What is a Keto Pizza Crust Made Of? Your Guide to Low-Carb Alternatives

November 11, 2025 •

3 min read

While traditional pizza crust can contain over 30 net carbs per slice, keto alternatives significantly reduce this count. So, what is a keto pizza crust made of? The most common ingredients include low-carb flours like almond flour, along with cheese and eggs.

Quick Summary

A keto pizza crust relies on low-carb substitutes like almond flour, mozzarella cheese, and vegetables such as cauliflower to achieve a satisfying texture and flavor.

Key Points

Fathead Dough Ingredients: Made from melted mozzarella, almond flour, and an egg, resulting in a rich, bread-like crust.
Cauliflower Crust Ingredients: A lighter base created by combining riced cauliflower (thoroughly drained), cheese, and egg for a delicate texture.
Moisture is the Enemy: A key tip for cauliflower crust is to remove as much moisture as possible from the riced cauliflower to prevent sogginess.
Pre-Baking for Crispiness: For both fathead and cauliflower crusts, a pre-bake before adding toppings is essential for achieving a firm, crispy base.
Alternative Crusts Exist: Other low-carb options include chicken crust and pork rind crust for unique flavor profiles.

The Core Ingredients of Keto Pizza Crust

For those on a ketogenic diet, understanding the building blocks of a compliant pizza crust is crucial. Unlike traditional wheat-based dough, keto-friendly versions are crafted from a selection of low-carb ingredients that mimic the texture and function of flour. The two most popular methods are Fathead dough and cauliflower crust, but other innovative options also exist.

Fathead Dough: The Cheesy Foundation

Fathead dough is primarily made of melted cheese, low-carb flour, and egg. Key ingredients include shredded mozzarella cheese as the main binder, almond flour for texture, cream cheese for smoothness, an egg for structure, baking powder for a slight rise, and seasonings for flavor.

Cauliflower Crust: The Versatile Veggie Base

Cauliflower crust uses riced cauliflower as the primary ingredient, which is cooked and drained of excess moisture. Shredded cheese (often mozzarella and Parmesan) and an egg are added to bind the mixture, and spices enhance the flavor. Proper draining is crucial for a non-soggy crust.

Other Innovative Keto Crusts

Beyond the two main types, other low-carb pizza crusts include:

Chicken Crust: Made from ground chicken, cheese, eggs, and seasonings for a high-protein, very low-carb base.
Pork Rind Crust: Utilizes crushed pork rinds combined with cheese and eggs, offering a unique crunch and savory taste.

Making Your Own Fathead Keto Pizza Crust

Creating a crispy fathead dough crust involves a few key steps:

Melt shredded mozzarella and cream cheese together until smooth.
Combine almond flour, baking powder, and seasonings in a separate bowl. Beat an egg into the slightly cooled cheese mixture.
Mix the wet and dry ingredients until a dough ball forms and knead briefly.
Roll the dough thinly between parchment paper, leaving slightly thicker edges.
Pre-bake the pricked crust at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
Add low-carb toppings and bake again until cheese is melted.

Comparison of Keto Pizza Crust Ingredients


Feature	Fathead Dough	Cauliflower Crust
Primary Ingredients	Melted Mozzarella, Cream Cheese, Almond Flour, Egg	Riced Cauliflower, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Egg
Taste Profile	Rich, cheesy, and savory.	Lighter, subtle flavor.
Texture	Chewy, bread-like with a crispy edge.	Softer, more delicate; can be soggy if not drained.
Preparation	Less prep work.	Requires ricing and extensive draining.
Sturdiness	Generally more robust.	More fragile.

Essential Tips for a Perfect Keto Pizza Crust

Drain Cauliflower Thoroughly: Essential for preventing a soggy cauliflower crust.
Pre-bake Your Crust: Key for achieving a crispy base in any keto crust.
Don't Overload Toppings: Prevents the less sturdy keto crusts from breaking.
Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: For fathead dough, this results in a smoother texture.
Roll Between Parchment: Helps manage the stickiness of fathead dough.

Conclusion

Keto pizza crusts offer delicious low-carb alternatives to traditional flour-based doughs. Ingredients like mozzarella cheese, almond flour, and riced cauliflower provide the necessary structure and flavor for a satisfying pizza experience. Both Fathead dough, with its cheesy, bread-like texture, and cauliflower crust, with its lighter feel, are popular options. By using the right ingredients and techniques, you can successfully make a delicious, low-carb pizza at home. For additional ideas, consider resources like those from Diet Doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Almond flour is generally preferred for a keto pizza crust as it provides a better texture and is easier to work with than coconut flour. Coconut flour is much more absorbent, requiring less flour and potentially more liquid, and can result in a tougher crust with a distinct coconut taste.

Yes, you can use frozen riced cauliflower, but you must thaw and cook it first before squeezing out all the excess moisture. This step is critical for preventing a soggy crust.

To get a crispy crust, regardless of the recipe, you should pre-bake it without toppings for about 10-15 minutes until golden brown. Using a pizza stone or cast iron pan also helps by distributing heat evenly for better crispiness.

Fathead dough is naturally sticky. To manage this, you can roll it out between two sheets of parchment paper. Oiling your hands lightly with olive oil can also make it easier to handle and shape.

Yes, you can prepare keto dough ahead. For best results, pre-bake the crust and store it in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for longer. This allows for quick, convenient pizza assembly later.

The most important step is squeezing out all excess moisture from the cooked cauliflower rice. Use a cheesecloth, nut milk bag, or a clean kitchen towel to wring it out thoroughly before mixing in the other ingredients.

Fathead dough, with its cheese and almond flour base, is known for its chewy, bread-like texture that feels similar to a traditional thin-crust pizza. Cauliflower crust is much more delicate and less bread-like.