Crispy Cornmeal Pizza Dough Recipe

If you're a pizza enthusiast like me and appreciate a crunchier crust, you have got to give the Crispy Cornmeal Pizza Dough Recipe a try. This beginner-friendly pizza crust is incredibly easy to make. Unlike many overnight pizza crusts, this one can be prepared and ready in just a few hours. What's even better is that you can top this cornmeal pizza crust with a wide variety of ingredients. I'll share some creative topping ideas below. I think you will love the unique flavor and texture the cornmeal adds to a traditional crust. 

Homemade pizzas are a big deal in our house. I am excited to show you how to make your own pizza too. If you are looking for more pizza dough recipes, how about this Kamut pizza dough? This artisan whole wheat pizza dough is also delicious. Or if you want another topping idea, check out my ricotta and delicata pizza recipe.

Ingredients

• Cornmeal- Be sure to use the fine cornmeal, I tried this recipe with coarse cornmeal and it didn't hold together like it did with the fine. Also, you can use yellow cornmeal or white cornmeal. As you can see, I used yellow for mine. It is easy to find in most grocery stores. 
• Flour- I love using 00 Italian flour for this recipe. I know it is expensive, but high-quality ingredients are worth it. If you don't have this, bread flour is good too. The last resort is all-purpose flour. 
• Salt- Salt is crucial in any dough, but especially this dough. I like using Kosher salt or sea salt. 
• Active dry yeast- You can also use instant yeast as well. In this recipe, there are no adjustments that need to be made to the amounts. The only change is the instant yeast doesn't need to be activated. Mix all ingredients together. 
• Olive oil- You will want this to make the dough and also for making the pizza as well if you like a little drizzle on top. 
• Water- this is the liquid used for hydration, be sure to use warm water. 

How to make

Mixing the dough

• Add the cornmeal, water, and active dry yeast to the mixing bowl. Mix gently and let them sit for about 30 minutes to create a sponge. 
• After is soft and spongey, add in the remaining ingredients to the yeast mixture and mix on medium speed for 1 minute. The dough should feel just slightly sticky (tacky). If you need to, add another tablespoon or 2 of water or flour, depending on how dry or wet it is.
• Mix until the mixture is smooth with the dough hook attachment on medium speed- this usually takes between 6-8 minutes. 

• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature until it has doubled. In my house, it generally takes between 45 minutes to 90 minutes. If you want it to rise faster, find a warm place in your house, or even on the "proof setting' in the oven. 
• The dough will be a soft dough. 

Forming and making the pizza

• Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and roll them into balls. Cover them again and let them rest for 10 minutes.
• Press dough ball on a lightly floured surface to about 10 inches. You do this by pressing out on the dough, turning as you stretch to create a circular pizza. You can also lift and stretch dough to form a circle.

•  If you want to 3, 12-inch pizzas divide the dough into 3 pieces instead of 4. 
• Place on a pizza pan or peel and top with your favorite toppings.  

Baking in the oven

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Set the oven to 550 degrees on convection mode, if available.
   • Allow the oven to preheat for 20-30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Oven Tray:
   • Place a sheet pan upside down in the preheated oven.
3. Prepare Pizza Dough:
   • On a lightly floured surface, gently press the pizza dough outward to form a 10-inch circle.
4. Use Parchment Paper:
   • Transfer the shaped pizza dough onto a piece of parchment paper.
5. Add Toppings:
   • Customize the pizza by adding your preferred toppings.
6. Transfer to Oven:
   • Using a pizza peel, carefully transfer the pizza onto the hot upside-down sheet pan in the preheated oven.
7. Bake Until Golden Brown:
   • Bake the pizza until the outer crust is golden brown, and the toppings are cooked with melted cheese.
8. Remove from Oven:
   • Using the pizza peel, carefully remove the pizza from the oven.

Baking in a pizza oven

• I baked mine in the Ooni oven. Preheat the oven to at least 700 degrees, or whatever is recommended. 
• Make the pizza on your pizza peel, or slide it onto it once it is made. 
• Top the pizza as you like. 
• Slide into the oven and bake for 2-4 minutes, depending on how hot your oven is. 
• Take the pizza out and slice it to serve. 

Topping ideas for crispy cornmeal pizza

Maybe you already have favorite pizza toppings, or maybe you are looking for some new ideas for your next pizza night. If so, let me share a few ideas with you. 

• Margherita: Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves.
• Pepperoni and Mushroom: Classic pepperoni slices with sautéed mushrooms.
• BBQ Chicken: Grilled chicken, red onions, barbecue sauce.
• Veggie Delight: Green bell peppers, red onions, black olives, spinach, and feta cheese.
• Hawaiian: Ham, pineapple chunks, and mozzarella cheese.
• Mediterranean: Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and tzatziki drizzle.
• Pesto and Cherry Tomato: Pesto sauce, sliced cherry tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella.
• Meat Lover's: Pizza sauce, sausage, bacon, pepperoni, and ground beef.
• Buffalo Chicken: Shredded buffalo chicken, red onion, and blue cheese crumbles.
• White Pizza: Ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic, spinach, and artichoke hearts.
• Taco Pizza: Seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream.
• Fig and Prosciutto: Fig jam, prosciutto, arugula, and balsamic glaze.
• Mediterranean Chicken: Grilled chicken, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese.
• Breakfast Pizza: Bacon or sausage, eggs, and cheddar cheese.
• Spinach and Artichoke: Spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, and mozzarella.

Let me share another recipe I think you will love. This no-knead overnight ciabatta isn't the fastest bread to make, but it is worth all the effort!

• Yeasted Breads
• Baked
• Corn and Cornmeal