How Long Does Pizza Dough Last In The Fridge
Pizza dough can last in the fridge for about 3 to 5 days in the fridge if stored properly. Pizza dough may last for about 90 to 180 days if kept in the freezer. It is recommended not to store pizza dough for more than 5 days in the fridge, otherwise it may over ferment.
Whether you are trying to bake your own pizza or have bought some already, knowing how long you can keep your dough in the fridge is crucial. I recommend using the pizza dough in its first three days in a refrigerator to ensure it is at the height of its freshness. When using hot water and leaving your dough on your kitchen counter for one hour before placing it into the refrigerator, you can expect that it will be edible only for three days. You can also do this for the pizza dough that you are placing in the fridge, and it will remain fresh for an additional couple days.
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In general, the dough stays fresh for up to three months in the freezer, which is perfect for anyone who does not want to make a pizza immediately. The length of time that you will be able to store your pizza dough at room temperature in the kitchen is mostly dependent on which recipes you are using. If storing at room temperature (not recommended), be sure to cover your container tightly to prevent any water from getting in, and use a slightly smaller container to prevent too much pizza dough from rising. When you are going to use any leftover dough, remove it from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before you are planning on baking your pizzas, so it can get up to room temperature.
| Storage | Shelf life |
| In fridge | 3-5 days |
| In freezer | 80-90 days |
| At room temperature | 2-4 hours |
If you do end up with some leftover dough from baking your pizza, just put your ball of dough into that same airtight container with oil on top, and put that in the freezer. To store pizza dough in the freezer, the best way is to form dough balls after the baking process, then put individual balls in either an airtight container or in a freezer-safe bag. The first thing you will want to do is to form your dough into balls (ones or multiples, depending on how many balls of dough you are making). Next, you will add the remaining ingredients (typically flour, salt, sugar, and olive oil) and then you knead the dough (make sure you are not over-kneading).
When you are ready to use the dough, take it out of the refrigerator, detach the dough and put it out on your countertop or into a lightly floured bowl. Once you let the dough rise one to two times, you can use the dough immediately, or you can store it in the fridge or freezer for use later. If you still have active yeast from the previous dough, it can be used to help with rising of the new dough as well. Assuming that your old dough is still in pretty good shape, you may want to use it in the recipe of the new dough for some extra challenge.
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If your dough has not been stored properly, or has been left a little too long, it might have lost some of its qualities, but you will still be able to use it for certain applications. If you remove the dough from the refrigerator and it has lost any texture, or feels unusually dry, with a crusty look, then it is likely past its best. If you are using hot water, and leaving the dough outside for an hour before placing it in the refrigerator, it may last just 3 days. If you left your dough out on a counter in mid-August in Florida for several hours, then popped it into the refrigerator, it would not last for five days.
Even if your dough may still be usable in five days, that does not mean that your pizza will be good. Most dough is still good for eating, even after sitting in the refrigerator a couple of days longer than expected. If kept refrigerated, standard dough seems to be good for 5-10 days before it starts acquiring too much bacteria. As we mentioned, a homemade dough lasts for five days in the fridge, whereas a store-bought one often goes bad in two to three days, which is why we recommend it for preserving purposes.
For homemade dough, expect it to last slightly longer than the store-bought options, typically closer to five days, so the way you make the pizza dough will impact its shelf life. How you keep your dough in the refrigerator will also impact its shelf life, so the tighter it is wrapped, the better. If you can keep your dough inside a vacuum sealed bag, it can keep up to four months in the freezer, so you may consider trying this out over longer periods. Freezing or refrigerating your pizza crust does not kill off any potential bacteria that are present, and can result in mold growth if stored for too long outside of those temperatures.
If you are going to be waiting longer than three days, freezing a doughball and taking it out to thaw overnight in a refrigerator is fine. Considering the fact that your dough will probably have been frozen by now at the store, sticking it in the freezer an extra couple of days could make it go bad quicker than it would have been had you made it. Pizza dough will begin to smell strongly like yeast, and harmful bacteria will grow unless it is stored in a refrigerator or freezer. Remember, the dough releases gases and alcohol as it ferments, so just because it smells sours or brewy does not mean that it is gone bad.
If you are planning on leaving the dough in the refrigerator for several days, simply knead your dough lightly and let cold fermentation do its job. Adding one-half to one-half the recommended amount that your recipe calls for, so that your dough is rising slowly in the refrigerator, will ensure that you get a better tasting pizza dough. Double-check the recipe of your pizza dough to see how much yeast you are using in comparison with others, so that you have a good idea of how long your dough can stay cold. Pizza dough typically lasts three to five days in the refrigerator, though that number may vary depending on how much yeast is used, how warm your dough is, and how much protein is in your flour.
Does refrigerated pizza dough go bad?
Pizza dough can be kept in the refrigerator for at least three days and up to five days before going bad. It can also be kept in the freezer for even longer. Compared to store-bought pizza dough, homemade pizza dough is simpler, more flavorful, and less expensive.
How do I know if my pizza dough is bad?
The dough is probably past its prime if, upon removal from the refrigerator, its texture has changed or it feels extremely dry and has a crusty appearance. Place it in the trash. Pizza dough that is grey in hue rather than white or beige when it should be, or dough with grey flecks, is also probably ruined.
Does refrigerated dough go bad?
Although it takes time, the dough does eventually go bad. A typical dough appears to be kept for 5–10 days in the refrigerator before it grows too many germs. The egg-based or milk-based dough can spoil significantly more quickly, especially if left out at room temperature for an extended period of time.