Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
Get It Now- Why You’ll Love This Keto Pizza Recipe
- What Is Fathead Dough?
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Keto Pizza
- Tips For The Best Keto Pizza
- What Kind of Sauce To Use For Keto Pizza?
- Topping Ideas For Fathead Pizza Crust
- Keto Pizza Nutrition
- Storage Instructions
- More Fathead Dough Recipes
- Tools To Make Keto Pizza Dough
- Keto Pizza (Best Low Carb Crust!)
This low carb keto pizza recipe has been the most popular keto dinner on Wholesome Yum since 2017 — and for good reason: Fathead pizza crust tastes just like regular pizza! I challenge you to notice that it’s gluten-free and keto. Even my kids love it. The fathead dough has that chewy quality that’s often so difficult to achieve with low carb baked goods.
There’s a long list of keto pizza recipes on my website — including cauliflower pizza crust, pizza bowls, chicken crust pizza, and pizza casserole, among others — but this fathead pizza is the best of them all.
Why You’ll Love This Keto Pizza Recipe
- The best keto pizza crust — tastes like real pizza!
- Chewy crust texture with crispy edges
- Easy to make
- Just 4 ingredients
- 2 grams net carbs per serving for the crust
- Low carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly
What Is Fathead Dough?
This fathead pizza dough recipe is a gluten-free, low carb, and keto dough that is made with mozzarella, cream cheese, egg, and some type of low carb flour. The melted cheeses create a chewy texture that’s often hard to achieve in low carb baking.
The original recipe for fathead pizza comes from the Fathead movie, a 2009 documentary seeking to refute the lipid hypothesis. The lipid hypothesis is the claimed link between high cholesterol and heart disease, and the source of the “low fat” way of eating promoted in the Western world since the 1950s. Numerous studies have debunked the claim (this is a good scientific paper on the subject citing many sources).
Fathead pizza crust has become a staple for many on a keto diet. It’s super easy to make and the texture is very close to real pizza! I’m sharing my adaptation of the keto pizza recipe with almond flour and coconut flour versions included — and more ways to use fathead dough at the bottom of this post.
In fact, fathead dough has been so popular that I dedicated a whole section to it in my Easy Keto Cookbook. The book includes this keto pizza recipe, as well as tips and tricks and several other recipes using this amazing dough. Plus, it has 100 other easy keto recipes with a photo for every recipe, full macros, and tips.
After spending over a decade on low carb baking, I also developed my own Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour and Wholesome Yum Coconut Flour, to ensure a consistent result every time — I highly recommend using one of these for this recipe. These flours have the finest consistency and the right moisture level, which is super important for the optimal texture, not only in pizza but also in other keto baking recipes.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for low carb pizza crust, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Low Carb Flour – You can make the keto pizza crust with almond flour or coconut flour. After over 1000 reviews, I’ve found some people prefer one and some prefer the other. The only difference is the amount: Use 3/4 cup almond flour or 1/3 cup coconut flour. I highly recommend using Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour or Wholesome Yum Coconut Flour, as these have the finest consistency and the right moisture level, for the best texture in your low carb pizza. If you can’t have either of these flours, you can use flaxseed meal or even lupin flour, in the same amount as the almond flour, though the taste and texture is slightly worse than the almond or coconut options.
- Eggs – These help the keto pizza dough stay together. Use one egg for the almond flour version or two eggs for the coconut flour version (because coconut flour absorbs more moisture). If you need an egg-free version, you can try an egg substitute such as a flax egg but I haven’t tested this recipe with any substitutions.
- Mozzarella Cheese – Shredded mozzarella is the star component of fathead dough. It has a neutral flavor and mimics the gluten in white flour to create a chewy texture. For best results, use low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella and buy pre-shredded for convenience, but you can shred it yourself if you like. Avoid using fresh mozzarella (the snow white kind that comes as a ball), which has too much moisture. Other semi-hard cheeses are okay to use, but the texture is typically not as good as mozzarella and your crust will taste more cheesy, due to the stronger flavors in most other cheeses.
- Cream Cheese – Helps to make your keto friendly pizza crust less dense.
Low Carb Pizza Crust Variations
- Dairy-Free – I have not personally tried it, but many readers have told me they have had success using dairy-free shredded “cheese” and almond milk cream cheese. Keep in in mind the carbs in these products are typically higher than real cheeses.
- Nut-Free – Make the coconut flour version (coconuts are a fruit or drupal, not a nut). Alternatively, I mentioned options above for using flaxseed meal or lupin flour.
- Egg-Free – Flax eggs should work as an egg replacement, but the crust may be less sturdy.
- Seasonings – I like my crust plain, but you can add garlic powder and/or Italian seasoning if you like. I find that no additional salt is needed, since the cheeses are already salty, but you can add a pinch if you like.
- Baking Powder – For a more airy crust, add 1-2 teaspoons of baking powder.
- Xanthan Gum – For a chewier texture, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the dough.
How To Make Keto Pizza
This section shows how to make fathead dough for pizza, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Prep. Preheat the oven. Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper. (Or for best results, preheat a pizza stone in the oven and line a pizza peel with parchment paper for preparing the keto pizza crust.)
- Mix flour and eggs. In a large bowl or in a food processor, mix the egg(s) and either almond flour or coconut flour, depending on which version you are making.
- Melt cheeses. In a medium bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella and cubed cream cheese. Microwave, stirring halfway through. Stir again at the end until well incorporated. (If you prefer not to use the microwave, melt the cheeses in a double boiler on the stove instead.)
- Combine the fathead dough. Add the melted cheeses to the flour mixture. Process in the food processor or knead with your hands (depending on the method you are using), until a uniform dough forms, with no streaks. Form the dough into a ball.
- Form or roll out the crust. Spread the dough onto the lined baking pan or pizza peel to 1/4″ or 1/3″ thickness, using your hands or a rolling pin over a piece of parchment (the rolling pin works better if you have one). Use a toothpick or fork to poke lots of holes throughout the crust to prevent bubbling.
- Bake the keto pizza crust. If using a pizza stone, slide the parchment paper from the pizza peel to the stone in the oven. If using a pan, just place the pan in the oven. Bake, then poke more holes to pop any bubbles and bake again until slightly golden.
- Add toppings. Top the crust with sauce and toppings and return to the oven, either directly on the pizza stone or directly on the oven rack (no parchment paper), until hot. If desired, place under the broiler to brown the cheese.
Tips For The Best Keto Pizza
- You can melt cheeses in the microwave or a double boiler. The microwave is the easiest option, but a double boiler is a good option if you prefer not to use a microwave. To do this, boil water in a saucepan, then place the cheeses in a metal bowl resting over the edges of the saucepan. The idea is to melt the cheese without burning it, stirring frequently.
- Use a food processor if you have one. It’s fine to mix the fathead dough by hand, but a food processor makes the crust more airy and easier to mix. Use either a dough blade or S knife blade, and scrape down the sides as needed. Also, if it doesn’t want to mix together, positioning the cheese near the blade can help.
- Reheat the dough slightly if needed. If the cheese hardens before it fully mixes into the flour mixture, you can microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften it.
- Ensure a uniform dough. For the right texture, it’s important for the fathead pizza dough to be uniform — make sure there are no streaks. If you are kneading with your hands, it helps to squeeze the dough between your fingers repeatedly.
- Chill dough if it’s sticky. If your kitchen is warm or humid, the dough may be sticky when you first make it. Chilling in the fridge for 20-30 minutes can help make it more manageable.
- Use oiled hands to reduce sticking. If the dough is too sticky to work with, another trick is to coat your hands lightly with oil before forming into a ball.
- Use a pizza stone if you can. I recommend one for all my keto pizza recipes, because it improves the texture of the crust. You’ll want to pre-bake the crust on a sheet of parchment paper over the stone, then bake with toppings directly on the stone, without any parchment paper.
- Watch the oven time. The baking time for this keto pizza crust will vary depending on how thinly you roll (or spread) it out. I like my low carb pizza crust very thin, so it only took about eight minutes for mine, but you can adjust the thickness to your liking.
- Don’t let it get too dark. The crust should be just slightly golden when you bake it the first time. If it’s too dark, the edges will burn after you add the toppings and bake again. I like my keto pizza crust crispy, so the pictures above show how golden mine got, but if you like it more chewy, you’ll want it even lighter in the initial baking step.
What Kind of Sauce To Use For Keto Pizza?
Top your keto pizza crust with any of these low carb sauces:
- Keto Pizza Sauce – This one comes together in just a few minutes, with common pantry ingredients. It’s fine to buy store bought pizza sauce as well, but avoid any that have added sugar in the ingredients list.
- Marinara Sauce – Similar to pizza sauce, but it’s cooked and typically more chunky. I often buy organic marinara sauce with no sugar added, but try to make homemade keto marinara sauce when I have time.
- Alfredo Sauce – I’m a huge fan of white pizza, and white sauce is lower in carbs than tomato sauce.
- Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce – Barbecue chicken pizza is delicious! But, you have to use a sugar-free barbecue sauce to keep it keto.
- Pesto Sauce – This makes the fathead pizza taste more like a flatbread.
Topping Ideas For Fathead Pizza Crust
You can use almost any kind of toppings for fathead pizza! Most pizza toppings are naturally low carb, since they are mostly meat and veggies. Here are the most popular options:
- Meats – Pepperoni, sausage, Canadian bacon, ground beef, or even shredded chicken all work great. Since the keto pizza with toppings only cooks for a short time, make sure your meats are pre-cooked before adding them. Any other keto meats are also fine to use.
- Veggies – Try sauteed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, or sliced tomatoes (or even sun-dried tomatoes). Check the list of keto vegetables list for more ideas.
- Cheese – Shredded mozzarella is the classic choice, but other keto cheeses may work well depending on the sauce you use.
- Herbs – Fresh basil, chives, or parsley can make nice additions, depending on what toppings you use.
If you are looking for specific topping combinations to try, I have seven delicious combos in my cauliflower pizza post. Avoid toppings that are higher in sugar, such as pineapple.
Keto Pizza Nutrition
Fathead pizza crust nutrition content is very low in carbs, so it’s great for keto diets.
How Many Carbs In Fathead Pizza?
The nutrition info varies a little depending on which flour is used, but is pretty similar:
Nutrition | Keto Pizza With Almond Flour | Keto Pizza With Coconut Flour |
---|---|---|
Calories | 144 | 117 |
Fat | 12g | 8g |
Total Carbs | 3g | 4g |
Net Carbs | 2g | 2g |
Protein | 8g | 7g |
For both versions, this is nutrition info above is per slice of crust (1/8 of the low carb pizza), without toppings. Toppings would be extra, depending on what you add.
This keto pizza crust may be a little on the high side when it comes to calories, but you’ll be surprised at how filling it is. Most people agree it’s well worth it, and you end up eating less, too.
Storage Instructions
Leftover keto pizza will keep in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
Make Ahead Instructions:
There are three ways to prepare this fathead pizza recipe ahead of time:
- Make the ball of fathead pizza dough ahead. You can prepare the dough, cover it in plastic wrap, and store in the fridge for up to a week, until you are ready to use it.
- Bake the crust ahead. You can refrigerate it for up to a week. To make the pizza, just add toppings and bake for 10-15 minutes.
- Freeze the keto pizza dough. See options for that below!
Freezing Instructions:
Yes, you can freeze keto fathead pizza! There are two options:
- Make the dough, form a ball, wrap tightly in plastic, and freeze it. When you want to use it, let it thaw completely and then roll out as needed. You’ll have to bake the crust before adding toppings and baking again.
- Pre-bake the keto fathead pizza crust. I prefer this option for convenience — no thawing needed! Bake the crust as directed, wrap it, and store in the freezer. When you are ready to enjoy the pizza, simply add sauce and toppings to the frozen crust, and bake for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees, until hot. If you prefer, you can also top the pizza before freezing; just be sure you freeze right away so that the crust doesn’t get soggy.
More Fathead Dough Recipes
Fathead dough can be used for so many baked goods beyond pizza! Sometimes the dough is the same, and sometimes there are slight changes, such as adding baking powder or sweetener, omitting cream cheese, or changing the flours. Try these delicious recipes:
Tools To Make Keto Pizza Dough
- Food Processor – A food processor can make fathead dough so much easier! Avoids the mess of kneading by hand.
- Double Boiler – An alternative for melting the cheeses, if you don’t want to use the microwave.
- Rolling Pin – Though you can use your hands, you’ll get the most even cooking if you roll out your keto pizza crust — and if you like it thin and crispy, this is a must! I use this marble pin, because it has a good price, looks beautiful, and doesn’t heat up the dough, reducing stickiness.
- Pizza Stone + Pizza Peel – A pizza stone creates a crispier exterior to the crust and I highly recommend it! For a fathead pizza recipe, you’ll still want to use parchment paper on top, so it won’t stick, but you can finish the keto pizza on the stone without parchment paper after adding toppings. The pizza peel allows you to place the crust onto the stone and remove when it’s done.
Keto Pizza (Best Low Carb Crust!)
Fathead dough makes the BEST low carb keto pizza crust: Crispy, chewy, and ready in 20 minutes! Make it with almond flour or coconut flour.
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.
Keto Pizza With Almond Flour:
Keto Pizza With Coconut Flour
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Prep: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper. (Or for best results, preheat a pizza stone in the oven and line a pizza peel with parchment paper for preparing the keto pizza crust.)
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Mix flour and eggs: In a large bowl or in a food processor, mix the egg(s) and either almond flour or coconut flour, depending on which version you are making. (A food processor will make a fluffier crust and is easier, but it's fine to do this by hand if you prefer.)
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Melt cheeses: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella and cubed cream cheese. Microwave for 90 seconds, stirring halfway through. Stir again at the end until well incorporated. (If you prefer not to use the microwave, melt the cheeses in a double boiler on the stove instead.)
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Combine: Add the melted cheeses to the flour mixture. Process in the food processor or knead with your hands (depending on the method you are using), until a uniform dough forms, with no streaks. If the cheese hardens before it fully mixes into the flour mixture, you can microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften it.
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Form crust: Spread the dough onto the lined baking pan or pizza peel to 1/4" or 1/3" thickness, using your hands or a rolling pin over a piece of parchment (the rolling pin works better if you have one). Use a toothpick or fork to poke lots of holes throughout the crust to prevent bubbling.
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Bake: Bake for 6 minutes. (If using a pizza stone, slide the parchment paper from the pizza peel to the stone.) Poke more holes in any places where you see bubbles forming. Bake for 3-7 more minutes, until lightly golden. (Don't let the crust get too dark at this step, or the edges will burn by the time you cook the pizza with toppings.)
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To make keto pizza: Pre-bake the crust as instructed above. Top with sauce and toppings and return to the oven, either directly on the pizza stone or directly on the oven rack (no parchment paper), for about 10 minutes, until hot. If desired, place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 slice, or 1/8 of entire pizza
- Nutrition info is based on the keto pizza recipe with coconut flour, and does not include toppings. Macros for the almond flour version are very similar and can be found in the post above.
- Check the tips above on working with fathead pizza dough!
Recipe from The Easy Keto Cookbook.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂
1,457 Comments
Penny Saucerman
2It was delicious, my type 2 diabetic husband really liked it. I was hopeful the crust would be good and it didn’t disappoint. I put a lot of work and time into roasting veggies and mushrooms, precooking sausage and pepperoni so was glad it turned out so well. I misread and rolled mine 15” instead of 12, so had to eat with a fork, my bad! Now I want to try some other recipes with this type of dough. Thanks!
Carrie
1This is so easy and it tastes like a pizzeria made it. The challenging part is stopping at one piece. You really need a rolling pin if you want a crispy thin-crust.
Sarah
0I’m new to keto and am only on keto because I was diagnosed with diabetes. So I admit I was doubtful that it would taste good and I was so wrong. It’s incredibly good and I honestly couldn’t tell much different from regular pizza crust. Even the most picky eater in our home liked it. With it being so quick and easy to make and taste so good this is my permanent pizza recipe. I loved it!
Lisa Kelso
0Very tasty and effective. Obviously not like the real thing but it does provide a good pizza-like surface. So far the best keto crust I’ve tried. One VERY frustrating moment – the recipe says it’s best to roll out over a piece of parchment paper. I did that and it completely stuck to the parchment. I had to use a bench scraper to carefully remove the dough from the paper. I really have trouble believing that Maya actually got that to work successfully. If so, please advise. Would also be helpful to give the diameter of the final circle instead of the thickness of the dough.
Susan
0So delicious 😋 thank you for this recipe.
John Kennedy
0Thank you! I’ve made Fathead pizza many times but you have the clearest instructions. I also love that you include both Almond and Coconut flour variations. Bravo!
Linda Cotto
0I was skeptical. Since becoming a keto friendly dieter I haven’t found any almond flour recipes that I like. No joke, this pizza is delicious! This fathead pizza crust with all my own toppings is so delicious, I’m on day two of making it. If it is the Wholesome Yum flour that made all the difference, then I don’t know what type of wizardry you guys are using. Amazing!
Diane Massey-Todd
0Oh, thank you again for your recipes! This one is delicious… tho I don’t calculate the same fiber content. Blanched almond flour has 3 grams fiber per 1/4 cup. This recipes appears to have 9 grams in the crust divided by 8 servings…. Please advise me as want to make this again!!
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Diane, Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, if have questions about calculations, please see our nutrition policy.
fredmcgillicutty
0I made almond flour version. It was good. Pizza crust is one of the most difficult keto recipes in my opinion, so the fact we consumed the entire pizza says something. I rate a 4 with keto in mind, because nothing will ever compare to a standard pizza dough, and I’m not trying to compare here.
Kelly
0I just finished a 40 hour fast and decided to make this for my first meal , I don’t know if i’m just super hungry and anything tastes amazing right now, but i’m pretty sure this keto pizza beats any other pizza i’ve ever eaten! It’s perfect , super low carbs and soooo damn tasty 😀