Can Keto And Pizza Co-Exist?

Pizza is a food that is often missed when following a keto diet, but there are ways to enjoy it without compromising your diet. The key is in the base, which can be made with almond flour, coconut flour, or even cauliflower. The crust can be crispy and golden, and there are many keto-friendly toppings to choose from. You can even make your own keto-friendly pizza sauce or use a store-bought option. The best part is that these pizzas can be made in about 20 minutes, and they can be frozen and reheated. So, if you're craving pizza while on a keto diet, it is possible to enjoy a tasty slice without falling off the wagon.

Keto-friendly pizza crusts: cauliflower, almond flour, coconut flour, or chicken

Almond Flour Crust

Almond flour is one of the lowest-carb flours, making it perfect for a keto diet. For a 10-inch keto pizza with almond flour, one slice contains only 3 grams of net carbs without toppings. A regular pizza slice contains more than 10 times more carbs, at over 30 grams.

To make an almond flour pizza crust, you will need: almond flour, eggs or flax eggs for vegans, extra virgin olive oil or avocado/coconut oil, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, instant dried yeast, pizza sauce, and mozzarella.

Coconut Flour Crust

Coconut flour is another option for a keto-friendly pizza crust. It is more absorbent than almond flour, so you will need less of it. The crust will be a bit more bread-like and will have a faint coconut taste, which some people may dislike.

To make a coconut flour pizza crust, you will need: olive oil spray, eggs, water, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, coconut flour, grated parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, and shredded mozzarella.

Cauliflower Crust

Cauliflower pizza crust is a popular keto-friendly option. It is made by ricing cauliflower and mixing it with eggs and parmesan cheese. This crust can actually be picked up like a regular pizza slice!

To make a cauliflower pizza crust, you will need: cauliflower florets, eggs, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

Chicken Crust

Chicken crust pizza is another low-carb option. It is made with shredded cooked chicken and other ingredients to bind it together. This option is said to be even better than the fathead dough crust!

Keto-friendly pizza toppings: cheese, meat, and vegetables

When it comes to pizza, the crust is the main obstacle for those on a keto diet. However, with some adjustments, pizza can still be enjoyed. While the crust is the biggest challenge, it is important to also be mindful of keto-friendly toppings to stay within the diet's restrictions.

Cheese

Cheese is a great source of fat and protein, and there are several keto-friendly options to choose from. These include:

• Mozzarella (shredded or fresh)
• Sharp or medium cheddar cheese
• Mexican-blend cheese
• Blue cheese crumbles
• Parmesan
• Ricotta

Meat

Meat toppings are generally keto-friendly, but it is important to watch out for hidden carbs in the form of breadcrumbs. Some keto-friendly meat toppings include:

• Pepperoni
• Italian sausage
• Canadian bacon
• Shredded chicken
• Ham
• Bacon
• Sausage

Vegetables

Vegetables are an important source of micronutrients, antioxidants, fibre, and prebiotics on a keto diet. The following are some keto-friendly vegetable toppings:

• Green peppers
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Olives
• Spinach

Pizza Sauce

Pizza sauce can be a source of hidden sugars, so it is important to check the nutrition label or make your own sauce. A typical pizza sauce includes crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, basil, and oregano. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add erythritol.

Keto-friendly pizza sauce: crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, basil, and oregano

Pizza is a beloved food for many, but the traditional pizza is not keto-friendly. The good news is that you can still enjoy pizza while on a keto diet, as long as you make some adjustments. The biggest challenge is the crust, which is typically made with wheat flour and is high in carbohydrates. However, there are now many grain alternatives available, such as coconut flour, almond flour, and even vegetable-based options like cauliflower. These alternatives allow you to enjoy a delicious pizza without compromising your keto lifestyle.

Now, let's talk about the pizza sauce. The good news is that you can easily make a keto-friendly pizza sauce at home. Here's a simple recipe for a keto-friendly pizza sauce using crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, basil, and oregano:

Keto-Friendly Pizza Sauce

Ingredients:

• Crushed tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• Tomato paste
• Salt
• Basil (fresh or dried)
• Oregano (dried)

Optional Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Garlic (fresh or powdered)
• Onion (fresh or powdered)
• Italian seasoning
• Erythritol or other keto-friendly sweetener

Instructions:

• If using canned tomatoes, puree them in a food processor. If using fresh tomatoes, roast them with olive oil and salt first, then peel and pulse in a food processor.
• In a saucepan, heat some olive oil and add garlic and onion (if using). Sauté until fragrant.
• Add the tomato puree to the saucepan and increase the heat to medium. Cook the sauce until it slightly thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
• Add salt and pepper to taste, as well as any other desired seasonings.
• If using fresh basil, stir it into the sauce. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use a hand blender to blitz the sauce.
• Your keto-friendly pizza sauce is now ready to use!

This pizza sauce is not only keto-friendly but also flavorful and versatile. You can use it on your favourite keto pizza crust or as a dipping sauce for keto appetizers. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days or frozen for up to six months.

Gluten-free pizza crusts are not always keto-friendly

Pizza is a beloved food for many, but when you're on a keto diet, you might be wondering if you can still enjoy a slice. The short answer is yes, but you'll have to make some changes. The biggest challenge is the crust, as the traditional pizza base is made with wheat flour and is high in carbohydrates.

While gluten-free pizza crusts are often touted as a healthier alternative, they are not always keto-friendly. Some gluten-free crusts use high-carb alternatives like tapioca flour or rice flour, which are not suitable for a keto diet. Even grain-free and paleo pizza bases can fall into this category, as they may use tapioca starch, another high-carb ingredient. So, while these options cater to those with gluten intolerance, they won't work for those on a keto diet.

However, there is good news for those who want to enjoy pizza while staying keto-compliant. There are now several alternatives to wheat-based products, thanks to the growing popularity of low-carb lifestyles. You can make your own keto-friendly pizza crusts at home using coconut flour, almond flour, or even vegetables like cauliflower. These options provide a delicious, crispy base for your pizza while keeping the carb count low.

Additionally, you can explore unconventional protein sources for your pizza crust, such as chicken. By combining ground chicken with eggs and cheese, you can create a unique, keto-friendly base that is both tasty and nutritious.

In conclusion, while gluten-free pizza crusts can be a trap for unsuspecting keto dieters, there are plenty of alternatives that allow you to enjoy pizza night without compromising your dietary goals. Embrace the creativity that comes with the keto lifestyle, and you'll be enjoying delicious, keto-friendly pizzas in no time!

Keto pizza alternatives: zucchini or portobello mushrooms as a base

Zucchini base

Zucchini makes a great low-carb pizza base. Here's a simple recipe:

• Cut a large zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the centre.
• Add in your sauce, cheese, and toppings of choice.
• Bake until the zucchini base is tender and the cheese is melted.

Portobello mushroom base

Portobello mushrooms are another tasty, low-carb alternative to a traditional pizza base. Here's a simple recipe:

• Preheat your oven and line a baking tray.
• Remove the stems from the mushrooms and scrape out the gills.
• Place the mushrooms stem-side up on the baking tray and sprinkle with olive oil and salt.
• Top each mushroom with sauce, cheese, and your chosen toppings (e.g. pepperoni, chorizo, or vegetables).
• Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Other keto-friendly pizza bases

If you're looking for other alternatives to a traditional pizza base, you could try:

• Cauliflower pizza crust.
• Chicken pizza crust.
• Almond flour crust.
• Coconut flour crust.

Frequently asked questions