With the popularity of low-carb and keto diets, many people are looking for ways to still enjoy their favorite foods like pizza while sticking to their diet. Thankfully, some national pizza chains have responded by offering keto-friendly crust options. This allows customers to customize their pizza and make it keto-approved.
What is keto crust?
Keto crust is a very low carb pizza crust option. While traditional pizza crust is made from wheat flour, keto crust is typically made with almond flour, cauliflower, or a combination of low carb flours. This allows the crust to have fewer net carbs while still mimicking the taste and texture of regular pizza crust. Keto crusts are a great option for those following a ketogenic diet, which involves strictly limiting carbohydrate intake. On a keto diet, carb counts matter, so being able to order delicious pizza with a crust that fits into your macros is a great convenience.
Nutrition comparison of keto vs regular crust
Here is a nutrition comparison of a typical serving of keto pizza crust versus a regular, wheat-based pizza crust:
| Nutrition Facts | Keto Crust | Regular Crust |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 180 | 260 |
| Fat | 12g | 3g |
| Carbs | 6g | 41g |
| Fiber | 4g | 1g |
| Net carbs | 2g | 40g |
| Protein | 6g | 7g |
As you can see, the keto crust is significantly lower in net carbs compared to the traditional wheat crust. This difference of 38g of net carbs is substantial and can make all the difference in whether or not the pizza fits into a keto dieter’s daily carb limit.
National pizza chains with keto crust options
Here are some of the major national pizza chains that offer keto-friendly crusts:
Domino’s
Domino’s launched a 10-inch thin crust pizza with 6g net carbs in 2019. The crust is made with wheat flour, but they use less of it than in their regular thin crust. While not as low-carb as some other options, this allows customers to build their own keto pizza with Domino’s many low-carb toppings.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut offers a Cauliflower Crust pizza with just 5g net carbs per slice. This crust is made with cauliflower, wheat flour, mozzarella cheese, milk, and eggs. It can be ordered with any pizza type or toppings.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza has a 6g net carb Keto Crust made with flaxseed and eggs. Customers can build their own keto pizza at Blaze choosing from a variety of meats, veggies, and cheeses. Blaze Pizza is one of the most keto-friendly options.
California Pizza Kitchen
California Pizza Kitchen offers a Cauliflower Pizza Crust with just 5g net carbs per slice. It is available on all CPK signature pizzas or can be customized with your choice of toppings.
MOD Pizza
MOD Pizza launched a Cauliflower Crust pizza in 2019. With just 6g net carbs, it allows you to build your own keto pizza from over 30 toppings. MOD Pizza gives the option for a 10-inch or mini 5-inch cauliflower crust.
Costco
At Costco food courts, you can now order a Cauliflower Crust Cheese Pizza with 680 calories and 19g net carbs for the whole pizza. It makes for an easy keto option when shopping at Costco.
Lou Malnati’s
Lou Malnati’s, a Chicago-based pizza chain, offers a 6g net carb sausage and pepperoni Thin Crust. While not technically marketed specifically as a keto crust, it does provide a lower carb alternative to regular deep dish.
Toppers Pizza
Regional pizza chain Toppers Pizza, based in Wisconsin, released a Cauliflower Pizza Crust in 2019. Each 10-inch crust has 10g net carbs.
Tips for ordering keto crust pizza
Here are some tips for customizing your keto crust pizza order:
– Stick to keto-friendly meats like pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, chicken, or ham as toppings. Avoid higher carb toppings like vegetables.
– Ask for extra cheese and low carb marinara sauce to limit carbs.
– Avoid dessert pizzas or drizzles like honey or sugary sauces.
– Opt for thinner crust options which use less dough.
– Order a smaller size 6-8 inch pizza instead of a large.
– Request that your pizza be cooked well-done. This crisps up the crust and removes excess moisture.
– Avoid dipping sauces or opt for ranch, blue cheese, or olive oil.
Following these tips will help you create a keto-friendly pizza you can feel good about when ordering!
Making keto pizza from a local pizzeria
If your local pizza shop doesn’t offer keto crust, you can still customize a pizza to make it low carb:
– Order a thin crust pizza, well done. Choose a size like 10-12 inches.
– Ask them to add extra cheese and go light on the sauce which contains sugars.
– Stick to quality meats for toppings like pepperoni, Italian sausage, grilled chicken. Go easy on veggies.
– See if they can substitute an alternative low carb crust option like a gluten-free crust. Caution that gluten-free crusts vary in carbs.
– Skip the garlic knots, breadsticks, or dessert pizzas which are high carb.
While not as low carb as a specifically formulated keto crust, this can allow you to get pizza from your favorite local spot while remaining keto. You’ll just have to limit your slices.
Making your own keto pizza crust
If you want total control over the ingredients, you can also make keto pizza crust at home:
Almond flour crust
– 3 cups almond flour
– 2 tbsp psyllium husk powder
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 egg
– 1/3 cup water
Mix ingredients, shape into crust, bake at 350F for 10 minutes. Top and bake another 5-10 minutes. Makes a ~10 inch crust.
Fathead dough crust
– 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
– 2 oz cream cheese
– 1 egg
– 3/4 cup almond flour
– 1 tsp baking powder
– Italian seasoning
Melt cheeses, mix in remaining ingredients. Roll out between parchment paper and bake at 350F for 15 minutes.
Cauliflower crust
– 2 cups riced raw cauliflower
– 1 egg
– 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
– 2 tbsp almond flour
– Italian seasoning
Rice cauliflower in food processor into rice-like crumbs. Mix ingredients and press into a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400F for 10-15 minutes.
Pre-made keto pizza crust options
If you want to skip making your own keto pizza dough, there are pre-made options you can purchase:
– Real Good Foods Pizza Crust – 5g net carbs
– Outer Aisle Cauliflower Sandwich Thins – 5g net carbs
– Cali’flour Foods Cauliflower Pizza Crust – 13g net carbs
– Birch Benders Cauliflower Pizza Crust – 5g net carbs
– Quest Pizza – 4g net carbs per slice
– Nuovo Zero Carb Pizza – 7g net carbs per half pizza
Look for these brands in the frozen section of grocery stores. They offer the convenience of a ready-made crust you can use at home.
Keto pizza crust recipes
Here are some delicious recipe ideas using keto pizza crust:
Breakfast pizza
Top keto crust with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, spinach, and cheddar cheese.
Buffalo chicken pizza
Keto crust topped with grilled chicken, cheddar, mozzarella, blue cheese crumbles, and buffalo sauce.
Taco pizza
Seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese, and salsa on keto crust can replace Taco Tuesday.
Meat lover’s pizza
Load up a keto crust with pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, bacon, and extra cheese.
Veggie pizza
Go lower carb using veggies like spinach, olives, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and tomato on a cheesy keto crust.
Conclusion
Major pizza chains like Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Blaze Pizza now offer keto crusts with just 5-6g net carbs per serving. This allows you to enjoy pizza on a low carb ketogenic diet. You can also order a thin crust pizza from a local pizzeria and customize toppings to make it keto-friendly. Pre-made keto pizza crusts offer convenient options to make pizza at home. So if you’re craving pizza on a keto diet, you have more options than ever to get your fix!