The pizza is simply delicious. Sometimes the dough can be left over, but luckily you can keep it in the refrigerator or freezer. The method is the same for both home-made and ready-made dough. If you intend to make pizza again in the next few days, keep the dough in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can put it in the freezer and use it for months to come.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Store the Dough in the Refrigerator
Step 1. Grease the sides of a food container with olive oil
Make sure the dough is well worked before putting it in the container. Grease the container with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent the dough from sticking to the bottom or sides. For convenience you can use spray olive oil.
You can divide the dough into balls if you wish, but this is not necessary
Step 2. Seal the container and store the pizza dough in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Close the container with the lid or seal it with cling film. During the time spent in the refrigerator, the dough will rise slightly and acquire more flavor. Use it within 3 days so as not to risk it losing its qualities.
In the refrigerator, the dough will rise and gradually increase in volume
Step 3. Take the dough out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before making the pizza
Remove the lid or foil from the container and wait for the dough to reach room temperature so it can be worked and rolled out easily before baking.
Step 4. Crush the dough vigorously when it has heated up
Hit the dough from above with your fisted hand to break up the carbon dioxide bubbles produced by the yeast. By deflating it will become more workable.
Let it sit for another 15 minutes before spreading it out
Method 2 of 2: Store the Dough in the Freezer
Step 1. Grease the balls of dough with the olive oil
For convenience you can use that spray or rub a thin layer of oil on the sticks with your hands. Make sure the balls of dough are greased evenly to prevent them from sticking to the container or to each other.
- It is preferable to divide the dough and form into balls to be able to defrost only the portion you need when it's time to prepare the pizza.
- Use a kitchen brush if you don't want to grease your hands.
- You can substitute olive oil as you like, for example with sunflower oil.
Step 2. Wrap the balls of dough in parchment paper if you intend to freeze them in a single container
Wrap them individually in a small piece of paper. This way you can be sure that they won't stick together as they freeze.
- If you don't have parchment paper, you can use cling film.
- There is no need to wrap the dough balls if you intend to freeze them in separate containers.
Step 3. Put the pizza dough in a bag suitable for freezing food
Use a zip lock bag formulated for the freezer. Squeeze it to let the air out before closing it so that it has a more compact shape.
If you prefer, you can use a food container with a lid
Step 4. Store the dough in the freezer for up to 3 months
The bag should remain sealed until you are ready to use one of the pizza dough portions. From time to time, remove only the balls you need from the freezer.
After 3 months, the dough may suffer from cold burns and change in flavor
Step 5. Let the dough thaw in the refrigerator
Take it out of the freezer 12 hours before using it and put it in the refrigerator. Let it defrost for at least 12 hours or until the following day to be able to work it and then roll it out.
Step 6. Let the dough warm to room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling it out
Put it in a bowl and let it cool naturally to make it soft and easily workable.
