Cauliflower Pizza Crust - Keto Pizza Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Dinner Cauliflower Pizza Crust

by Lisa Bryan

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Updated Nov 29, 2022

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Cauliflower pizza crust is a delicious gluten-free, low-carb and keto pizza recipe. It’s a simple blend of cauliflower, eggs, cheese, and a few spices that’s flattened and baked into a golden crust. Freeze it for later or top it off with fresh ingredients for a healthy dinner recipe.

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I’m happy that cauliflower is having a star moment right now. From cauliflower steaks to roasted cauliflower soup, this vegetable can transform into just about anything! But when cauliflower pizza crusts became a thing, I knew I had to whip up a version of my own.

While you can buy pre-made cauliflower pizza crusts, corn starch or potato starch tends to be the main ingredient in these products. So by making it yourself, you’ll know your crust is made from fresh ingredients without unnecessary additives.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust Ingredients

Yes, this pizza crust requires only 3 main ingredients, plus seasonings. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Cauliflower – you’ll need about 1.5 pounds of cauliflower florets (I’ve gone into detail about the different types of cauliflower below)
  • Cheese – you can use a variety of cheeses, but here is the general rule:
    • 1/2 cup of shredded cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, etc)
    • 1/3 cup of soft cheese (goat cheese, etc)
  • Egg – 1 beaten egg
  • Italian Seasoning – 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, but feel free to use additional spices
  • Salt and pepper – to taste

Types Of Cauliflower To Use

There’s several options when it comes to making cauliflower rice. You can make it from fresh cauliflower, frozen florets, or buy it pre-riced. But if you’re wondering which type of cauliflower is best to use, here’s the answer. After testing all three variations, the consistency turned out pretty much the same for each.

I know pre-riced cauliflower may not be available for many people. So choosing between fresh cauliflower and frozen florets, the frozen florets required the least amount of work (no cutting mess or cooking needed). Thus, it quickly became my favorite method.

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Here’s a breakdown of how to prep each type of cauliflower:

Fresh Cauliflower

If you’re using fresh cauliflower, you’ll need 1 large cauliflower head (about 2 pounds, which yields 1 1/2 pounds of florets).

  • Remove the florets from the head of the cauliflower, and cut them into even sized pieces.
  • Grate the florets using either the grater attachment on a food processor or box grater.
  • Microwave the cauliflower rice for about 4-5 minutes to soften it.
  • Drain the cauliflower rice by using a nut milk bag and squeeze it until all the moisture is out.

Frozen Cauliflower Florets

You’ll need 1 1/2 pounds of frozen cauliflower florets.

  • Thaw the frozen cauliflower in the fridge overnight.
  • Grate the florets using either the grater attachment on a food processor or box grater.
  • Drain the cauliflower by using a nut milk bag and squeeze it until all the moisture is out.

Pre-Riced Cauliflower

You’ll need approximately 5 cups of pre-riced cauliflower.

  • Microwave the cauliflower rice for about 5 minutes to soften it.
  • Drain the cauliflower by using a nut milk bag and squeeze it until all the moisture is out.

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How To Make Cauliflower Pizza

Now that you’ve got your cauliflower all prepped, here’s the full recipe on how to make the crust. Watch the tutorial video belowto see how I make it step-by-step!

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Grate the cauliflower florets to make cauliflower rice, using a food processor or box grater.
  3. Microwave your cauliflower for about 5 minutes to soften it. Alternatively, you can saute the cauliflower for 10 minutes on medium heat on the stove.
  4. Drain the cauliflower. Transfer the grated florets into a nut milk bag or dish towel. Squeeze the cauliflower until all the moisture is out. Make sure to let the cauliflower cool down a bit before squeezing so you don’t burn your hands!
  5. Mix the cauliflower rice, cheese, egg, and seasonings. Using your hands, toss everything together in a large bowl until it’s all combined.
  6. Shape your pizza crust. On a baking sheet, press the dough down into an even circle. The diameter should be about 9 inches.
  7. Bake for 25 minutes. If you started with frozen cauliflower, it may need to cook a few minutes more. Then remove from the oven.
  8. Add the toppings. Then pop the pizza back into the oven for an additional 10 minutes.

Pro Tip: If you’d like to get your cauliflower crust as crispy as possible, bake it on a pizza stone rather than a baking sheet.

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Cauliflower Pizza Toppings

Now comes the fun part – pizza toppings! One thing I will note here is that chunkier is better. You don’t want your ingredients to be too oily or runny, otherwise it will make your crust even soggier.

In terms of flavor, the combinations are endless. But, I’ve decided to whip up two of my favorite flavors: pesto chicken and Margheritapizza. You can find the full recipes below, but here’s a quick run down of what ingredients you’ll need.

  • Pesto Chicken Pizza:shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, sauteed spinach, pesto sauce, and garlic cloves.
  • Margherita Pizza:marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves.

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How To Freeze Cauliflower Pizza Crust

If you want to meal prep for the week, frozen pizza crusts will be your best friend. Once you’ve baked the crust, let it cool and then place it into an airtight container or freezer safe bags.

Because a large 9-inch round pizza is harder to store, I recommend making two smaller crusts and stacking them on top of each other, with parchment paper in between. Even better, double this recipe and make 4 small crusts for the future. They’ll last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

When you’re ready to make your pizza, just remove it from the freezer, and re-heat it in the oven. Bake it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes to thaw, then add your toppings and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cooked through.

More Low-Carb Cauliflower Recipes

For more unique and fun ways to cook with cauliflower, here’s a few delicious low carb recipes to try. You’re going to love these!

  • Roasted Cauliflower Hummus
  • Mashed Cauliflower
  • Cauliflower Rice Tabbouleh
  • Cauliflower Fried Rice
  • Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower with Dates, Pine Nuts and Thyme

Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe Video

Want to see how I make this recipe? Watch the video below!

Cauliflower Pizza Crust - Keto Pizza Recipe | Downshiftology (11)

Cauliflower Pizza Crust (Low Carb Keto Pizza)

4.92 from 58 votes

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Lisa Bryan

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Description

Cauliflower pizza crust is a delicious gluten-free, low-carb, keto pizza recipe made from healthy, simple ingredients. Watch how I make it in the video above!

Video

Ingredients

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

  • 1.5 pounds cauliflower, florets
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese, or 1/3 cup soft cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Pesto Chicken Pizza

  • 1/3 cup pesto sauce
  • 1/2 cup shredded chicken
  • 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups (packed) baby spinach
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Margherita Pizza

  • 1/3 cup marinara sauce
  • 4 oz mozzarella ball, sliced
  • fresh basil leaves
  • red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the cauliflower florets from the stem or use frozen and thawed cauliflower florets. Grate them using a food processor or box grater.

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  • Add the cauliflower rice to a microwave safe bowl, cover, and microwave for 4-5 minutes to soften. Alternatively, you could saute the cauliflower rice in a pan on medium heat on the stove for 8-10 minutes. Then let it cool to the touch.

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  • Transfer the cauliflower rice into a nut milk bag or thin kitchen towel. Drain the cauliflower by squeezing it until all the excess moisture is out. Squeeze as hard as you can!

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  • Place the drained cauliflower rice in a large mixing bowl. Add the cheese, egg and seasonings. Use your hands to mix everything together to form the pizza dough.

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  • On a parchment lined baking sheet, press the dough dough down into an even circle. The diameter should be around 9 inches. If you have a pizza stone, that's even better and will produce a crispier crust.

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  • Bake for 25 minutes, or until slightly golden, then remove from oven. You could also bake for 20 minutes and flip the crust over, then bake an additional 5-10 minutes for an even crispier crust.

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  • Add the toppings and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

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Lisa's Tips

  • The nutrition facts are for the Margherita pizza flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 282mg | Potassium: 602mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 242IU | Vitamin C: 83mg | Calcium: 226mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cauliflower Pizza Crust, Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe, How To Make Cauliflower Pizza Crust, keto pizza

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

Cauliflower Pizza Crust - Keto Pizza Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat cauliflower crust pizza on keto? ›

Yes, cauliflower can be used to create a low-carb or keto-friendly pizza crust. By ricing cauliflower and combining it with cheese, eggs, and spices, you can form a dough-like consistency that bakes into a delicious pizza crust. This alternative allows you to enjoy pizza while staying within your carb limits.

Why is Caulipower pizza so high in carbs? ›

Cauliflower itself isn't bringing the carbohydrates to the table–it's everything else that gets mixed in to complete the crust. Ingredients like rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch, and sugar add to the carb count of some cauliflower crusts you buy at the store.

How many carbs are in a cauliflower crust pizza? ›

The Nutrition Facts of Cauliflower Pizza Crust

In those two slices are 110 calories, 3 grams of protein, and 2.5 grams of fat, including 1.5 grams of saturated fat. As for carbs, cauliflower pizza crust comes in at 16 grams of carbohydrates.

Why does my cauliflower pizza crust fall apart? ›

Aside from the lack of gluten, another reason cauliflower pizzas are so prone to falling apart is because cauliflower is packed with water.

What is the difference between keto crust and cauliflower crust? ›

Unfortunately, the cauliflower crust is not a keto pizza crust. It has 14g net carbs in each 11-inch pizza. You might be able to eat one slice, but when you are on the keto diet, each gram counts. It's best to just order the keto crust and make yourself a high protein pizza!

What is the best pizza for low carb diet? ›

Several major chains provide low-carb options by using alternative crust options—commonly, cauliflower crust. Pizza Hut, Domino's, California Pizza Kitchen, Blaze, and Papa Murphy's are among the popular chains with cauliflower-crust pizzas on their menu.

Will cauliflower pizza spike blood sugar? ›

A slice of cauliflower pizza, on the other hand, can have as few as 3-5 grams of carb! The cauliflower pizza takes longer to work it's way into the blood stream than the flour-made stuff, so it doesn't have that complex carb effect that often shoots our glucose levels up many hours later.

Is cauliflower crust pizza really healthier? ›

Though cauliflower crust isn't inherently healthier than traditional crust, it tends to be higher in protein and fiber. It's also higher in fat and cholesterol. Cauliflower pizza crust can fit gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, low carb, or weight loss diets.

Which cauliflower pizza has the lowest carbs? ›

Realgood Foods Cauliflower Crust

If you want a delicious, low-carb frozen pizza that's ready in minutes, then Realgood Cauliflower pizza is your best keto option. We love the thin, crispy crust and perfect ratio of toppings to dough. This entire pizza is only 24g of net carbs!

How many carbs in a 12 inch cauliflower pizza? ›

Neapolitan Pizza Veggie Pizza on Cauliflower Crust, 12 inch (1 Slice) contains 13g total carbs, 12g net carbs, 4g fat, 4g protein, and 110 calories.

What is the healthiest type of pizza? ›

Opt for a thin-crust pizza instead of a deep-dish. Skip the stuffed pizza crusts and dipping sauces. Enjoy your slice of pizza with a side salad or cooked vegetables. Top your pizza with lean protein, like chicken strips, instead of processed meat, like pepperoni.

How many carbs are in Trader Joe's cauliflower pizza crust? ›

Trader Joe's Cauliflower Pizza Crust (1 serving) contains 17g total carbs, 16g net carbs, 0g fat, 1g protein, and 80 calories.

How to make caulipower pizza crust crispy? ›

Cooking Instructions

Remove crust from box & overwrap. Layer crust with your favorite toppings. Cook topped crust directly on the middle rack (no pan needed!) until cheese is golden brown and crust is crispy, typically 12-15 minutes.

Why does cauliflower pizza hurt my stomach? ›

Cauliflower provides essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, but it can also cause stomachaches or abdominal cramps. The culprit behind the stomachaches is cauliflower's fiber content, which becomes most troublesome when you increase your fiber intake too rapidly without giving your body time to adjust.

Why does my cauliflower pizza have so many carbs? ›

A single slice could have anywhere from 2 to 29 grams. That's a huge range, especially because cauliflower isn't carb-heavy (a cup has 5 grams). Why the difference? Crusts may include rice or brown rice flour, sugar, tapioca starch, and corn starch, which supply carbs.

Is caulipower pizza crust keto friendly? ›

Caulipower Pizza

Unfortunately, cauliflower doesn't make everything keto-friendly. Though the first ingredient in Caulipower Pizza is cauliflower, it also contains rice flour and some sugar. Our homemade Cauliflower Pizza recipe is only 20g net carbs for the whole pie, but a Caulipower Pizza contains 66g net carbs!

Is cauliflower OK in keto? ›

Cauliflower is the ultimate low carb vegetable — and yes, cauliflower is keto! One cup of florets has 5.3 grams of net carbs. You can replace so many starchy foods with cauliflower, especially potatoes, rice and savory baked goods. (See the other veggies you can eat on keto in the low carb food list.)

Is gluten-free pizza crust OK for keto? ›

Gluten-free pizza still has a large number of carbs. When on a keto diet, one should take in more protein and healthy fats to counteract the lack of carbs in their diet. Gluten-free pizza has low levels of both, adding to the list of reasons why this dish does not make a good keto-friendly meal.

Can I eat pizza without the crust on keto? ›

Ever wondered why a crustless pizza is popular on a keto diet? It has barely any carbs! If you use certain vegetables or smoked meats, it can increase the carb count, but made as written, it's virtually carb-free.

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