How to Use 00 Flour & Why It’s The Best Choice for Making Pizza
As a massive pizza fan, many folks ask me the secret to my Neapolitan pizzas. The truth is, if you get your crust game right – you’re already halfway there! Crust texture can make or break any pizza and mastering it is an essential part of creating delicious pies.
What is 00 Flour?
Allow me to share one of the culinary world’s best-kept secrets: The secret to scrumptious pizza lies in great flour. Which is the ideal kind for a magnificent crust? My answer will forever be 00 flour, also known as doppio flour! This Italian staple ingredient turns up primarily in dough and pasta recipes, making it essential when aiming for an authentic Italian-style pie. The “00” indicates how fine or refined the powder is – with 00 being extra silky smooth.
Crafting the perfect pizza dough requires special attention to detail. To create a delicate, thin and crunchy crust, Italian 00 flour is ideal due to its low gluten content which makes kneading much easier! Plus, you can use it with both regular home ovens or specialized pizza ovens for an amazing result every time. Below I’ve included my reliable Neapolitan-style recipe so that you can make your own delicious pizzas in no time – give it a go now and see just how great homemade pizzas can taste!
Pizza Crust Recipe
Treat yourself to a genuine Italian pizza crust by following this recipe. You’ll be so thrilled with the results that you won’t be able to help but share them with your family and friends – they’re sure to be amazed!
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
– 500 grams of 00 flour
– ½ tsp active dry yeast
– 1 ½ tsp of sea salt
– 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
– Pinch of sugar
– 250 ml water
Instructions
Mix Up the Dough
Start by blending the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a bowl. In an alternate container, mix together the water and olive oil. To combine these ingredients into the dough you can use a table mixer or food processor; if preferred you can even do it all by hand! Follow the below steps depending on which method you choose to make your delicious creation.
Food Processor: In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients and then slowly add water and oil while stirring. If the dough appears too stiff, add some more liquid in small increments until you reach your desired consistency; too much will make it runny. Use an electric mixer to blend everything together thoroughly before rolling it into a ball shape.
Table Mixer: Gently mix all the ingredients in a bowl until they come together as one cohesive dough. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes, and then knead it with your hands for 5 minutes – or until elasticity is achieved!
By Hand: Combine all components until you have a soft dough. Then allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes before kneading it for 7-8 minutes, or until it turns smooth and elastic.
Let Dough Rise
After kneading your dough, place it in an oiled bowl and let sit for 1.5 to 2 hours until it has doubled in size. Then punch the dough to release any built-up gas before dividing it into three even pieces, which should each be placed in a zip lock bag sprayed with vegetable spray or lightly coated with olive oil.
Refrigerate Overnight
For the best results, store your dough in the fridge overnight and allow it to warm up to room temperature before use. You can utilize this dough right away or freeze it for future use – either way, you’ll have a delicious 00 flour pizza! It is essential that you remember this important step; by allowing the dough to reach room temperature prior to cooking, you will ensure an exceptional result every time.
Conclusion
There you have it! By now, you comprehend why 00 flour is a key ingredient when crafting your own dough for Neapolitan pizza. But remember – authentic Italian-style pizzas rely on this type of flour, so don’t forget to use it during the entire preparation process!
