Table of Contents
- Why does my pizza crust get hard?
- What do we mean by hard pizza crust?
- 16 Factors that determine why does your pizza crust get hard
- 1. Food poisoning
- 2. Processed flour
- 3. Yeast or yeast extract
- 4. Sodium aluminum phosphate
- 5. Temperature fluctuations
- 6. Sugar or honey
- 7. Low baking temperature
- 8. Use of rolling pin
- 9. Ovens and heat distribution
- 10. Over kneading
- 11. Dry Dough
- 12. Not using Pizza Stone
- 13. Not using Olive oil!
- 14. Baking for more than 20 minutes
- 15. Using too much flour
- 16. Oven door open too long
- How can I prevent pizza crust from getting hard?
- Final Thoughts
Why does my pizza crust get hard?
Have you ever made a pizza crust and it got hard after you let it sit? Here’s why.
If you’ve ever made a pizza crust, you may have noticed that the crust can get hard if you let it sit.
Your pizza crust gets hard because the dough contains yeast, which causes the dough to rise. When the yeast cells die, they release carbon dioxide gas, which makes the dough rise. If there’s too much gas in the dough, it can push out some of the water and make the crust tough.
That’s why it’s important to shape your pizza dough into a thin circle before cooking. A thick crust will be more likely to get tough from all of that gas!
But this is not the only cause why does your pizza crust gets hard, the list is long.
In this article, we will be covering the most popular causes why does pizza crust gets hard.
Let’s get started!
What do we mean by hard pizza crust?
But what do we mean by a hard pizza crust? How hard a crust can be?
To be honest, It varies depending on how much gas is in the dough.
Typically, if you let the crust sit for a few minutes before cutting into it, then it will be considered soft. But if you let the pizza rest too long (e.g., overnight), then this can cause the crust to get hard. The hardness of a hard pizza crust can be imagined as a cracker consistency.
16 Factors that determine why does your pizza crust get hard
So ow you know the reason why does the crust gets hard, let’s get into some of the main factors that can cause your pizza to become hard.
1. Food poisoning
First off, one of the most common reasons why does your pizza crust gets hard is food poisoning! Some people may not feel sick after they eat spoiled food, but it could have caused food poisoning. If you suspect that your pizza crust may have been subject to food poisoning, do not eat it!
2. Processed flour
The other reason why does your pizza crust gets hard is due to processed flours found in the ingredients. If the dough ingredients contain bleached or bromated white flour, then it could cause the crust to become hard.
3. Yeast or yeast extract
If your pizza dough recipe contains yeast, then that means that there is yeast in the dough and this can cause the crust to get hard.
Typically, if the recipe calls for quick-rising active dry yeast or bakers’ yeast, then your pizza crust will get hard when the yeast cells die.
4. Sodium aluminum phosphate
When you add baking powder to your pizza dough, it can cause the crust to get hard. Sodium aluminum phosphate is one of the main ingredients in baking powder and this ingredient can contribute to a hard pizza crust.
That is why it is always advised to use a minute amount of baking powder when making pizza dough.
5. Temperature fluctuations
Another reason why does your pizza crust gets hard is temperature fluctuations! Typically, if you place the dough in a cold location or if you put it in a refrigerator to store, then the dough could cause the crust to get too hard.
It’s always advisable to keep your dough at room temperature.
6. Sugar or honey
If the pizza crust is hard, it will be difficult to cut and make a mess instead of a perfectly divided piece of the cheesy pie. In addition, if you do not eat the entire crust, then it will become even harder as time passes by.
7. Low baking temperature
This is another reason why does your pizza crust gets hard. If you do not preheat the oven to a required temperature, then the dough will not rise as it should or at all. In addition, if you cook for too long on a baking stone that is set below 400°F, then this can cause the crust to become hard.
8. Use of rolling pin
If you pin down your dough as you roll it, then this can cause the crust to become hard. Instead of pinning it down, lightly lift and turn the dough to ensure that you don’t take all of the gas out of the dough which can cause a hard pizza crust.
9. Ovens and heat distribution
If you use an oven that does not distribute heat evenly, then this could cause the crust to get too hard. In addition, if your rack is in a high or low position in the oven, then this can also cause a hard pizza crust to form.
10. Over kneading
Another reason why does your pizza dough gets hard is over kneading. If you do not add enough flour while kneading, then the pizza crust could become too hard. In addition, if the dough has been kneaded for a long time, then this can cause a hard pizza crust to form.
11. Dry Dough
Moisture is an essential ingredient when making pizza dough, so if your dough is dry and there isn’t enough moisture in the air, then the pizza crust can become too hard.
12. Not using Pizza Stone
This is another reason why does your pizza crust get hard. If you do not cook it with a baking stone or even on a sheet pan which will conduct heat, then the pizza crust will be too hard.
13. Not using Olive oil!
If you do not use olive oil on your dough before you roll it out or when baking it in the oven, then this can cause the crust to get too hard.
14. Baking for more than 20 minutes
This is another reason why does your pizza crust gets hard. If you cook it for more than 20 minutes, the heat will evaporate all of the water in the dough and this can cause a hard crust.
15. Using too much flour
This is another reason why does your pizza crust gets hard. Piling too much flour when rolling the dough and topping it can make the dough dry and cause a hard crust.
16. Oven door open too long
If you keep the oven door open for too long before closing it, then this can also cause your pizza crust to get hard. Closing the oven door quickly is recommended!
Some people check pizza by opening the oven door again and again to check. That will definitely make the crust hard.
How can I prevent pizza crust from getting hard?
So, these were some of the things that can cause your pizza to get hard and chewy instead of fluffy and soft! So, what’s the solution? Here are some tips to help you avoid a hard pizza crust:
- Add just enough flour to your dough when kneading and use olive oil to prevent the crust from getting hard.
- Make sure that it’s 80°F in your kitchen and never refrigerate or freeze the dough before baking it.
- Leave the door closed and do not peak every minute while baking pizza in an oven.
- Use a pizza stone or a sheet pan to cook your pizza.
- Divide the sliced pieces of the pie with a knife and not a fork!
- Let your cooked pizza sit for 5 minutes before eating it! This will give all of the flavors time to set in and you won’t ruin your pizza by biting into it quickly after taking it out of the oven.
- Bake at the right temperature and not too cold or too hot.
- Always preheat your oven for a good 20 minutes before baking pizza! This allows the stone to heat up and changes its texture so that it can cook evenly.
Remember: Pizza dough is meant to be soft and fluffy but, there are conditions that are beyond your control.
So, if your pizza crust gets accidentally hard, it’s definitely not your fault because you did everything in your power to make it right!
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, the reasons why does your pizza dough gets hard are: over kneading, oven door open too long, using too much flour and baking for more than 20 minutes, and of course the yeast.
Just follow the above-mentioned tips to prevent your pizza crust from getting hard and you’ll get the best results!
Happy cooking!
