Pizza Dough Troubleshooting: Tips for Getting It Right Every Time
Making pizza dough at home is fun... until it isn’t. Maybe it’s sticking to your hands, not rising the way you hoped, or the crust is turns out dense instead of airy. The good news? Most dough problems have simple fixes.
Here are a few of the most common issues we hear about, along with our favourite ways to solve them.
Problem: My Dough Is Too Sticky
Sticky dough can make you feel like you’re wrestling with putty instead of making pizza.
Quick Fix: Sprinkle a little flour on your hands and work surface. Better yet, use a bench scraper to help lift and fold the dough without adding too much extra flour. Keep in mind that pizza dough should be a little tacky (that’s what helps it stay moist and stretchy once baked). How do you know when you got it right? The windowpane test.
How to do the windowpane test: When you've done all the kneading and have let you dough rest, you can check to see if its ready but stretching a small piece of the dough and seeing whether light passes through without breaking the dough (like a window!).
Problem: My Dough Isn’t Rising
If your dough is flat and lifeless, it usually comes down to yeast or time.
Quick Fix: Make sure your yeast is still active (check the expiry date). Dough also needs patience. One of the best methods is cold fermentation aka letting it rest in the fridge for 3–5 days. This slow process develops flavour and gives the yeast plenty of time to do its job.
Problem: My Dough Tastes Bland
Ever bake a pizza and feel like the crust is just… boring? Flavourless dough is often a result of rushing.
Quick Fix: Time is your best friend here. Cold fermentation builds layers of flavour you just can’t get with a same-day dough. Also, don’t skimp on salt, it enhances the natural flavours and balances the yeast. We have a 3-5 Day Dough Recipe here.
Problem: My Dough Is Hard to Mix
If you’ve ever tried to stir flour, water, and yeast with a spoon, you know it can feel like a workout.
Quick Fix: A Danish Dough Whisk is a small tool that makes mixing a lot easier. It blends ingredients without over-working the dough, leaving you with a smooth base to knead and rise.
Problem: My Crust Is Too Dense
Dense, heavy crust usually means the dough wasn’t stretched enough or didn’t get enough air.
Quick Fix: After the dough has rested, give it time to warm up at room temperature before shaping. This makes it easier to stretch without tearing. Handle it gently to keep the air bubbles intact, those bubbles turn into the airy pockets you want in your finished crust.
With a little patience and the right techniques, you can make pizza you’re proud to serve. Mix your dough a few days early, give it time to develop, and lean on simple tools that make the process easier. At Atlas Steel Co., we believe pizza night should feel effortless, and with the right approach to dough, it really can be.