Pizza dough can be a very tricky thing to work with, especially if it’s sticky. Having pizza dough too sticky can be frustrating to handle and can make it difficult to get a thin, even crust. It ends up all over your hands, on your apron, and if you’re like me, my kitchen ends up looking like a bomb site. If there was such a thing as dough bombs.
However, with the right techniques and a little bit of patience, you can easily work with sticky pizza dough and create delicious homemade pizza.
To help you survive this common issue in your pizza-making journey, I have put together some tips for times when your pizza dough too sticky for you to properly use it.
Why is my pizza dough too sticky?
Pizza dough is meant to be soft and pliable, but if it’s too sticky, it can be difficult to work with and result in a less-than-desirable final product.
There are several reasons why your pizza dough may be too sticky, and we have added some simple solutions to fix the problem.
Too much moisture
One reason your pizza dough may be too sticky is because it has too much moisture. This can be caused by using too much water when mixing the dough or by not allowing the dough to rest and absorb the moisture properly.
Solution: To fix this, you can try adding a little more flour to the dough to absorb the excess moisture, or allowing the dough to rest for a longer period of time before rolling it out.
Not kneaded properly
Another reason your pizza dough too sticky for you to handle it well, is that because it has not been kneaded enough. Kneading the dough helps to develop the gluten, which gives the dough its structure and elasticity. If the dough has not been kneaded enough, it would not have allowed the gluten to really get going, and it will be too soft and sticky.
Solution: To fix this, simply knead the dough for a longer period of time until it becomes less sticky and more elastic.
Kind of flour
A third reason your pizza dough may be too sticky is because the type of flour you are using is too high in protein. Different types of flour have different protein levels, which can affect the texture and stickiness of the dough. I always recommend 00 pizza flour for this reason; I have always ended up with sad pizza dough failures when trying plain flour or bread flour.
Solution: If you are using a flour with a high protein content, it may be causing the dough to be too sticky. In this case, you can try using a lower protein flour or adding some semolina flour, which is lower in protein and can help to absorb excess moisture.
Not proofed long enough
Finally, your pizza dough may be too sticky if it has not been proofed long enough before use. The longer the better – some people even swear by proofing over long fermentation periods.
Solution: Allowing the dough to rest either on your bench in a warm place away from direct sunlight, or even in the refrigerator.
This helps to relax the gluten, making it easier to work with. If you are in a rush and cannot leave the dough for a few hours, you can try adding a little more flour or semolina flour to help absorb the excess moisture and make the dough less sticky.
Patience is a virtue though, and making pizza dough is a great test of patience.
How do I work when the pizza dough is too sticky?
Flour your work surface and hands
Before you begin, make sure to dust your work surface with plenty of flour.
This will help to prevent the dough from sticking to your counter. Additionally, dust your hands with flour to prevent the dough from sticking to them as well.
I flour everything, and when it comes time to put the dough in a bowl to proof, I sweep up the flour, and use it to flour my peel when it comes to baking the final pizzas. That way no flour goes to waste.
Use a rolling pin
A rolling pin is the best tool for rolling out pizza dough, especially if it’s sticky. Make sure to really flour that pin though first!
Roll the dough out from the center towards the edges, turning and flipping the dough as you go. If the dough starts to stick to the rolling pin, add a little more flour to both the rolling pin and the dough.
Use a dough scraper
A dough scraper can be a helpful tool for working with sticky dough. It allows you to easily lift and transfer the dough. Additionally, you can do it without the dough sticking to your hands.
Add more flour
If the dough is still too sticky to work with, don’t be afraid to add a little more flour to the surface and the dough itself. Just be careful not to add too much flour, as this can make the crust tough.
Use a pizza peel
If you’re having trouble transferring the rolled out dough to your pizza pan or pizza stone, try using a pizza peel. A pizza peel is a long, flat spatula that is specifically designed for transferring pizzas to and from the oven.
Simply dust the pizza peel with flour, place the dough on top, and gently slide it onto the pan or stone.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to easily work with sticky pizza dough and create a delicious, homemade pizza. Just remember to be patient and take your time, and you’ll be rewarded with a delicious and satisfying meal.
Conclusion: Pizza dough too sticky?
In conclusion, there are several reasons why your pizza dough too sticky, including too much moisture, not enough kneading, high protein flour, and lack of proofing or refrigeration.
By identifying the cause of the stickiness and taking steps to fix it, you can ensure that your pizza dough is soft and pliable. This will result in a delicious, perfectly baked pizza.
