Description
This High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust recipe offers a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional pizza bases. Made with low-fat cottage cheese, oat flour, and mozzarella cheese, the crust is rich in protein, gluten-free, and packed with flavor from Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Perfect for those seeking a nutritious yet indulgent pizza experience, this crust bakes to a golden crisp and serves as a versatile base for your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Key Ingredients
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup oat flour (or almond flour as substitute)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Olive oil (for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil to ensure the crust doesn’t stick during baking.
- Mix Cottage Cheese and Egg Until Smooth: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese and 1 large egg. Whisk together thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy, which helps create a cohesive crust.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Form Dough: Gradually stir in 1 cup oat flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well until a soft dough forms. Fold in 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese to infuse a rich, cheesy flavor.
- Shape the Pizza Crust: Transfer the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Using your hands or a spatula, shape the dough evenly into a round crust about 1/2 inch thick to ensure even baking and a good texture.
- Bake Crust Until Golden: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and feels firm to the touch, indicating it’s cooked through.
- Add Toppings and Finish Baking: Remove the crust from the oven and add your favorite pizza sauce and toppings. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to melt the cheese and heat the toppings thoroughly.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, consider using a pizza stone to retain extra heat during baking.
- Adjust thickness of crust to about 1/2 inch; thicker crusts may remain soft in the center.
- Season the dough with extra herbs like dried oregano, basil, or red pepper flakes to customize flavor.
- Experiment with cheese blends by adding Parmesan or cheddar for varied taste profiles.
- This crust is gluten-free if using oat flour and almond flour, suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/3 of crust (approx. 120g)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: High protein pizza crust, cottage cheese pizza crust, gluten-free pizza base, healthy pizza recipe, low-fat pizza crust