This page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.

Pizza Express dough balls

Pizza Express has revealed the recipe for its iconic dough balls. Discover how to make your own at home - and learn how to add your own dough ball recipe variations with an array of unique twists!

★★★★★ 1 Rating

Rate this recipe

Recipe:
Recipe by Pizza Express Homemade Favourites
Photo:
Pizza Express

Difficulty: Easy
Serves 2
Vegetarian
Freezable

Preparation

Total time: 1 Hr 6 Mins
Preparation time: 1 Hr
Cooking time: 6 Mins

150ml warm water (roughly 27 degrees)
1 tsp caster sugar
1 tbsp fresh yeast or 2 level tsp of dry yeast
225g plain flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 tsp butter
1/2 tsp chopped garlic

Add the sugar to the warm water. Crumble in the fresh yeast.
Allow the mixture to stand for 10-15 minutes in a warm place (a windowsill on a sunny day works best) until froth develops on the surface.
Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl, make a well in the middle and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
Lightly flour your hands, and slowly mix the ingredients together by hand until they bind.
Generously dust your work surface with flour.
Throw down the dough. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth, silky and soft.
Leave dough to rest until soft to the touch but not too springy - about 15 mins.
Preheat oven to 230°C/210°C fan/Gas Mark 7.
Then, it’s ready to roll. Roll dough into one long 1.2m tube. Chop into 16 chunks and place in an ovenproof dish.
Leave dough balls to rest in the dish for 30 mins then bake in the oven for 6 minutes until golden.
To make the garlic butter, mix four heaped teaspoons of butter with 1/2 teaspoon of chopped garlic. Divide the warm dough balls between two plates and serve with the garlic butter.

Print this recipe

You will need

Ovenproof dish - This handy set of two from Pyrex can cater both smaller and larger portions. Find it at Amazon for £17.45.

Tips

Flour Power

Choosing the right flour is pivotal for this easy dough ball recipe. Opt for plain flour to achieve that ideal balance of chewiness and lightness in your dough balls. The flour should be sifted to eliminate lumps and ensure even mixing.

Knead with Love

Kneading is where the dough transforms from a simple mixture to a cohesive and stretchy masterpiece. Whether you knead by hand or use a bread maker, invest time in this step. Knead for about 10 minutes until your dough feels smooth, silky, and elastic. This process develops gluten, contributing to the dough's structure and texture.

The Perfect Baked Balance

Preheat your oven adequately to ensure a crispy exterior and a soft interior. Oven-baked dough balls achieve that perfect balance. Bake at the recommended temperature until they turn a glorious golden hue, signalling their readiness to be enjoyed.

How to Make Perfect Dough Balls?

Creating perfect dough balls involves a combination of high-quality ingredients, the right proportions, proper kneading, and patient resting periods. Following a reliable recipe, like the Pizza Express one we've shared, can guide you through the process step by step. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't flawless.

How to Make Just 1 Perfect Pizza Dough Ball?

If you're looking to make a single dough ball, you can scale down the Pizza Express recipe while maintaining the ingredient ratios. Simply divide all the ingredient quantities by 16, since the original recipe yields 16 dough balls. This scaled-down version ensures that you can enjoy the dough ball experience without having to make a large batch.

How to Make Pizza Dough into Balls?

Transforming pizza dough into those delightful balls involves a few key steps. After kneading your pizza dough to the desired consistency, divide it into portions. Shape each portion into a small round ball by folding the edges towards the centre and pinching them together. Let the dough balls rest before baking, which allows the gluten to relax and the flavours to develop.

What Size Dough Ball for Pizza?

The size of your dough balls depends on the desired size of your pizza. For a personal-sized pizza, a dough ball of around 180-200 grams should suffice. If you're aiming for a larger pizza, you might want to work with dough balls ranging from 250-300 grams. Remember, adjusting the size also affects the thickness of your crust, so feel free to experiment to find your perfect pizza-to-dough ratio.

Variations

Adding a Personal Touch: Garlic Butter Variation

Now that you've mastered the classic Pizza Express dough balls, let's explore a simple yet delightful variation: garlic butter. It’s easy to make this garlic-infused buttery goodness.

Mix four heaped teaspoons of butter with half a teaspoon of chopped garlic. The aromatic blend of butter and garlic adds a burst of flavour that perfectly complements the dough balls.
Serve these warm dough balls with the garlic butter on the side and watch your creation become an instant hit at any gathering or even as a satisfying snack.

Cheesy Jalapeño Dough Balls: A Spicy Twist

Turn up the heat and elevate your dough ball experience with these cheesy jalapeño delights. This variation adds a zesty kick that pairs perfectly with the fluffy interior of the dough.

Prepare 2-3 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped (adjust to taste), 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes (optional, for an extra kick), and a sprinkle of dried oregano
Prepare the dough from the basic recipe
After the dough has rested, divide it into smaller portions.
Flatten each portion slightly and place a pinch of grated cheddar cheese and a few pieces of chopped jalapeño in the centre.
Fold the dough over the filling, pinching the edges to seal.
Roll the filled dough into balls and place them on the baking tray.
Sprinkle chilli flakes and dried oregano over the dough balls for an extra burst of flavor.
Follow the baking instructions from the basic recipe to bake your cheesy jalapeño dough balls to perfection.

Vegan and Herb Butter Options
For those following a vegan lifestyle, fear not! You can easily adapt this recipe by swapping out the butter for a plant-based spread. This modification maintains the essential creaminess and richness while aligning with your dietary preferences.