How to Knead Dough in Your Food Processor

For bubbly, airy loaves of bread and perfect chewy crusts, you need to build up gluten. Gluten is a strong network of cross-linked proteins that traps gas bubbles and stretches as the dough bakes. Gluten is developed by kneading, but creating enough gluten in a wet mixture like pizza dough can take up to 20 minutes if you're kneading by hand.

You could use a stand mixer (for detailed information on how to knead dough in a stand mixer, see this article) but by far the fastest, easiest way to knead almost any dough is in the food processor. The rapid action of a food processor's blade can turn dough elastic in just minutes with almost no effort. The food processor also helps ensure that the dry and wet ingredients are evenly incorporated and helps avoid unmixed pockets of flour for the most effortless doughs you'll ever make.

How to Make Dough in a Food Processor

The exact details of making dough in a food processor vary by recipe, but here are the general steps.

Combine wet ingredients in a liquid measuring cup. This makes them easier to pour into the food processor.
Pulse the dry ingredients in the food processor until combined.
With food processor running, add wet ingredients until dough forms rough, elastic ball that begins to clear sides of bowl.
If the dough is too wet, add a bit of flour. If it's too dry, add a bit of water. (But again—follow the recipe for exact instructions for making dough in a food processor.)
Transfer dough to lightly floured surface and knead by hand until dough forms a smooth, round ball, about 30 seconds.

How to Know When Dough Is Properly Kneaded in the Food Processor

When properly kneaded, dough should have a smooth, almost shiny appearance. If you pull the dough, it should feel very stretchy and quickly spring back into place. The photos below show what underkneaded, properly kneaded, and overkneaded doughs look like in the food processor.

It doesn't take long to knead dough in a food processor. The rapid action of a food processor's blade can turn dough elastic in just minutes with almost no effort. We've found that dough is properly kneaded when the dough forms a rough, elastic ball that begin to clear the sides of the bowl, which takes only 30 seconds to 1 minute. But it's important not to overknead the dough, especially if the dough is enriched with butter; the heat from the food processor can soften the butter too much, which affects the texture of the bread.

Overkneaded dough — Overkneaded (tough and dense)

What Size Food Processor is Best for Making Dough

The best size food processor to use for making and kneading dough is one that holds 11 to 14 cups. These larger processors are fairly common, and successful models can handle both large and very small amounts of ingredients. Our favorite food processor for kneading dough (and every other use) is the Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup Food Processor, which has a bowl capacity of 14 cups.

Here are a few tricks we've discovered for making and kneading doughs in your food processor.

1. Skip the Dough Blade

Many food processors come with dull plastic “dough blades,” but we found they are not the best tool for the job. They tend to drag the dough or leave it stuck to the sides of the bowl, out of reach of their stubby blades. The regular metal blade is far better at forming and kneading the dough quickly and effectively.

2. Use Chilled Water

The forceful action of a food processor creates friction, pumping a lot of heat into dough. To counteract this effect, which can kill yeast and stunt both rise and flavor, it's important to use chilled or iced liquids when you are making dough in a food processor.

3. Avoid Over-Kneading the Dough

Don't over-knead, especially if the dough is enriched with butter; the heat from the processor can soften the butter too much, which affects the texture of the bread.

4. Add Liquid Ingredients While Your Food Processor Runs

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients while the processor is running to make sure they get mixed together quickly and evenly. If you pour the liquid on top of the dry ingredients and then turn on the processor, the liquid can overflow the workbowl and make a mess.