Keto-Friendly Pizza: Breadless Base Bliss?

Pizza is a beloved food for many, but what if you're following a low-carb or keto diet? Well, there's a creative twist on the classic dish that you can try - it's called crustless pizza! As the name suggests, this pizza has no crust, and is instead made with a base of cheese, veggies, or meat. Not only does it satisfy your pizza cravings, but it's also a fun and easy way to enjoy a low-carb, gluten-free meal.

Crustless pizza

As the name suggests, a crustless pizza is everything you love about a pizza, minus the crust. It's a popular dish for those following a low-carb or keto diet as the base involves meat and it's topped with plenty of cheese.

How to Make a Crustless Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound lean ground turkey (ground beef works too)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup keto pizza sauce
• 4 small mushrooms, chopped
• 1/4 cup olive slices
• 8 slices pepperoni
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F. Add the olive oil to a skillet and place it over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and cook for a minute. Add the ground turkey and break it apart using a rubber spatula. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until no longer pink. Stir through the Italian seasoning.

Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir through the cheddar cheese. Spread the pizza sauce on top, followed by the mushrooms, olives, and pepperoni. Top with the mozzarella cheese.

Place the skillet in the oven and bake the crustless pizza for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Slice the pizza into four portions and serve immediately.

Tips:

• You can store the leftovers in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.
• To freeze, place the cooled pizza in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
• To reheat, either microwave for 30-40 seconds or warm up in a preheated oven.

Keto-friendly pizza sauce

The key to a delicious keto pizza is a good low-carb sauce. Traditional pizza sauces tend to be high in carbs, so it's essential to make your own sauce to control the ingredients and keep the carb count down. Here are some tips and recipes to help you make the perfect keto-friendly pizza sauce.

Ingredients to Use

When making a keto-friendly pizza sauce, it's important to use ingredients that are low in carbs and sugar. Here are some common ingredients used in keto pizza sauces:

• Tomatoes: Use whole, peeled San Marzano tomatoes or any other brand of whole, peeled tomatoes with no added sugar. Fire-roasted tomatoes can add a spicy kick to your sauce.
• Spices and Seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and pink Himalayan sea salt are commonly used to add flavour to keto pizza sauce.
• Sweeteners: A small amount of sweetener can be added to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Erythritol, stevia, or other low-carb sweeteners can be used.
• Other Ingredients: Olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and tomato paste can also be added to enhance the flavour and texture of the sauce.

Recipes for Keto-Friendly Pizza Sauce

Recipe 1: Keto Pizza Sauce with Fresh Herbs

This recipe uses fresh herbs and spices to create a flavourful and aromatic pizza sauce.

Ingredients:

• 28 oz can San Marzano peeled tomatoes
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Directions:

• In a blender, combine all the ingredients, including 1/2 cup of the liquid from the tomato can.
• Blend until the mixture forms a smooth sauce.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
• Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Recipe 2: Keto Pizza Sauce with Onion and Garlic

This recipe includes onion and garlic for a more robust flavour.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz Contadina tomato sauce (or your preferred brand without added sugars)
• 1 medium clove garlic, pressed
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1-2 tsp low-carb sweetener (such as Sukrin, Swerve, Lakanto, or Besti)
• 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley or 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:

• Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the pressed garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Pour in the tomato sauce and add the chopped parsley and dried seasonings.
• Add half of the sweetener, taste, and add the remaining sweetener if needed.
• Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes or until it darkens slightly and loses its raw smell.
• Cool the sauce and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze until needed.

Tips for Making Keto Pizza Sauce:

• If you prefer a chunkier sauce, you can make it less smooth by blending the ingredients for a shorter time or using a food processor instead of a blender.
• You can adjust the spices and seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Feel free to add more or less of each ingredient to create your perfect sauce.
• If you want to reduce the acidity of the tomato sauce, add a small amount of baking soda (1/4 teaspoon at a time) until the sauce reaches your desired level of acidity.

Making your own keto-friendly pizza sauce is a great way to ensure your pizza stays within your dietary guidelines. With these recipes and tips, you can create a delicious and healthy sauce that will take your keto pizza to the next level. Enjoy experimenting and customising your sauce to make it your own!

Fathead dough

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Method:

• In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the cream cheese (or butter) and mozzarella together. This should take about 1 minute, but do it in 30-second increments to avoid burning the cream cheese.
• Once melted, stir the cream cheese (or butter) and mozzarella together until smooth. Then, add the egg and continue to stir until everything is well combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour (or coconut flour), any desired seasonings, and baking powder.
• Mix the cheese and egg mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a soft ball of dough forms. The dough will be sticky.
• Using wet hands, form the dough into the desired shape for your recipe. For example, you can roll it out into a rectangular keto pizza crust. You can also roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to get an even roll without sticking.
• Bake at 400° F for 12-15 minutes.

Tips and Variations:

• You can freeze keto pizza dough by rolling out the prepared dough, wrapping it tightly, and storing it in the freezer. When ready to use, bake the frozen dough for 5-10 minutes before topping and finishing.
• Fathead dough can also be made with coconut flour, but the substitution ratio is not 1:1. Coconut flour is more absorbent, so you will need less. Start with about 1/3 of the amount of almond flour called for in the recipe.
• For best results, shred the mozzarella cheese yourself from a block of mozzarella. Pre-shredded cheese has added fillers to prevent caking, which can affect the texture and taste of the dough.
• If your dough is too stiff or difficult to spread, it may be too cold. Place it back in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it.

Customizable toppings

When making a keto-friendly pizza, the fun part is choosing your toppings. You can be as creative as you like and add your own twist to a classic.

Proteins

Meats are a great source of protein and can be used as the base of your pizza or as a topping. Here are some meat toppings to consider:

• Ground beef
• Sausage
• Bacon
• Pepperoni
• Ham
• Chicken
• Anchovies

Vegetables

Vegetables provide micronutrients and antioxidants and are a great source of fibre. Here are some vegetable toppings to consider:

• Green bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Cherry tomatoes
• Onions
• Artichokes
• Eggplant
• Zucchini
• Olives
• Jalapenos
• Pickled chillies
• Sun-dried tomatoes

Cheese

Cheese is a must-have for any pizza, and there are several keto-friendly options to choose from. Here are some cheese toppings to consider:

• Mozzarella
• Cheddar
• Parmesan
• Goat cheese
• Blue cheese
• Feta cheese

Other Toppings

In addition to the standard meat, vegetable, and cheese toppings, you can also add some other keto-friendly ingredients to enhance the flavour of your pizza:

• Tomato paste
• Sour cream
• Crème fraîche
• Pesto
• Salsa
• Garlic powder
• Red pepper flakes
• Oregano
• Basil
• Thyme
• Rosemary

Storing and reheating

When you're ready to enjoy your pizza again, there are a few reheating methods you can use. You can either microwave it for 30-40 seconds or warm it up in a preheated oven. If you're reheating a single serving in the oven, it should take about 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For microwave reheating, start with a shorter time, like 45 seconds, and add more time as needed.

If you're reheating a cauliflower-crust pizza, the oven is your best option for maintaining texture and taste. Reheat at 450 F for 5-10 minutes. The crust may get soggy if reheated in the microwave, and you'll need to eat it with a fork and knife.

Frequently asked questions