Amanda Dawn Keto Pizza Recipe: Cauliflower Crust vs Almond Flour Crust Comparison
Pizza cravings don’t have to end on keto. With two solid crust options and unlimited topping combos, you can eat pizza guilt-free.
Crust Comparison: Which Is Better?
| Aspect | Cauliflower Crust | Almond Flour Crust |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs per slice | 2-3g | 3-4g |
| Taste | Close to pizza | Nuttier, less bread-like |
| Texture | Crispy | More tender |
| Effort | High (needs drying) | Low (simpler) |
| Prep time | 45+ min | 15 min |
| Cost | Cheap | Expensive |
Cauliflower Crust Pizza (Most Pizza-Like)
Ingredients (Makes 1 pizza, 8 slices)
Crust:
- 1 head cauliflower (riced)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup mozzarella (shredded)
- ¼ cup parmesan
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Italian seasoning, salt & pepper
Toppings:
- ½ cup pizza sauce (no sugar)
- 2 cups mozzarella
- Toppings of choice (pepperoni, sausage, veggies)
Instructions
- Pulse cauliflower in food processor until rice-like
- Microwave cauliflower rice 8-10 minutes to release water
- Wrap in cheesecloth and squeeze HARD to remove excess water (critical step!)
- Mix dried cauliflower with egg, cheeses, and seasonings
- Spread on parchment paper in 12-inch circle
- Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until golden and firm
- Top with sauce, cheese, and toppings
- Bake another 10-12 minutes until cheese melts
Macros per slice (8 slices)
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 16g
- Protein: 14g
- Net Carbs: 3g
Almond Flour Crust Pizza (Easiest)
Ingredients (Makes 1 pizza, 8 slices)
Crust:
- 2 cups almond flour
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup parmesan
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper
Toppings:
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella
- Toppings of choice
Instructions
- Mix almond flour, eggs, parmesan, olive oil, and seasonings
- Spread on parchment paper in 12-inch circle
- Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until golden
- Top with sauce, cheese, and toppings
- Bake 10-12 minutes until cheese melts
Macros per slice (8 slices)
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 23g
- Protein: 13g
- Net Carbs: 3.5g
Best Toppings for Keto Pizza
| Topping | Carbs per serving | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pepperoni | 0g | ✅ Best |
| Sausage | 0g | ✅ Best |
| Bacon | 0g | ✅ Best |
| Extra cheese | 0g | ✅ |
| Olives | 0.5g | ✅ |
| Bell peppers | 1g | ✅ |
| Mushrooms | 0.5g | ✅ |
| Onion | 1-2g | ⚠️ |
| Pineapple | 5g | ❌ No |
Storage & Freezing
- Refrigerator: 4 days (keep in airtight container)
- Freezer: 2 months (uncooked or cooked)
- Reheating: Toaster oven 5 min @ 375°F or microwave 90 sec
Pro Tips
Cauliflower Crust Tips
- Don’t skip the water removal step! This is 80% of the work—skip it and crust will be soggy
- Use a pizza stone for extra crispiness
- Make crust day-of (it gets soggy if stored)
Almond Flour Crust Tips
- Use almond flour that’s finely ground (blanched almond flour is best)
- Don’t over-bake base (15 min is perfect—it will firm up more with toppings)
- Press crust into corners firmly
FAQ
Can I use store-bought cauliflower pizza crust?
Yes, but check the label. Many have hidden carbs (4-5g per slice). Make it fresh for best control.
Which crust tastes more like real pizza?
Cauliflower crust is closer to traditional pizza. Almond flour tastes distinctly different (nuttier).
Can I make pizza crust ahead?
Almond flour crust: Yes (store in fridge 2 days). Cauliflower crust: No (gets soggy).
Bottom Line
You can absolutely eat pizza on keto. Cauliflower crust for a more pizza-like experience (requires effort), almond flour crust for simplicity. Either way, you’re eating a full pizza for under 4g net carbs per slice.
