Craving pizza but trying to keep those carbs at bay? This keto pepperoni pizza recipe is the answer! It's quick, easy, and satisfying, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun weekend treat. Even those not following a keto diet will enjoy this flavorful and customizable pizza.
Why This Keto Pizza Works
This recipe is designed to deliver all the pizza flavors you love without the carb overload. The secret lies in the crust, which swaps traditional flour for a combination of mozzarella, cream cheese, and almond flour (or coconut flour). This creates a surprisingly delicious and sturdy base for your favorite toppings.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need to create your keto pepperoni pizza masterpiece:
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons almond flour (or coconut flour)
- Garlic salt (optional)
For the Toppings:
- ½ cup marinara sauce (look for a low-carb version)
- Pepperoni slices
- Bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- 1 ¾ cups shredded cheese (mozzarella or your favorite blend)
- Other keto-friendly toppings of your choice (olives, peppers, etc.)
Making the Keto Pizza Crust
The crust is the foundation of any great pizza, and this keto version is surprisingly easy to make:
- Melt the Cheeses: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the mozzarella and cream cheese. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and then microwave for an additional 30 seconds, or until the cheeses are melted and easily combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Mix in the almond flour (or coconut flour) and egg. Mix thoroughly with a fork until a dough forms.
- Shape the Crust: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using wet hands (this prevents the dough from sticking), spread the dough out on the parchment paper to your desired pizza shape and thickness.
- Pre-bake the Crust: Sprinkle with garlic salt (optional). Cook at 425°F for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown. This pre-baking step helps the crust become firm and crispy. Let the crust cool for about 5 minutes before adding toppings to prevent a soggy crust.
Topping and Baking Your Pizza
Now for the fun part - adding your favorite toppings!
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
- Add the Sauce: Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the pre-baked crust, leaving a small border around the edge.
- Pile on the Cheese: Sprinkle 1 3/4 cups shredded cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Add Pepperoni and Other Toppings: Arrange the pepperoni evenly over the cheese. Add any other keto-friendly toppings you desire, such as cooked bacon, olives, or vegetables. Finish with the remaining cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake at 375°F for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Keto Pizza Chips: A Speedy Alternative
For an even quicker pizza fix, try these keto pizza chips. They're perfect as a snack, appetizer, or even a fun alternative to traditional pizza:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 12 slices pepperoni
- Pizza sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Form Cheese Mounds: Form 12 flat mounds of mozzarella on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1" between each mound. You may need to use two baking sheets depending on their size.
- Season and Top: Sprinkle each mound with Italian seasoning. Then, top with a slice of pepperoni.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake for about 12 minutes-you’ll know they’re done when the edges are golden brown.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow them to cool before removing them from the baking sheet (they'll continue to crisp as they cool). Serve with pizza sauce for dipping, if desired.
Tips and Variations
- Crust Thickness: Adjust the thickness of the crust to your liking. For a thinner crust, spread the dough out more thinly on the baking sheet.
- Cheese Choices: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses in the crust and as toppings. Parmesan, cheddar, or a blend of Italian cheeses can add unique flavors.
- Topping Ideas: The possibilities are endless! Consider adding diced ham, keto-friendly vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers, olives, or jalapenos.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of chili flakes to the toppings for a little heat.
- Make Your Own Sauce: If you prefer to make your own pizza sauce, there are plenty of keto-friendly recipes available online.
- Premade Sauce: If you don't want to make your own pizza sauce, you can swap in any premade pizza or pasta sauce that has 10 or fewer net carbs per ½ cup serving.
- Crispy Crust: To ensure a crispy crust, pre-bake it until it's lightly golden and crispy around the edges.
- Storage: Stash leftover keto pizza chips in the fridge in an airtight container, I recommend a hard container to help maintain their shape.
Making it Gluten-Free
This recipe is naturally gluten-free due to the absence of grains. However, always double-check the labels of your ingredients, especially marinara sauce and pepperoni, to ensure they are certified gluten-free if you have a severe gluten intolerance.
A Guilt-Free Pizza Experience
This keto pepperoni pizza recipe proves that you don't have to sacrifice your favorite foods when following a low-carb lifestyle. It's a delicious, satisfying, and customizable meal that the whole family will enjoy. So go ahead, indulge in a slice (or two!) without the guilt.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
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