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–+ servings

Quick Deep Dish Pizza Dough Recipe in Cast Iron

This quick deep dish pizza dough bakes up golden and crisp in a cast iron skillet—perfect for thick, chewy, pan-style pizza in under an hour. No fancy tools or long rise times needed!

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Serving Size 6 slices

Equipment

  • Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) dry active yeast or 2 tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
  • ¾ cup hot tap water 105-115 degrees fahrenheit    
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided

Instructions

If using Dry Active Yeast

  • Fill a medium-sized bowl with hot tap water. Let it sit for 2 minutes so that it warms up the bowl, then pour it out. 
  • Add 3/4 cup of hot water, yeast, and sugar to the bowl. 
  • Stir until the yeast is mostly dissolved. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture starts to bubble and foam. This means that the yeast has activated and is ready to use. If the yeast does not bubble and foam, you will need to throw it out and start again. 
  • Once the yeast has activated, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and stir. Then add the flour and salt. Stir the mixture until a shaggy dough forms. 

If using Instant Yeast

  • Combine yeast, flour, sugar, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. 
  • Pour 3/4 cup of hot water and 1 tablespoon olive oil in the center of the flour mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms. 

For Dough

  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 1 minute until a ball forms. 
  • Place the dough back inside the large bowl and cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for 15-20 minutes. 
  • Once the dough has rested, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to your cast iron skillet.
  • Gently roll the dough around in the oil and then begin pressing the dough into the skillet with your hands. 
  • Use your fingers to dimple the dough until it covers the bottom of the pan. There’s not need to push it up the sides. This will happen as it bakes. 
  • Add Pizza Toppings
  • Cover the skillet with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel as the oven preheats. 
  • Preheat the oven to 450° with the oven rack on the lowest level. 
  • Remove the plastic wrap and cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. 
  • Remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melty and the edges of the crust are golden brown. 
  • Once the pizza has finished baking, transfer it to a cutting board using a metal spatula. 
  • Cool for a few minutes, slice, and enjoy!