Neapolitan Pizza Dough Recipe: tips for professionals

Discover the Perfect Focaccia Pizza Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

Focaccia pizza is one of the most versatile baked products in professional kitchens. Loved for its soft crumb, crispy bottom, and rich olive oil aroma, it fits perfectly into restaurant menus, bakery counters, and modern pizzerias. Whether served as a main dish, a sharing platter, or a premium street food option, focaccia pizza offers excellent profitability and endless topping combinations. However, achieving a consistent, high-quality result requires the right process and, most importantly, the right flour. The flour you choose impacts hydration, gluten development, fermentation tolerance, and final texture. In this guide, you’ll discover what makes focaccia pizza unique, how to choose the best flour, and a complete step-by-step focaccia pizza dough recipe designed for professional results.
 

What makes a Focaccia Pizza unique?

Focaccia pizza is a hybrid product: it combines the soft, airy structure of traditional Italian Focaccia with the topping possibilities and baking style of pizza. The result is a thick, fragrant base with a crispy exterior and a moist, open crumb.
 

Why professionals love Focaccia pizza

Focaccia pizza is highly appreciated in professional environments because it is:
  • easy to portion and serve
  • perfect for takeaway and delivery
  • ideal for toppings and seasonal menus
  • suitable for tray baking and large-scale production
     

Focaccia pizza vs other pizza styles

Compared to other popular pizza types, focaccia pizza stands out for its texture and baking method:
Neapolitan pizza: thin center, high hydration, baked quickly at very high temperature.
Roman pizza (or pizza in teglia): crispier texture, more structured dough, often baked in trays.
Focaccia pizza: thicker base, higher oil content, soft crumb, and a longer proofing process.
 
For professionals, the key is achieving the perfect balance between dough strength, fermentation, and hydration to ensure stability and consistency in every batch.

 

Choosing the right flour for your Focaccia Pizza Dough

Flour selection is one of the most critical factors when preparing focaccia pizza. A focaccia-style dough usually requires higher hydration and longer fermentation than standard pizza dough, meaning the flour must provide strength, elasticity, and stability.
 
The right flour helps you achieve:
  • Better water absorption
  • Stronger gluten structure
  • Improved fermentation tolerance
  • A lighter crumb and more open alveoli
  • Consistent results during shaping and baking

 

Best flour characteristics for focaccia pizza

While classic round pizza flour may work well for short fermentation and lower hydration, focaccia pizza often requires a flour that can withstand:
  • Longer fermentation times
  • Higher oil content
  • Softer but more structured crumb development
     
For professional bakers and pizzaioli, choosing the correct flour means adapting the product to your workflow, proofing schedule, and oven type.
Professionals typically look for:
  • Medium-high protein content
  • Good gluten elasticity
  • Stability during long fermentation
  • Strong baking performance
     

Ingredients for the perfect Focaccia Pizza Dough

A Focaccia pizza recipe is based on simple ingredients, but quality makes the difference between an average product and a premium professional result.
Dough ingredients
  • Flour (preferably professional-grade pizza flour)
  • Water
  • Fresh yeast or dry yeast
  • Salt
  • Extra virgin olive oil
     
Topping essentials (basic focaccia pizza)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt flakes
  • Fresh rosemary or oregano
     
The flour defines structure, fermentation behavior, and texture. Olive oil adds aroma and softness, while salt balances flavor and strengthens gluten.
In professional kitchens, consistency is essential. Using premium-quality ingredients and reliable flour, such as Molino Rachello professional products, helps achieve repeatable results and a stable production process.
 

Mixing the Ingredients

Start by pouring the water into a mixing bowl and dissolving the salt completely. Add a small amount of flour and then incorporate the yeast.
Once the yeast is dissolved, gradually add the remaining flour while mixing slowly until the dough begins to form.

 

Kneading the Dough

Knead the dough until it becomes:
  • smooth and elastic
  • slightly soft but not sticky
  • well-developed in gluten structure
Proper kneading is essential for developing the strength needed to support fermentation and achieve the typical Neapolitan texture.

 

First Rising (Bulk Fermentation)

Place the dough in a container and cover it to prevent drying. Allow it to ferment at room temperature.
This first fermentation stage is essential for flavor development and dough maturity.
Typical professional fermentation time: 2 to 4 hours at 22–25°C (72–77°F)
 

Shaping the Dough

Once bulk fermentation is complete, divide the dough into individual dough balls (typically 240–280 g for classic Neapolitan pizza).
Shape each portion into a smooth ball by folding the dough inward and sealing the bottom.
Let the dough balls rest in a proofing box.
 

Second Rising (Final Proofing)

The second rise is crucial for achieving the signature Neapolitan cornicione: airy, puffy, and light.
Final proofing time typically ranges from:
8 to 24 hours (depending on yeast quantity and temperature)
 
Many professionals aim for a total fermentation time of 24 hours for optimal results.
 

Baking the Pizza

Authentic Neapolitan pizza requires extremely high baking temperatures. Traditional wood-fired ovens reach:
  • 430–480°C (800–900°F)
  • baking time: 60–90 seconds
     
This high heat creates the iconic contrast:
  • soft center
  • charred spots on the crust
  • airy, puffy edge

 

Neapolitan Pizza Crust Recipe: how to achieve the perfect texture 

The Neapolitan pizza crust is what defines the style: a thin, soft base with a light, airy edge (cornicione). The perfect Neapolitan crust should be:
  • soft and flexible
  • slightly moist in the center
  • well-risen on the edge
  • lightly charred, with golden-brown tones
     
Key factors for the perfect Neapolitan crust
 
Flour selection
The right flour supports fermentation and provides the ideal balance of extensibility and elasticity. A high-quality professional flour helps create a crust that is airy but stable.
Molino Rachello flours are designed to deliver consistency, making them an excellent choice for professionals seeking a reliable Neapolitan pizza crust recipe.
 
Dough hydration
Hydration influences softness and oven spring. A well-hydrated dough supports open crumb development and improves the final texture.
 
Fermentation management
Long fermentation improves:
  • aroma
  • digestibility
  • gluten maturity
  • crust softness
     
Hand stretching technique
Avoid using a rolling pin. Neapolitan pizza dough must be stretched by hand to preserve internal gas and allow the cornicione to rise during baking.
 

Mastering the art of Authentic Neapolitan Pizza with Molino Rachello 

Authentic Neapolitan pizza requires more than just a recipe—it requires control, experience, and a reliable flour that performs consistently under professional conditions.
Molino Rachello flours are trusted by professionals because they provide:
  • stable gluten development
  • excellent dough extensibility
  • consistent fermentation tolerance
  • reliable performance in high-temperature ovens
     
With carefully selected raw materials and quality-driven milling processes, Molino Rachello supports pizzaioli and chefs in achieving authentic Italian-style results.
Whether you are producing Neapolitan pizza in a wood-fired oven, a gas deck oven, or an electric professional oven, choosing a premium flour is the first step toward excellence.
Contact Molino Rachello and request more information through our form to discover the best flour for your business and production needs.

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