Keto Diet: Cheese And Pepperoni, Pizza No-Nos

Pizza is a beloved food for many, but it can be a challenge to fit into a keto diet. Luckily, there are ways to make keto-friendly pizza, including swapping out the traditional crust for alternatives made from coconut or almond flour. You can also make keto-friendly pizza chips and pizza bites using pepperoni and cheese. These recipes allow you to enjoy the flavours of pizza while adhering to the keto diet's strict guidelines.

Keto pizza crust

A keto pizza crust is a great option for those who want to enjoy a slice of pizza while sticking to their keto diet. This type of crust is typically made with almond flour or coconut flour, which are low-carb alternatives to traditional flour. Here's a guide to help you make a delicious keto pizza crust:

Ingredients:

To make a keto pizza crust, you will need the following ingredients:

• Almond flour or coconut flour (coconut flour is more absorbent, so you'll need less of it).
• Eggs (the coconut flour version needs an extra egg as it absorbs more moisture).
• Mozzarella cheese (shredded).
• Cream cheese or butter (helps to smooth out the dough and adds richness).
• Baking powder (optional, but helps give the crust a little rise).
• Other optional ingredients include garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and onion powder for added flavour.

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients, including the flour, baking powder, and any optional seasonings.
• Make a well in the centre and add the beaten eggs and olive oil (or melted butter).
• Mix with a spatula, and then use your hands to form a ball of pizza dough.
• Place the dough ball between two pieces of parchment paper and flatten it into a thick disc.
• Roll out the dough to your desired thickness (for an ultra-thin crust, go for a 12-inch diameter, or a 10-inch diameter for a slightly thicker crust).
• Peel off the top piece of parchment paper and smoothen the sides of the pizza crust.
• Slide the bottom parchment paper (with the rolled dough on it) onto a baking tray.
• Pre-bake the crust for 10-12 minutes or until golden and crispy (the thicker the crust, the longer it will take).
• Remove from the oven and spread a thin layer of keto-friendly pizza sauce or unsweetened tomato passata.
• Add your favourite keto-friendly toppings (avoid vegetables that release a lot of water, like fresh tomatoes or zucchini).
• Return the pizza to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted.
• Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious keto pizza!

Tips:

• It's important to pre-bake the crust to get a crispy base.
• Avoid using fresh mozzarella as it has too much moisture; stick to low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella.
• If your dough is too sticky, chill it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to make it more manageable.
• Using a pizza stone can help improve the texture of your crust.
• For a chewier texture, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the dough before mixing in the cheeses.
• You can make the dough ahead of time, form it into a ball, cover it, and keep it in the fridge for up to a week.
• You can also freeze the dough or pre-baked crust for later use.

Keto pizza toppings

When it comes to keto pizza toppings, the options are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Proteins:

• Pepperoni
• Ham
• Sausage
• Bacon
• Shredded chicken
• Ground beef
• Anchovies

Vegetables:

• Green peppers
• Broccoli
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Artichokes
• Green bell peppers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Pickled jalapeños
• Olives

Cheese:

• Mozzarella
• Sharp or medium Cheddar
• Mexican-blend cheese
• Blue cheese crumbles
• Goat cheese
• Parmesan
• Feta cheese

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations of toppings to find your favourite keto pizza!

Keto pizza baking instructions

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 2 tbsp Cream cheese (cut into cubes)
• 1 large Egg (beaten)
• 3/4 cup Blanched Almond Flour
• 1/4 cup Keto pizza sauce
• 1/4 cup Mushrooms
• 1/4 cup Bell peppers
• 1/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
• 1 1/2 oz. Pepperoni
• 2 oz. leafy greens
• 1/4 cup Olive oil
• Salt and ground black pepper

Method:

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F and lightly grease a pizza pan or baking sheet.

In a large bowl, mix the egg and almond flour. In a separate bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella and cubed cream cheese. Microwave for 90 seconds, stirring halfway through, until well incorporated.

Add the melted cheeses to the flour mixture and knead with your hands until a uniform dough forms with no streaks. Form the dough into a ball and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.

Roll out the dough onto a lined baking pan to 1/4" thickness, using your hands or a rolling pin. Use a fork to poke holes in the crust to prevent bubbling.

Bake the crust for 12 minutes, then remove from the oven and add the sauce, oregano, and cheeses. Place the pepperoni and olives on top and brush the sides with olive oil.

Return the pizza to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the crust is golden.

Tips:

• Use a food processor to mix the dough for a fluffier crust.
• Make sure the cheese is cool enough when adding the eggs so you don't scramble them.
• Flavour the crust with garlic powder or dried oregano for an extra boost.
• Don't skip the pre-bake! The crust will be raw and undercooked if you do.
• For a chewier texture, add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the dough before mixing in the cheeses.

Keto pizza dipping sauces

Low-Carb Marinara Sauce

A traditional tomato-based sauce is always a good choice, and you can easily make it keto-friendly by using a sugar-free or low-carb marinara sauce. Look for brands like Rao's, which has only 3-4 net carbs per 1/2 cup, or Lucini, which offers high-quality oil-free sauces with just 3 net carbs per serving. You can also make your own low-carb sauce at home by blending tomatoes and adding Italian seasoning to taste.

Keto-Friendly Cheese

Cheese is always a popular choice for pizza dipping, and there are several keto-friendly options. Shredded mozzarella is a classic, but you can also try cheddar, parmesan, or a blend of these cheeses. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own keto cheese sauce by melting cheese with cream and spices.

Creamy Dips

For a more indulgent option, consider a creamy dip like keto pizza dip or keto chorizo dip. These dips typically combine cream cheese, sour cream, and spices, and can be baked in the oven until warm and bubbly. They're perfect for adding extra flavour to your pizza and can also be used as a dip for keto-friendly dippers like pork rinds or low-carb crackers.

Spicy Options

If you like a little kick to your pizza, consider adding a spicy dipping sauce. You can make your own by mixing red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or chilli oil into tomato sauce or marinara sauce. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, try making a spicy keto cheese sauce by adding chilli peppers or hot sauce to a cheddar or mozzarella base.

Other Creative Ideas

Don't be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to keto pizza dipping sauces. Here are some more unique ideas:

• Keto ranch dressing: This can be store-bought or made by mixing herbs and spices into a buttermilk or mayonnaise base.
• Pesto: A blend of basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese, pesto adds a fresh, herbal flavour to your pizza.
• Guacamole: Avocado-based dips are a great way to add healthy fats and flavour to your pizza.
• Tapenade: A tapenade made from olives, capers, and olive oil can add a salty, briny flavour to your pizza.

Keto pizza chips

Ingredients

• 6 ounces sliced pepperoni
• 5.25 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

Optional Ingredients

• Italian seasoning
• Marinara sauce

Method

• Preheat your oven to 400°F. Take out some cookie sheets. You may need 2-3.
• Arrange the pepperoni in batches of 4, so they are close together.
• Bake them for about 5 minutes until they are semi-crispy and the grease is coming out of them. If they move out of place, just arrange them back together.
• Sprinkle the cheese on top. You can also add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
• Bake for another 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and a little crisp.
• Lay the chips onto paper towels to soak up any excess grease.
• Let them sit for 3-4 minutes to cool off and crisp up even more.
• Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

Tips

• These pizza chips are fantastic for batch cooking and storing in your fridge for a rainy day.
• They can be a bit messy to make, so make sure you have plenty of paper towels to soak up that grease later on.
• If you want to make your chips extra crispy, use parmesan cheese instead of mozzarella.

Frequently asked questions