This is the best cauliflower pizza crust recipe for the times when you're craving something cheesy, but want to get in a little extra veggies and keep it low carb.
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It might seem intimidating the first time you make it, but I promise, you can do this! And you'll be happy you did because this crust is cheesy, full of veggies, loaded with flavor, AND it WON'T FALL APART on you. You can easily grab a slice and enjoy a bite without giving it a second thought.
These days it's easy to find premade cauliflower crusts at the grocery store, but I'm here to tell you, making them yourself is super easy, way cheaper, and they freeze beautifully. You can use fresh cauliflower or frozen for this recipe, so it's super versatile!
So skip the trip to the grocery store and make your own veggie packed cauliflower crust at home!
Jump to:
Ingredients
- A medium to large sized head of cauliflower or about 2lbs of frozen cauliflower florets: The volume of the cauliflower will reduce significantly during the preliminary cooking and draining process, so always choose the larger head of cauliflower at the store if you have the option.
- Large eggs- the eggs are the "glue" that binds this cauliflower crust together.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: The cheese will flavor the crust, help keep it all together, and it will add some really nice browning and light crispness.
- Grated parmesan cheese- You want finely grated parmesan cheese, preferably the cheap stuff from the container with the green lid. This will add salt and flavor, and because the cheese is so dry, it will help absorb excess moisture during the cooking process. You can always substitute almond flour if you find this shakey cheese offensive.
- Granulated garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil- for seasoning and flavor. You can definitely swap the dried herbs for your favorite Italian seasoning if you wish.
- Pinch of Kosher salt and pepper- this will finish seasoning the crust. Use a light hand when adding the salt. There is a lot of cheese in the crust already and you'll most likely be adding more cheese to the top, so you don't want to add too much extra sodium.
- Your favorite pizza toppings- The sky is the limit on the toppings! Pepperoni and mozzarella are always a favorite. This crust can handle a thin layer of tomato sauce too, or an herby pesto. Or do a medley of fresh broccoli, peppers, and olives for a delicious veggie cauliflower pizza.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425° and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. DO NOT USE WAX PAPER OR FOIL. The crust will stick like crazy to the foil and the wax paper will burn and stink up the house.
If you've had problems with food items sticking to your parchment paper in the past, give the parchment a light spray with some cooking spray or brush lightly with olive oil.
Prep the cauliflower: Chop the head of cauliflower into small florets and pulse in a food processor until very finely minced--like snow and almost pastelike. This is a must for properly binding the crust.
If you're using pre-riced cauliflower, give it a spin in the food processor to chop it as fine as possible.
Microwave the processed cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl for 5 minutes. This will tenderize the vegetable and loosen up all the water inside of it. Let the now cooked cauliflower sit until cool enough to handle.
Place the cooled cauliflower in a kitchen towel and squeeze as much water out of it as possible. You should be squeezing about ½ cup-1 cup of water out and your hands will get tired.
Once the cauliflower stops releasing a steady stream of water, the cauliflower will look dry and will have reduced to about ½-1/3 of its original size.
Place the ball of squeezed cauliflower in a medium-sized to large bowl. Add the shredded and grated cheeses, eggs, and spices. Mix until thoroughly combined, and a "dough" forms.
Pour the cauliflower mixture onto the parchment paper-lined sheet pan.
Pat the crust into a circle (or oval) to about a ¼ inch thick leaving a rim about ½ inch thick around the edge.
Bake 15-20 minutes until the crust is lightly browned.
Remove the crust from the oven (don't turn it off) and top with your favorite pizza sauce and toppings. Bake the pizza for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and browned.
Allow the pizza to cool for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Make Ahead Instructions
This crust can be made 2 days ahead (before toppings) and kept in the fridge until ready to use. This crust can also be frozen for longer storage and for a healthy meal prep idea. So the next time you have a pizza craving, you've got a pre-made crust at the ready!
Prepping The Crust In Advance
Prepare the crust and bake it for the first 15-20 minutes that the recipe calls for. Allow the crust to cool completely, do not add any toppings at this time. Cover the crust and pop it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you're ready for pizza, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, pop your prebaked cauliflower crust on the baking sheet, and top it with desired toppings. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 425° until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Freezing the Crust
If you want to make a cauliflower crust to freeze and use later (think the Caulipower pizza crust or the ones from Trader Joe's), then prepare the cauliflower crust "dough" as the recipe states and bake it for the first 15-20 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
Let the crust cool completely on the sheet pan and then transfer your crust to the freezer so that it can freeze solid. You can either leave it right on the baking sheet with the parchment paper (if you have the freezer space) or transfer it to a smaller plate to freeze solid. This will make wrapping the crust tightly in a plastic wrap way easier.
Store the crust in the freezer for up to a month, and try not to stack heavy items on top of it during storage.
When you're ready to bake, remove your crust from the freezer, unwrap it, and set it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Do not thaw.
Top the frozen crust with sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings and bake at 425° for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and delicious.
Storage and Reheating
How to Store Leftover Cauliflower Pizza
Any leftover pizza should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. The leftovers will keep well for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
Leftovers can be reheated in a variety of ways.
To reheat in the microwave, add your desired number of slices to a microwave safe plate and microwave until heated through, about 30-60 seconds.
Cauliflower pizza can be easily reheated in the air fryer (my favorite). Set the temp to 400° and air fry for about 2-3 minutes until heated and sizzling.
Lastly, the toaster oven or conventional oven can be used if you don't have the above appliances. Set the oven (either one) to 425° and bake for 5 minutes for the toaster oven or 10-15 for the conventional oven.
Tips for Success
- Get the water out! Make sure to squeeze, squeeze, squeeze as much water out of that cauliflower as you can. The drier the better, that way your crust won't get soggy and fall apart.
- Use the parmesan cheese in the shakey can. Yup the one with the green lid. This is not the place for fancy cheese. Save the good stuff for a pizza topping. The canned stuff has drying agents that really help with the elimination of excess moisture in the crust.
- Make an edge. When forming the crust, make the outer edge a little thicker--mimicking a traditional pizza crust. This helps to keep the toppings contained and from spilling over the edge.
- Use parchment paper. After getting all the water out, make sure you line your sheet pan with parchment paper. If you're worried about sticking, spritz the paper with cooking spray or a little olive oil. Do not use wax paper and I do not recommend foil.
- Keep your toppings dry. I'd stay away from really soggy toppings like tomatoes and eggplant, it'll soften the structure of the crust. Tomato sauce is totally fine to use or sundried tomatoes!!
Making a Cauliflower Pizza Crust That Won't Fall Apart
Ok, so let's talk about getting a good structure for this cauliflower crust so that it doesn't fall apart on you.
Cauliflower is a SUPER watery vegetable, so the key to success here is getting out as much water as possible. This is absolutely crucial for preventing a soggy crust.
The cauliflower needs to be as dry as possible--so when you think you've squeezed out all the water, still give it one last squeeze.
Once the cauliflower is dry, you need some glue to hold it all together. This comes in the form of eggs, a nice melty cheese like mozzarella, and some good ol' shakey parmesan cheese from the plastic jar.
That green lidded, dry, shakey cheese is the perfect tool for this job since it adds flavor to the crust and absorbs any additional liquid.
I don't recommend using a fancy parmesan (and I'll never say this for any other recipe but this one) for the building of the crust, use it as a topping instead.
If you don't have shakey parmesan cheese, or just don't like it, you can sub in almond flour instead!
Frequently asked questions
Yes, I would say this cauliflower pizza crust is healthier than a regular pizza crust.
Cauliflower is full of vitamins and minerals, making this crust way more nutrient dense compared to regular pizza crust. In addition to the extra nutrients, this cauliflower crust is low in carbs and calories while still being packed full of flavor.
This crust is also gluten free, so it's a great way to enjoy your favorite dish while easily accommodating food sensitivities and diet preferences.
But it should be noted that just like anything, this pizza crust should be consumed in moderation. It does have A TON of cheese in it after all!
Yes. Instructions on making your own homemade frozen cauliflower crust is under the "Making ahead" section.
Yes, just thaw the cauliflower completely before adding to the food processor.
This recipe is naturally gluten free! We just use cheese and eggs to bind our cauliflower dough together. If you or someone you're cooking for is sensitive to gluten, make sure to read the labels on your ingredients to make sure they are 100% gluten free.
This recipe is lower in carbs than a traditional pizza crust made with flour and yeast. Because the primary ingredient in this pizza crust is cauliflower, and the binders are just cheese and eggs, we don't need to add any extra sugars or starches, making the crust naturally lower in carbohydrates.
Ideas for Pizza Toppings
- Traditional Pepperoni (our fave!!)
- Fresh tomatoes and basil for a cauliflower Margherita pizza
- Pepperoni and sliced black olives
- Mushroom, onion, green pepper, for a veggie cauliflower pizza
- Italian Cheese blend and Fresh Basil
- Use buffalo sauce and shredded chicken for a buffalo style pizza
- BBQ Sauce and Shredded Chicken for a BBQ cauliflower pizza
- Make breadsticks with garlic butter and cheese!!!
📖 Recipe
Easy Cauliflower Pizza Crust
A veggie filled, low carb (keto friendly) gluten free, alternative to traditional pizza crust! It’s cheesy, delicious and won’t fall apart on you!
Ingredients
- 1 Medium to large head of cauliflower
- 2 eggs
- 1 Cup grated/shredded mozzarella cheese or favorite pizza cheese blend
- ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese from the can
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon of dried basil
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425° and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Chop the head of cauliflower into florets and pulse in a food processor until very finely minced--like snow
- Microwave cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl for 5 minutes. This will tenderize the vegetable.
- Let cool until cool enough to handle. Place cauliflower in a kitchen towel and squeeze as much water out as possible. You want the ball as dry as you can get it. The ball of squeezed cauliflower will be significantly smaller than when you started.
- Place ball of squeezed cauliflower in a mixing bowl and add the cheeses, eggs, and spices. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Pour contents onto parchment lined sheet pan.
- Press into a circle shape, making sure to make a little lip at the edge of the crust.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until crust is lightly browned.
- Top with favorite sauce and pizza toppings. Bake for another 10-15 min until cheese is melted and browned.
Notes
**Make ahead: After baking the crust (without toppings) let cool and keep in the fridge until ready to use.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 151Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 351mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 10g
Jefferson England says
Can the crust be frozen after the first bake before the toppings are put on and baked again.
mameliasmith says
Hi!
I have not tried to freeze this crust yet, I’ve only ever kept it in the fridge a couple days before the final bake.
I think you could try it!! And then the night before you want to cook it, put it on a cookie sheet and let it thaw in the fridge.
That should help it from getting too soggy when you bake it!
Martine says
Freezes very well. I usually make a few ahead and freeze them.
Michelle says
Thank you for sharing!!! I'm glad it freezes well!
Jen says
Yes!! I make these ahead of time and freeze till ready to be used. They thaw very fast, too!
Michelle says
Yay!!! That is great to hear!
Maria says
What if you don't have a microwave? Can I steam the cauliflower?
mameliasmith says
Hi! What some folks have done is heated the cauliflower in a skillet for 5-10 minutes--or just until the cauliflower gets tender! Then you can let it cool enough to wring out the water.
Gloria says
I never microwave the cauliflower. I just shred it & mix in the rest of the ingredients. Bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes, flip, then top & bake till cheese is slightly browned. I top with jar Alfred sauce, rotisserie chicken, Canadian bacon, artichokes, pepperoni, & mozzarellas cheese. Yum!
Michelle says
That sounds delicious!!
Wendy says
I just asked this question. LOL missed this because I was scrolling too fast. 🙂
MimiPB says
Thank you! I just shredded a head of cauliflower and was hoping I wouldn’t have to boil first to get it the right consistency. I was afraid without precooking and wringing out it would be water or wet crust.
Macie B says
This was super tasty to make!! Do you know how many calories per serving, and what you consider the serving size?? Thanks!!!
mameliasmith says
Love to hear that, thank you!
Below is the approximate nutrition info for the crust only--no toppings etc..
This info may change depending on the brand of cheeses and size cauliflower you use!!
I'm basing this on like a 12" round pizza, using a medium-large head of cauliflower-- cut into 8 slices!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 101
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7.4g 10%
Saturated Fat 4.4g 22%
Cholesterol 58mg 19%
Sodium 235mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 1.5g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0.4g 2%
Total Sugars 0.5g
Protein 8.2g
Vitamin D 4mcg 19%
Calcium 200mg 15%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 42mg 1%
I hope this helps!!
April says
Can I substitute frozen cauliflower or riced cauliflower?
mameliasmith says
Yes! Just make sure to thaw it and squeeze out as much water as possible before using!! I think what others have done is cooked it in a skillet to get the water out too.
Tara Elias says
If you have cauliflower already riced, approx how much would you want to ensure you have to match what a head of cauliflower would produce?
Michelle says
I would go by weight in this instance, about 32 ounces. Which is roughly 4 cups. This is before squeezing out all the water.
Sheila says
Do you bake this without parchment paper straight on rack or keep in pan?
mameliasmith says
Hi! I bake it all on parchment paper in the pan!
Gina says
I did this and the paper melted into one with crust...... is refrigeration a must before baking?
Michelle says
Hi! Oh goodness, I'm sorry that happened! No, I've never had to refrigerate it and I've never had an issue with the paper melting to the crust. Make sure to use parchment instead of wax paper. I know wax causes a whole mess of problems. And ensuring that all the water is squeezed out of the cauliflower helps to prevent excess moisture leaking out--because too much water could be a problem too!
Diggie says
Use a little avocado oil on your parchment paper
K says
Hello! You don’t melt the cheese right?
mameliasmith says
Correct! The cheese in the crust melts as it bakes, acting like the "glue" to hold it all together.
Ryan says
Can you use egg substitute like egg beaters?
mameliasmith says
Hi! I never have, but I'm sure you could! Or a flax egg might work too!
Sandy says
This recipe was so easy to use, crust and pizza came out great, and I had some leftover, so I added a bit of breadcrumbs, made some cauliflower tots, dipped in egg and breadcrumbs and fried. Delicious!
mameliasmith says
SANDY. Those tots sound AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing and I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Audge says
This is by far the BEST cauliflower pizza crust I have made. I used a stone square pan to cook the cauliflower pizza in and because of this the crust was more on the softer side but it was the most deliscous pizza I have made. I topped my pizza with pizza seasoned* cheese from Trader Joe's, organic broccoli florets, sundries tomatoes, beef&pork pepperonie and sweet potatoes. I had my Instagram followers drooling. Next time I will use a cookie sheet pan for a crispier crust and try new toppings! Thank YOU so much for this recipe and now I know it by memory 😉
Michelle says
That is fantastic to hear! Thank you so much for sharing! I'm so glad you loved it. It's definitely a family favorite over here too!
Harley says
Can you put a pesto on the crust as a base to the pizza toppings without it making the crust soggy?
Michelle says
Yes! That would be delicious!!!
Julie m says
Delicious!!!
Michelle says
Yay! I'm so glad you liked it!
Andrea says
Omg...... this was sooooooo surprisingly delicious, even though the kitchen looks like a blizzard!!
Had to grate cauliflower as processor attachment lost ? Topped with Ketchup, 1 ham, pepper, tomato, cheese! surprised how filling it was. Have share this tasty delightful recipe- thanks❤️
Michelle says
I'm so glad you liked it!! I'm so glad you found a way to get that cauliflower grated lol!!
Vanessa says
Can I bake the crust in a cast iron pan instead of a flat sheet pan?
Michelle says
I haven’t done that yet, but I can’t think of any reasons why that wouldn’t work! Make sure the cast iron is well seasoned and oiled to prevent sticking, and the cooking time may take a few min longer, just because cast iron takes longer to heat.
Hope this helps!
Wendy says
I do not have a microwave. Can I skip that step or should I cook on stove first?
Michelle says
It looks like you found the answer, but yes cook it on the stove first! I hope you love it!
Missy says
This is sooo yummy and easy to make. I brushed mine with olive oil, and used spinach, mozzarella cheese pepperoni, and olives for a little salt p. Definitely will make over and over again.. thank you for the recipe.
Michelle says
That is so great to hear! And those toppings sound delish.
I'm so glad you liked it!!
Abby says
What could I use instead of canned parm? We don't ever use that so I don't have it on hand.
Michelle says
Hi!! So you could try fresh grated parm! Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to mimic the dryness of the canned stuff! Hope that helps!
Farah Mohd says
This is the second time I am making the crust with your recipe. The first time turned out really well! Unfortunately, I did not take any photos. This is the second batch that is about to go into the oven. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe which is the best I think. 🥰 👌
Michelle says
You are so welcome! I'm so glad you like it! 🙂
Cathy says
I had to take a double look while shopping when l saw a “California cauliflower pizza for nearly
10.00!! So the following week I bought a bag of cauliflower at Walmart for a dollar and halved the recipe. It was small but for a pan pizza, it was all mine. Lol. Tasted great!!
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Michelle says
Hi Cathy!! That's so great to hear!! I'm so glad you liked it!
Nicole says
I know this is an older post/recipe but I happened to stumble upon it because I’m trying to change my eating habits but I have to tell you that this Cauliflower crust is delicious!!! This is a keeper!!!
Michelle says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you!!
Michelle Reitenbach says
Beautiful pizza. Too bad it stuck to the parchment paper making it completely inedible.
Michelle says
Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that it stuck on you! I hope you're able to give this recipe another try. I use unbleached parchment paper and haven't had an issue yet, but I bet a spritz of olive oil cooking spray will help!
Noa says
What can be a substitute for cheese?
Michelle says
Hi!
You can use almond flour in place of the Parmesan and others have had success with vegan cheese!
Barbara says
I made this and made into small pan pizza size. Refrigerated so I could make later. Love this recipe. Will definitely make again. Only thing I didn’t like was the mess I made in the kitchen. LOL.
Maddy says
Thanks for the tips on drying out the cauliflower ahead of time! I tried another recipe and while it tasted great it just did not hold up from the moisture. I'm excited to try again with your tips!
Jeannie says
Could this crust be used for a vegetable pizza? In place of crescent rolls?
Michelle says
This crust could definitely be used for a vegetable pizza! Just make sure the veggie toppings are not too watery, or it'll make the crust soggy.
Lily says
This was delicious. The outside of the crust was crispy and fits in my nutrition plan! Made a spicy chicken cauliflower pizza!!! Thank you for the recipe.