California Style Pizza Recipe
This California Style Pizza recipe delivers a crispy crust, light olive oil sauce & vibrant fresh toppings. Perfect for pizza night no fancy oven required!
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Stand mixer with dough hook
- Pizza stone or baking steel
- Pizza peel or flat baking sheet for transferring
- Rolling pin or hands for shaping
- Small saucepan
- Pizza cutter or sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Kitchen towel or plastic wrap
Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough
- 3 cups 360g all-purpose flour
- 2¼ tsp 1 packet / 7g instant yeast
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup 240ml warm water (100–110°F / 38–43°C)
- 1 tsp garlic powder optional
- 1 tsp dried oregano optional
For the California Pizza Sauce
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Toppings
- 1½ cups 170g fresh mozzarella, torn
- ½ cup 60g goat cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup artichoke hearts drained and chopped
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes oil-packed, drained
- 1 cup grilled chicken breast thinly sliced
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives sliced
- 2 tbsp pine nuts toasted
- 1 ripe avocado sliced (added post-bake)
- 1 cup baby arugula added post-bake
- Fresh basil leaves added post-bake
- Zest of 1 lemon added post-bake
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze drizzled post-bake
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the Dough Mix flour, yeast, salt, sugar, garlic powder and oregano in a bowl. Add warm water and olive oil, then knead by hand for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and soft. Cover the bowl and let it rest in a warm place for 1.5 hours.
- Step 2: Make the Sauce Warm olive oil in a pan, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper. Turn off the heat and let it cool.
- Step 3: Preheat the Oven Place a pizza stone or baking tray inside the oven and preheat to 500°F (260°C). Let it heat for at least 45 minutes before baking this is the key to a crispy crust.
- Step 4: Shape the Dough Punch the dough down to release air and divide it into two equal pieces. Gently stretch one piece by hand into a 12-inch round circle, keeping the edges slightly thicker.
- Step 5: Assemble the Pizza Spread the sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Layer on mozzarella, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, chicken, goat cheese and pine nuts.
- Step 6: Bake Slide the pizza onto the hot stone and bake for 9-12 minutes until the crust is golden and crispy on the bottom.
- Step 7: Add Fresh Toppings and Serve As soon as it comes out of the oven, top with avocado, arugula, fresh basil and lemon zest. Drizzle balsamic glaze on top, let it rest for 2 minutes, then slice and serve.
Notes
- Crispy crust secret: Preheat your pizza stone or baking sheet for at least 30–45 minutes before baking. This is the single most important step for a crispy bottom.
- Dough ahead of time: Dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated. Let it come to room temperature 1 hour before using for best results.
- Fresh mozzarella tip: Blot fresh mozzarella dry with paper towels before adding to prevent water pooling on the pizza during baking.
- Don't overload toppings: California pizza is about restraint. Too many wet toppings = soggy crust.
- Avocado and arugula: Always add these after baking. Heat destroys the texture and color of both ingredients.
- Oven variation: If your oven doesn't go to 500°F, use the highest temperature available and increase baking time by 2–3 minutes.