Pizza Quest Globe

NY Style Pizza Dough

Written By Peter Reinhart
Wednesday, 23 March 2011 Written Recipes

 

As we add to our continuing collection of fundamental pizza pantry recipes, I thought it would be important to include one for a New York style pizza dough similar to the ones you get at the many Ray’s pizzerias (none of which seem to be related to each other–Famous Ray’s, Original Ray’s, Ray Ray’s, Not Ray’s–they just keep rolling out), as well as at so many college and family pizzerias across the country.  This dough makes a thicker crust than the Neo-Neapolitan dough — such as found at Lombardi’s, Totonno’s, or Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s — and is stronger and less sticky, so it can be stretched and tossed quite easily. If you can get high-gluten flour, such as King Arthur’s Sir Lancelot, that’s the ideal choice. If not, then use unbleached bread flour. Weights are always more accurate than volume scoops, but I’m giving both in case you don’t have a scale. Adjust the flour or water as needed. As with most pizza doughs, it’s better to make this at least 12 to 24 hours ahead, or, it can be held in the cooler for at least three days. You can also make larger size batches if you prefer.

Makes three 12-ounce crusts (for 12″ pizzas), or two 18-ounce crusts (for 15″-16″ pizzas)

5 cups (22.5 ounces) unbleached high gluten flour or unbleached bread flour
1  1/2 tablespoons (1 oz.) honey or 2 tablespoons (1 oz.) sugar
2 teaspoons (0.5 oz.) salt (any kind)
1 1/2 teaspoons (0.18 oz.) instant yeast or 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons (1.5 oz.) olive or vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups (14 oz.) water, lukewarm

1.  In a mixer or a large bowl, combine all the ingredients (if using active dry yeast dissolve it in the lukewarm water first for about a minute before adding it to the dough; instant yeast can be added directly into the flour). Mix on slow speed, or hand knead, for approximately 4 minutes to form a firm, slightly tacky ball of dough. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes and then continue to mix for an additional three minutes on medium speed (or by hand). The dough should be supple and barely tacky. Adjust the flour or water as needed.

2. Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, large enough to accommodate it if it doubles in size. Roll the dough in the oiled bowl to coat it, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and immediately refrigerate it for a minimum of 12 hours.

3. Two hours before you plan to make the pizzas, remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide it into the desired sizes. Form the pieces into tight dough balls, mist them with spray oil, and cover them loosely with plastic wrap (or place them in a covered container).

4.  Heat your pizza stone for at least 45-60 minutes, on the highest setting your oven will go. Prepare your toppings, sauce, and cheese. Two hours after you formed the dough balls they should be ready to form and stretch and be turned into pizzas (shorter amount of time on hot days). Set up for your favorite style of pizza, preparing them as seen in the videos, and bake on the stone at the highest setting your oven allows (or put them on a sheet pan and slide it into the oven), for approximately 7 to 9 minutes, or until the pizzas are golden brown on the edges (cornicione), and crisp underneath. Enjoy!!

Comments

BKNY

@Chetan: Pizza stones are overrated. Head to your local (good-sized) hardware store and pick up a 12″x12″ (or a 16″x16″) quarry stone (otherwise known as a quarry tile, Mexican tile, or unglazed tile). These are clay tiles, unglazed (important, for food-safety) and fired in a kiln at lower temps, making them extremely resilient to heat and porous, and allowing you to use those many times over. In fact, people tend to simply leave those on the bottom of their oven (if you don’t have a coil down there); it’s safe to do so even during a clean cycle. Best part? Those tiles are a two-three bucks a piece vs. thirty or forty dollars (US) for a pizza stone which will eventually crack or fragment over the course of use.

Isaac Relyea

Peter, this recipe is great. Can you tell me how to make a big batch of N.Y. Style dough using a 50lb bag of flour?
Thanks

Anthony Nicastro

Peter,
This is an incredible recipe!!! I’ve been using it for over a year now and I think I have my dough mastered. I’m a pizza ifficianatto:) can I use this dough to make bread? Also, I would love to take a pizza dough cooking class, do you know of any. Willing to travel!
Ciao!

Brooks Peacock

Peter, can the recipe be extrapolated directly for large batches of 100+ dough balls? Can the basic recipe be multiplied by 30 for a 90 ball batch or by 50 for a 150 ball batch? Thanks.

Anna

Lukewarm water is what temperature? Please help! ?

    Brad English

    It is generally accepted that lukewarm water is around 100 Degrees F (90-105 Range).

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Pizza Quest is a site dedicated to the exploration of artisanship in all forms, wherever we find it, but especially through the literal and metaphorical image of pizza. As we share our own quest for the perfect pizza we invite all of you to join us and share your journeys too. We have discovered that you never know what engaging roads and side paths will reveal themselves on this quest, but we do know that there are many kindred spirits out there, passionate artisans, doing all sorts of amazing things. These are the stories we want to discover, and we invite you to jump on the proverbial bus and join us on this, our never ending pizza quest.

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American Pie
Artisan Breads Every Day
The Bread Bakers Apprentice
Brother Junipers Bread Book
Crust and Crumb
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