In this article, we will provide detailed answers to whether pizza dough has eggs or milk. While pizza dough purists among us might argue that adding anything except the essential ingredients to your pizza dough is wrong, most often, the urge to experiment gets in the way of tradition.
Although there are many ingredients that you can add to your pizza dough, many pizza dough enthusiasts ask they include eggs or milk in their delicious pizza dough recipe.
Traditional pizza dough does not contain eggs or milk. However, there are some exceptions. Most pizza dough recipes call for three main ingredients; flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and water.
Eggs are not used as a pizza dough ingredient because they soften the dough and make it taste richer. Besides, egg white makes the pizza crust a little crispier. Similarly, the enzymes found in milk will slow down yeast growth. It also breaks down the protein in the flour, thus weakening the pizza dough.
Sounds great? Keep reading to learn more.
What Are The Main Pizza Dough Ingredients?
The traditional pizza dough recipe does not call for egg or milk. The five leading ingredients used in making pizza dough are yeast, water, sugar, salt, and flour.
If you are struggling with dairy allergies, pizza dough is the best recipe that you should consider. This is because it does not contain butter, milk, or other animal products. This makes pizza dough excellent for a vegan diet.
Some pizza dough recipes will also call for olive oil. However, this is not one of the leading pizza ingredients.
Many pizza chefs prefer using olive oil to brush their pizza dough before putting it in the pizza pan or oven for cooking. On some occasions, some chefs have been using egg for this same part of the pizza dough recipe. This is only done to assist the pizza crust rise.
It is vital to remember that some frozen pizza makers and pizza chefs may put other ingredients in their pizza dough recipes. It is paramount to always look at the allergen information to ensure that the pizza dough will not cause you any harm.
Pizza doughs also call for different kinds of toppings. Therefore, you need to be keen to check this part of the pizza dough recipe. This will assist in ensuring that you are using pizza dough with toppings that suit you.
What does adding milk to pizza dough do?
There are two forms of milk that you can add to your pizza dough. These are liquid milk and dry powdered milk.
Liquid milk assists in softening the crumb, strengthens gluten, and helps the crust brown.
However, the enzyme present in liquid milk slows down yeast growth in your pizza dough. It also breaks down the protein found in the pizza dough flour, thus weakening your pizza dough.
Therefore, scalding the liquid milk will destroy this enzyme.
On the other hand, dry powdered milk will add moisture to the pizza dough and improve crust browning. It also helps the pizza dough relax.
What does adding eggs to pizza dough do?
Typically, the whole egg enriches your dough. Besides, egg-rich dough usually has a lot of sugar. This helps in retaining water to counteract the drying effect.
Besides, egg whites have a light texture and can be used to replace the liquid in your favorite pizza dough recipe.
Eggs are not used as a pizza dough ingredient because they soften the dough and make it taste richer. Besides, egg white makes the pizza crust a little crispier.
Therefore, the use of an egg depends on your pizza dough recipe.
What gives pizza dough its flavor?
According to my own pizza dough experience, the distinctive flavor of the pizza dough is due to the overnight fermentation of the pizza dough.
No matter the kind or type of pizza you like best, adding yeast to your pizza dough and allowing it to rest overnight will enhance the flavor.
For instance, fermentations help develop the flavor and aroma of pizza dough. Therefore you should add enough yeast to your dough to enhance the fermentation process. Besides, for a more added flavor, you should allow your pizza dough to rest in the fridge for 12-48 hours after kneading.
Besides, adding the right amount of salt to your pizza dough will also enhance the flavor of your pizza dough.
Does Papa John’s dough have eggs?
Papa John’s is the largest pizza chain in the United States. It prides itself in making vegan pizza. For instance, it uses gluten-free dough that contains egg and milk ingredients.
One reason Papa John’s pizza dough is loved is that it is a soft but not too stodgy pizza dough. Besides, the cheese-stuffed crust enables it to go down easier.
Papa John’s pizza dough is also made with the finest ingredients such as clear filtered water and high protein flour. It is also proofed slowly for 72 hours to enhance taste, texture, and flavor.
This dough is also fresh, never frozen, and it calls for unbleached wheat flour, water, extra virgin olive oil, natural flavors, white distilled vinegar, whey, salt, cultured whey, soybean oil, water, and malted barley flour.
Can you be allergic to pizza dough?
The two most common pizza dough allergies are yeast and casein allergies. These allergic reactions to yeast and casein can cause symptoms ranging from breathing difficulties to stomach upset and even death.
Casein allergy is associated with pizza dough made using milk as one of the ingredients. For instance, the immune system mistakenly views casein as a threat to your body and works to fight it off. This could result in different allergic reactions.
There are also different opinions among pizza dough experts on whether one can have a yeast allergy. Some pizza dough experts argue that one can be allergic to specific proteins present in yeast. However, others claim that there is no research to support this claim.
Besides, it could be possible that people believed to be allergic to yeast may have sensitivity or intolerance to it. For instance, their body may not digest yeast adequately, thus causing adverse body reactions.
Can you eat pizza with an egg allergy?
People with egg allergies require strict avoidance of egg and egg products in the pizza. Some individuals are only allergic to egg white. They are also recommended to avoid all egg products as it is hard to prevent egg white contamination while separating eggs.
Research shows that proper cooking reduces egg allergenic properties. However, many people still will not tolerate this.
Therefore, when ordering pizza from your nearest restaurant, you should make them aware of your agg allergies. Besides, you should ask them if an egg is part of the ingredients used to make the pizza you are interested in.
Why is my pizza dough tasteless?
Sometimes, the reason why your pizza dough will come out tasteless is inadequate salt. Therefore, you can make your pizza dough more flavorful by adding 1 ⅓ teaspoon of regular salt to every 2 cups of Italian 00 flour.
Your pizza dough could also be tasteless due to inadequate fermentation. Fermentations help in developing the flavor and aroma of pizza dough. Therefore you should add enough yeast to your dough to enhance the fermentation process. Besides, for a more added flavor, you should allow your pizza dough to rest in the fridge for 12-48 hours after kneading.
You need to note that even if you make your pizza dough tasty, your pizza will become tasteless if you bake it wet, raw, and soggy. Therefore, you can prevent this by using a pizza stone. Besides, you should preheat your oven to 290°C (550°F) for about 45 minutes.
Conclusion
The traditional pizza dough does not have milk and eggs. The popular ingredients include flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Eggs should not be used because they soften the dough.
On the other hand, milk has enzymes that can slow down yeast growth and break down protein in the flour thus weakening your pizza dough. Therefore, you must avoid using milk and eggs when making your pizza dough.
