It’s easy to whip up a big batch of homemade pizza dough, but can you freeze pizza dough you don’t use immediately? Everyone has at least one pre-made frozen pizza in their freezer, but homemade pizza dough is easy to make and always tastes better than store-bought alternatives. The trouble is, it can be hard to make just enough dough for one pizza. Can you freeze pizza dough without killing the yeast? Yes! Knead and toss to your heart’s content because you can freeze homemade pizza dough for use at a later date.  

What if your raw pizza dough is pre-made? Can you freeze pizza dough that has already risen? Pizza dough is surprisingly tolerant to the freezing process. That means you can always have a ball or two of fresh pizza dough on hand. By following a few basic steps you can freeze pizza dough that will still make a perfect homemade pizza. Let's dive in and discover how you can freeze pizza dough and keep it in optimum condition for later use.

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• Can Pizza Dough Be Frozen?
• How To Freeze Pizza Dough
• How To Use Frozen Pizza Dough

Can Pizza Dough Be Frozen?

Some of the best pizza recipes start with homemade dough. If you’re worried that freezing will ruin the rise factor in your pizza dough, don’t overthink it. You can freeze pizza dough and still get a proper pie. 

The key is to start with pizza dough that has already been through its initial proof (the yeast has already had a chance to take effect). From there, it’s no different than freezing any other food product — just package it properly and you’re done.  

Can You Freeze Homemade Pizza Dough?

Recipes like Caprese pizza start with homemade dough. If you’ve already made a batch but have leftovers, you’re probably wondering whether you can freeze homemade pizza dough. If so, then yes! Making your own pizza dough is quick and easy, and it’s quite satisfying to smell the yeast in action. You can freeze homemade pizza dough as long as you allow it to go through its initial proofing stage.

For recipes like a chicken bacon ranch pizza, you’ll let the dough rise on the counter for a little while. If you want to freeze any unused dough, you may want to refrigerate your pizza dough for an hour to allow the yeast to penetrate and for the fermentation process to slow down. From there, it’s all about proper packaging to avoid freezer burn and ice crystallization. 

Can You Freeze Fresh Pizza Dough?

What about pizza dough you bought at the store? Can you freeze raw pizza dough? If you grabbed one of those tempting bags of raw pizza dough at the store and then realized you don’t have time to use it, you can pop it straight into the freezer. Store-bought pizza dough is great for quick weeknight meals like a Margherita flatbread. 

Can You Freeze Pizza Dough After It Rises?

The correct way to freeze pizza dough is to package it after it rises. Freezing will protect the yeast so that it will still bake properly. If you try to freeze pizza dough before the yeast has started to do its job, you’ll end up with a ball of glue. 

Can You Freeze Sourdough Pizza Dough?

Can you freeze pizza that is made with sourdough or whole wheat? Yes. Follow the same rules as you would for traditional pizza dough and make sure you package it properly.

How To Freeze Pizza Dough

Can you freeze pizza dough in the bag that it came in? You can, but it’s a better idea to remove it from the bag and shape it into a ball first. Depending on what you plan to use the dough for, you might want to separate it into smaller portions first. 

Once you reshape the dough, lightly coat it with olive oil. This prevents freezer burn. You can freeze pizza dough in a freezer-safe bag, but be sure to press out as much air as possible.  

Can you freeze pizza dough in a freezer-safe storage container? Yes, but it’s a good idea to wrap the oiled dough in plastic wrap for an additional layer of protection since you can’t press the air out of a container as you would in a bag.

How Long Can You Freeze Pizza Dough?

You can freeze pizza dough for up to three months, though for best results you’ll want to try to use your dough in the first 30 days. What are the chances you won’t be craving pizza by then?

How To Use Frozen Pizza Dough

You can use frozen pizza dough to make uncommon recipes like lobster pizza, but you can also use it for pizza knots, calzones, pull-apart breads or stromboli. To use frozen pizza dough, just thaw it out and then shape it as desired. 

What if you roll out your dough before freezing it? Can you bake it from frozen? How long can you freeze pizza dough that has already been shaped into a pie? You can freeze pizza dough that has already been rolled out, but you’ll probably get a better result if you freeze the dough as a ball and roll it out after thawing to reinvigorate the yeast. If you want to try freezing it in crust shape, use it within 30 days for best results. You can bake a frozen pizza crust straight from the freezer. Just add your toppings and make sure the oven is nice and hot (475℉ to 500℉) before you place the pizza inside.

It might seem easier to buy pre-made frozen pizzas, but they can take up a lot of room in the freezer and they’re likely, and anybody asking themselves "Is pizza bad for you?" will certainly reap more health benefits from fresh pizza made at home. When it comes to ways to decorate a homemade pizza, there are an unlimited number of frozen pizza dough recipes to try. It’s a great way to use up the odds and ends in your refrigerator. 

How To Thaw Frozen Pizza Dough

What do you need to know about how to defrost frozen pizza dough? When you’re ready to get baking, just take your frozen pizza dough out of the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.  

In a pinch, you can thaw it at room temperature which will take about two hours. If you have the time, it’s best to thaw the dough in the refrigerator first and then let it come to room temperature for about an hour before rolling and baking. This gives the dough a chance to relax, resulting in a softer texture.  

There’s nothing more irresistible than the smell of fresh pizza baking in the oven. Sure, you can enjoy the smell of fresh pizza by ordering delivery or buying premade pies, but that can get expensive. Making your own dough at home is quick and easy. You can freeze pizza dough so that you always have it on hand; it takes up much less room in the freezer than store-bought boxes, it’s healthier for you than takeout pizza, and by freezing it, you can whip up larger batches and not worry about wasting any food. So what are you waiting for?

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