How to Spin a Pizza Dough

Learning to spin pizza dough takes practice and quick hands.

Learning how to spin or toss pizza dough can be challenging. You may have to make several attempts to get the right dough consistency and the proper spinning technique. The pizza dough must possess the proper gluten development to prevent it from tearing. The dough is ready when it appears glossy but is not sticky. Leaving the dough in the refrigerator for up to three days can lighten the dough, making it easier to work with. Once the dough is of the proper consistency, you can begin practicing the spinning technique.

Things You'll Need

• Flour

Instructions

1. Gather the prepared dough into a softball-size ball. Place the ball of dough on a floured counter or other clean, floured surface. Sprinkle a handful of flour onto the top of the dough ball. Flour your hands to prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers and palms.

2. Flatten the ball of dough with your hands until it is 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick. Press your right palm -- with fingers together -- into the center of the pizza dough. In a counter-clockwise motion, spin the dough in a circle while cupping the outside edge with your left hand. Add flour as needed to prevent the dough from sticking. (This motion will help even out the dough while forming the lip of the crust.)

3. Make a fist with your right hand and drape the center of the pizza dough over your fist and forearm. Make a fist with your left hand and carefully transfer the dough onto your left fist and forearm. Repeat this motion several times, stretching apart the dough as you rotate it from fist to fist. Continue until the dough reaches the desired diameter, or about 18 inches.

4. Twist your right fist at a 45-degree angle away from your face. While twisting your fist, give a slight push with your fist to spin the pizza dough. Slide the dough onto your left fist and repeat. Practice balancing the force of the fist twists on each hand to prevent the pizza dough from flying off your fists and onto the floor.

Tips & Warnings

• When kneading the dough to create the perfect consistency, be careful not to over-knead the dough, which can make it stringy and cause it to easily break apart into threads.

References

• The Ridiculously Thorough Guide to Making Your Own Pizza; Billy Reisinger