There are many options for keto-friendly pizza crusts, but the best one for you will depend on your personal preferences.
Some recipes use almond flour, while others use coconut flour. Some common ingredients across recipes include mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, eggs, and olive oil.
Some recipes involve pre-baking the crust, while others do not. Some can be frozen, and some can be made in under 20 minutes.
You can also add seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or dried oregano to give the dough a taste boost.
What You'll Learn
Keto pizza crust ingredients
The best keto pizza crusts are made with a combination of flours, cheeses, eggs, and seasonings. Here are the ingredients you'll need to make a delicious and crispy keto pizza crust:
Almond Flour
Almond flour is a popular choice for keto pizza crusts due to its low-carb content. It provides a sturdy and tasty base for your pizza. You'll need about 1 cup of almond flour for your crust.
Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella cheese is a key ingredient in creating a chewy and crispy texture for your pizza crust. Use low-moisture, part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese for best results. You'll need around 2 cups of mozzarella cheese.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese helps to create a less dense and airy crust. Use regular or light cream cheese, but avoid spreadable cream cheese from a tub as it can make the crust soggy. You'll need about 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons of cream cheese.
Eggs
Eggs act as a binding agent and help hold the crust together. If you're using coconut flour, you may need an extra egg as it absorbs more moisture.
Baking Powder
Adding baking powder will give your crust a lighter and airier texture. You can add about 1 teaspoon of baking powder to your dough.
Italian Seasoning and Garlic Powder
These seasonings add flavour to your crust and enhance the overall taste of your pizza. You can also add other seasonings like oregano or red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
Olive Oil
Brushing the sides of your pizza crust with olive oil will give it a golden colour and a crispy texture.
Pizza Sauce and Toppings
Choose a low-carb or sugar-free pizza sauce to top your crust. You can also get creative with your favourite meat, vegetable, and cheese toppings.
With these ingredients, you'll be well on your way to making a delicious keto pizza crust that satisfies your cravings!
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How to make keto pizza crust
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make the pizza crust:
- Almond flour or coconut flour
- Eggs
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cream cheese
- Olive oil
- Baking powder
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Salt
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix the dry ingredients (almond flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt) in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients (eggs, melted mozzarella, and cream cheese). You can melt the cheese in a microwave or on a stovetop.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a sticky dough forms. You can use a food processor or knead the dough with your hands.
- Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper and cover it with another piece of parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough to your desired thickness (usually around 1/4" to 1/2" thick).
- Remove the top piece of parchment paper and shape the dough into a pizza crust.
- Poke holes in the crust with a fork to prevent bubbling.
- Bake the crust for 6-10 minutes.
- Remove the crust from the oven and add your desired toppings, such as pizza sauce, cheese, and other toppings.
- Brush the sides of the crust with olive oil.
- Bake the pizza for an additional 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden.
Tips
- If the dough is sticky, chill it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before rolling it out.
- Use a rolling pin for a more even crust.
- Pre-bake the crust to ensure a crispy texture.
- Avoid using fresh mozzarella as it has too much moisture.
- You can freeze the baked pizza slices or pre-baked pizza crust for later.
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Keto pizza crust recipes
Overview
Keto pizza crusts are typically made with almond flour, mozzarella cheese, and cream cheese. The dough is often mixed and kneaded by hand, but a food processor can be used to make the process faster and easier. The crust is then baked in the oven and topped with desired sauces, cheeses, and other toppings before being baked again.
Ingredients
- Almond flour
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cream cheese
- Eggs
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Spices (e.g., garlic powder, Italian seasoning)
- Baking powder
- Yeast
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) to 425°F (218°C).
- In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients: almond flour, salt, and spices.
- In a separate bowl, melt the mozzarella cheese and cream cheese together in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Allow the cheese mixture to cool slightly, then add the eggs and mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and use a rolling pin to roll it out to the desired thickness (usually about 1/4" to 1/2" thick).
- Remove the top piece of parchment paper and transfer the dough to a baking sheet or pizza pan.
- Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes.
- Remove the crust from the oven and add your desired toppings, such as pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, vegetables, or meat.
- Bake the pizza again for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden.
Tips
- For a crispier crust, pre-bake the crust and poke holes in it with a fork to prevent bubbling.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes if it is too sticky to work with.
- Use oiled hands to reduce sticking when spreading the dough.
- To freeze the pizza, let it cool to room temperature, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Reheat the pizza in the oven, microwave, or a non-stick pan.
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Keto pizza crust tips
Ingredients
When making a keto pizza crust, it's important to use the right ingredients to ensure a crispy, golden, and chewy crust. Here are some tips on choosing the best ingredients:
- Almond flour: Use blanched almond flour for a finer texture and to avoid a gritty pizza crust. You can also try substituting with coconut flour or lupin flour, but the amounts may vary.
- Mozzarella cheese: Go for low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese. Shredded mozzarella is preferred over fresh mozzarella as it has less moisture and mimics gluten, creating a chewier texture.
- Cream cheese: Use cream cheese from a block or a stick instead of a tub. This will ensure a crispier crust.
- Eggs: Use room temperature eggs and make sure to mix them well with the other ingredients to help the crust stay together.
- Other seasonings: You can add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or dried oregano to boost the flavor of your crust.
Preparation and Baking
- Pre-bake the crust: Don't skip this step! Pre-baking the crust will ensure that it is thoroughly cooked and prevent it from being soggy or undercooked.
- Use parchment paper: Roll out the dough between two pieces of parchment paper to prevent sticking. You can also chill the dough in the fridge for a few minutes to make it less sticky and easier to work with.
- Poke holes in the crust: Use a fork to poke holes in the crust before baking to prevent bubbling and promote even cooking.
- Bake until golden: The crust should be slightly golden after pre-baking. Keep an eye on it to avoid over-browning, as it will bake again with the toppings.
- Toppings: Choose keto-friendly toppings that are not too high in sugar. Avoid vegetables that release a lot of water, like mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, or zucchini, as they can make the crust soggy. Pre-roast these vegetables if you want to include them.
- Oiling the pan: Lightly grease your pizza pan or baking sheet to prevent sticking. You can also use a pizza stone for a crispier texture.
- Freezing: You can freeze the baked pizza slices or pre-baked pizza base and reheat them later. This is a great option for meal prep!
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Keto pizza crust FAQs
The best keto pizza crust is one that is crispy, chewy, and golden. It should also be firm enough to hold all your favourite toppings.
You will need: almond flour, mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, eggs, and olive oil. You can also add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and dried oregano to taste.
First, preheat your oven to 200C/400F. Lightly grease a pizza pan or baking sheet. Next, make the dough by mixing the almond flour, melted mozzarella, cream cheese, and eggs in a large bowl. You can use a microwave to melt the cheese in 20-second intervals, stirring in between.
Once combined, place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll out with a rolling pin until it is around 1/4 inch thick. Remove the top sheet of paper and shape the dough into a pizza base.
Place the dough on the pizza pan and pre-bake for around 10 minutes. Then, add your sauce, cheese, and toppings before placing back in the oven for a further 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Yes, you can make and freeze a keto pizza crust. It is best to freeze the crust after baking, and before adding toppings. Wrap the crust well and freeze for up to two months.
It is not recommended to substitute almond flour for coconut flour in keto pizza crust recipes as they have different baking properties and will not yield the same results.
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Frequently asked questions
The best keto pizza crust is made with almond flour, mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, and eggs. This combination creates a crispy, chewy crust that is firm enough to hold all your favourite toppings.
To make keto pizza crust, mix melted mozzarella and cream cheese with almond flour and eggs. Roll out the dough, poke holes in it with a fork, and bake. Top with sauce and your favourite toppings, then bake again until the cheese is melted.
You can store leftover keto pizza crust in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze it for up to 6 months.
It is not recommended to substitute almond flour with coconut flour as they have different baking properties and will yield different results.