For individuals embracing a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle, finding suitable replacements for beloved foods is a top priority. Pizza, a universally cherished dish, often poses a challenge due to its high carbohydrate content. This article explores the world of keto fathead pizza, offering a comprehensive guide to creating a delicious, low-carb alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor or convenience.
What is Fathead Pizza Crust?
Fathead pizza crust serves as a replacement for traditional high-carb pizza crusts, utilizing simple, low-carb ingredients. It is a popular choice in keto recipes for those seeking a satisfying and guilt-free pizza experience. The beauty of fathead pizza lies in its versatility and ease of preparation.
Why Choose Fathead Pizza?
Traditional pizza is often considered a dietary pitfall due to its high carbohydrate and unhealthy fat content. The combination of carbs and fats contributes to its appealing taste but can derail ketogenic efforts. Fathead pizza offers a solution by providing a low-carb, high-fat alternative that aligns with the principles of a ketogenic diet.
Taste and Texture
One of the primary reasons fathead pizza crust is so popular is its taste and texture. The combination of mozzarella and almond flour creates a dense, flavorful crust with a crispy exterior and a chewy interior.
Macronutrient Profile
This fathead crust is comprised of 70% fat per serving! When you are on a ketogenic diet, you naturally navigate towards fatty foods because that’s your main source of energy. Dietary fat breaks down into ketones. Fat is fuel.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Quick and Convenient
Fathead pizza is quick to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. With a short ingredient list and straightforward instructions, you can enjoy a keto-friendly pizza in no time.
How to Make Keto Fathead Pizza
Ingredients
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cream cheese (or butter)
- Almond flour (or coconut flour)
- Egg
- Baking powder
- Herbs and spices (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Melt the Cheeses: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese and cream cheese (or butter). Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Stir the melted cheese mixture until smooth. Add the egg and mix until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour (or coconut flour), baking powder, and any desired herbs and spices.
- Mix Dough: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft ball of dough forms. The dough will be sticky.
- Roll Out Dough: Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out to your desired thickness. For a crispier crust, roll it relatively thin.
- Pre-Bake Crust: Bake the crust in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- Add Toppings: Remove the crust from the oven and add your favorite keto-friendly toppings.
- Bake Again: Return the pizza to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the toppings are heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it rest: Be sure to let the pizza rest before eating.
Tips for Perfecting Your Fathead Pizza Crust
- Microwave in Intervals: When melting the cheese, microwave in short intervals to prevent burning.
- Use Parchment Paper: Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Pre-Bake the Crust: Baking the crust before adding toppings ensures it cooks through and becomes crispy.
- Adjust Thickness: Roll the crust thinner for a crispier texture and thicker towards the edges for a more substantial crust.
- Chill the Dough: If the dough is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 10-20 minutes to make it easier to work with.
- Oil Your Hands: If the dough is still sticking, lightly oil your hands to prevent it from sticking.
- Use a Pizza Stone: For an even crispier crust, use a pizza stone or cast iron pan that has been preheated in the oven.
Choosing the Right Ingredients
Flour Options
- Almond Flour: The preferred choice for fathead pizza crust, almond flour offers a better taste, easier handling, and a crispier result.
- Coconut Flour: A suitable alternative for those with nut allergies, coconut flour creates a more bread-like crust. However, it is more absorbent, so use significantly less and be careful not to add too much, as it can make the dough tough.
Cheese
- Mozzarella Cheese: The cheese is a necessary ingredient in fathead dough. The melted mozzarella works similar to gluten in wheat flour to provide a flexible protein matrix to trap air bubbles as the dough bakes in the oven. Other cheese, especially hard cheeses, don’t work as well because they aren’t as stretchy as mozzarella cheese is when melted. Shredded mozzarella that comes in a bag at the store is totally fine to use, BUT if you have the time I'd always recommend shredding it yourself off of a block of mozzarella. Blocks of cheese don't have the added fillers in them to keep the pieces from caking together, like the pre-shredded varieties do. Mozzarella shredded off the block also melts easier to make for an easier to work with fathead dough, and (in my opinion) it just tastes better!
- Cream cheese or butter: This rich and creamy addition helps smooth out the dough. This high fat ingredient is essential to getting the dough to come out with the right consistency. And both cream cheese and butter are completely interchangeable in this recipe.
Keto Pizza Toppings
When it comes to keto pizza toppings there are only a few traditional items you may want to avoid. Just about all of the classic toppings are keto friendly.
Sauce
- Low-Sugar Tomato Sauce: Look for pizza sauce with no added refined sugar, aiming for a variety with only naturally occurring sugars from tomatoes (3-4 grams of carbs per 1/4 cup serving).
- Pesto: A great way to add healthy fats and flavor, pesto can elevate your low-carb pizza. Be mindful of low-quality vegetable and seed oils in some pesto brands.
Topping Ideas
- Meats: Pepperoni, salami, sausage, ground beef, bacon, Canadian bacon, anchovies. Any meat is fair game on a keto pizza. Go for a basic pepperoni pizza, or add salami, sausage, ground beef, bacon, Canadian bacon, anchovies.
- Veggies: Sautéing veggies like bell peppers and mushrooms before adding them to the pizza is a good idea (but just personal preference).
Toppings to Avoid
- Pineapple: The only topping you really need to stay away from when topping your keto pizza crust is Pineapple.
- High-Sugar Sauces: Be cautious of store-bought sauces high in sugar.
Storing and Making Ahead
- Dough Ball: Make the ball of dough and store in the fridge wrapped in plastic wrap. This is a good option if you plan on making your keto pizza in the next day or two.
- Pre-Baked Crust: Bake the crust and then store in the fridge or freezer. This is best method for making ahead of time. Make a big batch of this low carb dough recipe, then roll it into pizza rounds and bake for 10 minutes. Stop just before the step where you would typically add your toppings and finish the pizza in the oven. It’s nice to have these crusts prepped and ready to go for nights when you get extra busy and don’t have time to cook a fresh meal.
- Frozen Pizza: Rather than just freezing the crust, you can easily make your own frozen pizza. After the crust is rolled out, add the pizza sauce and toppings. Out of cardboard, cut a base for the crust to sit on (similar to frozen pizza from the box).
Other Uses for Fathead Dough
Besides pizza crust, the fathead dough is actually a universal pastry dough in the keto community. Fathead dough is probably the most versatile dough in the keto world.It transforms a few simple ingredients into a bread-like creation that can be used for anything from keto dinner rolls to keto fathead pizza pockets. The recipe is super easy, and it can be customized to add more seasoned flavor, like in these keto calzones. It can even be sweetened like in my low carb stuffed cinnamon rolls.
Keto Pizza: FAQs
Can I buy keto pizza?
Yes, you can find keto pizza options at several restaurants. Blaze Pizza is known for its keto pizza crust made from cauliflower rice and mozzarella cheese, containing 6 grams of net carbs per slice. Additionally, Papa Murphy's offers a crustless pizza option, which is also low in carbs. You might be surprised to find out that you actually can find some low carb options in the grocery store. There are a couple of different options but the one that you will see most often is Realgood Foods Pizzas.
Should I use a pizza stone to make keto pizza?
While it's not necessary to use a pizza stone, it can enhance your keto pizza by making the crust crispy and helping cook the middle evenly. If you don't have a pizza stone, a baking tray works perfectly fine.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Is it keto to pull the toppings and cheese off of pizza and eat it?
Yes, as long as the marinara sauce is low in carbs and sugar. Be cautious, as some pizza places add sugar to their sauces for flavor. Always check the nutritional information of the sauce before consuming.
Who invented fathead pizza dough?
The fathead pizza dough is often credited to comedian Tom Naughton, who popularized it through his low-carb documentary 'Fathead.' However, the original recipe was first created by Cooky’s Creations, a low-carb blogger, who referred to it as 'Holy Grail Pizza Crust' before it was named Fat Head by Naughton and his fans.
Can I make substitutions for the almond flour in the crust?
Yes, while almond flour is commonly used for keto crusts, you can substitute it with other low-carb flours such as coconut flour or sunflower seed flour. Keep in mind that coconut flour is more absorbent, so you may need to adjust the liquid ingredients accordingly.
How should I store leftover keto pizza?
To store leftover keto pizza, allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing the pizza, where it will last for about 1-2 months.
What are the nutritional values of the keto pizza crust?
The nutritional values can vary based on specific ingredients used, but generally, a serving of fathead pizza crust (based on the recipe provided) contains approximately 300 calories, 25 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, and 4-5 grams of net carbs.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto