Keto-Friendly Pizza: Fact Or Fiction?

If you're a pizza lover but are also trying to stick to a keto diet, you might be wondering if there are any pizza restaurants that offer keto-friendly options. The good news is that there are indeed several pizza places that cater to keto diets, offering low-carb, high-fat, and moderate protein meals.

One popular option is Blaze Pizza, which became the first national pizza chain to introduce a keto-approved pizza in the US in 2019. Their keto crust is made without flour, using ingredients like flax seeds, eggs, and cheese, resulting in just six grams of net carbs per serving.

Other pizza chains that offer keto-friendly options include Papa Murphy's, Marco's Pizza, Mazzio's Pizza, Lou Malnati's, and Big Mario's Pizza. These restaurants offer a variety of crustless pizzas, pizza bowls, and keto-specific menu items to suit your dietary needs.

When dining out on a keto diet, it's always a good idea to research the restaurant's menu and nutritional information in advance. You can also make simple adjustments to your order, such as skipping the crust or choosing low-carb toppings and sides.

Blaze Pizza offers a keto-approved pizza with a crust made from cauliflower

Blaze Pizza is a pizza restaurant that offers a keto-approved pizza with a crust made from cauliflower. Blaze Pizza is one of the first nationwide food chains to offer a keto-friendly menu item. While on a keto diet, it is usually best to avoid crust altogether. However, Blaze Pizza offers a keto crust that only has 1g net carb per serving. This is in stark contrast to their cauliflower crust, which has 14g net carbs for an 11-inch pizza.

The keto crust at Blaze Pizza is made with cauliflower rice, low-moisture mozzarella cheese, casein protein, flaxseed, eggs, whey protein, yeast, spices, and cultured brown rice. The crust is gluten-friendly, which is not always the case with keto products.

When ordering a keto pizza at Blaze, it is important to be mindful of the toppings you choose. The keto pizza automatically comes with spicy red sauce, mozzarella, bacon, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. With these toppings, the pizza has 15g of net carbs. To reduce the carb count, you can ask for no tomatoes or veggies.

Other keto-friendly toppings at Blaze Pizza include various cheeses, artichoke, kalamata olives, roasted butternut squash, mushrooms, chopped garlic, green bell peppers, grilled chicken, banana peppers, and pesto drizzle.

Blaze Pizza's keto crust is a great option for those following a ketogenic diet who want to enjoy a traditional pizza experience.

Mazzio's Pizza offers a keto-specific nutrition guide

Mazzio's Pizza is a popular Italian-American pizza chain that has been serving hot and fresh pizzas since 1961. The restaurant offers a keto-specific nutrition guide, making it a great choice for those following a ketogenic diet.

Mazzio's keto-friendly options include:

• Traditional bone-in wings: These wings are cooked to perfection and can be ordered in a variety of low-carb flavors, including Buffalo (Mild & Hot).
• Salads: Mazzio's offers fresh and made-to-order salads, such as their House Salad and Chicken Caesar's Salad.
• Crustless pizzas: These pizzas replace the traditional carb-heavy crust with a layer of minced meat or cheese, and have around 3-6g of net carbs per serving. Some of their crustless pizzas include the Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pizza and the Chicken Spinach Alfredo Pizza.
• Lettuce-wrapped sandwiches: If you're craving a sandwich but want to avoid the carbs, Mazzio's offers the option to replace the bread with lettuce.

It's important to note that while Mazzio's offers keto-friendly options, dining out on a ketogenic diet can be challenging. Many menu items at pizza places are packed with carbs, so it's crucial to carefully scrutinize the menu and make customizations where necessary.

In addition to their keto-friendly options, Mazzio's also has a detailed nutritional guide for all menu items, making it easier for customers to make informed choices. The restaurant has expanded to over 170 locations across 10 states, so if you're following a ketogenic diet, Mazzio's is a great option to satisfy your pizza cravings without sacrificing your hard-earned ketosis.

Big Mario's Pizza offers keto-friendly pizzas

Big Mario's Pizza is a popular choice for pizza lovers embracing the keto lifestyle. The restaurant offers a range of keto-friendly options that allow customers to enjoy a delicious pizza without compromising their diet.

At Big Mario's Pizza, customers can build their own keto-friendly pizza using a variety of crust options. The restaurant's blog recommends several types of keto pizza crusts, including cauliflower and almond flour, which provide a crispy base while keeping the carb count low. Another unconventional option is a chicken pizza crust, made by combining minced chicken with egg or cheese and keto-friendly flour. These crust alternatives ensure that those following a keto diet can still indulge in their favourite pizza toppings without the wheat-based crust, which is typically high in carbohydrates.

In addition to their crust options, Big Mario's Pizza also offers a variety of keto-friendly toppings. Traditional pizza toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach are generally keto-friendly and can be enjoyed in moderation. However, it is important to be mindful of carb-rich toppings like onions and olives and use them sparingly. For the cheese, full-fat mozzarella is often used to keep the fat content up, in line with the keto diet's focus on high-fat, low-carb options.

The keto-friendly pizzas at Big Mario's Pizza are not just limited to the crust and toppings. The restaurant also offers suggestions for keto-compliant sauces. Sauces with no added sugars are recommended, as traditional pizza sauces can sometimes contain hidden carbs. Some of the suggested low-carb alternatives include alfredo sauce, basil pesto, buffalo sauce, olive oil, and ranch dressing. These sauces not only enhance the flavour of the pizza but also ensure that customers can stick to their keto diet while enjoying their favourite treat.

Big Mario's Pizza understands the challenges of adhering to a keto diet and provides a range of options to accommodate this lifestyle choice. By offering keto-friendly crusts, toppings, and sauces, the restaurant ensures that customers can enjoy a delicious and satisfying pizza experience without compromising their health and fitness goals. So, if you're craving a tasty pizza that fits within your keto diet, Big Mario's Pizza is a great option to consider!

Cauliflower pizza crust is a popular keto option

While you can buy pre-made cauliflower pizza crusts, they often contain additives and starches. Making your own allows you to control the ingredients and create a fresher, healthier product. The crust can also be frozen for later use, making it a convenient option for those busy weeknights when you don't have time to cook.

To make a cauliflower pizza crust, start by ricing or grating your cauliflower. You can use fresh or frozen cauliflower for this step. Next, cook the cauliflower to remove moisture, either by microwaving or sauteing. Drain the cauliflower thoroughly to remove all moisture, as this is crucial to a crisp crust.

Once the cauliflower is dry, mix in your cheese, egg, and seasonings. Parmesan cheese is a good option, as it melts and creates a sturdy base. You can also add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste.

After mixing your ingredients, spread the "dough" onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Form the dough into a circle, with a diameter of about 9 inches. Bake for around 20-25 minutes, or until golden.

Once the crust is baked, add your favourite pizza toppings. Keep in mind that chunkier toppings work better than oily or runny ones, as they won't make the crust soggy.

Cauliflower pizza crust is a versatile and tasty option for those following a keto diet. It's a great way to enjoy the flavours of pizza while sticking to your dietary goals.

Chicken pizza crust is another keto-friendly option

The chicken crust is a tasty, sturdy, and customisable option for those on the keto diet. It is also gluten-free and can be made ahead of time and frozen for later use. The crust is almost zero carbs, with the total carbs per serving being around 2-4 grams.

Some tips for making chicken pizza crust include using parchment paper to prevent sticking, letting the crust rest for 10 minutes after baking to prevent the sauce from making it soggy, and spreading the crust thinly for the best texture and cooking.

Chicken pizza crust is a great alternative for those who don't want to use nut flours or coconut flour, and it is a good source of protein and healthy fats. It is a versatile option that can be made with either raw or cooked chicken, and various toppings can be added to suit individual tastes.

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