3 Healthy Pizza Crusts You Can Feel Good About

A favorite food amongst many of us is a delicious slice of pizza. However, most people think of pizza as a comfort food and can’t shake that guilty feeling after enjoying a slice or two. But what if you could enjoy pizza without feeling like you were doing your body an injustice?

One of the most effective ways to lighten up your pizza is to forego the traditional wheat crust in favor of healthier alternatives. Here are three healthy pizza crusts you can enjoy, without the side of guilt:

1. Almond Flour Crust

Gluten is proteins that make up wheat and give foods an elastic texture and helps hold the particles together. Foods that contain flour are the biggest culprits for people who get sick from gluten.

To make pizza a little more gut friendly, try a crust that foregoes the traditional whole wheat flour, and uses almond flour instead! Almond flour contains the same nutrients as whole almonds, which we know are great for nutrition. Low in carbs and high in protein, fats, and fibers, almond flour pizza crust will keep you feeling fuller for longer. For a great almond flour pizza crust recipe, try the one over at Ditch the Wheat.

2. Cauliflower Crust

This white, mild-tasting veggie is high in vitamin C and other nutrients as well as antioxidants. When used as a pizza crust, cauliflower becomes crunchy and bread like, the perfect replacement for your average crust.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe

Ingredients:

• Head of cauliflower
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3/4 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Wash cauliflower thoroughly and cut into pieces.
3. Pulse in food processor.
4. Place cauliflower in microwave for 4 minutes, or steam until tender (around 15 minutes).
5. Once the cauliflower is tender, squeeze it with a strainer or nut bag. Add in eggs, garlic, salt and pepper to taste (adding cheese into crust is also optional).
6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and create your desired crust shape. Bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes, then put on your desired toppings and bake an additional 10 minutes.

3. Mini Zucchini Crusts

Using zucchini as a base for pizza is a fantastic idea! Granted, you’ll have bagel bite-sized pizzas, but it’s no less tasty, and they’re perfect for appetizers and entertaining.

Zucchini Pizza Crust Recipe

1. Cut zucchini into disk shapes, about ½-inch thick.
2. In a skillet, add 1–2 tablespoons of oil and cook zucchini on each side for about 2 minutes.
3. Place mini zucchinis on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
4. Layer on tomato sauce, cheese, and any other toppings of your choosing.
5. Bake zucchini pizzas at 400 degrees until cheese has melted (this will not take long).
6. Enjoy!