How to Freeze Pizza Dough: Easy Steps for Freezing Homemade Pizza DoughPizza for Any Time In fact, keeping homemade pizza dough in the freezer is a fantastic time-saver, ensuring that fresh dough is always on hand for a quick, tasty meal. Whether planning a busy week, meal prepping for a pizza party, or just loving the idea of homemade pizza whenever the craving strikes, knowing how to freeze pizza dough properly will make your life that much easier.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to freeze pizza dough best, keeping the taste and quality intact until you perfect your pie. Let’s get started!
A Step-by-Step Guide to Freezing Pizza Dough
- Prepare the Dough as Usual
First, prepare your pizza dough according to your recipe. When it has completed rising (usually after the first rise), freeze it. Sure! You can refrigerate the entire dough for later use, or you can divide it into smaller pieces or half and freeze the pieces separately.
- Portion the Dough (Optional)
For individual portions, at this stage, divide your dough into portion sizes appropriate for the pizza you want to make. You can divide the dough into 2-4 balls (more petite balls if you like smaller pizzas). This simplifies defrosting just the amount of dough you need instead of thawing a complete batch.
- Coat the Dough with Olive Oil
Give each portion a gentle olive oil bath to keep the dough from sticking to itself or the plastic wrap. One step prevents the dough from drying out while frozen, and the second ensures it won’t stick whenever you’re ready to use it.
- Wrap Plastic Wrap Around the dough
Wrap every piece of dough tightly in plastic wrap. Please make sure the dough is tightly sealed with no air pockets, as it may develop freezer burn. (For extra protection, wrap the dough in a second layer of aluminium foil.)
- Divide Dough into Freezer-Safe Bags
Once wrapped, place the portions of dough into zipper-style bags suitable for the freezer. Press out as much air as possible before sealing the bags. Label the bags with the date and type of dough to keep track of when the dough was frozen.
- Freeze the Dough
Lay the wrapped dough flat in the freezer so it doesn’t warp. You can pack those layers on top of one another if you have to; just be sure not to crush the dough. The dough is best used within 1-2 months, although it can be frozen for up to 3 months.
How to Defrost Frozen Pizza Dough
When you’re ready to use the dough, here’s how to thaw it properly:
Option 1: Thaw in the Refrigerator Overnight (Best Method)
- Take the frozen dough out of the freezer the night before you want to use it.
- Let sit in the fridge to slow thaw overnight (or about 8–12 hours).
- Thaw completely, then let the dough Take a 30—to 1-hour break at room temperature before rolling out so that it can rise slightly and become more pliable.
Option 2: Rapid Thawing (If You Don’t Have Time)
- After taking the dough out of the freezer, place it on a counter at room temperature.
- Cover it with a dry kitchen towel or wrapping paper for one to two hours to make it soft and fully thawed.
- You also could put it in a warm oven (off, just the light on) for faster thawing.
Option 3: Microwaving (Last Resort)
For the impatient, if you’re in a hurry, you can try the microwave defrost:
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and put it on a microwave-safe plate.
- To prevent it from drying out, cover with a moist paper towel.
- Microwave the dough in 20- to 30-second intervals, checking each time to ensure it isn’t getting too warm or cooking.
- Will need to rest for 10-15 minutes before using it.
Tips for Freezing Pizza Dough
- Pre-portion the Dough
Break the dough into smaller portions, making it easier to thaw just as much as you need. If, say, you have extra pizza dough, split it into pizza-sized portions so you can grab one whenever you want pizza.
- Wrap it twice for extra protection.
Wrap each dough piece tightly in plastic wrap; cover it with aluminium foil for extra protection. This added step prevents freezer burn and extends the freshness of the dough.
- Percentages will be higher after thawing.
If you thaw the dough, it will need some time to rise again before you stretch it into shape. After thawing, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour to make it more pliable.
- Freeze Right After the First Rise
For the best texture and flavour, freeze the dough shortly after the first rise. Don’t wait until the dough has risen too much before freezing, as this can lead to over fermentation and potential quality issues after thawing.
- Use vacuum-sealed bags for long-term freezing.
If you want to store the dough for more than a few days, I would use a vacuum sealer. Vacuum-sealed bags eliminate excess air, preventing freezer burn and keeping the dough’s flavour and texture fresher for longer than a regular freezer bag.
- Interleave Parchment Paper Between Dough Balls
If you are freezing several portions of dough in one bag, separate each with parchment paper. This prevents them from glueing together and makes it easier to thaw individual portions as needed.
- Flatten Before Freezing
If you want to freeze large sections, place portions of dough in freezer-safe bags on their sides for the first hour or two in the freezer to keep them separated. Once frozen, you can stack them to conserve space.
How to Save Frozen Pizza Dough for Long-Term Use
Though you can freeze pizza dough for long-term storage, it is essential to do so correctly to keep the dough in excellent condition. Here are extra steps to take and advice for longer storage.
- Freeze Right After You Make the Dough
Once your pizza dough has completed its first rise, freeze it as soon after the increase as you can. The longer you wait to freeze, the more likely the dough can ferment over, affecting its texture in the oven. Freezing just after the first rise will preserve the dough’s quality at its best.
- Use Vacuum-Sealed Bags
For the best long-term storage, remove air from the bags and use a vacuum sealer. This step also prevents freezer burn and preserves the dough’s flavour and texture for extended periods (up to 3 months or more). When thawed, vacuum-sealed dough remains fresh and maintains its right texture.
- Freeze Flat, Then Stack
When freezing and portioning larger quantities of dough, flatten the portions out in freezer-safe bags. Lay them flat to freeze for 1-2 hours so the dough doesn’t stick. Once the dough is firm, you can stack the portions on each other to save space in the freezer. It does help to freeze the dough flat beforehand if you only need to defrost one.
- Use Parchment Paper to Separate
If you are freezing several dough balls together in one bag, separate them with sheets of parchment paper. This makes it less likely that the dough balls will stick together, making it much easier to defrost individual portions when you want to use them.
- Label and Date the Bags
For long-term storage, label your bag date and other pertinent information (type of dough, for example). It helps you remember how long the dough has been in the freezer. However, for best quality, use frozen pizza dough within 1-2 months—it’s good for up to 3 months, though.
How to Know if Frozen Pizza Dough Has Spoiled
Pizza dough is pretty forgiving, but there are a few indicators you can look for that signal its demise. If you spot any of these signs, you should probably toss your dough and start over:
- Sour or Overly Yeasty Smell
If your dough smells sour or too yeasty after thawing, it may have over-fermented. A slight yeastiness is normal, but a sour smell suggests the dough will yield a dense, tough pizza crust when baked. That means the dough is probably past its prime.
- Freezer Burn
If improperly stored or unwrapped, the dough may have developed a freezer burn. This burn manifests as dry, discoloured patches on the dough, which tend to be light brown or grey. While the freezer-burned dough is still safe, its texture will not be as good as it could have been after you bake it, and it may not rise as effectively.
- Stiff or Hard Texture
If the dough seems too stiff or rigid after thawing, it may have been frozen too long or not sealed properly. You can still try to bake it, but the dough most likely won’t rise properly and will yield a tough chew rather than the soft, plated, and airy crust you want.
- Unusual Color
A fresh pizza dough should be pale beige or golden light gold. If the dough has been discoloured ever so slightly yellowish or greyish, it could mean it’s spoiled or simply been exposed to air or moisture too long. In that situation, you should throw out the dough.
- What to Do If It’s Gone Bad:
If you see any signs, it’s best to be safe and remove the dough. So, while you could make do with dough that’s suffered only the slightest freezer burn or the mildest textural aberration, you can expect disappointing results in the oven.
Six Surprising Ways to Use Leftover Pizza Dough
You may also have leftover pizza dough when you make a batch. Instead of throwing it away, you can spend it in the following ways:
- Make Calzones
Turn leftover pizza dough into calzones for a fun, handheld twist on pizza. Divide the dough into smaller rounds and fill them with your favorite fillings (cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, spinach, whatever). Fold them over and bake until golden and crispy. Calzones are great for a snack or a more portable meal.
- Garlic Breadsticks
Roll out the leftover pizza dough into strips, brush with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, and bake until golden brown. These garlic breadsticks are a fantastic side dish, ideal for cooking in marinara sauce or alongside pasta or salads.
- Pizza Rolls
Fill it with cheese, pepperoni, sausage, and veggies and roll it up. Cut the roll into individual pieces and bake them into mini pizza rolls. These are great as a snack, appetizer, or party food.
- Personal Size Pizzas
Rather than forming just one large pizza, use the leftover dough to form personal-size pizzas. This enables each person to have their toppings and a pizza tailored to their specifications. You can experiment with toppings like cheeses, meats, vegetables, and sauces.
- Cinnamon Sugar Knots
For dessert, twist your pizza dough into cinnamon sugar knots. Roll the dough into little balls, knot them, and then dunk them in cinnamon sugar until golden. Drizzle with icing to garnish those tasty morsels.
- Focaccia Bread
This dough can be used to make simple focaccia bread. Pat the dough into a baking pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with herbs, garlic, or sea salt. Bake until golden, then eat this delicious, savoury bread in various ways, either on its own or as part of a side.
Served with Dipping Sauces and Breadsticks
If you have extra dough, roll it into long sticks and bake until crisp. For a fun snack or appetiser, serve with various dipping sauces, such as marinara, ranch, or garlic butter.
- Stuffed Bread
Roll out the dough with a savoury filling, such as cheese, vegetables, and cooked meats, and roll it up like a log. Bake until golden and cut into pieces for a bread full of delicious surprises.
- Mini Pizzas
Shape into small rounds, cover with sauce, cheese, and your favourite toppings, and you’ll have mini pizzas to bake. These are great for kids or parties or when you want a smaller portion.
How to Freeze Dough for a Pizza Party
Are you organizing a pizza night? You can get ahead by preparing and freezing pizza dough in larger batches. That way, you can thaw the dough for each guest, and everyone can construct their pizza platter.
Also, here are a few more tips to consider for a pizza party:
- Pre-portion the Dough
For a pizza party, the best way to store the dough is to freeze it in individual portions so guests can retrieve a dough ball when ready to top their pizza. Once you’ve made the dough, divide it into small balls (about the size you would want for personal pizzas) and follow the freezing instructions discussed above for individual portions.
- Wrap and Freeze
Wrap each dough piece tightly in plastic wrap, then wrap each one twice in aluminium foil so it doesn’t get freezer burn. Seal the wrapped dough in a bag safe for the freezer, pressing out as much air as possible. Flash freeze bags and label them with the date and portion size.
- Thawing Before the Party
To ensure the dough is ready when your guests arrive, you’ll need to thaw it the night before the party. After taking the dough out of the freezer, place it in the fridge to thaw overnight.
If you don’t have time to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, you can use the oven light approach to warm it up more quickly or place it on your countertop for one to two hours before visitors come.
- Set Out a Pizza-Topping Station
Once your dough is thawed and ready to roll, arrange a little topping station with a range of sauces, cheeses, meats, and veggies. Allow your guests to get crafty by picking their preferred toppings and making their pizzas.
- Consider Pre-baking the Dough
To streamline things on party day, you can pre-bake the dough for a few minutes before guests add their toppings, if you like. This means the crust will cook through, preventing the dough from becoming too rear-end suckered under the toppings.
- Bake the Pizzas
To bake the bread, preheat your oven to the highest setting (475°F to 500°F, typically). Add the personalised pizzas to a baking sheet or pizza stone and bake until heated through (especially the cheese) and the crust is golden. This typically took ten to fifteen minutes, though the length of time varied depending on the dough’s thickness and size.
- Serve a Different Kind of BBQ Sauces and Toppings
To enhance the pizza-making experience, present a selection of sauces (tomato, pesto, Alfredo) and toppings (mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, etc.). It allows guests to get creative with their combinations and experiments.
- Mini Pizzas or Flatbreads
To change it up, you can have people make mini pizzas or flatbreads. Little pizzas cook more quickly and may be easier to manage, especially for younger guests.
Freezing Pizza Dough Is a Game Changer
How to Freeze Pizza DoughAs someone who loves to make my pizzas from scratch, I find freezing pizza dough and homemade pizza dough easy and a great way to always have fresh dough ready.
Whether preparing for a busy week ahead or planning a fun pizza night with friends, knowing how to freeze and thaw your dough correctly can make for a more efficient cooking experience. Armed with these tips, you can enjoy your homemade pizza without making your dough from scratch each time (while keeping that perfect dough texture and flavour per, of course, each dough portion).
Happy pizza making!