Pizza night doesn't have to be a thing of the past when you're living a low-carb lifestyle. This keto pizza recipe features a melt-in-your-mouth baked cream cheese crust, delivering all the flavor you crave without the guilt. This recipe uses a fathead dough, a low-carb and keto-friendly dough made with cream cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, and spices.
Why Cream Cheese Crust?
Many traditional fathead dough recipes include some type of flour. However, this recipe stands out by eliminating flour altogether, making it a budget-friendly option that still delivers the best keto pizza crust. If you're already a fan of cauliflower crust, this cream cheese version offers a delightful alternative.
Ingredients for the Keto Cream Cheese Pizza Crust
Here's what you'll need to create this low-carb pizza crust:
- Cream cheese: Adds a unique flavor and texture to the pizza crust, providing a rich, creamy, and slightly tangy taste. Be sure to bring the cream cheese to room temperature.
- Parmesan cheese: Contributes to the savory flavor and helps create a sturdy crust.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together.
- Basil and oregano: These herbs provide a classic Italian flavor. Use 1 teaspoon of each.
- Garlic powder: Adds a hint of garlic flavor. Use ½ teaspoon.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
Making the Keto Cream Cheese Pizza Crust
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cream cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano, and garlic powder. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Whisk until the mixture is completely blended and smooth. A handheld mixer can be used to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
- Spread the Dough: Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, shaping it to your desired thickness and shape. For thicker crusts, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and increase baking times for best results.
- Bake the Crust: Place the crust in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until it's slightly puffed and golden brown. Don't overbake.
Adding Sauce and Toppings
- Choose Your Sauce: For a quick and easy option, use low-carb jarred pizza sauce. Alternatively, you can use your favorite low-carb marinara sauce or homemade marinara sauce. A simple homemade sauce can be made by blending 1-½ tablespoons of tomato paste with 3 tablespoons of low sugar tomato sauce, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste.
- Select Toppings: Customize your pizza with your favorite low-carb toppings.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Spread pizza sauce on the crust. Top with cheese and toppings. Sprinkle pizza with garlic powder.
Low-Carb Topping Ideas
When making this low-carb pizza, any of your favorite pizza toppings can be used! Stick to low-carb options such as:
- Meat toppings: Pepperoni slices, ground sausage or hamburger meat, shredded chicken, diced ham, or pulled pork.
- Vegetable toppings: Fresh spinach, broccoli, asparagus, sliced onion, black or green olives, diced tomatoes, or chopped bell pepper. Be mindful to use low carb vegetables.
- Cheese toppings: Mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, or feta. Shred your own cheese for best flavor and texture.
Baking the Pizza
Return the pizza to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5-10 minutes.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Tips for a Crispy Keto Pizza Crust
Achieving a crispy keto pizza crust can be challenging, but here are some tips to help:
- Pre-bake the crust: Before adding toppings, partially bake the crust to remove excess moisture and allow it to crisp up.
- Use a pre-heated pizza stone or baking sheet: Preheat a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven to distribute heat evenly and create a crispier crust.
- Don't overload with toppings: A heavy load of toppings can make the crust soggy. Be mindful of the amount of sauce, cheese, and other toppings you use.
- Brush with olive oil: After partially baking the crust, brush it with olive oil, garlic, and fresh Parmesan cheese for a super crunchy texture.
Variations on the Cream Cheese Keto Pizza Crust
Fathead Dough Variation
Another popular keto pizza crust uses a fathead dough, which combines mozzarella cheese and almond flour. Here's a variation:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup almond flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place cream cheese and mozzarella cheese in a large microwave-safe mixing bowl and heat on high for 60 seconds. Remove and stir. Return to microwave and cook another 30 seconds. Stir until well combined.
- Add the almond flour, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and egg and stir until almond flour is well incorporated into cheese. If the mixture becomes too sticky, microwave another 10-15 seconds to warm up.
- Place the ball of dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll the dough out thin.
- Place parchment paper on a large cookie sheet and remove the top layer of parchment paper.
- Poke holes over the entire surface of the dough with the tines of a fork.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove keto crust from oven and turn over so the bottom of the crust becomes the top, removing the paper from the crust.
- Add your favorite toppings and cheese.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Coconut Flour Variation
If you prefer to use coconut flour instead of almond flour, you can easily adapt the recipe. Use only 1/3 cup coconut flour and add an extra egg to maintain the right consistency.
Storing and Reheating
This pizza will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Store it in airtight containers to maintain its quality. To reheat, simply place a slice in a preheated oven or toaster oven until warmed through. Keep in mind that the crust may not stay as crispy upon reheating.
Freezing Keto Pizza Dough
If you're interested in making the fathead dough ahead of time and freezing it for later, it's recommended to roll out the prepared dough, then wrap it tightly in cling wrap before storing it in the freezer. When it's time to make your pizza, bake the frozen dough in the oven for 5-10 minutes before topping it and finishing off the baking.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Pre-made Keto Pizza Dough
For convenience, you can also buy pre-made fathead dough. Fattyhead Keto Crust offers a variety of options, from baguettes to pizza crusts, and even pre-made frozen pizzas loaded with keto-friendly toppings.
The Versatility of Fathead Dough
Fathead dough is one of the best resources for a sustainable keto diet. This delicious, easy-to-make recipe will give you the freedom to make many traditional dishes in a low-carb way! 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.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy. This data may differ according to the brands you use.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto