Delicious Keto Pizza: Guilt-Free Indulgence

For those embracing a ketogenic, Trim Healthy Mama, or low-carb lifestyle, pizza cravings can be a challenge. However, with this DIY keto pizza recipe, you can enjoy a cheesy and satisfying pizza experience without derailing your dietary goals. This recipe features a homemade crust that's packed with mozzarella cheese, creating a delightful option for pizza and cheese enthusiasts.

What is Keto Pizza Made Of?

This keto pizza recipe utilizes a "fathead dough," a versatile dough that mimics the taste of regular pizza crust without the high carbohydrate content. The primary ingredients include:

• Mozzarella cheese
• Cream cheese
• Egg
• Almond flour (or Trim Healthy Mama Baking Blend)
• Sugar-free pizza sauce

The fathead dough provides a base that can be customized with various low-carb toppings.

Crafting the Perfect Keto Pizza Crust

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 Tablespoons cream cheese
• 1 egg
• Almond flour

Instructions:

1. Melt the Cheeses: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella cheese and cream cheese. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir well, then continue to microwave in 15-second increments, stirring between each increment, until the cheeses are completely melted and smooth.
2. Combine Ingredients: Stir in the egg and almond flour to the melted cheese mixture.
3. Form the Dough: Combine the dough in the bowl with clean, oiled hands until all ingredients are very well incorporated and it forms a ball. The dough will be very sticky. (You can also use a food processor for this step)
4. Prepare for Baking: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Place the dough in the center and use your hands to press it into a circle, approximately 10 inches across (or use a rolling pin to roll the dough between two pieces of parchment paper).
5. Pre-bake the Crust: Using a fork, poke holes all across the crust. Bake the pizza crust at 400F for 8 minutes, or until it just begins to brown slightly in spots. The crust may puff up while baking. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
6. Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the cooked pizza crust, leaving a small border of crust around the edges without the sauce. Sprinkle ⅓ cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pizza sauce.

Topping Ideas for Your Keto Pizza

While traditional pizza toppings can be high in carbs, there are plenty of low-carb options to choose from. Consider adding:

• Mushrooms
• Green peppers
• Olives
• Pepperoni

Baking and Serving

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
2. Bake the pizza for another 5-8 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
3. Serve immediately with a side salad or buttered vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Tips for the Perfect Keto Pizza

• Crispy Crust: For a crispier crust, bake the crust longer.
• Dough Consistency: If the dough is too wet, chill it in the fridge for about 10 minutes to make it easier to handle.
• Cheese Selection: Use shredded mozzarella cheese or the dry kind that you can grate yourself. Fresh mozzarella will not work as well.
• Freezing: You can roll the dough out, then flash freeze and wrap well in plastic wrap and place in a large freezer bag for future use.

Egg-Free Keto Pizza Crust

For those who avoid eggs, there's an alternative fathead dough recipe:

Read also: Smoothies for Glowing Skin

Ingredients:

• 50g shredded mozzarella cheese
• Cream cheese
• Almond flour
• Salt

Instructions:

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the mozzarella and cream cheese. Microwave for 30 seconds or until melted.
2. Season with salt, add in the almond flour, and mix well to form the dough.
3. Preheat your oven to 200C/400F and line your baking tray with parchment paper or a silpat.
4. Shape the dough with wet hands to form the crust on the paper.
5. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Remove and flip the base over, top with sauce, remaining cheese, and your favorite toppings.
7. Return to the oven with the broiler setting to melt the cheese.
8. Cut into pieces and serve.

Dairy-Free Keto Pizza Crust

If you're looking for a dairy-free keto pizza crust, here's a recipe using almond flour:

Ingredients:

• Almond flour
• Coconut flour
• Flax seed meal
• Xanthan gum
• Baking powder
• Salt and seasonings
• Warm water
• Egg
• Vinegar
• Yeast (optional, for flavor)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, flax seed meal, xanthan gum, baking powder, salt, and seasonings.
3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the warm water, egg, vinegar, and yeast (optional).
4. Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and combine thoroughly, using your hands to knead it together once it forms a thick dough. Roll it into a dough ball.
5. Spread a piece of parchment paper or a baking mat onto a flat surface and sprinkle some almond flour across to prevent your dough from sticking. Place the dough on the parchment/mat and press it out with your hands to form a disc. Use a rolling pin to roll it out until it's about ¼-inch thick. Use your hands to gently press the dough together along the edges to clean them up and form a crust.
6. Spread the pizza sauce onto the pizza crust in an even layer. Add the slices of mozzarella (I break apart a slice to spread out some smaller pieces where needed).
7. Transfer the pizza on the parchment paper/baking mat to a baking sheet, pizza pan, or pizza stone.
8. Bake for 10-13 minutes or until the crust turns slightly golden.
9. Switch the oven to broil and raise the pizza to the higher oven rack so it's just a few inches under the broiler. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese bubbles (or browns, if that's how you prefer it).
10. Remove from the oven. Top the pizza with the fresh basil (either whole leaves, sliced basil leaves, or a combination of the two).

Keto Margherita Pizza Recipe

For a classic and flavorful keto pizza, try this Margherita variation:

Ingredients:

• Almond flour pizza crust
• Pizza sauce
• Mozzarella slices
• Fresh basil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the almond flour pizza crust as described above.
2. Spread an even layer of pizza sauce on top of the crust and add the mozzarella slices.
3. Bake at 400°F for 10-13 minutes.
4. Switch the oven to broil to cook the cheese for 1-2 minutes or until it gets a little bubbly (keep an eye on it!).
5. Top with fresh basil leaves.

Cooking Without an Oven or Microwave

If you don't have an oven or microwave, you can still make keto pizza using a frying pan:

1. Melt the cheese using a ban marie (a bowl placed on top of a pot of boiling water).
2. Spread the dough on a non-stick frying pan and cook on low heat until golden brown on one side.
3. Flip the dough over and add tomato sauce and toppings to the cooked side.
4. Cook until the bottom is cooked and the toppings are heated through.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information may vary depending on the ingredients used. A serving of keto crust contains 4 net carbs.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

tags: #keto #pizza #recipe