Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and kneading dough.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure perfect pizza crust.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps mix ingredients smoothly.
Clean Kitchen Towel: Covers dough during rising process.
Baking Sheet or Pizza Stone: Creates crispy crust when baking.
Rolling Pin: Helps stretch and shape pizza dough evenly.
Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for preparing and rolling dough.
Instructions for Making Style Pizza
Activate Yeast Blend warm water with sugar and sprinkle yeast on top. Allow the mixture to sit quietly for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy and alive with tiny bubbles.
Create Dough Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Pour in olive oil and the activated yeast mixture. Stir everything together until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead and Develop Transfer the dough onto a lightly dusted work surface. Push, fold, and stretch the dough for 5-7 minutes. The goal is a smooth, stretchy texture that feels soft and pliable.
Let Dough Rise Gently place the dough in a greased bowl, covering it with a clean kitchen towel. Allow it to rest and expand in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours until it has dramatically increased in size.
Cooking Tips & Flavor Twists for Style Pizza
Dough-Rising Hack: Place the covered bowl in a warm, draft-free spot like near a preheated oven to help the dough rise faster and more evenly.
Gluten-Free Twist: Swap wheat flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour for a celiac-friendly pizza base that's just as delicious.
Whole Wheat Wonder: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to boost nutritional value and add a nutty, hearty flavor to your pizza crust.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate overnight for a more complex, developed flavor that takes your pizza to the next level.
Vegan Victory: Substitute olive oil with plant-based alternatives like coconut oil, and use non-dairy milk in the yeast activation step to create a completely vegan-friendly pizza dough.
How to Serve Style Pizza
Pizzeria-Style Presentation: Slice the pizza into classic triangular wedges for an authentic restaurant feel, making each bite look inviting and professional.
Companion Sides: Pair with a crisp green salad dressed in light vinaigrette or garlic-parmesan breadsticks to complement the pizza's rich flavors and add variety to the meal.
Garnish Elegance: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves, red pepper flakes, or grated parmesan cheese on top right before serving to enhance visual appeal and provide extra bursts of flavor.
Dipping Delight: Serve with small ramekins of marinara sauce, ranch, or garlic aioli on the side for guests who enjoy additional sauce options with their pizza slice.
Meal Prep and Storage Guide for Style Pizza
Refrigerator Hero: Store leftover pizza dough in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and maintain its soft texture.
Freezing Champion: Divide dough into individual portions, wrap in plastic, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using, ensuring perfect freshness every time.
Portion Control Pro: Separate dough into individual balls before storing, making it easier to grab exactly what you need for quick pizza nights or last-minute cooking adventures.
Room Temperature Trick: Let refrigerated or frozen dough sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before stretching, allowing it to become more pliable and easier to shape into your desired pizza crust.
Style pizza combines Italian culinary traditions with modern California flair, creating a delightful fusion of fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Crisp thin crust and innovative toppings promise a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
1 packet (2 ¼ tsps) instant yeast
3 ½ cups (437.5 g) all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cups (296 ml) warm water
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 can (14 oz/397 g) crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Pepperoni
Bell peppers
Mushrooms
Onions
Olives
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried basil
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp sugar
Instructions
Yeast Activation: Combine warm water and sugar in a mixing bowl, sprinkle yeast over the surface, and let rest for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly.
Dough Formation: Mix flour and salt into the yeast mixture, drizzle olive oil, and blend until a cohesive dough forms, creating a smooth and elastic consistency through thorough kneading on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes.
First Proofing: Transfer the kneaded dough to an olive oil-coated bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and allow to rise in a warm, draft-free environment for 1-1.5 hours until the volume doubles, signaling proper yeast fermentation and dough development.
Notes
Check Yeast Freshness: Ensure your yeast is active and not expired by observing the frothy bubble formation during activation.
Control Water Temperature: Use lukewarm water between 100-110°F to activate yeast perfectly without killing it.
Knead with Precision: Develop gluten by kneading consistently until dough becomes smooth and elastic, which creates better pizza texture.
Create Ideal Proofing Environment: Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot like near a preheated oven or inside a turned-off oven with the light on to promote optimal rising.
Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
Food styling and photography for digital platforms.
Education
Box Hill Institute, Melbourne
Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.
William Angliss Institute, Melbourne
Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.
Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes.
Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.
Jenna Hartley
Founder & Recipe Creator
Expertise
Education
Box Hill Institute, Melbourne
William Angliss Institute, Melbourne
Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes.
Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.