By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on March 13, 2023 | Last Updated on August 19, 2023
Have you ever wondered can you eat raw pizza dough? After all, the mixture of flour, eggs and water that forms the basis for pizza crust is a popular snack for many people. But, still have you thought about the consequences of eating it raw?
The answer is, ‘You absolutely should not eat raw pizza dough’! With illnesses such as bacteria and germs rampant, consuming raw dough could be quite hazardous to your health.
Therefore, avoid tasting or eating any unbaked dough or batter. Raw flour and eggs may contain harmful germs that can lead to sickness if ingested in its uncooked form.
In this article, we’ll look at what experts say about eating raw pizza dough. So read on and find out if eating raw pizza dough is something you should consider trying!
Can You Eat Raw Pizza Dough?
The short answer is ‘No’; you should not eat raw pizza dough. Eating uncooked dough can be problematic for your health because it contains raw eggs, raw flour, and other ingredients.
Raw eggs can contain salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning or salmonella infection.
Additionally, certain types of flour may contain E. coli or other harmful bacteria that could make you very ill if ingested.
If the dough has been refrigerated prior to baking, eating it raw could also introduce cold-temperature bacteria into your system.
That’s why eating raw dough is not advisable and may result in illness if you choose to do so.
Also read: How to reheat pizza in a pan
What Will Happen If You Eat Raw Pizza Dough?
As it is not safe to eat raw pizza dough, eating it can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.
Moreover, the yeast in the dough could cause an upset stomach or infection if consumed before cooking.
How To Tell If Pizza Dough Is Undercooked?
One of the key ways to tell if pizza dough is undercooked is by its texture. If it feels gummy or very soft, this could indicate that the dough has not been cooked long enough.
In addition, you can check the color of the crust. If it appears pale, yellowish, or light brown rather than a golden-brown color this could indicate undercooking as well.
To further determine if the dough is undercooked, you can also press on the center of the pizza lightly with your finger and look at how quickly it bounces back.
Pizza dough that is properly cooked should spring back immediately when lightly touched, while an undercooked pizza will slowly rise back up or not at all.
Moreover, a visual inspection can be done to see if raw spots appear present on the crust or other areas of the pizza.
The presence of raw spots could be an indication that there are areas which have not been completely cooked through.
Another foolproof way to test if your pizza dough is fully cooked is by taking its temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
For most recipes, a temperature reading between 200-210°F (93-98°C) indicates that the dough has been cooked through properly and is ready for topping and baking in the oven once more.
So, using a food thermometer helps ensure that no dangerous bacteria are present in your pizza since uncooked flour can harbor them.
Also read: How to keep pizza dough from sticking to pan
How Do You Fix Undercooked Pizza Dough To Make Sure It’s Safe?
The undercooked dough can be a relatively common problem when making homemade pizza. To make sure that the dough is safe to consume, it is important to take some extra steps to ensure proper cooking.
– One way to fix undercooked pizza dough is by increasing the baking temperature of the oven or using a higher setting than what was used initially. This can help ensure that the dough has a chance to cook without burning the toppings.
– Also, adding an extra few minutes of baking time may also help with bringing the dough up to its optimal temperature. It’s best not to go beyond 20 minutes though, as overdone crusts can be dry and brittle.
– Another way to fix undercooked pizza dough is by using a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven before putting in the raw pizza.
This will add additional heat below the base, which helps cook it through more evenly and quickly compared to baking on just an oven rack.
– Alternatively, if you have an outdoor grill or BBQ, you can place your pizza directly on top of an already-hot grate and this will have a similar effect as a hot stone or sheet would in the oven.
– The last method for fixing uncooked pizzas involves directly applying heat from below. This can be done by placing another skillet over low heat on your stovetop and then carefully transferring your uncooked pizza onto it once it has sufficiently heated up (make sure you use oven mitts!).
After around 2-3 minutes (toppings side down), carefully flip over with tongs and let cook for another 1-2 minutes until fully cooked through. The result should be a crispy bottom crust with all ingredients cooked evenly throughout!
Also read: Best pizza grill pan
Does Uncooked Pizza Dough Contain Bacteria?
Uncooked pizza dough does contain bacteria, most commonly the kind that is found in raw flour. These bacteria have the potential to cause food poisoning if not cooked properly.
When making pizza dough, it is important to make sure that the temperature of all ingredients (including water) is at least 140°F prior to mixing, as this will help to remove any bacteria that may be present.
Tips For Making Pizza Dough
- Begin by ensuring you have all the necessary ingredients for the dough, including bread flour, olive oil, salt, dry yeast, and warm water.
- Make sure to use lukewarm water when mixing your ingredients together – this will help activate the yeast much better than cold water.
- Start by combining your flour and salt in a large bowl; then add your yeast and stir until it is well blended.
- Now add some warm water and mix the dough with your hands, a spoon, or a stand mixer until it comes together into a ball shape. Make sure that all of the ingredients are fully incorporated before adding more water if needed.
- Once you’re happy with the consistency of your pizza dough, sprinkle some olive oil over it and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic – this will help create a nice texture once baked!
- When ready to cook your delicious pizza creations, preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) before rolling out the dough on a lightly floured surface, shaping it into whatever creation you desire!
What Are The Risks Of Eating Raw Pizza Dough?
One of the primary risks associated with eating raw dough is the potential for foodborne illness.
When the pizza dough is not cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F, it can contain bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella that can cause gastrointestinal distress, fever, and other serious symptoms.
Additionally, raw eggs used in some dough recipes can contain the bacteria Salmonella, which can cause severe health problems if consumed.
Raw yeast dough also contains gluten, which can lead to digestive issues in people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Finally, eating raw pizza dough may cause abdominal cramps and discomfort due to its high carbohydrate content. To reduce your risk of foodborne illness and other health complications, avoiding raw pizza dough is best.
In short, raw food or raw ingredient is always dangerous and contain harmful bacteria leading to stomach cramps. Remember to take medical attention if you get stomach cramps.
So, to sum up, the potential risks of the severe illness you will have are-
– Symptoms of food poisoning
– Stomach ache
– Kidney failure
– Coli infections
– Yeast infections
– Stomach upset
– Blood pressure problem
– Severe diarrhoea
– Alcohol poisoning
– Breathing difficulties
– Immune systems error
– Listeria infections
– Any kind of bacterial infections
– Blood sugar problem
So use the proper temperature, have safe food and no more raw bread dough by maintaining the correct cooking process.
Also read: What happens if you leave pizza dough out overnight
When Is Pizza No Longer Good?
Pizza is no longer good when it has been left out of the refrigerator for a long period of time. The dough will become dry and crusty and will no longer be safe to eat.
Depending on the ingredients used, pizza is usually considered unsafe to eat after two days in the refrigerator.
FAQ
Are Frozen Pizzas Fully Cooked?
No, frozen pizzas are not fully cooked. They typically come pre-baked and only need to be reheated in order to be eaten. However, some frozen pizzas may require additional cooking time to ensure that they are cooked through and safe to eat.
Can You Get Ill From Uncooked Pizza Dough?
Yes, you can get ill from eating raw pizza dough.
When Should I Take Action If I Ate Raw Dough?
If you have consumed raw pizza dough, it is important to watch for signs of foodborne illness. Symptoms can include abdominal cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately.
What To Do If You Eat Raw Pizza Dough?
If you have eaten raw pizza dough, the first thing to do is determine if it was made with active dry yeast or another kind of leavening agent.
If it was made with active dry yeast, you may experience stomach discomfort or bloat due to the fermentation process that occurs when the yeast is activated by moisture.
In this case, it is best to drink plenty of water and other fluids, eat light meals with complex carbohydrates (like whole grains or legumes), and to avoid sugary foods. If the discomfort persists, you may want to consult your doctor.
How Do I Make The Bottom Of My Pizza Crust Crispy?
The key to achieving a crispy bottom on your pizza crust is pre-baking. Start by lightly rolling out your dough, then place it on a greased pizza pan. Prick the dough with a fork and bake it in a preheated oven at 425°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
This will create a nice, golden brown and crispy crust perfect for topping with your favorite sauce and toppings. For an extra crunchy bottom, try brushing the unbaked crust with a little olive oil before pre-baking.
Does Olive Oil Make Pizza Dough Crispy?
Olive oil adds an incomparable flavor to your pizza dough and creates a tender texture and crunchy crust.
With its fat content, olive oil alters the chemistry of your recipe by influencing gluten formation while also contributing to browning in the oven.
Additionally, it acts as a shield against moisture which helps prevent toppings from seeping into the base and making it soggy.
How Do You Prevent Your Pizza Dough From Burning?
The best way to prevent burning is to cook pizza dough at the right temperature.
For thin pizzas, cooking at a higher temperature (around 450 to 475 degrees Fahrenheit) will ensure that the dough cooks through without burning. For thicker crusts, reduce the temperature to 375-400 degrees F.
To ensure even baking, rotate the pizza every few minutes so that different parts of the crust are exposed to heat. And you can use a pizza stone to help maintain heat and evenly cook the pizza.
Wrapping Up
Thanks for reading! As you can see, eating raw pizza dough is not something that should be done. Raw flour and eggs may contain bacteria that could lead to food poisoning or other serious illnesses.
It’s always best to cook your food thoroughly before consumption in order to ensure the safest possible outcome. So keep this advice in mind the next time you’re tempted to take a bite of uncooked pizza dough!
Thanks for reading once again. Please share this article with anyone else who may be considering trying raw pizza dough. Stay safe and enjoy your pizzas responsibly!
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
