The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (2024)

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This overnight pizza dough recipe is the answer to your thin-crust pizza prayers. So easy to prep, all you have to do is dream about what toppings to use!

The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (1)

For the past few years, I’ve relied heavily on my quick pizza dough recipe to make tasty pies with super fluffy crust. However, when my family took a trip to Italy recently we fell in love with thin pizza crust.

To get that signature thin, Northern Italian-style pizza crust, look no further. By letting the dough rest overnight in the fridge, you slow the fermentation process and create a perfectly delicate crust. The kicker? It only takes 25 minutes to prep and works for a host of other recipes besides homemade pizza.

How to Make Overnight Pizza Dough

Making overnight pizza dough is as simple as it gets. Below, find a quick hitter overview of the recipe before you dive in.

  • Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and yeast.
  • Mix in the Water & Olive Oil: In small portions, stir the water into the dry ingredients. Next, stir in the olive oil.
  • Knead the Dough: Using your hands (or stand mixer with dough hook), knead the dough on a lightly floured work surface until it becomes elastic. Next, roll it into a dough ball.
  • Pop Dough in the Fridge Overnight: Place the dough ball into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow it to rise overnight or up to 24 hours. Use it within 3 days for your favorite pizza recipes.
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Tips & Tricks

Below, find a collection of pro tips & tricks to help you make the best pizza dough possible.

  • Use very cold water. Using very cold water to make your pizza dough is key to slowing the fermentation process. This is crucial since you’ll be letting your dough rise overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Use a stand mixer if you have one. Kneading the dough will be so much easier and take a fraction of the time if you use a stand mixer.
  • Use high-quality olive oil. There are a lot of bogus olive oil blends sold at the grocery store. When it comes to pizza-making, opt for 100% pure extra virgin olive oil. It’s worth it for the full-bodied flavor!
  • Use high-quality flour. Opt for a flour that has a higher protein content and you won’t be disappointed with the texture of your crust. Bob’s Red Mill makes a great all-purpose flour that works great!
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Pizza Topping Ideas

Below, find a couple of suggestions for different pizza toppings to help you create your perfect pie. Keep in mind these are simply suggestions! Feel free to get creative as you want and use your favorite pizza toppings.

Pizza Sauce

  • Five Minute Marinara Sauce
  • Alfredo Pizza Sauce
  • Pesto
  • Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce (great for BBQ chicken pizza!)

Meats, Cheeses, & Veggies

  • Meats: Salami, pepperoni, hot soppressata, prosciutto, ham, shredded chicken, meatballs, anchovies, Italian ground sausage
  • Cheeses: Mozzarella, parmesan, herbed goat cheese, feta, romano, gorgonzola, blue cheese
  • Veggies: Mushrooms, bell peppers, onion, marinated artichokes, pepperoncini, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, olives

Hot Tip: Make any pizza breakfast pizza by cracking an egg on top 5-7 minutes before you’re ready to take it out of the oven. Dipping a slice in the runny yolk is an absolute game-changer!

How to Bake Your Pizza

After you’ve selected your toppings and you’re ready to bake your dough into a perfect pizza, find a quick rundown of the process below:

  • Prepare the Baking Sheet: Drizzle some olive oil or dust flour on a baking sheet. Next, dust it with some cornmeal and set it aside.
  • Prepare the Dough: Using your hands, stretch the dough into your desired shape. (Never use a rolling pin to shape your pizza dough. It will remove all the air and prevent your pizza from bubbling up.)
  • Add the Sauce & Cheese: Spread your desired sauce across the dough, leaving about an inch of space along the rim to account for the crust. Next, sprinkle on the cheese.
  • Add Meat, Veggies, & More Cheese: Evenly distribute the meat and veggies across your pie and top with another layer of cheese. Sprinkle the crust with sesame seeds.
  • Bake the Pizza: Bake the pizza in a preheated oven to 425°F for about 12 minutes or until it’s golden brown. Slice, serve immediately, and enjoy!

Hot Tip: If you want an even more authentic pizza texture, invest in a pizza stone and pizza peel.

Storing Pizza Dough

  • Refrigerator: You can store raw pizza dough in the fridge by keeping it in a bowl covered with plastic wrap. Use it within 3 days or freeze it.
  • Freezer: To freeze raw pizza dough, roll it into a ball. Next, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, allow it to sit in the refrigerator overnight.

FAQ

Can I leave my pizza dough overnight at room temperature?

You should not leave your pizza dough out overnight at room temperature. If you do, it will over-ferment and have a strong, yeasty flavor.

Do I let the pizza dough rise before refrigerating it?

You do not need to let pizza dough rise before refrigerating it. Alternatively, it will rise in the fridge overnight.

What is 00 flour?

00 flour refers to ultra-finely ground Italian flour. It yields super silky dough and is commonly used in combination with bread flour to make pizza and pasta.

Why is my pizza crust so chewy?

Your pizza crust likely turned out too chewy if you used too much flour. To properly measure your flour, loosely pack the measuring cup with spoonfuls of flour until full. Despite popular belief, you should never measure flour by tightly packing it.

How do I fix overworked pizza dough?

If your pizza dough is overworked and too difficult to handle, allow it to rest on a floured surface for 10-15 minutes

Recipes that Call for Pizza Dough

  • Costco Chicken Bake – Costco’s famous snack bar treat
  • Parmesan Garlic Flatbread Recipe – Zesty flatbread
  • Pizza Rolls Recipe – Handheld pizza snacks
  • Easy Garlic Knots – Soft and dippable garlic bread

Recipe

The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (7)

The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe

Print Pin

Servings

6 Units

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This overnight pizza dough recipe is the answer to your thin-crust pizza prayers. So easy to prep, all you have to do is dream about what toppings to use!

Ingredients

US UnitsMetric

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and yeast.

  • In small parts, add water to the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.

  • Add olive oil to the mixture and stir to combine.

  • Dust a flat working surface with whole wheat flour and knead the dough with your hands until it turns elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook to speed up the process.

  • Place the dough in a bowl in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Leave the dough to rise overnight in the refrigerator and use it within three days. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 427 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 7g

Sodium 588mg25%

Potassium 120mg3%

Carbohydrates 72g24%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 10g20%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 17mg2%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Posted October 26, 2021

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.

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  1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (20)

    Jennifer EscudoFeb 1, 2024

    If I can give more than 5 stars, I would. This is the best pizza crust I’ve made and I’ve made a lot. I didn’t use the rolling pin as I read here (first time for me) and the dough is so easy to work with. Perfect pizza for dinner, the whole family loved it. This is the only pizza dough for me from now on.

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (21)

      Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 2, 2024

      Thanks for sharing your feedback Jennifer! I'm so happy to hear that this is now your go-to pizza dough recipe!

  2. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (22)

    davidJan 8, 2024

    I NEVER leave reviews.

    This turned out perfect.

    Made four full sized pizzas, cooked perfectly in a basic apartment oven, cracked all the way up to 500. We didn't even have a pizza stone or peel bc my dumb ass forgot to bring them over.

    Didn't matter. Perfect pies, both NY and neopolitan style. One of the best recipes I've ever found.

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (23)

      Natalya DrozhzhinJan 8, 2024

      Hey David, I appreciate you taking the time to leave such a great feedback! I'm glad this pizza dough was a success! Enjoy! 🙂

  3. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (24)

    Robert CarrDec 29, 2023

    Given the reviews, I was stunned that the recipe is not given in weights!

  4. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (26)

    AriannaDec 25, 2023

    The dough turned out beautiful!! I mixed in a 25% whole wheat flour in the flour mixture and added some dried oregano and basil for a delightful Italian flavor!

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (27)

      Natalya DrozhzhinDec 26, 2023

      Arianna, that sounds so yumm! I love th idea of adding herbs to the mix, thanks for sharing with us.

  5. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (28)

    GayOct 18, 2023

    Hi there. I think I’m the only one that had a problem so I’m sure it’s me. I kneaded it in my kitchen aid. With dough hook. I measured very carefully and made two batches. Each time it had a hard time forming a ball and I needed to add much more flour. It was still quite sticking and not easy to put into bowls. They are in frig now. Hopefully it’ll still turn out. Do u know what I did wrong? Seemed like a lot of EVOO to me but compared to other recipes. But nobody else stated that. Tx!!!

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (29)

      Natalya DrozhzhinOct 19, 2023

      Hey Gay, What brand and type of flour did you use? Also, let us know how the dough turned out!

  6. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (30)

    JuanSep 14, 2023

    Letting the dough come to room temperature is very important. Allow time for this, it's very difficult to work with cold dough. Turns out great though with some patience!

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (31)

      Natalya DrozhzhinSep 15, 2023

      Hi Juan, I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  7. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (32)

    RanuiAug 17, 2023

    I love this recipe! I've made it for my two kids every night! Just wanted to say thanks. Do you have any other bread recipes?

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (33)

      Natalya DrozhzhinAug 17, 2023

      Hi Ranui, We love bread! We have a variety of bread, buns, and biscuit recipes! You can search for it on our blog, or let me know what you are looking for specifically and I can recommend a recipe.

  8. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (34)

    PaulineJun 29, 2023

    How many crusts can I get from a recipe?

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (35)

      Natalya DrozhzhinJun 29, 2023

      Hi Pauline, This recipe is enough for two medium pizzas.

  9. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (36)

    LilJun 25, 2023

    Hi! After 4 years of making this weekly, I want to say thank you so much for this recipe. It is a game changer, especially to feeding my 3 teenagers economically, and we haven’t ordered pizza since they prefer “fresh pizza”! This recipe is simple and has worked everytime. It is also versatile, I use it to make bread sticks, garlic knots and flatbreads. Thanks a million for sharing your recipes…

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (37)

      Natalya DrozhzhinJun 26, 2023

      Hi Lil, I agree, fresh pizza is always best. Thanks for loving my recipe for so many years!

  10. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (38)

    DcdcJun 20, 2023

    Can you make it gluten free, would you happen to have one

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (39)

      Natalya DrozhzhinJun 21, 2023

      Hi there, I haven't tested this recipe using gluten free flour so I don't have any tips or feedback on that. If you give it a try, please let us know how it works out!

  11. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (40)

    RachApr 1, 2023

    Can this recipe be doubled?

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (41)

      Natalya DrozhzhinApr 2, 2023

      Hi there Rach, You can absolutely double this recipe!

  12. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (42)

    MichaelMar 23, 2023

    How long before using should you take it out of the fridge?

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (43)

      Natalya DrozhzhinMar 23, 2023

      Hi Michael, you can use it right out of the fridge. Thank you for reaching out!

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (45)

      Natalya DrozhzhinJan 28, 2023

      Hi Billy, If you click on the word "yeast" in the ingredients list, it will take you to a link to the amazon link to the yeast I use. Thank you for reaching out!

  13. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (46)

    Isaac AondofaJan 25, 2023

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe, I'm just seeing it but it help me so much 🙏

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (47)

      Natalya DrozhzhinJan 25, 2023

      Hi Isaac, I am so thrilled! Thank you for your feedback! Enjoy!

  14. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (48)

    PamelaOct 9, 2022

    Mine didn’t rise that much. Is that normal?

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (49)

      Natalya DrozhzhinOct 10, 2022

      Hi Pamela, It should not rise as much as a bread would rise because its not in a warm environment. If it didn't rise at all, there could be other issues such as old yeast or too much flour. I hope this helps.

      1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (50)

        PamelaOct 20, 2022

        I turned out great!! So tasty and perfect texture !

        1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (51)

          Natalya DrozhzhinOct 20, 2022

          Hi Pamela! Thank you very much for your feedback! Enjoy!

  15. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (52)

    CindyApr 7, 2022

    Can this dough be frozen and at what point-before refrigeration or after the overnight refrigeration?

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (53)

      Gina WDec 28, 2023

      Pizza dough should be frozen after the first rise in any type of recipe. So, rise overnight, then freeze.

      1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (54)

        Natalya DrozhzhinDec 28, 2023

        Gina, thanks for sharing your feedback.

    2. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (55)

      Natalya DrozhzhinApr 8, 2022

      Hi Cindy- I have not tried freezing it so I'm not sure. Wish I could be of more help!

  16. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (56)

    EstherApr 7, 2022

    I'm wondering how many pizzas this is for?

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (57)

      Natalya DrozhzhinApr 7, 2022

      Hi Esther- this is enough for 2 medium pizzas. Enjoy!

  17. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (58)

    SusanFeb 25, 2022

    Do you use instant yeast, or active dry yeast?

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (59)

      Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 25, 2022

      Hi Susan- either should work!

  18. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (60)

    AllyssaOct 27, 2021

    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing pizza dough recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (61)

      Natalya DrozhzhinOct 28, 2021

      Thank you very much! It really is the best thing to have in the fridge for any day!

  19. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (62)

    JuliaOct 27, 2021

    This dough is a dream to work with, which made our Friday pizza night so much more enjoyable for this mom!

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (63)

      Natalya DrozhzhinOct 28, 2021

      Right?! So easy and delicious, I'm so glad your family loved the recipe!

  20. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (64)

    StephanieOct 27, 2021

    So good! I have never done an overnight version before and this one is really delicious!

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (65)

      Natalya DrozhzhinOct 28, 2021

      Hi Stephanie, I am so glad you enjoyed it, thank you for your feedback!

  21. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (66)

    Gabrielle S McginnisOct 26, 2021

    Do you need to let it get to room temp before you roll it out?

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (67)

      Natalya DrozhzhinOct 27, 2021

      Hey Gabrielle, while it's not necessary, it's a good idea. It will make the crust more bubbly.

  22. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (68)

    Anya KatykhinDec 21, 2018

    This will come in handy !!!!

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (69)

      Natalya DrozhzhinDec 21, 2018

      Yes, I love having this dough on hand and using it overtime. Kids make their own pizza after school.

  23. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (70)

    MeredithJan 17, 2016

    For how long and at what temperature do you cook it?

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (71)

      Natalya DrozhzhinJan 17, 2016

      Search "pizza recipe" I have some tips on there.

  24. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (72)

    RakelDec 5, 2015

    I always use fresh yeast, how much yeast would you recommend?

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (73)

      Natalya DrozhzhinDec 6, 2015

      Oh my! I have no idea 🙂 I have never used fresh yeast.

  25. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (74)

    Christie FergusonNov 21, 2014

    So this recipe makes enough for 4 thin crust pizzas? About how large is each pizza? Can't wait to try this!

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (75)

      Natalya DrozhzhinNov 21, 2014

      They are smaller in size, about 10-12 inches in size. Making 4 pizzas.

  26. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (76)

    Mira LJul 29, 2014

    Thanks for the recipe! I use a similar one, but was told to use unbleached flour, I must try it with regular flour, should be ok. It really works great for pizzas and flat breads.

    1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (77)

      Natalya DrozhzhinJul 29, 2014

      Hi Mira, how do you make flat breads? I love easy it is to work with this dough. Keep me posted on how you like it.

      1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (78)

        Mira LJul 30, 2014

        This dough is really easy to work with, I should try making pita bread with it (I guess the secret is in baking the pita). I've made something like flat bread pizza- spread dough over a pizza stone (pan) and drizzle some olive oil ,bake it, once done I top it with prosciutto,sautéed or fresh vegetables, cheese and eat it as a flat bread.

        1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (79)

          Natalya DrozhzhinJul 30, 2014

          Thanks for the ideas on flat bread, i want to try that 🙂

          1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (80)

            Kai BanksMay 30, 2023

            why would you use cold water when that kills yeast.

            1. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (81)

              Natalya DrozhzhinMay 30, 2023

              Hot water kills yeast but in cold water it simply sleeps. It starts slowly working as the ingredients get warmer. Enjoy the recipe.

          2. The Best Overnight Pizza Dough Recipe (82)

            Kai BanksMay 30, 2023

            hi thanks my family is very thanful

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