Pizza is a popular food choice for many, but for those on a keto diet, it may seem like an impossible treat. However, there are ways to enjoy pizza while sticking to a low-carb diet. From gluten-free crusts made with almond or coconut flour to cauliflower or chicken bases, there are several options for those craving a slice. While some pizza chains offer gluten-free alternatives, they may not always be keto-friendly, so it's important to check the ingredients. For a truly keto-friendly pizza experience, it may be necessary to prepare your own pizza at home using keto-approved ingredients and creative substitutions.
What You'll Learn
Keto pizza crusts can be made with almond flour or coconut flour
Almond Flour Keto Pizza Crust:
Almond flour is a popular choice for keto pizza crusts as it is naturally gluten-free and paleo-friendly. The crust is easy to make and only requires a few additional ingredients such as arrowroot starch, ground flax seeds, baking powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, olive oil, and water. The crust takes about 10 minutes to stir together and has a sturdy texture that can be picked up with your hands.
Coconut Flour Keto Pizza Crust:
Coconut flour is another great option for a keto pizza crust. It creates a soft, tasty, and sturdy crust that can be easily held in your hands. The sweetness of the coconut is masked by the addition of spices, resulting in a pleasantly savory crust. This crust is made with eggs, water, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, coconut flour, grated parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, and shredded mozzarella.
Tips for Making Keto Pizza Crusts:
- When making the almond flour crust, it is important to pre-bake the crust before adding toppings to ensure the center is cooked.
- For the coconut flour crust, it is recommended to use finely grated parmesan cheese and not coarsely shredded cheese.
- Both crusts can be made ahead of time and frozen for later use.
- The almond flour crust can be made without eggs by using a combination of arrowroot starch and ground flax seeds as a binder.
- The coconut flour crust is more delicate than a traditional crust, so it is best not to pile on too many toppings.
Keto Pizza Toppings:
When it comes to toppings, you can get creative and use whatever you like, keeping in mind any dietary restrictions. Some popular keto-friendly topping ideas include pepperoni, bell pepper slices, sauteed mushrooms, red onions, olives, shredded chicken, and various types of cheese.
Nutritional Information:
The nutritional information for the almond flour crust pizza (without toppings) is approximately 209 calories, 7 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of protein, and 19 grams of fat per slice.
The coconut flour crust pizza (without toppings) has approximately 507 calories, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 36 grams of protein, and 33 grams of fat per pizza.
Whether you choose almond flour or coconut flour, making a keto-friendly pizza crust is a delicious and satisfying option for those following a keto diet. With the right ingredients and some creativity, you can enjoy a tasty and satisfying pizza that fits within your dietary needs.
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Gluten-free pizza crusts are usually keto-friendly
There are several gluten-free pizza crusts that keto dieters can enjoy. For example, Blaze Pizza offers a keto crust made with cauliflower that has only 2g net carbs per serving. Papa Murphy's also offers crustless keto-friendly pizzas with 4g net carbs or less per serving.
When making a pizza at home, there are several keto-friendly crust options to choose from. One option is to make a cheese-based crust using mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, eggs, and almond flour. Another option is to make a flourless crust using eggs, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. These crusts are naturally gluten-free and low-carb, and they yield very gluten-like, airy, doughy results.
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Crustless pizzas are also keto-friendly
When eating out on keto, it's important to remember that pizza is usually high in carbohydrates due to the wheat-based crust. However, by simply removing the crust, you can significantly reduce the carb count and enjoy a delicious keto-friendly meal. This is a great option if you're looking for a more traditional pizza experience without the carbs.
When ordering a crustless pizza, you can choose your own toppings and sauces to create a pizza that fits your keto diet. You can also ask for keto-friendly substitutions, such as swapping out the traditional red sauce for creamy garlic or olive oil and garlic. This simple change can make a big difference in keeping your meal low-carb.
In addition to ordering crustless pizzas at restaurants, you can also make your own keto-friendly pizzas at home. There are many recipes available online that use alternative ingredients to create a delicious pizza base. For example, you can use almond flour, coconut flour, or even cauliflower to make a keto-friendly crust. These options provide the same satisfying pizza experience while adhering to your keto diet.
Whether you're dining out or cooking at home, crustless pizzas are a great way to enjoy the taste of pizza while sticking to your keto diet. With a little creativity and some simple substitutions, you can indulge in this comfort food without compromising your health goals. So, the next time you're craving pizza, remember that crustless pizzas are a keto-friendly option that can satisfy your taste buds and your diet!
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Chicken can be used as a pizza base
Chicken as a Pizza Base
How to Make a Chicken Pizza Base
To make a chicken pizza base, you will need a combination of ground chicken, egg, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. Some recipes also include garlic and Italian seasoning. The chicken is combined with the other ingredients and formed into a ball, then pressed out onto a baking tray and baked in the oven.
Toppings
Once the chicken base is cooked, you can add your favourite pizza toppings. You can choose traditional pizza toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, and black olives, or go for keto-friendly options like spinach, broccoli, and red onions.
Tips and Tricks
When making a chicken pizza base, it is important to use parchment paper to line your baking tray, as the chicken base can stick easily. It is also recommended to let the base cool for a few minutes after baking to help it set before adding toppings.
Nutritional Information
A chicken pizza base is a great option for those on a keto diet, as it is high in protein and has almost zero carbs.
Variations
While ground chicken is the most common option for a chicken pizza base, you can also use shredded or canned chicken. Additionally, you can substitute ground turkey or ground sausage for the chicken to create a different flavour profile.
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Keto pizzas can be frozen and reheated
To cook from frozen, place the frozen pizza into a preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese has melted. You can also reheat slices in the microwave for 30 seconds, use a preheated oven (180C/350F), or even toast them up in a non-stick pan.
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