There are many types of flour that can be used for making pizza dough, but if you want to make a truly authentic Italian pizza, you need to use “00” flour. This type of flour is made from a specific type of wheat that has been milled to a very fine consistency. The “00” designation actually refers to the fineness of the grind, with “0” being the coarsest and “000” is the finest.
Interestingly, this type of flour was actually developed in Italy in the 19th century as a way to make pizzas that were lighter and crispier than those made with the more common types of flour available at the time. Today, it is still considered to be the best type of flour for making pizza dough. If you can’t find it at your local grocery store, don’t worry – it’s readily available online.
Ingredients you’ll need
The first thing you need to do is gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need:
-1 pound of 00 flour
-1 teaspoon of salt
-1 tablespoon of sugar
-2 1/4 teaspoons of instant yeast
-3/4 cup of lukewarm water
-2 tablespoons of olive oil
Why 00 Flour Makes the Best Pizza Dough
As we mentioned before, 00 flour is made from a specific type of wheat that has been milled to an extremely fine consistency. This makes it perfect for creating light and crispy pizzas. In fact, many professional pizza makers will only use this type of flour when making their pizzas.
Another reason why 00 flour is so popular among pizza makers is that it has a relatively high protein content – around 12-14%. This might not seem like much, but it’s actually higher than most other types of flour. This higher protein content gives the dough more strength and elasticity, which makes it easier to work with. It also helps the pizza crust to better hold its shape once it’s cooked.
How to Make Pizza Dough with 00 Flour
Now that we’ve talked about all the reasons why 00 flour makes the best pizza dough, let’s get into how you can actually make it. The great thing about this recipe is that it only requires a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. In addition to the 00 flour, you’ll need water, salt, yeast, and olive oil.
Start by mixing together the water, salt, and yeast in a bowl or stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Once everything is well combined, slowly add in the 00 flour until all of it has been incorporated into the wet ingredients. At this point, you should have a sticky ball of dough that’s starting to come together.
Now comes the fun part – kneading! Knead the dough for about 10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a stand mixer on low speed until it’s smooth and elastic. Once it’s ready, place it in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
After an hour has passed, remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a lightly floured surface. Gently shape it into a ball and then let it rest for another 10 minutes before rolling it out into your desired shape. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (or as hot as it will go) and then bake your pizza for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and crispy around the edges. Enjoy!
Conclusion:
Making authentic Italian pizza at home is easier than you might think – all you need is some 00 flour! This type of flour is milled to an extremely fine consistency and gives your pizza dough lightness and crispiness that other flours just can’t provide.
Plus, its higher protein content makes it easier to work with so you can get those perfect results every time. Give this recipe a try next time you’re in the mood for some homemade pizza!
Thamberul Islam is a born and raised Chittagonian who loves the outdoors and everything it has to offer. He has been an avid hunter and fisher his entire life, and takes great pride in providing for himself and his family. While he enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, Thamberul Islam also has a passion for fashion and loves to stay up-to-date on the latest trends. In his free time, Thamberul enjoys spending time with his wife and one young daughter. He is always looking to learn more and better himself, both as a writer and as a person.
