Make this EASY sheet pan pizza at home in under 1 hour! The simple dough yields a no-rise pizza crust thatโs thick, fluffy, and perfect when youโre making pizza for a crowd!
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What makes this the best sheet pan pizza recipe?
- Quick and easy! You donโt need a pizza pan or overnight rise for this fluffy pizza dough. Just let the yeast proof for 10 minutes, then make the dough, spread it onto the bottom of a sheet pan, and youโre good to go.
- Thick, fluffy crust! Think of this crust as something in between a standard thin crust and deep dish. Itโs a little bit like a breadstick with toppings, comparable to Pizza Hutโs pan pizza.
- Leftovers are amazing! Unlike sheet pizza made with store-bought dough, this homemade pizza reheats beautifully. No soggy crust here!
What Youโll Need to Make Sheet Pan Pizza
Hereโs what youโll need for this thick crust pizza recipe! Youโll need all of the ingredients for the fluffy pizza crust, then whatever toppings your family likes.
For the sheet pan pizza dough recipe:
- Water
- Active Dry Yeast (I use Fleishmann's)
- Granulated sugar
- Olive oil
- Salt
- All-purpose flour
- 13x18" half sheet pan
Pan Alternatives: If you don't have a 13x18" half sheet pan, you can split the dough and bake in (2) 9x13" metal pans (or simply cut the recipe in half to make just (1) 9x13" pan). Adjust bake time for smaller pans.
Pizza Topping Ideas
For the sauce: Use your favorite homemade pizza sauce or store-bought (I love Rao's brand!). If you want to switch things up with some different pizza ideas, try barbecue sauce, pesto, alfredo sauce, or make white pizza by brushing the crust with olive oil.
For the cheese: Mozzarella, an Italian blend, provolone, and Parmesan are all excellent on a sheet tray pizza. Use one or a combination of a few for a kid-friendly cheese sheet pizza.
For the rest: Pepperoni, crumbled sausage, bacon, roasted chicken, ham, black olives, pineapple, mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, red onions, bell peppers, roasted red peppers, and any other pizza toppings your family enjoys.
How to Make Fluffy Cookie Sheet Pizza:
Step 1: Start the Dough
Combine the yeast, water, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Let the mixture sit in a warm place for 10 minutes, or until it looks creamy and has small bubbles forming on the top.
Tip: This step is called proofing the yeast. Youโre making sure that the yeast is still active before moving on to make the pizza dough.
Step 2: Finish the Dough
To the yeast mixture, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and flour. Stir until everything is incorporated and the mixture forms a ball. Turn this out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead it for a minute or two, or until it feels smooth and elastic. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil all over the dough ball, then cover it with plastic wrap and let it rest in the mixing bowl for 5 minutes.
No mixer needed! I think this is the best pizza dough recipe because thereโs no need for using a stand mixer or waiting for the dough to rise! Just make sure you donโt over-mix, because this can make the crust tough.
Step 3: Form the Sheet Pan Pizza Crust
Spread 2 teaspoons of olive oil onto a large sheet pan (I used a 13x18" half sheet pan). Turn the dough out onto the pan and use clean hands to push, pull, and press it until it covers the entire sheet pan and goes just up the sides. Make sure the dough is evenly distributed and not thicker in certain spots; this will ensure that the pizza cooks uniformly.
Tip: You donโt need a special pizza sheet or pan for this recipe, but you will want a baking sheet with rimmed edges. For smaller pizzas, you can split the dough and bake in (2) 9x13" pans (or simply cut the recipe in half to make just (1) 9x13" pan). Adjust bake time for smaller pans.
Step 4: Top the Pizza
Spoon the sauce onto the pizza, then use the back of the spoon to spread it over the dough, leaving a one-inch border on all sides. Cover the sauce with your favorite toppings & cheese (I like to put a layer of pepperoni under the cheese).
Tip: This is one of my favorite pizza night recipes because when youโre baking pizza on a cookie sheet, you get a BIG pizza, which means itโs easy to divide it into halves or quarters and do a variety of different toppings. Make a half sheet pan pizza with plain cheese for the kiddos, then go to town with ALL THE TOPPINGS on the other half!
Step 5: Bake
Place the sheet pan in an oven preheated to 425ยบF and bake the pizza for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are puffy and golden and the cheese is melted. Usually, a sheet pan pizza is done when the edges are golden brown, puffy, and crisp, which takes 16 to 20 minutes in most ovens. If youโre still not sure, you can use a knife to cut into the center of the pizza; if the crust is still doughy, cook the pizza longer.
Tip: For a pizzeria-style pizza, you can turn on the broiler for a few minutes at the end of cooking time, just until the cheese browns in spots.
Storing & reheating sheet pan pizza
Refrigerate any leftover pizza in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in foil; it will keep for 3 to 4 days. Itโs amazing reheated in the microwave, oven, or air fryer!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What size sheet pan did you use?
I use a Nordicware 13x18" half sheet pan, but if you don't have one you can split the dough and bake in (2) 9x13" metal pans (or simply cut the recipe in half to make just (1) 9x13" pan). Regardless of the pan, you do want one with rimmed edges. For smaller pans, decrease the amount of dough you use on each pan and adjust baking time accordingly.
What sauce do you recommend?
Pair this quick pizza dough recipe with any jarred or homemade pizza sauce! My personal favorite is Rao's brand pizza sauce - it's a bit pricier than others but so worth it! It's great for spreading on the pizza and dipping like breadsticks!
What is the difference between pan pizza and regular pizza?
A regular pizza is typically hand-tossed, while a pan pizza has dough thatโs pressed into a pan. The crust is thicker, fluffier, and chewier, and the edges are crispy.
What are some good family pizza night ideas?
Let your kids help plan some pizza night ideas and your pizza party menu. What toppings would they like? Should you include a special dessert like Homemade Cookie Cake Recipe & Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza?
Because this is such simple dough recipe, you can have your kids help make it, then top the pizza. Prepare the toppings and place them in bowls so kids can slather on the sauce, sprinkle on the cheese, and add all of their favorite meats and veggies.
(Want some pizza party ideas for birthday parties? I recommend my mini kids pizza recipe, which lets kids assemble their own pizzas!)
If you make this fluffy sheet pan pizza, be sure to leave a comment below and tag me on Instagram @designeatrepeat. I LOVE seeing what you made!
Fluffy Sheet Pan Pizza
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 4 ยฝ teaspoons dry active yeast I use Fleishman's brand
- 2 cups lukewarm water
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 4 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
For the toppings:
- ยพ cup pizza sauce (or more to your liking!) (approx. 8 ounces)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pepperoni, sausage, ham, pineapple, olives, peppers, and any other toppings you like
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ยบF.
- Combine the yeast (4 ยฝ teaspoons), lukewarm water (2 cups), and granulated sugar (2 teaspoons) in a large mixing bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes, or until the mixture is creamy and has small bubbles on the top.
- To the yeast mixture, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt (2 teaspoons), and all-purpose flour (4 ยฝ cups). Turn onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for a minute or two, or until it feels smooth and elastic.
- Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil all over the dough ball, then cover it with plastic wrap and let it rest in the mixing bowl for 5 minutes.
- Rub the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil all over an 13 x 18" sheet pan, coating the bottom and the sides.
- Turn the dough out into the prepared pan and use clean hands to press it into the bottom and slightly up the sides.
- Spread pizza sauce (ยพ cup) and sprinkle mozzarella cheese (3 cups) onto the pizza, then top with desired toppings.
- Bake the sheet pan pizza for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are puffy and golden and the cheese is melted and browned in spots.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Notes
Nutrition
If you make this fluffy sheet pan pizza, be sure to leave a comment below and tag me on Instagram @designeatrepeat. I LOVE seeing what you made!
Tom
Very good pizza
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Tom!
Heather
This is a great go to recipe for weeknights in our house!!!! I split the dough into 2 sheet pans, cook the same way and it comes out perfect!!! Also use this crust for breakfast pizza, once you have the crust patted out top with sliced cheese, 8 eggs that have been beaten and top with more cheese, bacon or sausage, guaranteed to make a large herd of kids happy ๐
Melissa
So glad you all enjoyed this recipe, Heather! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it!
Krystyna
Thank you Melissa :) This is the best recipe I ever tried. My family declared that the pizza was amazing. There will be many repeats...
Melissa
So happy to hear you all enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Krystyna! I really appreciate it!
Pizzalover
This is my go-to pizza dough recipe for my toddler (and grown ups too ๐). Works every time and is delicious. Thank you!
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review! So glad to hear you and the fam love this recipe!
Lizzy
Can you use instant yeast?
Melissa
yes!
Loui S LaPuma
Works perfect
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review! I really appreciate it!
Heather
This will be my fifth time making this pizza, my kids love!!!! We've done it as a breakfast pizza too with scrambled eggs, cheese and chopped up sausage, the rim of crust is great because you can just pour raw scrambled eggs on and not have to cook the eggs to death!!!! Also makes a great dessert using apple slices with cinnamon sugar!
Melissa
Yum! I need to try making this with breakfast pizza toppings, that sounds amazing! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Heather!
Lindsey
Something must have gone wrong. My dough was very hard to work wit. Couldnโt keep it off my hands, and very hard to spread. It was a little unclear for me in the recipe because Iโm not a baker. I didnโt know if I should mix the ingredients in the bowl or just add them together and let sit for bubbles to form. Duh, probably a silly question. When I try to spread my dough on the pan, I keep getting holes in the bottom and very sticky. Iโve made Martha white that you just add water to, and it didnโt turn out like thisโฆ hmm. I used flour on my hands and workplace to keep it from sticking but didnโt work. Any ideas?
Melissa
Hi Lindsey! These are all valid questions for a non-baker. Did you catch the step-by-step photos in the blog post (above the recipe card)? You want the water, yeast, and sugar to sit & bubble up before adding the other ingredients. In terms of it being sticky, you can always add a little more flour to sticky dough. Dough is one of those things that can be finicky based on weather, so although you don't want to add a ton, you can sprinkle extra on until it's not sticky. In terms of it having holes, what size pan did you use? Perhaps you used one larger than a half sheet pan? If you did you a half sheet, my best tip is to work the dough from the inside out.
Hope all that helps! I will film a video soon to better walk through these steps :)
Paula Timpson
Nice pizza recipe thanks!!
Gina
This is exactly the type of pizza I was looking for!! I made half the recipe in a 9x13 glass cake pan for 18mins, and it turned out so good. Easy recipe to follow, super fast, and the dough was so easy to work with I felt like a pro ๐
Thanks for this great pizza recipe!
Melissa
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Gina! I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a review!
Brenda L Laurenza
I lost this recipe, and now I have it back....it's the perfect pizza crust.
Melissa
I'm so glad you found it back!! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Brenda! :)
Tomma Marcincuk
I usually shy away from making homemade pizza because the dough is difficult to make. Not anymore! This pizza couldn't be easier to make and it feeds a crowd. My family loved it!
Kevin Richert
I have tried a ton of pizza dough recipes, and this one is hands down the best. It is consistent and easy
Melissa
Glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Kevin! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Jen K
My family loves this crust. We have looked forever for the perfect thick crust and this is it! My husband begs me to make it. Perfect and sooo easy.
Melissa
I'm so glad you found this recipe to make for your family, Jen! It's great to hear y'all enjoy it so much! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!
Debbie
It was indeed fluffy, delicious and quick. Great for pizza in a hurry!
Melissa
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, Debbie!