Introduction
For those following a ketogenic diet or simply looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake, pizza can often feel like a forbidden indulgence. However, with a few clever ingredient swaps, it's entirely possible to enjoy a delicious and satisfying keto-friendly pizza. This article explores various recipes that utilize egg and mozzarella cheese to create a low-carb pizza crust, offering a flavorful and guilt-free alternative to traditional dough.
The Magic of Egg and Mozzarella Crust
The combination of egg and mozzarella cheese forms the foundation of many keto pizza crusts. This dynamic duo provides structure, flavor, and a satisfying texture that closely mimics traditional pizza crust. The mozzarella melts beautifully, creating a slightly chewy base, while the egg binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
Recipe 1: Basic Keto Pizza Crust
This recipe provides a foundation for experimentation with various toppings.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (pre-shredded, low moisture part skim works best)
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup almond flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Italian seasoning, to taste
- Garlic, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Add mozzarella and cream cheese to a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 45 seconds, or until slightly melted.
- Stir until the cream cheese is fully incorporated.
- Add in egg, almond flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning, and garlic. Mix until well incorporated.
- Transfer dough onto a large piece of parchment paper and cover with another piece of parchment paper.
- Flatten out dough using a rolling pin to about ¼’’ thick.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Add toppings of your choice and bake for another 5-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Recipe 2: Chewy Keto Pizza Crust with Herbs
This recipe adds dried herbs for a solid Italian flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup almond meal
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp basil
- Olive oil or coconut oil spray
- Garlic salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Microwave the mozzarella and cream cheese in a large bowl until soft and pliable, about 30 seconds.
- Add egg, almond meal, oregano, and basil and blend well into a dough ball.
- Press into a circle or square shaped pizza on a parchment lined baking sheet sprayed with a thin coating of olive oil or coconut oil.
- Sprinkle garlic salt over surface of pizza crust.
- Pierce surface with fork to prevent rising of the crust while baking.
- Bake crust in oven for 8-10 mins. Pierce more holes with fork if bubbles form.
- Flip pizza crust over. Bake another 2-4 minutes.
- Add toppings of your choice and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Recipe 3: Two-Ingredient Keto Pizza Crust
This recipe is a shortcut for those looking for a quick and easy option.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pre-shredded low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese
- 2 large eggs
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 9 inch pie pan with parchment paper.
- Add ingredients to food processor or blender.
- Blend until eggs are completely incorporated and cheese is the size of large crumbs. Your mixture should look something like cottage cheese.
- Spread mixture evenly across your prepared pie pan.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until the entire surface is light brown. The surface should also feel firm.
- Remove crust from oven. Turn oven up to 400°F.
- Add tomato sauce, cheese or other desired toppings. Because the toppings only go in for a few minutes at the end, try to use toppings that are pre-cooked or only need a few minutes to cook.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Recipe 4: Crispy Keto Pizza Crust
This recipe focuses on achieving a crispy crust.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 oz (2 tablespoons) cream cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup almond flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Italian herbs, 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 cheese mixture from microwave 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 mixture becomes too sticky, microwave another 10-15 seconds to warm up.
- Place the ball of dough on between two pieces of parchment paper and using a rolling pin, roll 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 tines of fork.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove keto crust from oven and turn over so bottom of crust becomes the top, removing the paper from the crust.
- Add toppings and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Recipe 5: Keto Pizza Eggs
This recipe puts a breakfast spin on pizza.
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Eggs
- Sliced pepperoni
- Mozzarella cheese
- Pizza sauce
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
Instructions:
- Heat butter in an egg pan over medium low heat.
- Crack eggs into the pan.
- Top with sliced pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
- Reduce heat to low and continue cooking until eggs are cooked to your liking.
Topping Ideas
The beauty of pizza lies in its versatility. Feel free to experiment with different toppings to create your perfect keto pizza. Here are a few ideas:
- Margarita: Low carb pizza sauce (sugar-free marinara/spaghetti sauce) and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Pepperoni: Classic pepperoni and mozzarella.
- Southwestern style: Enchilada sauce, shredded chicken cheddar and pepper jack cheese, black bean, corn, onion, and cilantro.
- Vegetarian: Mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, spinach, and artichoke hearts.
Tips for Success
- Use pre-shredded, low-moisture mozzarella cheese: This type of cheese melts well and helps to create a crispy crust.
- Don't skip the parchment paper: Parchment paper prevents the crust from sticking to the baking sheet and makes it easier to transfer.
- Poke holes in the crust: This prevents the crust from puffing up during baking.
- Pre-cook your toppings: Since the crust cooks quickly, it's best to use pre-cooked toppings or toppings that only need a few minutes to cook.
- Get creative with toppings: Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors and combinations.
- If mixture becomes too sticky: microwave another 10-15 seconds to warm up.
- Warm dough is easier to roll:
Repurposing the Crust
The keto pizza crust can be repurposed into sandwich rounds, taco shells, bagel-flavored rounds (as found in Eat Happy Too), and biscuits.
Keto Pizza Egg Bake
This recipe is an alternative to pizza for breakfast.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp of butter
- Pizza sauce
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Seasonings
- Pepperonis
Instructions:
- Chop up 1 tbsp of butter and place in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Add pizza sauce, eggs, cheese, seasonings and top with pepperonis.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes then turn the oven to broil for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese is turning golden and the egg bake is nice and bubbly.
- Let cool then enjoy.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto