Craving pizza but committed to your low-carb lifestyle? These keto pizza cups are the perfect solution! They're easy to make, customizable, and deliver all the delicious flavors of pizza without the carb overload. Whether you're following a ketogenic diet or simply looking for a healthier alternative to traditional pizza, these little bites are sure to become a new favorite.
What are Keto Pizza Cups?
Keto pizza cups are mini, crustless pizzas baked in muffin tins. They use low-carb ingredients to mimic the taste and texture of traditional pizza, allowing you to enjoy a classic comfort food while staying within your dietary guidelines. These are perfect as an appetizer, snack, or even a light meal.
Two Delicious Approaches
There are generally two approaches for making Keto Pizza Cups.
Method 1: The "Fathead" Dough Base
This method uses a "fathead" dough as the base. Fathead dough is a versatile, low-carb dough made primarily from mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, and almond flour.
Method 2: The Pepperoni Cup
This method uses pepperoni slices as the base and is much simpler and faster.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Keto Pizza Cups with Fathead Dough Crust
What is Fathead Dough?
Fathead dough is a low-carb dough made by combining melted mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, and almond flour. Some versions include eggs, but this recipe omits them. Its versatility makes it a great starting point for many easy keto recipes, from crackers to bagels to breadsticks and, of course, pizza dough. Fathead dough was inspired by the Tom Naughton documentary "Fat Head."
Ingredients for Fathead Dough Keto Pizza Cups
To make these delightful pizza muffins, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Cream cheese
- Almond flour
- Italian seasoning (optional)
- Your favorite pizza toppings (Italian sausage, marinara sauce, cheese, pepperoni, cooked spinach, mushrooms, bacon pieces, pesto)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Measure out and prepare all the ingredients.
- Make the Fathead Dough:
- In a microwave-proof mixing bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella cheese and cream cheese.
- Heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until completely melted.
- Combine 1 cup (120g) of shredded mozzarella and the almond flour in a small food processor and process until it looks like breadcrumbs.
- Place mixture into a microwave safe bowl along with the cream cheese and and Italian seasoning and microwave in 30 second intervals, mixing with a spatula between bursts. I found that 1 minute was enough on my microwave.
- Once the dough is mixed and uniform with no streaks of cream cheese, divide into a 12 compartment mini-muffin tray.
- Press the dough along the sides and bottom using your fingertips.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Cook the Italian Sausage: Cook the Italian sausage in a frying pan over medium to high heat until brown on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Assemble the Pizza Cups:
- If using muffin tins, I prefer silicone muffin tins when making fathead keto pizza muffins.
- Fill each muffin cup with your choice of toppings, such as cooked Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin on one of the lower racks of your oven and do NOT use convection. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown. Cooking time will vary by oven.
- Cool and Serve: Let the pizza cups cool slightly before removing them from the muffin tin.
Tips for Fathead Dough Pizza Cups
- Press your dough a little thinner and filling your cups 3/4 full, instead of to the brim, you can get 16 (or more) from this recipe.
Keto Pepperoni Pizza Cups
Ingredients for Pepperoni Pizza Cups
This recipe is incredibly simple, requiring only a few ingredients:
- Large pepperoni slices (sandwich style)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Low-carb marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (or Italian cheese blend)
- Sliced black olives
- Optional toppings: cooked spinach, mushrooms, bacon pieces
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 200 °C/ 400 °F (conventional), or 180 °C/ 355 °F (fan assisted).
- Prepare the Pepperoni Cups:
- Using kitchen scissors cut each pepperoni on 4 sides equal distance apart leaving the middle intact.
- Place each pepperoni into a mini muffin pan and bake for 6 minutes.
- Add Toppings: Add the shredded mozzarella and sliced olives (one slice per cup).
- Bake Again: Return to oven for another 6 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: They’re delicious cold but can be reheated in the microwave or oven.
Tips for Pepperoni Pizza Cups
- Pre-Baking is Key: Don't skip pre-baking the pepperoni cups! This step is crucial for achieving a crispy texture and ensuring that the cups hold their shape.
- Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to get creative with your toppings! Just remember not to overload the cups, as this can cause them to fall apart.
Variations and Customizations
The beauty of keto pizza cups lies in their versatility. You can easily adapt the recipe to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:
- Meat Lovers: Add cooked and crumbled bacon, sausage, or ham.
- Veggie Delight: Include sautéed mushrooms, onions, peppers, or spinach.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce.
- Cheese Lovers: Use a blend of mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan cheese.
- Pesto Pizza Cups: Swap the marinara sauce for pesto.
Serving and Storage
Keto pizza cups are best served warm, but they can also be enjoyed cold. They make a great appetizer for parties, a quick and easy snack, or a satisfying light meal.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Storage:
- Unbaked Pepperoni Cups: After the first initial bake to make the cups crispy, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week and make them as you need/want them.
- Baked Pizza Cups: Leftover pizza bites will keep well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.
Reheating:
- For the best results, reheat pizza cups in a warm oven, toaster oven, or air fryer to maintain their crispy texture. You can also use the microwave, but they may not be as crispy.
Why You'll Love These Keto Pizza Cups
- Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly: Perfect for those following a ketogenic or low-carb diet.
- Easy to Make: Simple recipes with minimal ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Customizable: Adaptable to your favorite toppings and dietary preferences.
- Delicious and Satisfying: Deliver all the flavors of pizza without the guilt.
- Great for Parties and Snacking: A crowd-pleasing appetizer or a quick and easy snack.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling the Cups: Avoid overloading the pizza cups with too many toppings, as this can make them soggy and difficult to handle.
- Skipping the Pre-Baking Step (for Pepperoni Cups): Pre-baking the pepperoni cups is essential for achieving a crispy texture.
- Using Too Much Sauce: Be mindful of the amount of sauce you use, as too much sauce can make the crust soggy.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto