How should I freeze and defrost my pizza dough?

February 19 2025 2:31pm • Est. Read Time: 2 MIN


How to freeze your pizza dough

The best time to freeze your homemade pizza dough is after the first rise (after it's doubled in size).

  • Once your dough has doubled in size, divide it into equal dough balls.

  • Place the dough balls into separate containers with lids, and place in the freezer. Make sure you've put a light layer of olive oil into your containers to prevent the dough from sticking.

  • You can freeze your dough balls for up to three months.


How to defrost your pizza dough

Note: These instructions are only for homemade pizza dough, if using our frozen dough, please follow the thawing instructions included with your dough. 

To defrost your pizza dough, you have a few options.

 

Option 1: Defrost overnight in the fridge (best results)

  • Remove your containers of dough from the freezer the day before you plan on making pizza and place them in the fridge to defrost overnight. 

  • Remove them from the fridge at least 6 hours before you plan on cooking them.

  • When your dough balls have come up to room temperature and doubled in size, you're ready to make pizza.

Option 2: Defrost on the counter

  • Place your containers of dough on the counter in the morning.

  • When your dough balls have come up to room temperature and doubled in size, you're ready to make pizza. 

Option 3: Defrost in the microwave

  • Pop your containers of dough in the microwave for short blasts (10 seconds maximum).

Option 4: Defrost in warm water

  • Place your containers of dough in a warm water bath (for example, if you're using Ooni Stack, put warm water in the bottom stack and place your frozen dough in the middle Stack).

Note: Options 3 and 4 are good in a pinch, but make sure you don't overdo it! Keep a close eye.

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