Throwing pizza dough is an age-old technique that professional pizza makers have mastered for generations. This technique not only helps in stretching the dough evenly but also gives the pizza crust a characteristic texture that is crispy, airy, and perfectly chewy. If you’ve ever watched a pizza chef toss dough into the air and wished you could do it too, this guide will help you get there.
Making pizza dough and stretching it by hand can be a rewarding experience. It allows you to achieve that classic, round shape that many pizzerias are famous for. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about how to throw pizza dough, from the basic steps to tips and techniques for getting the best results.
What is Pizza Dough Throwing?
Pizza dough throwing is a technique where the dough is lifted and tossed into the air using the hands, usually by the edges, and then spun to stretch the dough into a thin, round pizza crust. This method is popular in many pizzerias and is a key feature of traditional Neapolitan-style pizza making.
Throwing pizza dough helps in two important ways:
Even Stretching: It allows the dough to be stretched evenly, ensuring that there are no thin or thick spots in the dough.
Texture Creation: The technique helps create a light and airy crust with a perfect balance of crispiness and chewiness, which is a signature feature of great pizza.
While dough throwing can seem daunting at first, with the right practice and understanding, anyone can master it. In this article, we’ll take you step by step through the process, from preparing the dough to tossing it in the air like a professional.
Why is Throwing Pizza Dough Important?
Throwing pizza dough is more than just a fun show; it is an important part of pizza making. Here are some key reasons why throwing pizza dough is essential to making great pizza:
1. Evenly Stretched Dough
Throwing the dough helps to stretch it evenly, creating a thin and uniform pizza crust. This ensures that the pizza bakes evenly in the oven and provides that ideal crispy texture on the outside while remaining soft and chewy on the inside.
2. Maintains the Dough’s Airiness
When dough is stretched by hand or with a rolling pin, it can lose some of its air pockets, leading to a denser, flatter crust. Tossing the dough allows it to maintain its airy structure, which results in a light and fluffy pizza crust.
3. Faster and More Efficient
Throwing dough is a quick way to stretch it. With practice, you can stretch the dough faster than using a rolling pin, which can save you time and give you more control over the final texture of the crust.
4. Creates a Signature Appearance
A well-tossed pizza dough looks impressive. Watching a pizza maker toss dough in the air is one of the hallmarks of professional pizza making, and it adds a touch of tradition and flair to the pizza-making process.
Essential Tools and Ingredients
Before you start throwing pizza dough, you’ll need to make sure you have the right tools and ingredients to ensure success. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients for Pizza Dough
Making pizza dough from scratch is the best way to ensure the perfect texture and flavor. Here’s a simple list of ingredients you’ll need:
Flour: Use high-protein bread flour or Tipo 00 flour for the best texture. These types of flour create a dough that is strong enough to be tossed without tearing.
Water: Lukewarm water is ideal, as it helps activate the yeast.
Yeast: Active dry yeast or instant yeast works well for pizza dough.
Salt: Salt helps improve the flavor and texture of the dough.
Olive Oil: Olive oil adds flavor and makes the dough more pliable.
Sugar: A small amount of sugar helps the yeast grow and develop flavor in the dough.
Tools for Making Pizza Dough
Large Mixing Bowl: For mixing and kneading the dough.
Dough Scraper: Useful for handling sticky dough and for dividing the dough into portions.
Pizza Peel or Cutting Board: To transfer the dough to the oven after tossing.
Oven or Pizza Stone: For baking the pizza. A pizza stone helps achieve a crispy crust.
Tools for Tossing Pizza Dough
Clean Hands: Your hands are the primary tools when tossing dough.
Flour for Dusting: Use flour to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands and the surface.
Pizza Peel (optional): You may also use a pizza peel to transfer the dough after tossing.
How to Make Pizza Dough for Tossing
Before you can throw the dough, you’ll need to make sure the dough is in the right condition for tossing. Here’s a basic recipe for pizza dough:
1. Mix the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 packet of active dry yeast (about 2 ¼ teaspoons). Add 1 ½ cups of lukewarm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir the mixture until a dough forms.
2. Knead the Dough:
Transfer the dough to a clean, floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Kneading develops the gluten, which is necessary for the dough to be strong enough to toss.
3. Let the Dough Rise:
Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. This step is crucial because it allows the dough to become airy and light, making it easier to toss.
4. Divide the Dough:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into individual portions. Each portion should be about 200-250 grams for a personal-sized pizza. Roll the dough portions into balls and let them rest for 10-15 minutes. This resting period helps relax the dough and makes it easier to stretch.
Step-by-Step Guide to Throwing Pizza Dough
Now that you have your dough ready, it’s time to learn how to throw it. Follow these steps to master the art of tossing pizza dough:
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
Before you start tossing, make sure your work surface is prepared. Lightly flour the surface to prevent the dough from sticking. You can also use semolina flour for extra texture. Dust your hands and the dough ball with flour as well to ensure it doesn’t stick.
Step 2: Flatten the Dough by Hand
Start by pressing the dough ball into a flat disk using your fingers. Begin at the center and press outwards, working your way toward the edges. You want to maintain the dough’s thickness in the center while making the edges slightly thicker, as this will create the pizza crust.
At this point, you can either continue to stretch the dough by hand or move on to the tossing phase.
Step 3: Toss the Dough
Here’s where the fun begins! To toss the dough:
Hold the Dough: Place your hands underneath the edge of the dough and pick it up, holding it with both hands. Your knuckles should be facing upwards, and your fingers should be spread out along the edges of the dough.
Begin Tossing: Gently throw the dough up in the air, using your wrists to flick it upwards. Allow the dough to rotate in the air as it falls back down. The motion should be smooth and controlled, rather than forceful.
Catch and Stretch: As the dough comes back down, catch it gently using the backs of your hands. Let the dough fall back down into your hands, and gently rotate it to stretch the dough. As you stretch it, keep it in a circular shape and turn it in the air to evenly stretch all parts of the dough.
Repeat the Tossing Motion: Continue tossing the dough in the air and catching it, using gravity to help stretch the dough evenly. The dough should naturally form into a thin circle as you toss it.
Step 4: Check the Dough’s Thickness
As you continue to toss the dough, periodically check the thickness of the pizza crust. The center should be thinner than the edges, which will become the crust. If the dough is stretching unevenly, you can adjust by tossing it more or using your hands to gently stretch the areas that are too thick.
Step 5: Transfer the Dough to the Pizza Peel
Once the dough has reached your desired size and thickness, carefully place it on a pizza peel or a floured cutting board. This is where you can add your toppings before baking.
If you’re using a pizza stone or a baking sheet, you can now transfer the dough to the preheated stone or sheet for baking.
Step 6: Bake the Pizza
Bake the pizza in a preheated oven (typically 475-500°F or 245-260°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Tips for Successful Dough Tossing
Throwing pizza dough can be tricky at first, but with practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Here are some tips to ensure success:
Use High-Quality Flour: The type of flour you use can affect how easily the dough stretches. High-protein bread flour or Tipo 00 flour are ideal for pizza dough, as they provide the strength necessary for tossing.
Practice the Tossing Motion: Start by practicing tossing a small, light piece of dough before working with a full-sized ball. This will help you get the motion right.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Be gentle with the dough. If you overwork it, you may end up with a tough crust.
Use Enough Flour: Ensure the dough doesn’t stick to your hands or the surface by using enough flour, but don’t overdo it. Too much flour can make the dough dry.
Conclusion
Throwing pizza dough is a fun and essential skill for anyone serious about making pizza at home. It not only helps you achieve the perfect crust but also makes the pizza-making process faster and more enjoyable. With practice and the right technique, you can create a pizza crust that rivals any professional pizzeria.
Whether you’re making pizza for family dinner or impressing guests with your dough-tossing skills, mastering the art of throwing pizza dough will elevate your pizza game to the next level. So, grab your dough, dust off your hands, and start tossing! Happy pizza making!
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