100% Biga Neapolitan Pizza Dough Recipe (2024)

Ciao, pizza lovers! I am thrilled to share my journey into the heart of traditional Italian pizza and my exciting endeavor to recreate a vegan version that’s every bit as delicious. This Neapolitan pizza recipe using a 100% biga starter will be part of your regular meal carousel and is perfect for the Ooni home pizza oven and your home oven.

The timeless Neapolitan pizza holds a very special place in my heart, and after this blog post, I am confident it will be in yours, too.

A Pizza Experience that Rivals the Best

I promise you will have a vegan Neapolitan pizza that's nothing short of a masterpiece. You'll be armed with the knowledge of the rich history of this Italian treasure, an understanding of the traditional cooking methods, and a twist on the recipe that will delight vegans and non-vegans alike.

The experience of crafting and indulging in this pizza will rival the best pizzas you’ve ever had, and the satisfaction of having made it yourself will be the cherry (or olive?) on top.

What is Neapolitan Pizza

Well, it's the Ferrari of pizzas.

Bursting with flavors, it is the very essence of Italian culinary tradition. From the distinct aroma that wafts from a hot home Ooni pizza oven to the unique charred yet moist crust and the divine interplay of fresh, quality ingredients, it's an authentic Italian experience.

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 and depth of flavor and an aroma that will take your pizzas to another level.

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.

Cooking Your Vegan Neapolitan Pizza

Onto the all-important cooking process.

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'll 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.

Ingredients

Here is the list of ingredients you'll need to craft this vegan biga Neapolitan pizza (see the recipe card for quantities):

Biga

• 1000 grams "00" Caputo Pizzeria Flour Blue

• 540 grams water

• 2 g active yeast

Pizza Dough

• All the biga

• 110 grams of very cold water

• 22 grams salt

• 22 grams diastatic malt

Neapolitan Pizza Sauce

You can find more details on how to make this Neapolitan Pizza Sauce

• 1 can (400 g) San Marzano tomatoes

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

• 6 fresh basil leaves

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Toppings

• Vegan Parmesan cheese, as needed (quantity may vary based on preference)

• Fresh basil leaves

• Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

• Salt, to taste

• Italian herb seasoning (optional)

Instructions

How to make the biga Pre-Fermented Dough

Making the biga for a Neapolitan pizza is like crafting a piece of art! It's all about balance.

You've got to keep that final mixture loose and dry, but don't leave any dry spots; they'll make your pizza lumpy. Precision and attention to detail can make all the difference.

Combine yeast and water.

Then, mix until the yeast dissolves.

Add flour to the proofing tray.

Make sure to spread the flour evenly across the tray.

Add the water/yeast mixture to the proofing tray.

Then, lightly combine with your fingers.

See Also

Cake Mix Neapolitan Cookies Recipe | Practically HomemadePomo Pizzeria's Matteo Schiavone Shares His Secret Limoncello Crema RecipePizzadilla (Quesadilla Pizza) RecipeEscarole Pie: Easy Original Neapolitan Recipe - Why Italians

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

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

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

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.

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.

How to make the pizza dough

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

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

Turn the mixer on the speed setting of one.

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.

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

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

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

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

Form the dough balls

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.

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

Make the pizza sauce (can be made in advance)

While the balls rest, make this super easy and delicious pizza sauce.

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,

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.

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.

See Also

Gluten Free Neapolitan Pizza Dough (Low FODMAP Pizza Recipe)

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

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.

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.

Dress your pizza with a sauce, or use your own, as well a the vegan cheese, garlic, and fresh basil.

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.

Baking in Ooni Pizza Oven

1. Preheat the pizza oven to ~800 °F to 900 °F for at least 30 minutes.

2. 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.

Variations

We love traditional toppings for our family pizza night, but everyone has their twist on what makes the perfect Neapolitan pizza recipe. As many purists will note, these are clear departures from the classic Neapolitan pizza, and that's okay for those looking to mix it up a little or ease newcomers to this amazing homemade pizza. Here are some ideas for pizza toppings for you to consider:

Spicy Red Pepper Flakes - Add chili pepper flakes while cooking to imbue heat into the dish, adding a bit of a New York pizza flare - and who doesn't love a little heat?

Green Olives or Kalamata Olives - Olives are something that most people love or hate. In our kitchen, everyone's all in on the kalamata olives. They are a delicious briny ingredient that adds an Italian essence that is always a delight. As you'll probably pull these from a jar in the refrigerator, make sure to let them reach room temperature first - they'll cook just a little faster.

Dates - Did I recommend dates on an authentic Neapolitan pizza dough recipe?? Yep, and trust me, it's worth the exploration. When paired with the red pepper flakes, the spicy-sweet combination is a hit you'll want to try at least once.

Fresh Onions - How onions roast on a pizza dough cooked under high heat is a definite draw. When chopped at room temperature and seasoned with sea or kosher salt, they add a depth of flavor while not taking away from the authentic pizza flavor.

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 for many years, mostly by hand and some with mixers. 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!!!

Pairing

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

FAQs

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Food safety

If you're making a non-vegan version

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)

• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat

• Wash hands after touching raw meat

• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods

• Never leave cooking food unattended

• Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds

• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.