The Perfect Keto Pizza: Cheesy Crust

If you're looking for a low-carb alternative to traditional pizza crust, a cheese crust is a delicious option. This crust is made mainly out of cheese and can be adapted to include a variety of cheeses, such as mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, Monterey Jack, and even eggs. The preparation is simple and involves combining the cheese and other ingredients, spreading the mixture onto a pan, and baking it in the oven. You can then add your favourite toppings and bake again. This keto-friendly option is a great way to enjoy pizza while cutting down on carbs!

How to make a keto cheese crust pizza dough

Ingredients

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella (see note)
• Other toppings of your choice

Optional Ingredients

• Eggs
• Coconut flour
• Pizza sauce
• Pepperoni
• Pork rinds
• Garlic powder
• Dried oregano
• Low-carb and keto-friendly vegetables, such as bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, or sliced olives

Utensils

• Food processor
• Baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Pizza stone

Method

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch round pie pan with parchment paper. Cut the parchment paper into a circle that fits and completely covers the bottom of your pie pan, leaving a little extra on two opposite sides so that you can easily remove the pizza crust later.

In a food processor, add all the crust ingredients. Pulse several times until the ingredients are completely blended together. Pour the wet mixture into your pie dish. Using a spatula, spread the mixture evenly across the bottom.

Place into the middle section of your oven and bake for about 20 minutes until all of the crust is a light brown. When you touch the crust, it should be pretty firm.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Let the crust cool for a few minutes and carefully remove it from the pan by gripping the leftover parchment paper edges. Take off the parchment paper and place the crust directly onto a pizza stone dusted with cornmeal. You can also bake your pizza back in the pie pan, but the crust will stay much softer. If you do bake it back in the pie pan, you don't need to remove the pizza crust or parchment paper.

Spread tomato sauce across the crust, leaving about 1/2 inch around the edges untouched. Spread cheese on top of the tomato sauce. Add any other toppings at this time.

Place the pizza back into the oven and cook for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly. If you are making a plain cheese pizza, turn to low broil for about 30 seconds, which will brown the cheese bubbles.

Tips

• Use a low-sugar tomato sauce if you are trying to keep it low-carb or keto.
• If you want to add additional toppings, reduce the amount of cheese to 1 cup.
• If you don't have a food processor, you can also try mixing the ingredients in a blender.
• If you want a crispier crust, try freezing the crust for 30 minutes after the initial baking.

The best cheeses for a keto pizza crust

A keto pizza crust is a great low-carb alternative to traditional pizza dough. The crust is typically made with a combination of cheese, eggs, and low-carb flour. The cheese is a key component of the crust, providing structure, flavour, and texture. Here are some of the best cheeses to use for a keto pizza crust:

• Mozzarella Cheese is a popular choice for keto pizza crusts. It has a neutral flavour and mimics the gluten in white flour, creating a chewy texture. Low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella works best, and pre-shredded cheese is convenient. Avoid fresh mozzarella, as it has too much moisture.
• Cheddar Cheese adds a sharp, tangy flavour to the crust. It pairs well with other cheeses like mozzarella and parmesan. Shredded cheddar cheese blends easily with other ingredients and helps create a sturdy crust.
• Parmesan Cheese adds a salty, nutty flavour to the crust. It is often used in combination with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Grated or shredded parmesan cheese blends well with other ingredients and enhances the flavour of the crust.
• Cream Cheese helps create a creamy, rich texture in the crust. Regular or light cream cheese works well, and it is important to use cream cheese from a block or stick rather than a tub to ensure a crispy crust.
• Provolone Cheese is a type of Italian cheese with a mild flavour. It melts well and can be used as a substitute for mozzarella in keto pizza crusts. It adds a creamy texture and savoury flavour to the crust.
• Goat Cheese is a good option for those who want to avoid cow's milk. It has a tangy, creamy flavour and melts well, contributing to a chewy texture in the crust.

When making a keto pizza crust, it is essential to use shredded or grated cheese for the best results. Fresh cheeses with high moisture content should be avoided, as they can make the crust soggy. Experiment with different combinations of cheeses to find your favourite flavour and texture.

How to cook a keto pizza with a cheese crust

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella (see note)
• Other toppings of your choice
• Non-stick spray
• Cornmeal (optional)
• Parchment paper

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line parchment paper inside a 9-inch round pie pan. You should cut the parchment paper into a circle that fits and completely covers the bottom of your pie pan, with a little extra leftover on two opposite sides so that you will be able to grip the parchment paper to help easily remove the pizza crust later.

In a food processor, add all the crust ingredients: 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese, and 1 tsp Italian seasoning. Pulse several times until the ingredients are completely blended together.

Pour the wet mixture into your pie dish. Using a spatula, spread the mixture evenly across the bottom.

Place into the middle section of your oven and bake for about 20 minutes until all of the crust is a light brown. When you touch the crust, it should be pretty firm.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Let the crust cool for a few minutes and carefully remove out of pan by gripping the leftover parchment paper edges. Take off the parchment paper and place crust directly onto a pizza stone dusted with cornmeal. You can also bake your pizza back in the pie pan but the crust will stay much softer. If you do bake it back in the pie pan, you don't need to remove the pizza crust or parchment paper.

Spread tomato sauce across the crust, leaving about 1/2 inch around the edges untouched. Spread 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella on top of the tomato sauce. Add any other toppings at this time.

Place pizza back into the oven and cook for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly. If you are making a plain cheese pizza, turn to low broil for about 30 seconds, which will brown the cheese bubbles.

Tips:

• Use a low sugar tomato sauce if you are trying to keep it low carb or keto.
• If you want to add additional toppings, reduce the amount of cheese to 1 cup.
• If you don't have a food processor, try mixing the ingredients in a blender.
• If you want a crispier crust, you can place the pizza back into the freezer for 10 minutes after the first bake.

How to adapt a keto cheese crust pizza recipe

Ingredients

You can adapt a keto cheese crust pizza recipe by using a variety of cheeses. The most common ones are mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, and Monterey Jack. You can also add eggs, Italian seasoning, and coconut flour to enhance the flavour and texture.

Preparation

First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, line a baking pan or sheet with parchment paper. Next, prepare the cheese mixture by blending the cheeses with eggs and seasonings in a food processor until smooth. If you don't have a food processor, you can also mix the ingredients by hand or use a blender.

After that, spread the cheese mixture evenly onto the prepared pan, forming a thin layer. Bake the crust for about 15-20 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and firm.

Once the crust is baked, let it cool for a few minutes before adding your desired toppings. You can add pizza sauce, more cheese, pepperoni, vegetables, or any other toppings of your choice.

Finally, bake the pizza again for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tips and Variations

• You can use different combinations of cheeses to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
• For a crispier crust, some recipes suggest adding coconut flour to the cheese mixture to absorb excess fat.
• To prevent the crust from sticking, you can spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray or grease it with olive oil.
• If you want a thicker crust, simply spread the cheese mixture to your desired thickness before baking.
• For a softer crust, bake the pizza in a pie pan instead of directly on a pizza stone or baking sheet.
• If you want to make mini pizzas or pizza bites, simply form smaller cheese piles on the parchment paper and follow the same baking instructions.

How to make a keto pizza with a parmesan cheese crust

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella (optional)
• Other toppings of your choice
• Pizza sauce

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch round pie pan with parchment paper. The paper should be cut into a circle, covering the bottom of the pan completely, with a little extra on two opposite sides to help you grip the paper later.
• In a food processor, add all the crust ingredients: mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Pulse several times until the ingredients are completely blended together.
• Pour the mixture into your pie dish. Using a spatula, spread the mixture evenly across the bottom.
• Place into the middle of your oven and bake for about 20 minutes until the crust is a light brown. When you touch the crust, it should be firm.
• Increase the oven temperature to 400°F. Let the crust cool for a few minutes, then carefully remove it from the pan by gripping the edges of the parchment paper. Take off the paper and place the crust directly onto a pizza stone dusted with cornmeal.
• Spread tomato sauce across the crust, leaving about 1/2 inch around the edges untouched. If you want to keep it keto-friendly, be sure to use a low-sugar tomato sauce.
• Spread cheese on top of the tomato sauce. If you are making a plain cheese pizza, use 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella. If you are adding other toppings, you may want to reduce the amount of cheese to 1 cup.
• Place the pizza back into the oven and cook for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly.
• If you are making a plain cheese pizza, turn to low broil for about 30 seconds, which will brown the cheese bubbles.

Tips:

• If you don't have a food processor, you can try mixing the ingredients in a blender.
• If you don't want to use parchment paper, you can grease the pan with oil or non-stick spray. However, the crust may not brown as nicely.
• If you want to add more toppings, you may need to reduce the amount of cheese to 1 cup.
• If you want a crispier crust, try baking the pizza directly on the oven rack or on a pizza stone.
• For a gluten-free option, be sure to use gluten-free toppings and ingredients.

Enjoy your delicious keto pizza with a parmesan cheese crust!

Frequently asked questions