100% Biga Neapolitan Pizza Dough Recipe

Ciao, pizza lovers! I am thrilled to share my recipe that dives into the heart of traditional Italian pizza. This Neapolitan pizza recipe uses a 100% Biga starter and takes about 24 hours, but it's worth the wait.

What is Neapolitan Pizza?

Well, Neapolitan Pizza is the Ferrari of pizzas.

With a rich history, strict regulations, and incredible crust options, Neapolitan pizza is not just a food; it's a testament to the Italians' relentless pursuit of perfection and authenticity.

The Origins of Neapolitan Pizza

Neapolitan pizza, as you might have guessed, hails all the way from Naples, Italy.

It goes way back to the late 18th century when the incredible combination of tomato and flatbread brought this amazing dish to life. Over time, it made its way across Italy and the world, always proudly carrying the distinct flavors of its birthplace.

What Makes Neapolitan Pizza Dough Different?

Now, what sets the Neapolitan pizza apart is its crust.

The traditional Neapolitan pizza utilizes a straightforward yet complex, yeast-based dough recipe, often fermented over a day or more. Variations like this 100% 'biga' are my favorite, but we'll explore the popular 'poolish' method in another recipe.

The pre-fermented biga dough method helps achieve an incredibly light and airy dough with great flavor complexity.

The key to the success of the biga crust is using a smaller quantity of yeast and longer fermentation time, creating a crust with excellent texture, depth of flavor, and an aroma that will take your pizzas to another level.

Traditional Neapolitan pizza is cooked in an extremely hot wood-fired oven, hitting temperatures north of 800°F. These sweltering conditions give the pizza its distinct charred crust and cooked-to-perfection topping in under 90 seconds!

For this recipe, we use an Ooni pizza oven, famed for its capability to emulate these extreme temperatures. But don't worry, we'll also provide instructions for cooking in your regular home oven, ensuring a drool-worthy pizza, whatever your setup.

Rules of the Game: The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN)

However, no discussion about Neapolitan pizza is complete without mentioning the stringent regulations imposed by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN).

This governing body insists on specific criteria for a pizza to be officially recognized as Neapolitan. From the type of flour, yeast, tomatoes, and mozzarella used to the pizza's size, thickness, cooking method, and even the type of oven, AVPN leaves no stone unturned in preserving the authenticity of Neapolitan pizza.

While we'll stay true in spirit to the strict rules of the AVPN, this Neapolitan pizza dough will be a little more appealing to the home enthusiast and will please a larger range of pizza preferences.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you'll need to create this vegan biga Neapolitan pizza dough.

For an extra touch, we've included a simple but delicious sauce recipe and simple toppings that pair perfectly with this dough, but of course, you can use what you love on your pizza.

Check the recipe card for exact quantities.

How To Make 100% Biga Pizza Dough

Part 1: Make the Biga Pre-Fermented Dough

The first step is the pre-fermented dough. This will need to rest for about 12-14 hours until it doubles in size.

Step 1: Combine yeast and water.

Step 2: Then, mix until the yeast dissolves.

Step 3: Add flour to the proofing tray.

Step 4: Make sure to spread the flour evenly across the tray.

Step 5: Add the water/yeast mixture to the proofing tray.

Step 6: Then, lightly combine with your fingers.

Important! DO NOT kneed the dough - you're going for a disconnected stringy consistency resembling loose noodles.

Step 7: Continue mixing until all the dry flour parts are incorporated - this is key as you don't want dry bits remaining in the mixture.

Step 8: Manually pull apart any larger pieces to unlock moisture that can be used to moisten the smaller dry bits.

Step 9: Place the loose mix into a bowl or vertical container. DO NOT leave the mixture in a wide container like the proofing tray to rest. Confining the dough in something more narrow will help it to continue combing over the resting period.

Step 10: Then, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a tightly fitting damp towel and rest for 12-14 hours until biga doubles in size.

After resting, Biga will have a wonderful aromatic quality with small air bubbles and a somewhat dense consistency.

Part 2: Make the Pizza Dough

The second part is about making the dough.

Step 1: Combine water and salt, stirring until all the salt is dissolved.

Step 2: Then, place biga into the stand mixer with a spiral dough hook attachment.

Step 3: Turn the mixer on the speed setting of one.

Step 4: Slowly add the water and salt mixture in very small increments just until the bottom of the bowl is wet.

Once the dough absorbs the water at the bottom of the bowl, repeat the process until all the water/salt mixture is incorporated into the dough. This will take some time.

Step 5: Slowly add the malt, letting it combine into the dough gradually - DO NOT add all the malt at once.

Step 6: Then, add the chilled water and continue mixing until you have a silky and fully combined dough.

Step 7: Remove the mixing bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a tightly fitting damp towel, and rest for 2 hours at room temperature.

Step 8: After 2 hours of resting at room temperature, move the bowl to the refrigerator to cold rest for another 2 hours.

Part 3: Form the Dough Balls

Part three consists of forming the dough balls. These will rest for about 4 hours.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to let it soften.

Then, weigh 320-gram portions shaped into tightly kneaded balls, place them into a clean proofing tray, and seal them tightly. You should have 5 pizza balls.

Step 1: Weigh the dough and divide by how many balls you want.

Step 2: Make the balls into smooth shapes.

Step 3: Let the balls rest in the tightly sealed container for 4 hours.

Part 4: (Optional) Make the Pizza Sauce

While the balls rest, make this super easy and delicious pizza sauce. This can also be made in advance since it stores well.

The traditional Neapolitan sauce is another crucial element that deserves attention. It is a simple sauce perfect for traditional Neapolitan pizza.

Our recipe will bring you as close as possible to the sunny landscapes of Naples. Made from San Marzano tomatoes, grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius along with other simple ingredients, it brings a distinctively bright and sweet flavor.

This is our favorite way of making this simple sauce.

Combine one can of tomatoes, olive oil, salt, fresh basil, and salt in a blender and mix to desired consistency, usually about a minute. Set aside.

Part 5: Make the Pizzas!

You're almost there! This is where all your patience and hard work pay off. Take your time, enjoy the process, and be prepared for the best pizza you've ever had!

Remove pizza balls one at a time after 4 hours in the proofing tray.

After your dough has risen, you'll want to handle it gently to keep those nice air bubbles inside.

Step 1: Gently use a spatula to separate the balls from each other and the walls of the proofing tray before sliding the spatula underneath the ball.

Step 2: Instead of using a rolling pin, dust the dough ball with flour.

Step 3: Then, use your fingertips to gently press and stretch the dough from the center outwards, leaving the edge a little thicker to create the crust.

Step 4: If you're careful and patient, pushing the dough out evenly without tearing or squishing it, you'll create an airy and light crust once it is baked.

Step 5: Dress your pizza with a sauce, or use your own, as well as the Parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh basil.

Step 6: Gently slide, not lift, the pizza onto the pizza peel and give the peel a gentle shake (forward and backward) to ensure it is not sticking to the peel.

Part 6: Baking in Ooni Pizza Oven

Transfer the pizza to the pizza oven for 1-2 minutes, rotating ¼ turn as the edges start to brown.

Once the pizza is browned, remove the pizza using the peel, garnish with any additional topping as desired, slice to your liking, and enjoy!

Alternative Cooking Method

Baking in a Home Oven

1. Preheat the oven to 500 °F with the pizza stone or plate inside for at least 30 minutes.

2. Then, transfer the pizza to the oven for ~ 10 minutes. Check pizza after 7 minutes for progress and continue monitoring until cooked. Cooking time will vary based on several factors, so keep an eye on it until you're happy with the browning level.

3. Once the pizza is browned, remove the pizza using the peel, garnish with any additional topping as desired, slice to your liking, and enjoy!

Top Tip

Whether you're using a home oven or a powerful Ooni pizza oven, it's key to allow enough time for the pizza stone or a pizza plate to warm up sufficiently for at least 30 minutes. Do not skip this step, or your crust will not reach the desired level of crispy and will be chewy.

Substitutions

• There are so many ways to make this biga pizza your own, honestly, it's hard to go wrong with any variety. That said, here are some ideas to inspire your pizza dough creativity.
• Fresh Vegan Mozzarella Cheese - I know this sounds pretty simple, but this would be off the table for those looking to stay close to the authentic Neapolitan pizza dough recipe.
• That said, it's a family favorite. In fact, we often do a blend of both the vegan fresh mozzarella cheese and vegan parmigiana, how could you go wrong?
• Fresh Yeast - Many people, like me, have difficulty sourcing fresh yeast, so I use active dry yeast in this recipe. While the amounts required for each approach are different (much less for the fresh yeast), use it if you can find fresh yeast!
• Bread Flour or All Purpose Flour - These are solid options if you can't source "00" pizza flour. Remember that if you're using an Ooni pizza oven, turn down the temperature, as it will ignite these flours almost immediately. A regular oven will be perfect for these Neapolitan pizza dough recipe substitutions.

Equipment

Great pizza dough doesn't require a ton of special equipment. But great pizza dough recipes, like this one based on a preferment biga starter, are much easier with the right tools.

Pizza Stone

This is a critical component that will really dictate how well your pizza dough comes out. If you're using an Ooni pizza oven, a stone is included, so you should be good if you go the high-heat oven route.

If you are using a regular oven, you can use a traditional stone-type baking stone or a cast-iron or stainless steel pizza plate. They both work great in the regular oven, and you'll get the traditional dough rise for your homemade Neapolitan pizza.

Heavy Duty Stand Mixer

I've made pizza dough by hand and some with mixers for many years. Do not make this Neapolitan pizza dough recipe by hand or with a non-heavy-duty stand mixer - get a good stand mixer.

Hand mixing is possible with this recipe, but it will take a very long time, you will be fully exhausted, and you definitely will need two people.

Due to the high-gluten content of the biga pizza dough, the starter is very strong, and a mixer with a small motor will definitely struggle and may even break, especially if you're making a lot of pizza dough.

Pizza Peel

Yep, you must have a floured pizza peel to complete this recipe. There is no way to get your pizza dough into a pizza oven without disaster.

It's worth saying it twice unless you're using a perforated metallic pizza peel, you must use a floured pizza peel if you want to get the pizza dough off cleanly and into the oven in one piece.

Pizza Cutter

Not a necessity, but definitely a lot of fun to cut your pizzas like the pros.

Clean, Smooth, and Solid Surface

This sounds pretty obvious, but when I first started making pizza dough, a large enough space was something I had to create every time. Remember, a floured surface will need extra room, or you'll have flour everywhere.

Dough Proofing Containers

I have tried numerous ways to proof the pizza dough balls, and there is no better way or easier way than to use a proofing container. It will save you so much time, the results are better, and it is way easier to get each delicate dough ball out without destroying it when you're right at the end of the process.

Save your dough balls from certain doom - get proofing trays.

Storage

• This recipe requires several different storage considerations, and each plays a vital role in making Neapolitan pizza dough successfully.
• You'll need a large bowl that can be sealed airtight with a lid or plastic wrap. The process starts at room temperature, goes in the refrigerator, and returns to room temperature. Keep this in mind when selecting the quality of your containers.
• Once the dough has reached the dough ball stage, they are past the long-term storage option. You can freeze dough balls in this recipe, but it's not ideal. You can freeze the biga portion, but the results are not ideal, and honestly, there's so much investment required in the overall pizza dough recipe timeline that it's not worth it.
• This pizza dough recipe requires dedication, time, much love, and some beer or wine to help past the time never hurt. But, with that warning aside, trust me, this recipe is worth it!!!

Serving Suggestions

This meal can stand independently, but take it over the top with an amazing salad. Our delicious vegan Caesar salad will knock your socks off and impress even the most finicky salad lovers.

Biga Pizza FAQS

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