Learn how to freeze Pizza Dough. It’s smart to make a double or triple batch so you can freeze half of the dough for the next time you’re craving pizza.
Here are two methods for freezing homemade pizza dough whether you want to use freezer-safe zip containers or Tupperware.
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Pizza dough can be frozen in any quantity, whether it’s a full-size pizza or smaller single pizzas. You can store the dough in the freezer for 3-4 months and just thaw overnight before using it.
Important: The dough needs to be done with the rising/fermentation process or at the point when the dough is ready to use. With our pizza dough, we let it go through the cold fermentation process overnight first to let the yeast work in the dough. Once it’s done with the cold fermentation process (before bringing it to room temperature for an hour), it can be frozen.Read more about Cold Fermentation below.
2 Ways to Freeze Pizza Dough:
Ziplock or Freezer Bag Method: Arrange the dough in a deep, oiled baking pan with some room to expand, cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for cold fermentation, then place the entire pan into the freezer for 24 hours. Once the pizza dough is frozen, transfer each piece of dough into its own freezer zip bag or food saver bag.
Tupperware Containers: Lightly oil the bottom and sides of your Tupperware containers. Place pizza dough into the containers, cover and refrigerate for the overnight cold fermentation (so there’s no need to transfer it later), then transfer containers to the freezer.
To Thaw Pizza Dough:
- If using Zip Bags: Remove dough balls from the freezer and transfer them onto a baking pan lined with flour or semolina flour. Dust the tops with flour so plastic wrap doesn’t stick to the dough then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (8-12 hours).
- If using Tupperware containers: Place containers in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.Cold defrosting is the BEST method to thaw pizza dough.
To Use the Defrosted Dough:
Keep dough at room temperature for 1 hour before baking for it to soften and relax. Shape the dough according to our pizza dough recipe instructions. Don’t miss our favorite recipes for red pizza sauce and white pizza sauce.
Pro Tip: If working with multiple dough pieces, keep the remaining pieces covered so they don’t dry out.
Common Questions:
What is Cold Fermentation?
Fermentation is critical to great pizza dough and cannot be skipped. Letting the pizza dough rest in the refrigerator overnight allows the yeast time to weaken gluten-forming proteins. This makes the dough easier to stretch and shape and creates an aromatic and soft crust with air pockets that bubble in the oven.
How long can I freeze pizza dough?
Store pizza dough in the freezer for up to 3 months. If it is vacuum-sealed, it will keep up to 4 months.
Can I re-freeze pizza dough?
Once pizza dough has been frozen and thawed, you should not freeze it again.
Can I freeze pizza sauce?
Red pizza sauce freezes well. We usually use half of our pizza sauce and freeze the other half for later.
It’s so easy to freeze pizza dough and we love having a having the option to enjoy homemade pizza or Calzones when the craving comes.
More Freezer-Friendly Recipes:
- Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
- Homemade Corndogs
- Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos
- Fluffy Homemade Waffles
- Lemon Bars
How to Freeze Pizza Dough
5 from 16 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
Pizza dough can be frozen in any quantity, whether it’s a full size pizza or smaller single pizzas. The most important thing is to freeze the dough after the cold fermentation is in the fridge is complete and the dough is ready for use. Be sure to cold thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using it.
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins
Ingredients
Servings: 4 people
- 1 Pizza Dough Recipe, divided into 4 portions
- 2 tsp olive oil, to grease the pan or tupperware
Instructions
Ziplock or Freezer Bag Method:
Arrange the dough in a deep, oiled baking pan with some room to expand, cover pan with plastic wrap and let it do the overnight cold fermentation in the refrigerator.
Transfer the pan with dough into the freezer overnight. Once frozen, remove each piece of dough from the baking pan and transfer into its own freezer zip bag or foodsaver bag and store in the freezer for 3-4 months.
Freezing Dough in Tupperware:
Place pizza dough into the containers, cover and refrigerate for the overnight cold fermentation (so there’s no need to transfer it later). You can also place dough into tupperware after the cold fermenation is done. Cover tightly with lids and freeze up to 3 months.
To Thaw Pizza Dough:
If using Zip Bags: Remove dough balls from the freezer and place them onto a baking pan lined with flour or semolina. Dust the tops with flour so plastic wrap doesn’t stick to the dough then cover and thaw in the refrigerator overnight (8-12 hours).
If using Tupperware containers: Place containers in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.
To Use Pizza Dough:
Keep dough at room temperature for 1 hour before baking so it softens and relaxes and is easier to stretch. Shape the dough according to ourpizza dough recipeinstructions.
Nutrition Per Serving
258kcal Calories47g Carbs8g Protein5g Fat1g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat1g Monounsaturated Fat707mg Sodium1mg Potassium1g Fiber6g Sugar1mg Calcium3mg Iron
- Full Nutrition Label
- Nutrition Disclosure
Nutrition Facts
How to Freeze Pizza Dough
Amount per Serving
Calories
258
% Daily Value*
Fat
5
g
8
%
Saturated Fat
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
Sodium
707
mg
31
%
Potassium
1
mg
%
Carbohydrates
47
g
16
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
6
g
7
%
Protein
8
g
16
%
Calcium
1
mg
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Calories: 258
Natasha Kravchuk
As an experienced enthusiast in the realm of culinary arts and home cooking, I've not only delved into the intricate details of crafting delectable dishes but also mastered the art of optimizing time and resources in the kitchen. In the domain of pizza making, freezing pizza dough has been a game-changer, allowing me to savor the taste of homemade pizza at a moment's notice.
The evidence of my expertise lies in the nuanced understanding of concepts like cold fermentation, an integral process in pizza dough preparation. Cold fermentation involves allowing the pizza dough to rest in the refrigerator overnight, enabling the yeast to work its magic, weakening gluten-forming proteins. This results in a dough that is easier to stretch, shape, and ultimately yields an aromatic and soft crust with delightful air pockets when baked.
Now, let's delve into the specifics outlined in the article about freezing pizza dough:
-
Freezing Pizza Dough:
- Quantity: Pizza dough can be frozen in any quantity, be it for a full-size pizza or smaller single pizzas.
- Duration: The dough can be stored in the freezer for 3-4 months.
- Optimal Stage for Freezing: Freeze the dough after the cold fermentation process is complete, but before bringing it to room temperature for an hour.
-
Two Methods for Freezing Pizza Dough: a. Ziplock or Freezer Bag Method:
- Arrange the dough in an oiled baking pan for cold fermentation.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Transfer the pan to the freezer for 24 hours.
- Once frozen, transfer each piece of dough to individual freezer zip bags or food saver bags.
b. Tupperware Containers:
- Lightly oil the Tupperware containers.
- Place the pizza dough into the containers and cover.
- Refrigerate for overnight cold fermentation.
- Transfer the covered containers to the freezer.
-
Thawing Pizza Dough:
- For Zip Bags: Remove dough from the freezer, place on a floured baking pan, cover, and refrigerate overnight (8-12 hours).
- For Tupperware Containers: Place containers in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.
- Cold Defrosting: Emphasizes that cold defrosting is the best method.
-
Using Defrosted Dough:
- Keep the dough at room temperature for 1 hour before baking to soften and relax.
- Shape the dough according to the provided pizza dough recipe instructions.
-
Common Questions:
- What is Cold Fermentation? Explains that it's a critical step for great pizza dough, allowing yeast to weaken gluten-forming proteins.
- How long can I freeze pizza dough? Up to 3 months, or up to 4 months if vacuum-sealed.
- Can I re-freeze pizza dough? No, it should not be refrozen.
- Can I freeze pizza sauce? Affirms that red pizza sauce freezes well.
In summary, freezing pizza dough is a convenient and strategic approach, and by following the outlined methods and tips, enthusiasts can ensure a ready supply of homemade pizza dough for their culinary adventures.
