One of the best parts about cooking is the immediate gratification, especially when it comes to pizza. We know homemade pizza dough is delicious, easy and will level up your Friday night pizza game—no delivery required.
It’s hard to imagine a situation with too much pizza, but what happens if you’ve made extra dough or want to meal prep? Can you freeze pizza dough? Yes! It’s one of the yeast doughs that freeze well. Here’s the best way to store pizza dough for future pizza nights or last-minute cravings.
How to Freeze Pizza Dough
Begin by divvying up the dough into equal-sized portions. Each ball should be big enough to make an individual pizza. Lightly coat all sides of the pizza dough with oil (we recommend olive oil), and then tightly seal in a freezer bag. Make sure all the air is squeezed out before placing in the freezer.
The dough will last in the freezer for up to three months. Be sure to mark each bag with the date!
How to Thaw Frozen Pizza Dough
Place the dough in the fridge for 8-12 hours. Then, let it warm on the counter for around 30 minutes before beginning to stretch it.
If you’re running short on time, you can thaw the pizza dough in a bowl of cold water. Make sure to keep the dough sealed in plastic, and change the water every half hour.
You can also let the dough thaw on the kitchen counter for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours; however, make sure to refrigerate after two hours to avoid bacteria growth.
Can You Make Your Own Frozen Pizzas?
Yes! It’s easy to make a batch of frozen pizza crusts or prepared pizzas for the future.
Begin by dividing out your dough evenly and rolling it out to form crusts. Place the crusts on a tray for freezing. Decorate with your toppings of choice (just make sure that the toppings are freezer-friendly) and wrap the pizzas in plastic wrap. The pizza should last for up to three months in the freezer.
When you’re ready to eat, preheat your oven to 500° F. Place the pizza on the middle rack and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling.
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I've spent years trying to come up with the perfect pizza crust and sauce, and they're paired up in this recipe. I fix this crispy, savory pizza for my family often, and it really satisfies my husband and sons. —Susan Lindahl, Alford, Florida
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My grandma made the tastiest snacks for us when we stayed the night at her farm. Her wonderful pizza, hot from the oven, was covered with cheese and had fragrant herbs in the crust. Now this pizza is frequently a meal for my husband and me and our family. —Michele Madden, Washington Court House, Ohio
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I have four gardens and, between them, I grow a pretty good spread of veggies. I created this loaded-up pizza as a fun summer appetizer using some of my best garden goodies. —Dianna Wara, Washington, Illinois
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Fans of spicy chicken wings will love this rendition that turns it into pizza. Serve it up with blue cheese dressing and crisp celery, just like the tasty original. —Shari DiGirolamo, Newton, Pennsylvania
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