What makes bread dough different from pizza dough? Many of us struggle to find the distinction between the two, simply because dough is dough. But I\u2019m here to change that, because contrary to what you may wish to believe, there are significant differences between the two kinds of doughs, and we\u2019re going to unravel them piece by piece. Here are some of the key differences between the two doughs. <\/p>\n
![\"Bread](\"https:\/\/www.mydailysourdoughbread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/pizza-bread-stockpack-unsplash-486x720.jpg\" "\\"Bread")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nTable of Contents<\/h2>\nBread Dough vs Pizza Dough<\/h2>\n
While bread dough and pizza dough have some obvious similarities, i.e, both are made from flour and water, there are some clear distinctions between them. <\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a look at some differences and similarities between the two kinds of dough. <\/p>\n
Ingredients<\/h3>\n
The ingredients of bread dough and pizza dough are pretty much the same. You can make pizza dough from bread flour, water, salt, oil, and leavening, which could be commercial yeast or a sourdough starter<\/a><\/strong>. Likewise, you can make bread dough from exactly the same ingredients.<\/p>\n Albeit, bread dough can often include additional ingredients compared to pizza dough. Bread dough can include, eggs, butter, cream, milk, some sugar, and an array of other ingredients. <\/p>\n Pizza dough doesn\u2019t contain many flavorings simply due to its delicious toppings. <\/p>\n Compared to bread dough, pizza dough has a lower fat content, though this doesn\u2019t affect the toppings you choose to add to it. <\/p>\n Generally, bread dough has a higher moisture content compared to pizza dough, simply because bread dough requires a more water-to-flour ratio. <\/p>\n The oil content in pizza dough delivers a hydration level of 50-70%, while bread doughs can reach up to 90% hydration. <\/p>\n One of the main differences between the two types of dough is the gluten levels. <\/p>\n Pizza dough requires a higher level of gluten, as the dough must be able to stretch and expand to make that wide, circular, tomato sauce-based treat we all know and love.<\/p>\n On the other hand, bread dough does <\/em>require great gluten development, however, it doesn\u2019t necessarily need to be as stretchy as pizza dough, because its purpose and outcome are completely different from pizza dough. <\/p>\n While pizza dough is often made with a higher protein flour (bread flour), bread dough can also be made with bread flour. Although sometimes, bread dough can be made with a lower protein flour, like all-purpose flour. <\/p>\n The kneading process of both types of dough differs. Kneading is a strategy used to create the stongest gluten networks in the dough. <\/p>\n Both bread and pizza dough require a strong gluten network, however, pizza dough generally contains more gluten compared to bread dough, as it\u2019s often kneaded vigorously for a increased elasticity. <\/p>\n For the perfect pizza dough recipe, you\u2019ll want a chewier crust, compared to a softer sandwich style bread. Although, sourdough bread\u2019s chewy crust is very much appreciated. <\/p>\n Both bread dough and pizza dough require a specific rising time, i.e., fermentation at room temperature, so that the dough can rise nicely. This will depend on whether you\u2019re using commercial yeast or a sourdough starter for your dough. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re using a starter, the dough rise time is generally referred to as fermentation. <\/p>\n The difference between both doughs is that pizza generally requires a shorter rise compared to bread dough, unless you\u2019re using a sourdough starter in your pizza dough. <\/p>\n The cooking methods for both types of dough can be quite different depending on the type of pizza or bread you\u2019re making. <\/p>\n Pizza is often placed on a pizza stone<\/a>, and baked at very high temperatures. <\/p>\n Bread is baked at a lower temperature in a loaf tin, or cast iron pot i.e., a Dutch oven<\/a><\/strong>. Although artisan bread<\/a> can also be baked on a hot stone depending on the type of crust you\u2019re hoping to achieve. <\/p>\n Bread requires steam to create a crisp crust, whilst pizza does not as it is baked on a stone at high heat. <\/p>\n The answer depends on the ingredients in the dough. For instance, you couldn\u2019t make piza out of brioche dough, or make brioche from pizza dough.<\/p>\n A basic bread dough that has no fat or dairy is probably the best dough to swap with pizza dough. Similarly, pizza dough with olive oil added to it could be used as regular bread dough and baked into a delicious loaf of bread. <\/p>\n The type of dough you use will also determine what type of crust you\u2019re hoping to achieve. Thin crust pizzas are very different to thick crust pizzas. You may need to change the type of flour you\u2019re using to achieve these results. <\/p>\n Bread dough is often best used for a deep pan pizza, and not necessarily a thin pizza. <\/p>\n When you\u2019ve made some homemade pizza dough the night before, but have some leftover pizza dough, and aren\u2019t too keen on having pizza two nights in a row, then here are some interesting yet delicious things you could do with your pizza dough. <\/p>\n Got some leftover bread dough you have no idea what to do with? Here are some delicious suggestions of what you could do with your bread dough:<\/p>\n Since bread dough typically requires more ingredients for a subtle yet flavorful finish, there isn\u2019t much we can say about using them both interchangeably. However, if you\u2019re trying to make use of some leftover pizza dough, and wish to bake a simple bread, then go for it!<\/p>\n \nMoisture Content<\/h3>\n
Gluten<\/h3>\n
Kneading Process<\/h3>\n
Fermentation <\/h3>\n
Cooking Method<\/h3>\n
![\"Bread](\"https:\/\/www.mydailysourdoughbread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/blog-images-44-720x405.jpg\" "\\"Bread")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nCan You Swap Pizza Dough And Bread Dough?<\/h2>\n
Uses For Leftover Pizza Dough<\/h2>\n
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Uses For Bread Dough<\/h2>\n
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Bread Dough vs Pizza Dough<\/h2>\n