How should I freeze and defrost my pizza dough?Updated 7 months ago

## How to freeze your pizza dough

The best time to freeze your homemade pizza dough is after the first rise

(after it's doubled in size).

* Once your dough has doubled in size, [divide it into equal dough balls](https://support.ooni.com/en_us/how-do-i-ball-my-pizza-dough-Hkm4AR_zo).

* Place the dough balls into separate containers with lids, and place in the freezer. Make sure you've put a light layer of olive oil into your containers to prevent the dough from sticking.

* You can freeze your dough balls for up to **three months**.

* * *

## How to defrost your pizza dough

To defrost your pizza dough, you have a few options.

**Option 1: **Defrost overnight in the fridge (best results)

* Remove your containers of dough from the freezer the day before you plan on making pizza and place them in the fridge to defrost overnight.

* Remove them from the fridge at least 6 hours before you plan on cooking them.

* When your dough balls have come up to room temperature and doubled in size, you're ready to make pizza.

**Option 2: **Defrost on the counter

* Place your containers of dough on the counter in the morning.

* When your dough balls have come up to room temperature and doubled in size, you're ready to make pizza.

**Option 3:** Defrost in the microwave

* Pop your containers of dough in the microwave for short blasts (10 seconds maximum).

**Option 4: **Defrost in warm water

* Place your containers of dough in a warm water bath (for example, if you're using [Ooni Stack](https://ooni.com/products/ooni-stack?_pos=1&_sid=72dd82022&_ss=r), put warm water in the bottom stack and place your frozen dough in the middle Stack).

Note: Options 3 and 4 are good in a pinch, but make sure you don't overdo it!

Keep a close eye.