How to Stretch Pizza Dough by Hand

Divide your dough into 250g pieces. Cover and rest overnight – it will be easier to stretch.

The next day, dip the ball of dough in strong white flour. Flour the countertop.

Lay the floured dough on the floured counter. Press it into a round with your fingers and palm until it’s about a finger thick – approx. 12.5cm across. Pick up by the top edge, pinch and turn to form an edge, then lay it back down on the counter. With both hands, turn and stretch the dough until it’s about the size of a dinner plate – approx. 25.5cm. Using the knuckles of both hands, lift it up in the centre and rotate so it hangs down and stretches naturally. It will be about 35.5cm in diameter. Transfer to a pizza paddle dusted with semolina (if cooking in a domestic oven) or flour (if cooking in a wood-fired oven). It will contract to about 25.5cm.