Broke But Fed: Chewy Beer Pizza Dough (Perfect for BBQ or Oven)

A budget-friendly pizza dough recipe that makes 8 pizzas and freezes beautifully

If you’ve ever wanted a chewy homemade pizza crust that tastes like a real pizza shop, this beer pizza dough recipe is one of my favorites. It’s simple, flexible, and perfect for pizza night, meal prep, or making freezer pizzas for busy weeks. The beer adds depth of flavor, the overnight fermentation makes the dough stretchy and easy to work with, and the batch makes about 8 medium pizzas, which means you can cook once and stretch it into multiple meals.

Which is exactly the kind of kitchen system I love. In my house, pizza dough isn’t just for one dinner, it’s a way to make several future dinners easier.

Why Beer Works in Pizza Dough

Adding beer to pizza dough might sound unusual, but it actually improves the flavor and texture. Beer contains natural sugars and yeast that help develop a richer crust. The alcohol cooks off during baking, leaving behind a subtle depth of flavor.

A light lager works best for this recipe.

Broke But Fed: Chewy Beer Pizza Dough

Makes about 8 medium pizzas.

This recipe uses a mix of bread flour and whole wheat flour to create a crust that is:

• chewy

• flavorful

• strong enough to hold toppings

• still easy to stretch

Ingredients

• 6 cups bread flour

• 1½ cups whole wheat flour

• 1 can lager beer (355 ml / about 1½ cups)

• 1½ cups warm water

• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast

• 2½ teaspoons kosher salt

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

How to Make Chewy Beer Pizza Dough

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large bowl combine:

• warm water

• honey

• yeast

Stir and let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.

This means the yeast is active.

Step 2: Add the Liquid

Add to the yeast mixture:

• beer

• olive oil

Stir to combine.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl combine:

• bread flour

• whole wheat flour

• salt

• garlic powder

Step 4: Form the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the liquid mixture. Mix until a rough shaggy dough forms.

If the dough feels dry, add small splashes of water until it comes together.

Step 5: Knead the Dough

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough becomes:

• smooth

• elastic

• slightly tacky but not sticky

Step 6: First Rise

Shape dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Turn the dough once so it’s coated in oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap.

Step 7: Cold Ferment the Dough

Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 12–24 hours.

This slow fermentation improves:

• flavor

• chewiness

• stretchability

Cold fermenting is the secret to great pizza dough.

The Next Day

Bring Dough to Room Temperature

Remove dough from the refrigerator and let it sit 45–60 minutes.

This relaxes the gluten and makes it easier to stretch.

Divide the Dough

Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Divide into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth dough ball by tucking the edges underneath. Let dough balls rest 20–30 minutes before stretching.

How to Cook Pizza in the Oven

Preheat oven to 475–500°F (245–260°C).

If you have a pizza stone or pizza steel, place it in the oven while it preheats.

1. Stretch dough into a pizza shape.

2. Place on parchment or a pizza peel.

3. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings.

4. Transfer to the hot stone or baking sheet.

Bake 9–12 minutes until:

• crust is golden

• cheese is bubbling

• bottom is crisp

How to Cook Pizza on a BBQ Grill

Preheat grill to about 500°F (260°C).

1. Stretch dough into a pizza shape.

2. Add toppings.

3. Place pizza on the grill with the lid closed.

Cook 6–11 minutes, rotating occasionally for even cooking. Each BBQ is different! Check your pizzas.

BBQ pizza gives the crust a great smoky flavor.

How to Make Freezer Pizzas

This dough is perfect for freezer meal prep.

To make freezer pizzas:

1. Assemble pizza with toppings.

2. Cook about 60–70% done (6–7 minutes). Depending on oven/bbq.

3. Remove from grill or oven.

4. Let cool completely.

5. Wrap tightly and freeze.

How to Bake Frozen Pizza

From frozen:

1. Preheat oven to 425–450°F

2. Place pizza directly on oven rack

3. Bake 10–14 minutes until hot and crispy (depending on oven, ours was 8-10 minutes, just check it)

Broke But Fed Tip

Pizza dough is one of the easiest ways to cook once and stretch meals. What a great way to use up leftovers. We used chicken shawarma leftovers for ours. Our sauce is a spicy tahini sauce with toum, topped with shawarma chicken, bell peppers and pickled turnip! Anything can be a pizza, get creative.

One batch of dough becomes:

• pizza night

• freezer pizzas

• lunchbox slices

• quick dinners later in the week

Homemade pizza might feel fancy, but it’s actually one of the most budget-friendly meals you can make. And once you get used to making dough, it becomes a simple kitchen routine.

If you make this recipe, let me know what toppings you used, I’m always looking for new pizza combinations.