Pizza…the one unhealthy food that no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop wanting. What can I say? The heart (and the stomach) wants what it wants.
If you’re looking for some different and healthier ways to enjoy your go-to weekend/football/celebration/anytime treat, you’re in the right place. There are several different options for creating a healthier pizza crust — you can go the vegetable route, use an alternative gluten-free flour or even use meat as a base for pizza.
It might not taste quite the same, but it’s worth the trade when you consider how many carbs you’re avoiding along with the gluten hangover and the bloated belly.
Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons of almond flour
- 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
Directions
- Heat your oven to 450 degrees F.
- Cut the base off of your cauliflower and peel back the leaves. Break off the florets into smaller pieces.
- If you have a food processor, this next step will be as simple as putting the cauliflower florets into the processor and pulsing it a few times until the cauliflower is a rice-like consistency. If you’re like me and don’t have a food processor, you’ll have to grate the cauliflower like a peasant.
- Once you’re finished, place the cauliflower shavings into a microwave safe dish and microwave for two and a half minutes. Stir the cauliflower and then microwave it again for two and a half minutes.
- Take the steamed cauliflower out of the microwave. Lay one dish towel on the counter and pour the cauliflower on top of it. Using another dish towel, press ALL the moisture out of the cauliflower. Expert tip: The cauliflower will be hot as hades as will the water coming out of it. Be careful.
- Once you’ve pressed your cauliflower, combine it in a bowl with your eggs, flour and seasonings. Mix well.
- Grease a baking sheet and spread out your crust, making it whatever shape you desire. Do not spread it thinner than about 1/3 inch.
- Bake in the oven for 35 minutes and then top with your favorite pizza toppings.
Toppings shown above: Pizza sauce, pesto, crushed red peppers and pepperonis.
Coconut Flour Pizza Crust
Ingredients
- 1 cup of coconut flour
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup of almond milk
- 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon of parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a bowl, combine all of your ingredients and mix well using a wooden spoon or your hands.
- Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper and spread your crust out. Be careful not to spread your crust too thin.
- Bake in the oven for 25 minutes before topping with your favorite pizza toppings.
Toppings shown above: Tomato paste, tomato sauce, pesto, zucchini and mozzarella cheese
Zucchini Pizza Crust
Ingredients
- 2 zucchini
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon of oregano
- 1 tablespoon of basil
- 1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Directions
- Heat your oven to 450 degrees F.
- Peel and slice your zucchini into two-inch pieces.
- If you have a food processor, this next step will be as simple as putting the zucchini into the processor and pulsing it a few times until it is a rice-like consistency. If you’re like me and don’t have a food processor, you’ll have to grate the zucchini…still like a peasant.
- Once you’ve completed the grating process, lay out a dish towel. Place the zucchini on top of it. Use another dish towel to press ALL the moisture out of the mixture. Expert tip: There will be a LOT — it may take two dish rags, but this is an important step that will keep your crust from being soggy.
- Combine your pressed zucchini shreds in a bowl with the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
- Grease a baking sheet and spread your zucchini crust out. Bake for 35 minutes or until the edges are brown. Carefully remove the zucchini crust from the baking sheet before topping with your favorite pizza toppings.
Toppings shown above: Mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, pizza sauce and parsley
Meatza
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon of celery salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of basil
- 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of parsley
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a bowl, combine meat and eggs well.
- Then, add your seasonings and mix well.
- Place a piece of tin foil over a baking sheet before spreading out your meat mixture on top of it.
- Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until the meat is cooked all the way through before topping with you favorite pizza ingredients.
Toppings shown above: Tomato paste, pesto, spinach, mushrooms and parmesan cheese
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