Thawing frozen dough by defrosting has been around for a while, and it is a simple and effective method. Of the utmost importance in this process is to ensure that it does not become overheated or too soft as it defrosts. If so, when shaping your dough, you might experience terrible outcomes due to the dough springing back when touched.
Defrosting your dough can be done in three ways, depending on your available time.
Refrigerator
The most reliable way to thaw frozen dough is by moving it from the freezer into a fridge. It may be tempting to defrost your dough at room temperature. However, this will cause inconsistent layer softening, resulting in a false indication that the dough is ready for baking when it is still quite there. Placing your frozen pastry in colder temperatures ensures consistent fermentation, leading to fantastic baked goods each time.
To make the perfect pizza dough, thawing it in the refrigerator is key. Place your frozen dough in a dry, covered bowl. When it’s time to use it, you want it wholly defrosted, but it still needs to be puffed up, or proofed. Letting your dough sit at room temperature will awaken the yeast while allowing the gluten strands to stretch for that irresistible chewy crust we crave. Allow 1-2 hours of slow proofing; this small investment yields big rewards.
Water
When you want pizza fast yet don’t have the luxury of waiting for it to heat up in a traditional oven, using cold water to defrost is ideal. The icy liquid conducts heat better than room temperature and will evenly thaw your dough without compromising its taste or integrity.
To bring your frozen pizza dough back to life, seal it tightly in a plastic bag and submerge it in a large bowl of cold water. Check for any air bubbles or openings allowing any water inside the bag. Otherwise, you risk ruining the dough. The defrosting process can take up to two hours, but changing the cooling liquid every 30 minutes will help speed things along if you’re short on time. When your pizza crust thaws – remove it from its bath and leave it at room temperature for an hour or two before beginning preparation for perfect results.
Microwave
The microwave is your go-to if you’re after a quality crust and need your pizza quickly. But defrosting frozen dough with this method can be tricky; start by placing the dough on a plate that can withstand microwaving and covering it in an ovenproof bowl. Set your microwave to defrost mode and heat for 2 1/2 minutes – not more! It should soften the dough enough but leave some chilliness, so let it sit at room temperature for half an hour before baking, or risk partially cooking it in the process.
Thawing your pizza dough may take a few hours, yet you will still need to give it extra time on the counter – one or two hours should be sufficient – before forming and baking. After thawing, giving the crust additional proofing is recommended to ensure it is perfect every time. This way, you can be sure of a fantastic outcome.
Successfully defrosting your dough requires utmost precision and careful timing. With a bit of patience and comprehension, you’ll be crafting delicious frozen pizzas like an expert in no time.
source: https://janeylous.com/3-ways-to-defrost-frozen-pizza-dough/
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