What is Ready Made Pizza Dough?
Ready made pizza dough is a pre-prepared mixture of essential pizza dough ingredients such as flour, water, yeast, and salt. This dough is available in various forms including fresh, frozen, and refrigerated options, catering to different needs and preferences. Fresh dough is typically found in the bakery section of grocery stores, offering the closest experience to homemade dough. Frozen dough, on the other hand, provides the benefit of long-term storage without compromising quality, while refrigerated dough strikes a balance between convenience and freshness.
Though primarily used for crafting mouth-watering pizzas, ready made dough is versatile and can be utilized in numerous recipes beyond pizza, such as breadsticks, flatbreads, and calzones.
Benefits of Using Ready Made Pizza Dough
- Convenience and time efficiency: Avoid the lengthy process of mixing, kneading, and rising.
- Consistent quality and texture: Enjoy a reliable dough consistency that’s hard to achieve with homemade preparations.
- Versatility: Use the dough in various recipes beyond pizzas, like breadsticks and flatbreads.
Best Ready Made Pizza Dough Brands
Top Brands Overview
The market offers a variety of impressive ready made pizza dough brands, making it easy for pizza enthusiasts to find a dough that suits their preferences and dietary needs. The brands highlighted here have been selected based on several key criteria, including flavor, texture, ease of use, and price, to ensure that each offers a high-quality pizza-making experience.
Brand 1
Key Features: This brand is renowned for its exceptional taste and robust texture that mimics the chewy, airy crust of traditional pizzeria pizzas. Handling this dough is straightforward, making it a favorite among both novice and experienced home cooks.
To get the best results with this brand, consider letting the dough rise for an additional 10-15 minutes after shaping it. This extra time allows the yeast to become more active, resulting in a more airy and flavorful crust. Baking at a high temperature, around 475°F, can also help achieve an ideal golden-brown finish.
Brand 2
Unique Properties: Known for its unique flavor profile, this brand incorporates a blend of specialty flours and a touch of olive oil, contributing to a richer taste and a crispier crust. It’s particularly favored for its ability to hold toppings well without becoming soggy.
One tip to enhance this dough’s performance is to allow it to come to room temperature before stretching it. This makes it more pliable and easier to handle. For those aiming to bring it closer to a homemade taste, mixing in a bit of fresh herbs or garlic powder during the kneading process can add delightful subtlety.
Brand 3
Standout Features: This brand sets itself apart by offering organic and gluten-free options, appealing to health-conscious consumers and those with dietary restrictions. The organic variant uses high-quality, non-GMO ingredients, while the gluten-free version maintains an impressive texture and flavor despite the absence of traditional wheat.
When preparing pizzas with this dough, it’s crucial to follow any special instructions provided, particularly for the gluten-free variant, which may require a lower baking temperature and shorter cooking time to prevent dryness. Adding a drizzle of olive oil before baking can also contribute to a better crust texture.
Recipes and Uses
Each of these top brands can shine in a variety of recipes beyond classic pizza. For instance, Brand 1’s robust texture is perfect for calzones and stuffed breadsticks, while Brand 2’s rich flavor excels in gourmet flatbreads topped with fresh vegetables. Brand 3’s doughs, with their specialty ingredients, are excellent for creating unique pizza variations like a gluten-free Margherita or an organic BBQ chicken pizza.
For a creative twist, try using these doughs to make dessert pizzas by adding a sweet topping like Nutella, marshmallows, or fresh fruit. Enhancing your ready made pizza dough with seasoning blends or specialty toppings can elevate your homemade pizza experience to new heights.
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How to Use Ready Made Pizza Dough and FAQs
Step-by-Step Instructions
Using ready made pizza dough is straightforward and can yield fantastic results if done correctly. Follow these steps to thaw, prepare, and bake your pizza:
- Thaw the Dough: If using frozen dough, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker thaw, place the dough in a sealed plastic bag and submerge it in a bowl of warm water for about an hour.
- Bring to Room Temperature: Once thawed, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour. This step makes the dough more pliable and easier to stretch.
- Flour the Surface: Lightly flour your work surface and hands to prevent the dough from sticking.
- Stretch the Dough: Gently stretch the dough with your hands, starting from the center and moving outwards. Avoid using a rolling pin if you prefer a more airy, bubbly crust.
- Preheat the Oven: For best results, preheat your oven to its highest setting (usually between 475°F to 500°F) with a pizza stone or a baking sheet inside to create a crispy crust.
- Prepare the Base: Transfer the stretched dough onto a piece of parchment paper for easy transfer to the oven. Add your desired sauce, cheese, and toppings.
- Bake the Pizza: Carefully transfer the parchment paper with the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
To elevate the quality of your ready made pizza dough, consider these advanced tips:
- Add Flavor Enhancements: Mix in a bit of olive oil, minced garlic, or chopped fresh herbs like basil or rosemary into the dough before baking to enhance its flavor profile.
- Achieve a Crispier Crust: For a crispier crust, brush the dough with olive oil before adding toppings, and consider using a pizza stone to emulate the high heat of professional pizza ovens.
- Innovative Uses: Beyond traditional pizza, use ready made dough to create breadsticks, flatbreads, or even dessert pizzas. Top with ingredients like cinnamon sugar and apples for a sweet twist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best way to thaw frozen ready made pizza dough?
The best way to thaw frozen dough is to let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. For a faster thaw, place it in a sealed plastic bag and submerge it in a bowl of warm water for about an hour.
Can I freeze the dough after buying it fresh?
Yes, fresh dough can be frozen. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before use.
How long should I let the dough rise before baking?
If the dough requires rising, a typical period is 30 minutes to an hour at room temperature, depending on your recipe and desired thickness.
What are some alternative recipes that use ready made pizza dough?
Beyond pizza, use the dough for calzones, breadsticks, flatbreads, and even dessert pizzas. Its versatility allows for creative culinary experiments.
How can I make my pizza crust crispier/softer?
For a crispier crust, bake on a pizza stone and brush the dough with olive oil before adding toppings. For a softer crust, consider par-baking the dough for a few minutes before adding toppings and reducing the baking temperature slightly.
