You’ve probably heard it before: kneading your pizza dough is essential to pizza success. That is correct. Kneading pizza dough gives it the structure it needs to rise, transforming rock-hard pizza dough into an airy and appealing dough. All it takes is a little pressing and spinning of the dough.

Hey! My name is Shea, and I like creating pizzas. I used to despise kneading. It seemed time-consuming and difficult to me. As my passion for cooking pizza increased, I discovered the necessity of kneading and now enjoy it immensely. Just keep the end product in mind while you work!

If this is your first time cooking pizza and you’re anxious about kneading the dough properly, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find out precisely how to knead pizza dough for success down below. Don’t worry, it’s much simpler than you think.

Whos ready to get their hands dirty?

Why is Kneading Necessary?

Some individuals believe that skipping kneading or not doing it for as long as you should is OK. But the fact is that if you don’t knead properly or long enough, you’ll end up with hard, unappealing pizza.

Kneading gives the pizza dough the power and structure it needs to rise. This is accomplished by pressing, twisting, and rotating the dough’s molecular constituents (gluten and gliadin) until they form an amino acid chain.

This strong chain may then trap gasses within the dough, allowing it to rise. And, if you know anything about pizza dough, you know that rising allows for soft, airy, and texturally appealing pizzas. Yum!

How to Knead Pizza Dough by Hand (3 Steps)

How do you go about it? If you’ve ever seen someone kneading pizza on TV or in the movies, it seems like they’re just pressing into the dough, rotating it, twisting it, and repeating the process. That is basically how it is done. But let’s take a deeper look.

Step 1: Start by Flouring Your Work Center

Whether you are working directly on your countertop or another material, such as a cutting board, it is critical to begin by flouring your work center. Otherwise, the dough may adhere to the surface, causing a time-consuming and sticky mess.

Step 2: Press Down, Fold, and Turn

My favorite dough-kneading technique consists of three steps: pressing, folding, and twisting.

• Using your palm, press the ball of pizza dough down.

• Press down again after connecting the dough from edge to edge.

• Turn the dough and fold the edges

• Press the edges together and turn

If you’re wondering to yourself, “What did she just say?” You’re not alone yourself. It might be tough to describe something that should truly be seen. This is a fantastic video that nicely describes and displays the press, fold, and twists procedure.

Step 3: Continue Kneading for 10 to 15 Minutes

This is the portion that most people dread, yet it is crucial. Not kneading your dough long enough will prevent it from forming the structure required for rising. You must knead for at least 10 to 15 minutes while using your hands.

just listen to your favorite music and move to the rhythm.Here are two tips if your hands are becoming tired: Consider the delicious pizza you’ll be eating in just a few hours.

How Do You Tell If Your Pizza Dough Is Kneaded Enough?

It is critical to understand whether your pizza dough has been sufficiently kneaded. Overkneaded pizza dough becomes sloppy and tough to stretch, making it harder to create your pizza. That being stated, here are a few indicators that your pizza dough has been sufficiently kneaded:

• The dough is smooth with no lumps

• Stickiness is minimal (some is okay)

• It should be able to hold its shape well

• Dough springs back when poked

• The dough expands without tearing (the windowpane test).

How to Knead Dough Using a Mixer

or cook.If you don’t want to knead your pizza dough by hand, you may use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. A stand mixer will make it much easier to produce pizza dough (and other items), so it may be a worthwhile purchase depending on how often you cook.

To knead using a stand mixer, do the following:

Step 1: Combine all of the pizza dough ingredients in a mixing basin.

Step 2: Attach the dough hook.

Step 3: Start the mixer on low and gradually raise the speed in 30-second increments.

Step 4: For a few minutes, mix the dough on medium-high speed. If the mixture is too sticky, add a pinch of flour. If it’s too dry, add more water.

Continue to knead the dough. Maintain vigilance on the dough. Look for evidence of completion. Smooth, shapes well, bounces back, and stretches without tearing.

Here’s a terrific video that teaches how to knead pizza dough using a stand mixer.

FAQs

Kneading pizza dough with your hands or a stand mixer isn’t difficult. If you still have unanswered questions regarding kneading dough, have a look at the commonly asked questions below.

What is the best way to knead pizza dough?

The optimal method will vary from person to person. I like kneading my dough by hand because I can feel when it is forming the strength and structure required for rising. If I’m in a hurry, the stand mixer comes in handy.

How long should you knead pizza dough?

If you’re kneading by hand, keep going for at least 10 to 15 minutes. The number fluctuates when using a stand mixer. Typically, the dough should be ready between 5 and 10 minutes.

Can pizza dough be over-kneaded?

Yes, pizza dough may be over-kneaded, so whether you’re kneading by hand or using a stand mixer, keep an eye on it. Over-kneaded dough becomes very tough and cannot be stretched or molded. If that happens, it will rip.

Do you knead pizza dough before or after it rises?

Before the pizza dough rises, it must be kneaded. If you knead the pizza dough after it has risen, you will destroy the gas bubbles that have formed within the dough. These are required for a light and airy crust. Destroying them will result in a thick, flat, and unappealing pizza crust.

How wet should pizza dough be?

The pizza dough will be moist and sticky before kneading. That is why it is critical to flour your work area. Most of the moisture and stickiness will be removed when kneading, but not totally.

Final Words

Whether you use a stand mixer or your hands, kneading pizza dough is essential to successful pizza baking. Simply repeat the Press, Fold, and Turn procedure with your hands for 10 to 15 minutes. If using a dough hook, begin slowly and gradually increase the speed to medium-high.

Have you ever worked with dough? Do you utilize my approach, or do you have another kneading technique you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below.