How To Make Homemade Pizza - A Complete Guide

Making homemade pizza might sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! That’s why we created a complete guide to help you master the art of pizza-making right at home. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your skills, our collection of homemade pizza recipes will have you making restaurant-quality pizzas in no time — especially with your Gozney pizza oven.

Below, you’ll find everything you need: step-by-step instructions for a foolproof homemade pizza recipe, tips for crafting the perfect stuffed crust, and even how to whip up a rich and flavourful pizza sauce from scratch. If you're searching for the best pizza recipes homemade for any occasion, this guide is your new go-to.

So, are you ready to become a true pizza master?

Ingredients and Equipment Needed

To make the perfect homemade pizza, you’ll need a combination of a few essential high-quality ingredients and the right equipment to achieve authentic, pizzeria-style results in your own kitchen or garden.

The foundation of any great pizza starts with a simple but well-balanced dough made from strong white flour, water, salt, and instant yeast, which together create the ideal texture and structure for a crisp yet airy base. A classic pizza sauce follows the same philosophy of simplicity, using canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and oregano to deliver rich, fresh flavour without overpowering the dough.

Beyond ingredients, having the proper tools is just as important. A dedicated pizza oven, along with essentials like a pizza peel, mixing bowls, and a dough scraper, helps replicate the intense heat and handling techniques used by professional pizzaiolos, making a noticeable difference to the final result.

Ingredients for basic pizza dough:

• 500g strong white flour
• 325ml water
• 10g salt
• 5g instant yeast

Ingredients for pizza sauce:

• 400g canned tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment needed:

• Pizza oven (Roccbox, Dome, etc.)
• Pizza peel
• Mixing bowls
• Dough scraper
• Rolling pin (optional)

How To Make Pizza Dough

The most important part of making pizza is of course ... the dough. We've gone through a lot of different pizza styles and dough recipes here at Gozney. We usually recommend our simple Neapolitan pizza dough recipe for beginners as it's without a doubt one of our favourite dough recipes. However, if you are feeling adventurous why not try our Sourdough pizza recipe - our development chef, Joe Boiling has shared this handy guide on how to build and maintain your very own sourdough starter (and it’s not as hard or scary as we thought!)

If you are looking for a new pizza dough, why not try Adam Atkins' simple 100% Biga pizza dough recipe - perfect for any pizza lover looking to produce crusts which are full of flavour and beautifully puffy (the Biga the better!).

Other dough recipes worth mentioning are our Deep dish Detroit style and New York Style Pizza, definitely worth giving these recipes a go!

Last but not least, we have an awesome gluten-free pizza dough recipe by the one and only Adam Atkins (@peddlingpizzas).

Proofing Pizza Dough

Once your pizza dough is ready, it is now time to proof it. In a nutshell, proofing is a stage in the pizza making process where the dough is left to rise, after being cut and shaped into dough balls. This process allows the yeast to ferment which adds to the flavour and texture. Pizza needs this proof to fill the dough with small bubbles of carbon dioxide. This leaves empty pockets when baked, to give the dough a light, airy texture. Learn more about proofing in our detailed guide on how to proof pizza dough.

How To Open Pizza Dough

Ready to turn your dough into delicious pizza? Learn how to open a dough ball into the perfect pizza skin with our complete guide, where our in-house chef Joe talks you through the full process.

How To Cook a Pizza in a Pizza Oven

Cooking pizza in a pizza oven is where the magic happens. High heat, fast cooking, and the right technique will give you that signature leopard-spotted crust and perfectly melted toppings. Here’s a clear step-by-step guide to help you get the best results from your Gozney pizza oven.

1. Preheat Your Pizza Oven

A properly heated oven is essential for restaurant-quality pizza.

• Preheat your Gozney oven to 400–500°C (750–950°F).
• Allow enough time for the stone floor to absorb heat, usually 20–30 minutes depending on your model.
• Use an infrared thermometer, if available, to check the stone temperature (not just the air temp).
  

2. Prepare Your Pizza Peel

The peel helps launch your pizza smoothly into the oven.

• Lightly dust your peel with flour or semolina to stop sticking.
• Shape and top your pizza on the peel to avoid difficult transfers.
• Work quickly - if a pizza sits too long on the peel, it can stick.

Tip: Avoid too much flour; excess can burn and create bitter flavour.

3. Launch Your Pizza into the Oven

This step can feel intimidating at first, but with the right technique it quickly becomes second nature. Before launching, make sure your pizza isn’t sticking to the peel—this is key to a clean, confident release.

• Give the peel a small shake; the pizza should move freely without resistance.
• Aim for the centre of the stone and slide the pizza forward using a short, confident push rather than a slow motion.
• Pull the peel back smoothly as the pizza lands to avoid misshaping the base.

Mastering this movement will dramatically improve your results and reduce mishaps. 

4. Rotate the Pizza During Cooking

High-heat pizza ovens cook extremely quickly, making regular rotation essential for an even bake.

• After the first 20–30 seconds, check the crust edge closest to the flame, as this area will colour fastest—especially when cooking in powerful ovens like the Gozney Dome.
• Using a turning peel, rotate the pizza by a quarter-turn to expose a new section to the heat.
• Continue rotating every 20–30 seconds to achieve consistent browning all the way around. This technique prevents burnt edges and helps toppings cook evenly without scorching.
• If you’re working with traditional doughs such as our Neapolitan Pizza Dough Recipe this method will also help ensure predictable results at high temperatures.

5. Total Cooking Time

Cooking times will vary depending on dough style, hydration, and oven temperature.

• Neapolitan and thin crust pizzas typically cook in just 60–90 seconds. Watch closely for a bubbling crust, fully melted cheese, light leopard spotting, and a base that’s crisp yet flexible.
• New York–style pizzas take around 3–4 minutes.
• Thicker styles such as Detroit or deep-dish pizzas usually require 10–15 minutes and are often cooked in a pan. When using high-powered ovens like the Dome, it’s important to understand heat management—this guide on How to Use the Gozney Dome is a great reference.
  

6. Remove and Rest Your Pizza

Once your pizza is perfectly cooked, slide the pizza peel underneath and carefully lift it out of the oven. Allow it to rest for 30–60 seconds before slicing. This brief resting period helps the cheese and toppings settle, making the pizza easier to cut and improving overall texture. Slice, serve, and enjoy while it’s at its best.

 

Extra Tips for Perfect Pizza Oven Results

To avoid burning, rotate your pizza frequently and keep delicate toppings away from direct flame. Balance your toppings carefully—too much sauce or cheese can lead to soggy centres, especially in fast-cooking ovens. Keep your stone clean by scraping away burnt flour and toppings between sessions, as leftover debris can affect flavour. Finally, consider using a high-hydration dough, which promotes better oven spring and browning in high-heat pizza ovens.

Pizza Sauce

Every pizza oven owner should have an amazing pizza sauce recipe and in this blog, Gozney development chef Joe Boiling takes us through a few do’s and don’ts for brilliant homemade pizza sauce.

If you want to try something new, here are some ideas for alternatives to pizza sauce that we think you are going to love!

Choosing Toppings

One of the best parts of making homemade pizza is getting creative with toppings. Whether you’re a fan of classic flavours or want to try something more adventurous, here are some delicious topping combinations to inspire your next pizza night. We’ve also added links to related Gozney recipes so you can explore full guides and ingredient lists.

Classic Toppings

Margherita
 A timeless favourite made with simple, high-quality ingredients.

• Tomato sauce
• Fresh mozzarella
• Fresh basil
• Drizzle of olive oil
  Try: Margherita Pizza Recipe
  

Pepperoni
 A crowd-pleaser with a slightly spicy kick.

• Tomato sauce
• Mozzarella
• Sliced pepperoni
  Try: Classic Pepperoni Pizza
  

Vegetarian Toppings

Veggie Supreme
 Perfect for vegetable lovers, colourful and full of texture.

• Tomato sauce
• Mozzarella (swap to vegan cheese for a vegan option)
• Mushrooms
• Bell peppers
• Red onion
• Olives
  Try: Veggie Pizza in Roccbox
   
  

Mediterranean Veg
 Fresh, bright, and flavourful.

• Tomato or white sauce
• Mozzarella (swap to vegan cheese for a vegan option)
• Cherry tomatoes
• Spinach
• Artichokes
• Olives
  Try: Artichoke & Spinach Pizza

Meat Lovers

BBQ Chicken
 Smoky and sweet with a sticky finish.

• BBQ sauce base
• Cooked chicken
• Red onion
• Mozzarella
• Coriander (optional)
   Try: BBQ Chicken Pizza
  
  

Prosciutto, Burrata & Olive Tapenade
 Light, salty, fresh – perfect for summer.

• Tomato or white sauce
• Mozzarella
• Prosciutto
• Burrata
• Crushed Olives
   Try: Prosciutto, Burrata and Olive Tapenade Pizza
  
  

Gourmet & Creative Toppings

Goats Cheese & Red Onion Marmalade
 Sweet, salty, and beautifully balanced.

• Mozzarella or goat cheese
• Red onion marmalade
•  Thyme
   Try: Goats Cheese & Red Onion Marmalade Thin & Crispy Pizza 
  

Coppa Ham & Wild Mushroom 

Rich, aromatic, and indulgent.

• Mozzarella
• Mixed mushrooms
•  Coppa Ham
   Try: Coppa Ham & Wild Mushroom Neapolitan Pizza
   

Fun & Unexpected Toppings

Buffalo Chicken
 Spicy, creamy, and ultra-satisfying.

• Buffalo sauce base
• Mozzarella
• Cooked chicken tossed in buffalo sauce
• Ranch or blue cheese drizzle
   Try: Buffalo Chicken Pizza
  

Breakfast Pizza
 Great for brunch and super customisable.

• White sauce
• Mozzarella
• Bacon or sausage
• Spinach
• Crack an egg in the centre
   Try: Breakfast Pizza

Topping Tips

• Avoid overloading the pizza, less is more for even cooking.
• Add delicate ingredients (rocket, prosciutto, soft herbs) after baking.
• Pre-cook watery toppings like mushrooms or spinach to prevent soggy bases.
• Use high-quality mozzarella or experiment with blends (mozzarella + provolone).
• Rotate your pizza regularly in a pizza oven to prevent burning thicker toppings.

Stuffed Crust Pizza

Learning how to make stuffed crust pizza is easier than you might expect. We’ve created a whole guide specifically dedicated to creating stuffed crust pizza, where we share the key techniques for creating a perfectly filled, golden stuffed crust straight from your pizza oven. You can also follow along with our step-by-step video, which shows exactly how to make an epic stuffed crust pizza using a Gozney Roccbox, helping you master the process with confidence.

What Cheese Goes On Pizza

Soft cheese, hard cheese, cheese that is melted during baking, cheese that is grated on the pizza out of the oven, hey, you can even put cream cheese on pizza. To learn more about cheese for pizza checkout our complete guide ‘What cheese goes on Pizza?’.

Leftover Pizza Dough

Made too much pizza dough and want to try something new? Have a look at our list of 7 amazing recipes to prepare with leftover pizza dough!

Okay, it’s finally time to turn your outdoor pizza oven on and get to work! Why don't you share your recipe with us, just use the #gozneykitchen!

FAQs

Which flour should I use for homemade pizza?

• Strong white flour or bread flour is the ideal flour for most homemade pizzas because it has a higher protein content, which helps develop gluten. This creates a dough that stretches easily while still holding its shape, resulting in a light, chewy crust. For Neapolitan-style pizzas, Italian “00” flour is also a popular option, while whole wheat or gluten-free flours can be used with adjusted hydration.

How long does it take to make pizza at home?

• The total time to make a pizza at home can range from 1 to 3 hours, depending on your dough method. Quick doughs with short proofing times are faster, while longer ferments develop deeper flavour and better texture. However, baking itself only takes minutes in a high-heat oven.

Which pizza styles can I make at home?

• You can make a wide variety of pizza styles at home, including Neapolitan, New York, Detroit, deep dish, stuffed crust, and gluten-free pizzas, as long as you adjust dough, pan choice, and cooking temperature accordingly.

Which equipment do I need to make pizza at home?

• At a minimum, you’ll need a pizza oven or home oven, a pizza peel, mixing bowls, and an oven thermometer. A rolling pin is optional but useful for thicker styles.

How do I prevent my pizza from burning?

• To ensure your pizza does not burn while cooking, rotate the pizza frequently, avoid overloading toppings, and keep a close eye on it in high-heat ovens to ensure even cooking.