For the ultimate time-saving hack in your kitchen, learn how to freeze pizza dough! No more lengthy dough-making sessions when you want pizza. Whether you’re freezing individual frozen pizza dough balls for later or need to quickly thaw some quick Neapolitan pizza dough recipe for tonight’s dinner, we’ve got you covered. Get ready for homemade pizza, whenever you want it, with minimal effort.
Before diving into the freezing process, you’ll need pizza dough on hand. You can buy store-bought fresh dough at your local grocery store (like Trader Joe’s or Safeway), or make your own using our easy homemade recipes. Try our pizza dough recipe Bisquick recipe and a easy sourdough pizza crust.
Using just a few simple ingredients like active dry yeast, flour, water, and a bit of salt, you can create a dough that freezes beautifully and makes future pizza nights faster and more delicious. So let’s dive in and learn how to freeze pizza dough and how to thaw frozen pizza dough!
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Why We Love Freezing Pizza Dough
- Saves time
Having a dough ready to go means homemade pizza in minutes. - Reduces waste
Freeze leftovers instead of tossing them. - Perfect for meal prep
Prep multiple individual pizzas and store them in the freezer for quick dinners or party nights.
How To Store Pizza Dough In The Fridge
Storing recipes with frozen bread dough in the fridge is ideal when you plan to use it within a couple of days. The cold slows down the rising process, allowing it to develop a richer flavor. Simply place them in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Tips for Making Frozen Pizza Dough Balls
Once your dough has risen, it’s ready for the freezer! Follow these steps to ensure your it freezes perfectly:
- Divide into frozen pizza dough balls.
- Lightly coat with extra virgin olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Wrap each ball tightly in plastic wrap.
- Place into a freezer bag and label with the date.
How to Freeze Pizza Dough
- After making your recipe of choice, it’s just a matter of wrapping it well to protect it from freezer burn.
- Start by rolling the dough into a ball before freezing. This makes prepping thawed dough easier when rolling it out.
- Depending on the size of your family, you can make multiple dough balls so you always have some on hand. And then making a pizza crust is as easy as pulling a frozen dough ball from the freezer and thawing it in the fridge.
- Your unbaked crust can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Thaw Frozen Pizza Dough
Wondering how to thaw frozen pizza dough the proper way? Simply take it from the freezer and keep it in its packaging. Place it in the fridge overnight so it can defrost slowly and evenly. This ensures a smooth texture and less stickiness when rolling it out.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Use the bowl of a stand mixer and a dough hook to make a big batch of dough at once. Freeze in portions for quick dinners using your favorite recipes and follow our recipe instructions for the best results!
How To Quickly Defrost
- Warm water method. Place the bag in a bowl of warm water for about 30 minutes.
- Thaw your pizza dough in a cold water bath. Place the bag of frozen dough in a bowl of cold water. It should only take about an hour or two for it to thaw by using this method.
- The fastest way is by putting it in a microwave. Put the frozen dough on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with an inverted bowl. To avoid cooking it, set the timer for about 45 seconds on the defrost setting. Then, take it out and let it thaw for about half an hour before using it.
Preparing The Crust
After thawing, it’s time to start preparing the crust:
- The first thing you need to do is put flour on your work surface. This will prevent it from sticking while you’re rolling it out.
- Next, put the dough ball in the center of your floured surface. You can also use your fingers to stretch it gently. If it is sticky, you can put flour on your rolling pin to prevent it from sticking.
- Once you’ve rolled your crust into a circle, transfer it to a greased pizza pan or baking sheet. Then, use your fingers, and press it down into the pan to cover the entire bottom.
Now add your favorite toppings and bake your delicious homemade pizza!
Serving Suggestions
Pair your homemade pizza with classic sides like Caesar salad or roasted garlic broccoli. For appetizers, try mozzarella sticks or bruschetta. And for dessert? Chocolate lava cake or lemon bars! Don’t forget an ice-cold drink, like sparkling lemonade or a crisp soda to round out your pizza night.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can freeze all types of pizza – unbaked dough, pre-made crusts, and homemade pizza dough. Just make sure to follow the freezing instructions above so that it will be fresh and delicious when you are ready to cook.
Yes, your dough will continue to rise a little after being frozen. Make sure to thaw it completely before cooking so that it cooks evenly.
After defrosting pizza dough in the fridge, you can let it rise in a bowl on the counter for 30 to 60 minutes before rolling and baking. During the rise time, it should double in size.
Unfortunately, no. Refreezing previously frozen dough doesn’t work well because the defrosting and refreezing processes affect the texture and taste of the crust.
More Easy How To Tips To Love…
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