Gluten-Free Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe | Foodal (2024)

I’m a bit embarrassed at how long it took me to make cauliflower pizza crust.

As a dietitian, I love trying out all the latest food trends, but this one just seemed too good to be true. Pizza dough without gluten? That’s just crazy.

Turns out, crazy works. It works so well that I could have easily devoured a whole pie by myself.

Now, let’s get one thing straight: a cauliflower crust is not traditional pizza crust. If you’re looking for a super crispy, thin option then this isn’t the recipe for you.

However, if you’re looking for a healthier spin that’s packed with flavor and nutrition, you’re in the right place.

While this tasty meal can be made healthier by using whole wheat dough, going light on the cheese, and filling it with veggies, it’s often still high in calories and carbs. Plus, let’s be real, who actually goes light on the cheese?

Cauliflower pizza, on the other hand, is lower in both carbs and calories, while also packing in the veggies.

It also happens to be 100% gluten free and paleo-friendly, making it ideal for any health-conscious dinner guests (just be sure to leave out the cheese if you’re making it paleo).

Now, one of my biggest concerns was that the crust would fall apart the minute you tried to pick it up, especially with more heavy-duty toppings like chicken.

However, I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t have to use my fork once – while it’s not particularly crispy, it definitely holds up, providing the full dining experience that you’re after.

And the true test of good pizza? It tasted just as good cold from the fridge the next day.

But let’s get back to the cauliflower. Super low in calories, cauliflower still packs a serious nutrition punch.

One cup of raw cauliflower contains just 25 calories, yet is high in fiber, provides 77% of the RDI for vitamin C, and is a good source of vitamin K and folate. It also contains a handful of minerals needed for bone health, including calcium and phosphorus.

Another bonus of cauliflower is how versatile it is. Smothered in buffalo sauce and baked? Yes please! Sauteed in fried rice? I’ll take a plateful! Riced and stuffed into peppers? Don’t mind if I do.

Unlike broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables, cauliflower’s mild taste makes it the perfect culinary canvas.

Even if you have picky kids or cauliflower haters in the house, this recipe disguises the cauliflower so well that even they won’t be able to stop at just one slice.

Taste-wise, this recipe isn’t like any other one that I’ve had before. Pulsed with onion and garlic then mixed with an egg, it has this savoriness that is just begging to be topped with roasted vegetables, a drizzle of olive oil, or even barbecue or buffalo chicken.

Now, this recipe does make two crusts, so the hard part is going to be deciding on two topping combinations. Sure, you could just make two of the same kind, but where’s the fun in that?

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Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Preheat Oven, Prepare Stone, and Measure Ingredients

Preheat oven to 350°F and cover a pizza stone or small baking sheet with parchment paper.

Note: After trying both the stone and baking sheet, I found the cauliflower crust baked on the stone cooked more evenly on the bottom and was slightly crispier. This was surprising as pizza stones are usually preheated before adding the crust, but that step isn’t necessary with this recipe.

Measure out ingredients.

Note: I used half of a large head of raw cauliflower and riced it in my food processor. Using a cheesecloth or paper towels, squeeze the riced cauliflower to remove any excess moisture. You could also use pre-riced cauliflower; however, if using frozen, be sure to thaw it and squeeze out the extra moisture prior to use.

Step 2 – Pulse Onions, Garlic, and Cauliflower

Place riced cauliflower, chopped onion, and garlic cloves in a food processor and pulse until crumbly, but not paste-like. Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl.

Step 3 – Combine Remaining Ingredients

Add beaten eggs, almond meal, salt, and pepper (freshly cracked is best!) to cauliflower mixture and stir well to combine.

Mixture should be sticky, but still be able to hold together. If the dough is too dry, add 1 teaspoon of water at a time; or, if the dough is too wet, add extra almond meal, about 1 teaspoon at a time.

Step 4 – Spread Dough and Bake

Divide dough into two equal pieces, keeping one in the mixing bowl and placing the other on your prepared baking sheet or pan. Cover and place the dough in the mixing bowl in the fridge while the first bakes. While you can bake both at the same time, for best results I recommend cooking them separately.

Using a rubber spatula and your hands, spread dough into a 1-inch-thick circle. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until slightly brown on the edges.

Step 5 – Prepare Toppings

While the crust bakes, prepare your toppings of choice. Since it will only cook for another 10 minutes, all meats and vegetables should be pre-cooked.

Step 6 – Add Toppings and Finish Cooking

Remove from the oven and add your toppings of choice.

Return it to the oven and bake a final 10 minutes, or until the bottom of the crust is browned and the toppings are nice and hot. If using cheese, it should be fully melted.

Step 7 – Cool and Slice

Remove pan from the oven and allow to cool slightly before cutting into 4 slices.

Step 8 – Repeat with Remaining Dough

Repeat steps 4-7 with the remaining dough.

Only want one cauliflower pizza? Still bake the second dough for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Place cooked crust on a small baking sheet in the freezer for 1 hour, or until completely frozen through. Tightly wrap crust in plastic wrap and store in freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, simply preheat oven to 350°F and top with desired toppings (no need to thaw crust). Bake for 15 minutes, or until heated through.