How to Store Pizza Dough - Kickass Baker (2024)

Making your own pizza dough at home is surprisingly easy! And homemade pizza dough takes an already delicious comfort food to the next level. You can even prepare a large batch of dough ahead of time and store it for whenever your craving a freshly made pizza.

There are some important tips and tricks to storing your pizza dough properly so that it retains its quality. The best way to store your pizza dough depends on when you plan to use it, as well as the ingredients it contains.

We will give you the advice you need to keep your pizza dough fresh so that you can enjoy a perfect pizza crust anytime you'd like!

Are you looking to give homemade pizza dough a try? Check out my popular chewy pizza dough recipe and Soft-Baked Garlic Breadsticks made from Pizza dough.

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Can I store pizza dough at room temperature?

If you are planning to use your pizza dough soon, you can store it at room temperature for about four hours. Any longer than that and you will want to keep it in the fridge to avoid over-fermentation.

This depends on the type of pizza dough you are using. If your pizza dough contains very little yeast, however, like with Neopolitan pizza dough, it can last up to 24 hours at room temperature.

Just be sure to brush the dough with oil and properly cover it with plastic wrap so that it doesn't dry out if leaving at room temperature.

How long does pizza dough last in the fridge

Storing homemade pizza dough in the fridge can actually enhance its flavor! This is a great option if you're looking to prepare your dough ahead of time so that it is ready for an easy weeknight dinner, pizza night, or to use in making breadsticks.

To store, coat an airtight container or bowl with olive oil. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the sides.

Place the dough in the plastic container and cover it with a lid or plastic wrap. Be sure that it is entirely covered to prevent the dough from drying out.

The length of time that your pizza dough will last in the fridge will depend on a few factors. Doughs with higher yeast contents will ferment faster and will not last as long. Those with less yeast will retain their quality longer in the fridge.

The temperature of the dough before it is placed in the fridge will also impact its shelf life. The warmer the dough gets before refrigeration, the quicker it will over-ferment and go bad.

If you plan to keep your dough for a few days, it is best to refrigerate it as soon as you are done kneading to avoid leaving it at higher temperatures.

Generally, fresh pizza dough will last about 3-5 days in the fridge. If you are concerned that yours has gone bad, pay attention to its scent and texture.

If there is a sour smell to your dough, there is a chance that it has over-fermented and is no longer usable. A dry and flaky dough that is hard to shape is another sign that it has over-fermented.

It is important to remember to remove your dough from the fridge about an hour before your plan to roll it into shape. This will allow it to warm to room temperature so that it is easier to handle and shape.

How long does pizza dough last in the freezer

If you have leftover pizza dough or want to keep some on hand, you can also store it in the freezer for future use.

It is very convenient to make a bulk batch of pizza dough, and then divide it into smaller portions and store some so that it will be ready for your next pizza night!

Pizza dough freezes well and will retain its quality for around three months when frozen properly.

It is important to take some simple steps to make sure that your dough will not become freezer burnt, especially if you expect to store it for a long period of time.

How to thaw frozen pizza dough

When you are ready to use your frozen pizza dough, you can place it in the refrigerator to defrost. Place in the fridge at least 8 hours before you plan to use it.

You can keep defrosted pizza dough in the refrigerator for approximately three days.

If you forget to remove the dough from the freezer, and need to defrost it quickly, you can do so with lukewarm or cold water. Make sure the plastic bag that you stored your dough in is airtight, and submerge the bag in water for 1-2 hours, until mostly thawed.

Remove the dough from the bag and place in a dry bowl for about a half hour before using.

If you are in a rush you can also defrost your pizza dough in the microwave.

Remove your dough from your freezer bag and place on a plate. Cover the dough with a bowl, and place it in the microwave. Heat on the defrost setting for a minute, before flipping the dough and heating for another minute.

Be sure that your microwave is set to defrost, or you will risk overheating the dough. Let the dough sit at room temperature on the kitchen counter for a half hour before forming.

Homemade pizza dough recipes