Caulipower is a brand of cauliflower-based frozen pizzas that have become quite popular in recent years as a gluten-free, low-carb alternative to traditional pizza. With cauliflower crust instead of regular pizza dough, Caulipower pizzas are an innovative way to enjoy the delicious taste of pizza while reducing calories, carbs, and gluten. But how exactly do you cook a Caulipower pizza to ensure it turns out perfectly crispy and delicious?
Oven Baking Directions
The standard and easiest way to cook a Caulipower pizza is in the oven. Here are the step-by-step instructions for oven baking a Caulipower pizza according to the package directions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Remove pizza from packaging and unwrap plastic overwrap on crust.
- Place pizza directly on oven rack or on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 17-22 minutes, until the crust is lightly browned.
- Allow to cool 1-2 minutes before slicing and serving.
Baking times may vary slightly depending on your specific oven, so keep an eye on your pizza as it bakes and remove it once the crust is crisped and cheese is fully melted. The pizza may need a minute or two longer if baking on a baking sheet versus directly on the oven rack.
Microwave Directions
While the oven yields the best texture and crispiest crust, Caulipower pizzas can also be conveniently microwaved for a quick weeknight dinner. Here are the steps for microwaving a Caulipower pizza:
- Remove all packaging from the pizza.
- Place pizza on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave on HIGH power for 4 minutes.
- Let sit 1 minute before slicing and serving.
When microwaving, the crust will be softer than oven-baked but the toppings will be heated through. You can crisp up the crust a bit by placing it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes after microwaving if desired.
Crisping Directions
Both oven and microwave cooking can potentially leave the crust a little softer than ideal. If you want an extra crispy crust, these additional steps can help:
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Place pizza directly on oven rack and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove pizza, brush crust lightly with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Return to oven rack for 2-5 minutes until browned and crispy.
Baking at a higher temp helps crisp the crust, while the light oil brushing gives it an extra crunch. Watch closely as broiling time will vary based on how crisp you prefer the crust.
Grilling Directions
For a fun summertime twist, Caulipower pizzas can also be cooked on the grill! Follow these grilling directions:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.
- Place pizza directly on grill grates.
- Close grill lid and grill for 6-8 minutes until crust is browned and cheese is bubbly, rotating pizza halfway through for even cooking.
- Using a large spatula, remove pizza from grill and enjoy!
The grill gives the crust a nice char while melting the cheese beautifully. Just keep an eye on it as grilling times can vary based on thickness of crust and intensity of grill heat.
Stovetop Directions
For those without an oven or microwave, Caulipower pizzas can also be cooked right on the stovetop with a skillet. Here’s how:
- Heat a 10-12 inch nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Place pizza in skillet and cover with a tight fitting lid.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes, checking occasionally and rotating pizza for even browning until crust is crisp and cheese melted.
- Remove pizza from skillet and let sit 1-2 minutes before cutting and serving.
Using a nonstick skillet prevents sticking, while the lid traps in heat to melt the cheese. Keep heat at medium so the crust crisps before the cheese burns.
Air Fryer Directions
An air fryer is a great way to cook Caulipower pizzas by crisping the crust without drying it out. Use these air fryer instructions:
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F.
- Place pizza crust side down in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes until desired crispness.
- Use tongs to flip pizza and cook an additional 2-3 minutes to brown cheese side.
- Let sit 1-2 minutes before serving.
The circulating hot air of the air fryer perfectly crisps the crust. Flipping halfway through ensures even browning and melting. Adjust cook times based on your specific air fryer model.
Cooking Tips
To ensure the best results when cooking Caulipower pizzas, keep these additional tips in mind:
- Always start with a fully preheated oven or grill for best texture.
- Use nonstick pans or foil-lined pans to prevent sticking.
- Add extra toppings before cooking for fully loaded pizzas.
- Use cooking spray on crusts for extra crispiness.
- Let pizza rest 1-2 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts.
- Store leftovers in fridge for up to 4 days.
Cooking Equivalents
No matter which cooking method you use, Caulipower has adapted their recipes so the times are consistent. Here is an overview of the approximate cooking equivalents across common cooking methods:
| Cooking Method | Time |
|---|---|
| Oven at 400°F | 17-22 minutes |
| Microwave on High | 4 minutes |
| Grill at 400°F | 6-8 minutes |
| Skillet on Medium Heat | 6-8 minutes |
| Air Fryer at 390°F | 6-8 minutes |
So no matter if you’re baking, microwaving, grilling or air frying, Caulipower pizzas will cook up in around 6-8 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner.
Nutrition Information
One of the key benefits of Caulipower pizza is its nutrition profile compared to regular pizza. Here is a nutrition comparison of Caulipower cheese pizza versus regular frozen cheese pizza:
| Nutrition Facts | Caulipower Pizza (1/3 pizza) | Regular Frozen Pizza (1/3 pizza) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 680 | 320 |
| Fat | 16g | 5g |
| Carbs | 16g | 60g |
| Protein | 30g | 15g |
| Sodium | 880mg | 790mg |
As you can see, Caulipower has significantly fewer calories and carbs compared to regular pizza, while packing in more protein. It does contain more fat than a regular pizza, likely from the cheese and oil used in cooking the cauliflower crust.
Price Comparison
In addition to being healthier, how does the price of Caulipower pizza compare to other frozen pizzas? Here is an overview:
| Pizza | Price |
|---|---|
| Caulipower | $8.99/pizza |
| Amy’s | $6.99/pizza |
| Digiorno | $2.50/pizza |
| Tombstone | $3.00/pizza |
| Red Baron | $3.50/pizza |
Caulipower is on the pricier side, costing roughly 3x as much as cheap frozen pizza brands like Digiorno. However, it is competitively priced with other specialty frozen pizzas like Amy’s. The higher cost reflects the use of specialty cauliflower crusts versus traditional cheap dough.
Where to Buy
Caulipower pizzas are sold in the frozen food aisle at most major grocery stores in the United States. Here is an overview of where you can typically find them:
| Grocery Store | Availability |
|---|---|
| Walmart | National availability |
| Target | National availability |
| Kroger | Regional availability |
| Publix | Regional availability |
| Albertsons | Regional availability |
| Whole Foods | National availability |
In addition to grocery stores, Caulipower is available for online order and delivery via services like Instacart and Amazon. Check your local retailer’s website to confirm availability.
Is It Worth It?
At around 3x the price of regular frozen pizza, is Caulipower worth the splurge? Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
- Significantly fewer calories and carbs
- Packed with protein and nutrients
- Gluten-free, soy-free and egg-free
- Delicious pizza taste and texture
- Fun alternative to regular pizza
Cons:
- More expensive than regular frozen pizza
- Smaller in size than a typical pizza
- Can be harder to find than national pizza brands
- Higher in fat due to cheese and oil
Overall, Caulipower makes for a great gluten-free and low carb pizza option that is worth the price on occasion for the unique cauliflower taste and nutrition profile. Due to the higher cost, it may be better suited as an indulgent treat versus a daily dinner staple.
Conclusion
Caulipower pizza offers a delicious, nutritious alternative to regular pizza by swapping the dough for cauliflower crust. With options for oven baking, microwaving, grilling, air frying and stovetop cooking, it can be cooked quickly and easily in about 6-8 minutes. While pricier than regular frozen pizzas, Caulipower provides great nutrition and innovative flavor and texture that make it a tasty indulgence on occasion. Following the simple cooking directions allows you to enjoy the convenience of frozen pizza with a healthy low carb, gluten-free twist.