Many new homemakers enjoy making pizza dough at home, and often they need to store leftover pizza dough in the refrigerator or use it later for easy preparation.
Just like myself, many of you may forget about your pizza dough and keep it for a longer period. Sometimes the question comes to mind whether has it gone bad or not. Well, if you notice changes in color, texture, or smell, then I can assure you it has gone bad.
This guide focuses on determining whether pizza dough has gone bad or not. I have thoroughly discussed the possible changes that can happen when the pizza dough has gone bad, along with some tips to preserve its freshness.
How to Tell if Pizza Dough Is Bad? 2 Signs
Sometimes, I forget about the leftover pizza dough that I kept in the refrigerator a long time ago. Keeping that in mind I suspected it may have gone bad, so when I opened it, I could clearly notice significant changes in color, texture, and a foul smell that was coming from it.
You can also observe the noticeable changes in your pizza dough when it has gone bad, and here’s what can happen are pointed out in detail.
1. Changes in Color and Texture of the Pizza Dough
The color of the pizza dough will be darker or may turn greyish than its usual shade. You can also notice visible spots appeared on the pizza dough, which indicates the presence of mold. The mold can be identified as green, black, or off-white, depending on the duration of the pizza dough kept in the refrigerator.
Moreover, the pizza dough’s texture may become overly sticky or slimy, and when you are going to touch it, you can feel it is very dry and the appearance is kind of crusty.
So, if anything happens like that in your pizza dough, immediately throw it away in the dustbin as it is unsafe and may cause food poison upon making pizza with it.
2. Foul Smell Coming From the Pizza Dough
Another thing that is extremely unpleasant is when you smell something awful from the pizza dough.
A normal pizza dough has some normal smell for the yeast, but when it becomes bad it smells very sour, alcoholic, or more yeasty, which you can easily understand by the aroma of it. This smell comes from the chemical reaction of acetic and lactic acid because of overproofing.
There is no way you can rectify the pizza dough once it gets bad, and it must be thrown away in the trash.
Additional Tips for Determining Freshness
According to my perspective, here are some of the pro tips that can help you determine the freshness of the pizza dough.
- Always buy fresh and premium ingredients for making pizza dough at home, never go for cheap as they can go bad early before you notice. If you buy pizza dough from a store, check for the expiration and the manufacturing date.
- The pizza dough should be covered with plastic wrap in an airtight container to keep it long in the refrigerator. Exposure to air will spoil it quickly.
- The pizza dough can be kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of three days, and in the freezer, it can kept for three months if it is sealed properly. Overkeeping it can make it bad.
- When you bring out your pizza dough from the refrigerator, inspect the dough’s texture, color, and smell carefully before you start making pizza on it.
- Fresh pizza dough will have fewer air pockets or bubbles, and if you see an excessive amount of it, then it has been spoiled or gotten bad.
How Long Does Pizza Dough Last?
Based on my experiment, the longevity of pizza dough varies depending on the storage method. At room temperature, it can only last for a few hours. When it is stored in the refrigerator and sealed properly, it can remain fresh for up to three days. In the freezer, it can last even longer, which is up to three months.
Therefore, understanding proper storage conditions is necessary. If you like your pizza to be baked right after making the dough, keep it at room temperature. And, if you have leftovers or want to keep them for long, consider keeping it in the refrigerator or freezer.
Will Bad Pizza Dough Make You Sick?
Yes, consuming bad pizza dough will make you sick, especially the undercooked ones. A bad pizza dough contains harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or abdominal pain.
I would recommend you avoid eating pizza that is made of bad dough and discard it immediately if possible. Moreover, always maintain the proper way of storing pizza dough to keep it fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Biggest Giveaway of Bad Pizza Dough?
The biggest giveaway of bad pizza dough is the presence of mold that appears on the dough. The mold contains harmful bacteria that can make you sick upon consuming it. Therefore, when you notice mold, a bad smell, or a change of color from the pizza dough, it is better to avoid baking pizza in it.
Are Bubbles in Pizza Dough Bad?
No, bubbles in pizza are not considered bad. The bubbles appear in a small amount during the fermentation process of pizza dough. However, if there is a large amount of bubbles in a pizza dough, then it indicates that it has gone bad or spoiled.
How Long Is Store-Bought Dough Good For?
The store-bought dough can be good for three days if it is stored in the refrigerator. Also, in the freezer, it can last up to three months if it is sealed properly using a plastic wrap in an airtight container.
I would advise you to check the manufacturing date of the store-bought dough before purchasing it and count the days based on that.
Does Pizza Dough Go Bad in Fridge?
Yes, pizza dough goes bad in the fridge even if you seal it properly. I would recommend not to keep pizza dough longer than three days for best results.
How Do You Know When Pizza Dough Is Not Cooked?
When the pizza dough is not cooked properly, it becomes chewy and gummy with a dense texture. Additionally, the pizza will not be that crispy and still have a doughy flavor.
