How Many Carbs Are in Keto Pizza Crust?

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Traditional pizza crust can contain as much as 80 net carbs, making it off-limits for those on a ketogenic diet. With the rising popularity of low-carb alternatives, many are wondering exactly how many carbs are in keto pizza crust options like fathead dough, cauliflower, or almond flour versions.

Quick Summary

Keto pizza crusts offer a low-carb alternative to traditional dough, with net carb counts significantly lower than their wheat-based counterparts. Common keto crusts, including fathead dough and cauliflower, use ingredients like almond flour, cheese, and eggs. Net carb totals vary by recipe and serving size but generally range from 2 to 6 net carbs per serving, depending on the ingredients used.

Key Points

Low Net Carb Count: The net carb count in homemade keto pizza crusts generally ranges from 2 to 6 grams per serving, depending on the recipe and ingredients.
Ingredient Variations: The carb count is primarily influenced by the type of flour alternative used, such as almond flour, coconut flour, or cauliflower.
Fathead Dough: A popular recipe using mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, and almond flour, offering a bread-like texture with a low net carb count.
Cauliflower Crust: A vegetable-based option that can be very low-carb when made correctly at home, with approximately 4 total carbs per serving.
Flour Differences: Almond flour creates a nuttier, softer crust, while coconut flour is more absorbent, resulting in a firmer, crispier base.
Traditional vs. Keto: Keto crusts contain a fraction of the carbs found in a traditional wheat flour crust, which can have upwards of 30+ grams per slice.
Reading Labels: If purchasing a pre-made crust, always check the nutrition label, as some commercially available versions may contain hidden starches or flours.

Understanding the Carb Count in Keto Pizza Crust

For anyone following a ketogenic diet, keeping a close eye on carbohydrate intake is essential. A typical slice of regular pizza can contain a large portion of a person's daily carb allowance. Fortunately, a variety of creative low-carb alternatives have emerged, allowing keto dieters to enjoy pizza without derailing their progress. These crusts leverage high-fat, low-carb ingredients to create a satisfying base for your favorite toppings. The key to understanding their impact on your diet is knowing how to calculate net carbs, which is the total carbohydrate content minus fiber and sugar alcohols.

The 'Fathead' Dough: A Keto Classic

One of the most popular and versatile options is "fathead" dough, known for its bread-like texture and incredible flavor. This recipe typically combines shredded mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, egg, and almond flour. The melting and blending of the cheeses with the other ingredients create a pliable, doughy consistency that holds up well to toppings. A single serving of fathead crust often contains only about 2 to 6 grams of net carbs, a stark contrast to traditional dough. Many find this option the most satisfying due to its uncanny resemblance to conventional pizza.

Carb Counts in Cauliflower Crust

Another widely used keto pizza base is cauliflower crust, which is particularly appealing for its vegetable-centric nature. This crust is made by ricing or pureeing steamed cauliflower and then mixing it with eggs and cheese to form a solid, bakeable base. Commercial cauliflower crusts can vary widely in their carb counts, as some brands add flour or starch for binding. For a truly low-carb option, it is best to prepare the crust at home using a recipe that relies solely on cauliflower, egg, and cheese. A well-prepared homemade cauliflower crust can contain as few as 4 total carbs per serving. This light and crispy crust is an excellent way to boost your vegetable intake while still enjoying a pizza-like meal.

Comparing Almond Flour vs. Coconut Flour

When making a DIY keto pizza crust, both almond flour and coconut flour are common grain-free alternatives. Each has distinct properties that affect the final product's texture and carb count.

Almond Flour Crust: Using fine blanched almond flour creates a crust with a pleasant, nutty flavor and a satisfying chewiness. Recipes often produce a tender crust that is relatively easy to work with. The carb count is typically low, with many recipes yielding a serving size of under 5 net carbs. When choosing almond flour, opt for a finely ground version to avoid a gritty texture.
Coconut Flour Crust: Coconut flour is highly absorbent, meaning you need a significantly smaller amount compared to almond flour. It creates a firmer, denser crust with a slightly sweeter taste. This option is often used to make a very thin and crispy base. While recipes will differ, a serving can often be in the low single digits for net carbs, similar to almond flour versions. If you have a nut allergy, coconut flour is an excellent alternative.

Comparison Table: Keto Pizza Crusts vs. Traditional


Crust Type	Primary Ingredients	Net Carbs per Slice (approx.)	Best For	Pros	Cons
Fathead	Mozzarella, cream cheese, almond flour, egg	2-6g	Chewy, bread-like texture	Easy to handle, familiar texture	Higher in fat and calories
Cauliflower	Cauliflower, egg, cheese	~2-4g	Crispy, vegetable-forward	High in fiber, low-calorie	Can be wet if not prepared correctly
Almond Flour	Almond flour, eggs, seasonings	~2-5g	Nutty flavor, soft crust	Nutritious, good texture	Not suitable for nut allergies
Coconut Flour	Coconut flour, eggs, seasonings	~2-4g	Thin, crispy crust	Excellent for nut allergies	Requires specific ratio of ingredients due to absorption
Traditional	Wheat flour, yeast, water	17-30+g	Classic pizza experience	Soft, fluffy dough	Very high in carbohydrates

Conclusion: Enjoying Keto Pizza Guilt-Free

Understanding how many carbs are in keto pizza crust is the first step toward incorporating this satisfying meal into your low-carb lifestyle. The good news is that most homemade keto-friendly crusts, whether made from fathead dough, cauliflower, or almond flour, contain very low net carbs, typically in the 2-6 gram range per slice. The exact amount will depend on the ingredients and serving size, so always be sure to check your specific recipe. The shift from high-carb wheat flour to alternatives like almond flour and cauliflower allows you to enjoy the pizza experience with minimal impact on your daily carbohydrate goals. By choosing the right crust for your taste and dietary needs, you can enjoy delicious, satisfying, and low-carb pizza guilt-free.

For more information on the health benefits of ingredients like almonds and psyllium husk, consider reviewing studies available on sites like the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

The lowest carb options are typically pure protein crusts, such as those made from chicken, or homemade cauliflower crusts that are carefully prepared without added flours. Many recipes for these crusts aim for 2 to 4 net carbs per serving.

Yes, fathead dough is a very popular and effective keto crust. Made from cheese, egg, and almond flour, it creates a flexible, bread-like texture that makes it a satisfying and delicious low-carb pizza base.

Yes, but you cannot substitute it in a 1:1 ratio because coconut flour is highly absorbent. A typical ratio might be ⅓ cup of coconut flour to replace 1 cup of almond flour, often with an extra egg to add moisture.

Commercial keto crusts can sometimes have a higher carb count because they may add starches, flours, or binding agents to improve texture and shelf stability. Homemade crusts allow you to control ingredients for the lowest possible carb count.

To calculate net carbs, you subtract the grams of dietary fiber from the total carbohydrates listed on the nutrition label. For homemade recipes, sum the total carbs for all ingredients and subtract the total fiber.

No, gluten-free does not automatically mean keto-friendly. Many gluten-free crusts use high-carb flours like rice flour or tapioca starch, which are not suitable for a ketogenic diet.

Some companies and recipes offer a zero-carb crust, often made with a base of chicken or eggs and minimal or no flour alternatives. While these can be a great option, the flavor and texture differ significantly from traditional dough.