Four basic ingredients are all you need for this versatile no-knead dough recipe.

Four basic ingredients are all you need for this versatile no-knead dough recipe.

If homemade pizza dough has ever felt intimidating, I want to show you just how simple it can be. This recipe uses only four ingredients, requires no kneading, and costs just a fraction of what store-bought dough or takeout pizza costs.

Honestly, once you start making your own dough, it’s hard to go back. 

The best part? This isn’t just pizza dough. I use this same dough recipe for artisan bread, English muffins, flatbreads, and more.

What You’ll Need

* 3 cups flour

* 1½ teaspoons kosher salt

* 1½ teaspoons yeast (active dry yeast or instant yeast are fine)

* 1½ cups water

That’s it!

Optional additions:

* Italian seasoning

* Garlic herb seasoning

* Other favorite herb blends

Why I Love This Dough Recipe

This dough is:

* Budget-friendly

* No-knead

* Flexible

* Great for meal prep

* Easy to refrigerate ahead of time

* Perfect for weeknight pizza nights

And because it stores beautifully in the refrigerator, you can prep it ahead and use it throughout the week. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Measure the flour correctly.

When a recipe says to use the “spoon and level” method, here’s what that means:

Use a spoon to fill your measuring cup with flour, then level it off with a flat edge instead of scooping directly from the container. 

It may seem like a small detail, but it really helps prevent adding too much flour.

2. Mix the dry ingredients.

In a mixing bowl, combine:

* flour

* kosher salt

* yeast

I like using yeast from a jar instead of packets because:

* it stores well in the freezer

* you can measure exactly what you need

* there’s less waste

This recipe uses:

* 1½ teaspoons yeast

Most yeast packets contain 2¼ teaspoons, so jars are much more practical for recipes like this. 

3. Add the water.

Pour in:

* 1½ cups water (cool tap water is fine for this)

The ratio is easy to remember:

half as much water as flour. 

Then stir everything together until there are no dry spots remaining.

Don’t Worry — The Dough Looks Wet!

This is a no-knead dough, so it’s supposed to look wet and sticky.

That’s exactly what you want. 

Simply mix until combined, cover the bowl, and let it rest on the counter for:

* 2 hours

Make Ahead Option

After the dough has rested, you have two choices:

* use it immediately

* refrigerate it for up to 5–7 days

This is one of my favorite meal prep tricks for homemade pizza nights.

Make the dough on the weekend or earlier in the week, then pull it out whenever you’re ready to bake. 

4. Divide the dough.

This recipe makes:

* two large 15-inch pizzas

Or:

* three smaller pizzas if using the Deluxe Air Fryer

Because the dough is very sticky, use plenty of flour when handling it. 

The Secret to Smooth Dough

Once the dough is coated lightly in flour, gently turn it under itself repeatedly.

Almost like magic, it transforms from sticky dough into a smooth, workable ball – my video shows you all the “fancy” techniques!  I like to work on the surface of my Silicone Pastry Mat

We carry several pieces of stoneware that work well for homemade pizza.  This Pizza Stone is the go-to for a traditional large pizza.

At that point, you can:

* stretch it by hand

* roll it out

* shape it however you like

Flavor Variations

Want to customize the dough?

Try adding:

* Italian seasoning

* garlic herb blends

* Parmesan

* dried basil or oregano

It’s an easy way to add extra flavor to your pizza crust.

Why I Love This Method

* Only four ingredients

* No kneading required

* Budget-friendly

* Great for meal prep

* Refrigerator-friendly

* Works for multiple bread recipes

* Easy enough for beginners

Homemade pizza night feels so much more special when the dough is made from scratch — and this recipe makes it surprisingly easy.

Want to browse the Pampered Chef tools I used in this recipe? Check them out here!

Do you prefer classic cheese pizza… or lots of toppings on yours?