Pizza is a kid-approved favorite in our home, but not the kind that comes delivered in a greasy cardboard box. In the past, I’ve made meatza (gluten-free pizza with a meat crust) and my kids loved it. My new version of this Italian favorite is made with cassava flour for a delicious paleo pizza crust.
Paleo Pizza Dough
I’m not against grains in moderation (at least certain ones), but I try not to eat them all the time. Regular pizza isn’t what I’d consider a health food. Yes, it’s yummy and sometimes it even has veggies on it, but then there are the vegetable oils and glyphosate-covered wheat.
I have some fond memories of pizza night as a kid and it’s a tradition I’ve carried on with my own family. We skip the regular pizzas and instead opt for something like this pizza stir fry. Sometimes you really want a bread-like crust though with some ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese on top.
This cassava flour pizza crust recipe is the perfect paleo-friendly alternative when you just need your favorite pizza. It’s also grain-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. Cassava flour is not low carb so if you’re looking to cut down on the carbohydrates, try my meatza recipe instead.
Best Paleo Pizza Crust
Cauliflower crust has recently gained popularity, but it’s not the best option for people who want the typical chewy pizza crust. And many gluten-free pizza crust recipes rely on pre-mixed gluten-free flour blends that aren’t the healthiest either. Cassava gives you the best of both worlds since it tastes like the real thing but without the gluten and grains. If you’ve done paleo baking before you’ve probably heard of it (or maybe even used it).
While I’m not on the paleo diet, you’ll find lots of paleo-friendly recipes here at Wellness Mama.
After you’ve prebaked your paleo pizza crust, you can add your toppings. I start with pizza sauce, tomato sauce, or marinara, then add my veggies, meat, and cheese. This is more of a thin-crust pizza recipe so don’t overload it with too much sauce.
Need an egg-free version? Try making a flax egg with flaxseed, here’s how.
Pizza Toppings
What would a pizza be without its toppings? Depending on your dietary preferences you could even make your pizza dairy free if you want. Goat cheese is also a delicious alternative if you can’t have cow dairy. You can add your favorite toppings to this grain-free pizza, but here are a few ideas.
- Preservative free pepperoni
- Pesto
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Cheese (mozzarella, goat cheese, parmesan, etc.)
- Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (after baking)
- Shredded basil or other fresh herbs
- Sliced fresh tomatoes
- Peppers, onions, and other veggies
- Olives
If this is your first time making a cassava flour dough recipe, keep in mind it’s a little stickier than regular flour. I like to spread a little arrowroot powder on my hands before working with the dough to prevent it from sticking.
Cassava Flour Paleo Pizza Crust Recipe
Servings
Equipment
- Baking sheets (or pizza stone)
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- ¾ cup cassava flour
- ½ cup arrowroot powder (or tapioca flour)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup warm water
For Toppings (customize to your preference):
- tomato sauce pesto sauce or pizza sauce
- provolone or mozzarella cheese
- sliced vegetables (bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc.)
- protein of choice (chicken, sausage, meat of choice, etc.)
- fresh herbs (basil, oregano, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Or use a pizza stone or pizza pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients (cassava flour, tapioca flour or arrowroot starch), sea salt, and garlic powder).
- In a separate bowl stir together the egg, olive oil, and warm water.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a sticky dough forms. Let the pizza dough rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Sprinkle a few tablespoons of tapioca starch or flour onto the lined pan. Use flour-dusted hands to handle the dough and shape it into a ball, then flatten it until it’s about 1/2 inch thick.
- Lightly brush olive oil over the crust and prebake the crust for 12-15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and add your desired toppings and sauce.
- Return the pizza to the oven and bake for another 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and crust is crispy.
Nutrition
Notes
What are your favorite pizza toppings? Pineapple or no pineapple? Share in the comments below!
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