Speedy & Delicious Keto Mozzarella Pizza (Crispy Crust & Customizable!)

Speedy & Delicious Keto Mozzarella Pizza (Crispy Crust & Customizable!)

Craving a classic pizza experience without the carbs? This Speedy & Delicious Keto Mozzarella Pizza is your answer! Featuring a simple, crispy “fathead” style crust made from melted mozzarella and cream cheese, it’s the perfect base for all your favorite low-carb toppings. Quick to prepare and incredibly satisfying, this pizza is a delightful addition to your health journey, ideal for a fun and flavorful meal right here in beautiful Puerto Vallarta!

Yields: 1 medium-sized pizza (about 8-10 inches), 2-4 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 16-20 minutes total

Ingredients:

For the Keto Pizza Crust:

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture, part-skim works best)
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup super-fine almond flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Pinch of pink Himalayan salt (about ⅛ teaspoon)

For Toppings (Keto-Friendly Suggestions):

• ¼ – ½ cup keto-friendly marinara sauce (e.g., Rao’s Homemade; KETO NOTE: Check labels for no added sugar)
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
• Your choice of cooked, low-carb toppings:
  • Sliced pepperoni
  • Cooked sausage crumbles (Italian, breakfast, etc.)
  • Cooked bacon bits
  • Sliced mushrooms
  • Sliced bell peppers
  • Sliced black olives
  • Sliced red onion
  • Fresh basil leaves (add after baking)

Equipment:

• Microwave-safe bowl
• Rubber spatula or sturdy spoon
• Parchment paper
• Rolling pin
• Fork
• Baking sheet

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven & Prep Crust: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons of cream cheese.
   • Microwave for 30 seconds. Remove, stir well with a spoon/spatula, then microwave for another 30 seconds(or until fully melted and gooey).
2. Make the Dough: To the melted cheese mixture, quickly add the almond flour, egg, Italian seasoning, and pink Himalayan salt.
   • Mix everything together with a sturdy spoon or your hands until it fully resembles a cohesive dough. This may take a few minutes of kneading in the bowl.
3. Form the Crust: Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough to your desired thickness (we recommend about ¼ inch thick for a good balance of crispiness and chewiness). Cut into a round or rectangular shape.
   • Carefully peel off the top layer of parchment paper.
   • Slide the bottom parchment paper with the dough onto a baking sheet.
   • Use a fork to pierce the dough several times across the surface. This helps prevent it from bubbling up excessively and keeps it flat.
4. Pre-Bake the Crust: Place the baking sheet with the crust in the preheated oven.
   • Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on how crunchy you want your crust. Bake until the crust is lightly golden brown and slightly firm.
5. Add Toppings & Final Bake: Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven.
   • Spread a thin layer of keto-friendly marinara sauce over the crust.
   • Top with ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and your chosen low-carb pizza toppings.
   • Place the pizza back in the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the toppings are heated through. For extra browning, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes (watch very carefully!).
6. Cool & Enjoy! Remove the pizza from the oven. Let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious low-carb pizza!

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Tips for Success:

• Low-Moisture Mozzarella: This is key for the “fathead” dough. Too much moisture will make the crust gummy.
• Work Quickly with Dough: Mix the dough ingredients immediately after melting the cheese, while the cheese is still warm and pliable.
• Piercing the Crust: Don’t skip this step! It prevents large air bubbles from forming in the crust.
• Pre-baking: Pre-baking the crust is important for achieving a crisp texture that stands up to toppings. Adjust pre-bake time based on your desired crispiness.
• Keto Marinara: Most jarred marinara sauces contain a lot of added sugar. Brands like Rao’s Homemade are excellent keto-friendly options. Always check labels!
• Custom Toppings: The beauty of pizza! Stick to low-carb meats and non-starchy vegetables.
• Storage: Leftover pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheats well in a toaster oven or air fryer.

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Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification:

This Keto Mozzarella Pizza is a delightful addition to your health journey!

• Low-Carb: Yes, by using an almond flour and cheese-based crust and keto-friendly toppings.
• High Fat: Yes, from the cheeses, almond flour, and any fatty toppings.
• Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly, provided all toppings (especially the marinara sauce) are verified as sugar-free and low-carb. All other listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet.
• Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.

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