hi-Gluten flour generally sold at all supermarkets, or is this an Italian grocer kind of thing?

    Reply
    • simplycooking101
      simplycooking101 on October 10, 2011 at 6:59 pm

      I would love to have one too – for now I have to go visit (which isn’t bad either). I have seen it in the markets in smaller bags and on line (especially the King Arthur brand) but the shipping is quite a bit. I got a 25 pound bag from Smart & Final. It is a little more expensive than regular all purpose but it has lasted me forever.

      Reply
  5. smartfoodandfit
    smartfoodandfit on October 11, 2011 at 1:05 am

    I so want your oven! My sister’s in-laws have an outdoor oven like that and make wonderful bread and pizza’s all the time. Great photography too!

    Reply
  6. ceciliag
    ceciliag on October 13, 2011 at 8:34 am

    That is a fantastic pizza oven.. i am SO going to make one! c

    Reply
  7. zestybeandog
    zestybeandog on October 20, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Wow you’re really doing it right with the fire and all! I need this kind of set up!!!

    Reply
  8. foodallday
    foodallday on June 7, 2013 at 11:04 pm

    And no photo of the pizza??!

    Reply
    • simplycooking101
      simplycooking101 on June 21, 2013 at 11:27 am

      I know, it was a big party and they were eating them before I got a chance to take any.

      Reply
      • foodallday
        foodallday on June 24, 2013 at 12:48 pm

        ohhh,,,,bummers…must have been really good

        Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Pizza Recipe: Flatbread Pizza | Pizza Recipes - [...] other baked goods, bread recipes especially, has increased. Like the author of this blog post at simplycooking101, I also…

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.