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.