Healthy pizza — it exists! And yep, it’s just as flavorful and delicious as any other pizza pie. If you’re a pizza lover, you’ll be happy to know making your own healthy pizza is actually incredibly easy. With a few simple swaps, pizza Friday might even become one of the healthiest (and most delicious) nights of the week!
From low-carb and veggie-filled crust alternatives to healthy cheese swaps, we have your pizza cravings covered. Learn how to make homemade dairy-free cheese sauce, find out the healthiest toppings, and enjoy our dairy-free pizza recipes! With flavor this delicious, you’ll be wondering how pizza this good can actually be healthy.
Your 5-Step Healthy Pizza Making Guide
Step #1: Start With a Healthy Crust
The first step to making healthy pizza? Choosing a nutritious crust. While cauliflower was the first healthy pizza crust alternative, many other contenders have since joined the healthy pizza party! Almond flour pizza crust, coconut-based pizza crust, even sweet potato pizza crust! No matter your dietary or food preferences, there’s a healthy crust alternative out there waiting for you.
Here are some other healthy crust alternatives to consider:
- Almond flour pizza crust
- Coconut flour pizza crust
- Quinoa-based pizza crust
- Sweet potato pizza crust
- Cauliflower pizza crust
Read on as we share an almond flour pizza recipe below.
Step #2: (Mindfully) Make It Saucy
Step two: choose your sauce! Because what’s pizza without sauce? The standard marinara sauce is always a good idea — homemade or store-bought! If you’re choosing store-bought, be sure to check the ingredients to avoid sneaky sugars (yep, even in marinara sauce).
Want to spice things up a bit? Give these vegan cheese sauces a try for some added flavor and nutritional value!
Vegan Cheese Pizza Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 cups raw cashews
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 pinch of sea salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp water
Directions:
Step #1: Add all of the above ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until it forms a creamy, cheesy sauce! If needed, add more water until the mixture comes together.
Dairy-free Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 pinch of sea salt & pepper
Directions:
Step #1: Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until the mixture forms a fine parmesan cheese-like consistency.
Step #2: Taste test, adjusting any ingredients as necessary. Then, sprinkle over pizza to serve!
Step #3: Choose Your Cheese (Or Cheese Alternative!)
Step three: the cheese! If you’re a pizza lover, you’re probably a cheese-lover too. Let’s face it, cheese is delicious, but not everyone tolerates dairy.
So, let’s look at some healthier options. In addition to the vegan cheese sauce recipes above, here are some tasty options to try (that will still satisfy your cravings):
- Try vegan cheese. Many grocery stores sell shredded cashew or almond-based mozzarella-style cheese that are actually pretty good! Just be sure to check the ingredient label.
- Use half the amount of cheese you usually would and add extra veggies instead.
- Sprinkle some nutritional yeast over your pizza for a cheesy flavor without the dairy!
- Skip the cheese altogether and use some pesto or veggies.
Step #4: Skip the Greasy, High-Sodium Meat & Choose a Lean Protein
Next, choose your protein. Pepperoni, ham, bacon… they may be tasty! But, they’re typically processed and packed with sodium. To make your pizza the healthy way, try reaching for a leaner protein. Shredded chicken breast, turkey pepperoni, or ground turkey are all nutritious alternatives that still pack a major flavor punch!
Step #5: Top It Off With A Heavy Hand Of Veggies
The final step — the pizza toppings! Skip the greasy meat toppings and ranch dressing. There are so many fresh and flavorful alternatives to choose from! Here are some of our favs:
- Roasted garlic
- Red onions
- Bell peppers
- Sauteed mushrooms and onions
- Fresh basil
- Spinach
- Fresh pineapple
- Artichokes
- Chopped tomatoes
- Sun dried tomatoes
- Fresh mushrooms
- Pitted olives
Give Pizza Friday a Healthy Upgrade With These Nutritious & Delicious Pizza Recipes
Ready to make your next pizza Friday healthy? We’re sharing two nutritious pizza recipes to get you started! From low-carb, gluten-free crust, grain-free, and veggie-based options, there’s something for everyone.
The Best Cauliflower Pizza
Because we couldn’t talk about healthy pizza crust alternatives without giving you the ultimate cauliflower pizza! It’s healthy, filling, and oh so yummy.
Serves: 3
Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1½ tbsp coconut flour
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup part skim shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 cup pasta sauce
- 2 tbsp part skim ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsp pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- basil leaf, to serve
Directions:
Step #1: Start by preheating the oven to 180°C or 350°F and line a pizza pan or large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step #2: Next, add the cauliflower florets to a food processor and blend until it turns into cauliflower rice.
Step #3: Add the riced cauliflower to the center of a cheesecloth or a clean dish towel and squeeze out the moisture. Add to a large mixing bowl.
Step #4: Whisk the eggs and add to the bowl with the cauliflower along with the almond and coconut flour, seasoning, olive oil, shredded cheese, and salt. Mix well.
Step #5: Add the cauliflower pizza dough to the pizza pan or baking tray and flatten to create a circle. Top with the pizza sauce, ricotta cheese, pesto, and tomatoes.
Step #6: Bake for 30-40 minutes.
Step #7: Serve with fresh basil and allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
Loaded Veggie Pizza With a Simple Almond Flour Crust
Want to go grain-free? Try this homemade almond flour crust and load it up with your favorite healthy toppings.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond flour
- ½ cup mozzarella
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ cup pasta sauce, to taste
- 1 cup part skim shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
- sea salt & black pepper, to taste
- mixed vegetables of choice, for topping
Directions:
Step #1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Gather ingredients and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step #2:In a large bowl, combine almond flour, ½ cup mozzarella, baking soda, and seasoning. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg.
Step #3: Slowly add the egg mixture to the dry flour and stir to combine. Next, use your hands to knead the mixture into a smooth dough, forming a ball.
Step #4: Place the ball of dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Form into a pizza crust by flattening out the dough between your hands into an even circle. For a thin crust dough, Thin the dough using a rolling pin to roll it into a ¼-inch-thick crust.
Step #5: Next, remove the top layer of parchment paper and place pizza crust on the baking sheet. Bake the crust until the edges achieve a golden brown, about 10-15 minutes.
Step #6: Remove the pizza crust from the oven and cool for 5 minutes.
Step #7: Once cooled, add tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and any veggie toppings such as spinach, mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and broccoli.
Step #8: Bake for another 10 minutes to roast the toppings and melt the cheese.
Step #9: Remove from the oven and enjoy!
Make Pizza Friday Healthy
And just like that, pizza Friday became healthy. If you’ve been missing out on one of the most loved comfort foods, these healthy pizza hacks make it easy to enjoy this favorite dish without that side of guilt.
