Pizza Night Fun: DIY Personal Pizzas for Family & Friends

Name: DIY Personal Pizza Dough
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 5 h 30 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 6 1/4 cups (780g) all-purpose flour; 2 1/4 cups (540ml) warm water (110°F/43°C); 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp sugar; 2 tsp salt

AI Kitchen

Oct 13, 2024

What’s better than a fun, hands-on pizza night with family and friends? With this DIY pizza recipe, everyone can get creative and make their own personal pizza exactly how they like it! This is a great way to bring everyone together, have some fun in the kitchen, and enjoy delicious pizza made from scratch. Perfect for a casual night filled with laughter, creativity, and yummy results!

Jump to recipe

Nothing really beats this activity when having friends with kids over for dinner. I have hosted DIY pizza nights a few times, and it is truly the 100% best activity. It's messy, but totally worth it!

I needed a simple recipe for the dough so went to ChatGPT:

I'm making homemade pizza. Give me a pizza dough recipe, for 10 personal pizzas, with active dry yeast

Simple enough, and here's the recipe:

Prep and kneading: 30 minutes

First rise: 1-1.5 hours

Chilling in fridge: 3.5 hours

Thawing and second rise: 1.5-2 hours

Shaping and baking: 30 minutes

DIY Personal Pizza Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

6 1/4 cups (780g) all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups (540ml) warm water (110°F/43°C)
2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt

Instructions:

Prepare the dough: In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water and sprinkle the active dry yeast on top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, mixing until a dough forms.
Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook on low speed for 5-7 minutes.
First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise at room temperature for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Chill the dough (optional): If making ahead, punch down the dough after the first rise and refrigerate until ready to use. For same-day use, continue with the next step.
Divide and shape: Around 2 hours before you plan to bake, divide the dough into 10 equal balls. Let them rest, covered with a towel, for 10-15 minutes.
Shape the pizzas: On a floured surface, roll or stretch each dough ball into a 6-8 inch circle.
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, preheat it for 30 minutes.
Top and bake: Add your desired sauce, cheese, and toppings. Bake each pizza for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Cheese, Sauce, and Toppings:

Cheese: Classic mozzarella works great, but feel free to add other favorites like cheddar, Parmesan, or a blend.
Sauce: Use your favorite marinara or pizza sauce, or try something different like pesto or white sauce.
Toppings: This is where the fun begins! Set out a variety of options—pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, jalapeno, artichoke, corn, bell peppers, olives, onions, spinach, or even pineapple. Let everyone create their dream pizza.