Low-carb broccoli pizza crust
Since my low-carb cauliflower tortillas were such a success, I thought I’d play around a bit more with the whole low-carb bread substitute thing. Don’t get me wrong, I love bread and I certainly won’t be cutting it out of my life any time soon, but I also love experimenting in the kitchen and trying new things. This time, I decided that since cauliflower makes such a great bread substitute, broccoli probably would as well – and I was right! (oh, how I love it when I’m right.) This low-carb broccoli pizza crust was great – perfectly crispy around the edges, and a great vehicle for all that mozzarella (insert heart-eyed emoji here).
For me, a good pizza is all about the cheeeeese – you could top just about anything with some mozzarella and tomato, and I would happily call it pizza (in fact I have done just that on several occasions). So I thought this broccoli pizza crust worked beautifully – the simple broccoli mixture gives a solid base for your cheese and whatever toppings you fancy. Actually, I just this second realised that I didn’t add any sauce – what is wrong with me that I’ve only just noticed that? Anyway, you could totally add a small amount of tomato sauce too if you like (I’d probably just make sure the crust is extra crispy before adding the sauce, to make sure it doesn’t end up soggy).
This broccoli pizza crust isn’t quite as stable as the usual bready version – you can pick up the slices with your hands, but you do need to be a little careful about it. I’d probably avoid any super heavy toppings, but since the crust doesn’t have a huge amount of flavour in itself, your toppings can use whatever flavour combinations you like, and it should all work just fine. I kept it simple with sliced tomato and olives (and apparently no sauce).
The broccoli pizza crust is really easy to make, just blitz up a head of broccoli and add a few eggs and some seasonings, then bake! You don’t need to pre-cook the broccoli or anything. By the way: Do as I say, not as I do. I’d run out of baking paper, so I baked my broccoli pizza crust straight on the baking tray, and it did stick a bit. Use paper.
And that’s all there is to it! It’s really easy – in my opinion, easier than making a bread crust from scratch (I’m irrationally afraid of cooking with yeast). I’m now wondering what other vegetables you could use to make low-carb bread substitutes – any bright ideas? If not, my low-carb broccoli pizza crust is a pretty good place to start.
Low-carb broccoli pizza crust
Ingredients
- 1 medium head broccoli (~ 350g)
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion granules
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 150 g grated cheese (~ 1 1/4 cups) - I used mozzarella and cheddar
- Your choice of toppings - I used sliced tomato and black olives
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (Gas Mark 4 / 350°F).
- Cut the broccoli into several rough chunks, and add to a food processor. Blitz until no lumps remain. Transfer the broccoli to a large mixing bowl, and add the eggs, garlic powder, onion granules, and plenty of salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Line two baking trays with non-stick paper, and thoroughly spray with oil, then divide the broccoli mixture onto the two trays. Use the back of a spoon to carefully spread the broccoli mixture into the shape of two pizza crusts, smoothing over any holes that appear.
- Bake the broccoli pizza crusts for around 25-30 minutes, or until firm and starting to turn golden brown (the exact timings will depend on how thin you made your pizza crusts).
- Use a spatula to make sure the crust isn't stuck to the paper. Then, add some grated cheese and your choice of toppings. Return to the oven for a further 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly crispy.
Note: Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on exactly what ingredients you choose.
You are a genius cook really, loves these new ideas of cooking.Great way to get the kids to eat veg
I have to tell you my story. First off, wonderful crust. I used 3 eggs instead of 2 as many recipes called for. My Dad came in and was looking all over the house. He finally asked me: “What is that smell? Did the dog poop. I’ve looked all over and I cant find any.” ….So make then when it’s just the family. :) I used artichokes hearts, yellow peppers and crab since I cant digest tomatoes. Your crust held together great!
Haha oh dear, not exactly a compliment, but I hope it tasted good!
Has anyone tried making it with frozen broccoli? This looks amazing and I want to try it, but I’d prefer to use what I have before going out to buy more.
I haven’t tried it with frozen broccoli, my only reservation would be that it might go a bit soggy? I imagine you’d need to cook the broccoli and squeeze out as much moisture as possible before making the crust. Let me know if you try it :)
I tried this recipe today, super easy, I should have let them become browner though, they were more like tortillas than pizza crust ;) I didn’t have a lot to put on it, ended up with ham, tomato and parmesan cheese, with garlic dressing :)
Sounds great, glad you enjoyed! :)
Not having to cook the broccoli saves tonnes of time and faff. Hmmm, have to try it some time!
I can’t be doing with faff :)
Great idea to switch the ubiquitous cauli for broccoli, it looks like another really great alternative!
I’m guilty of using cauliflower as a low-carb alternative quite often, but it is nice to change things up occasionally! :)
Hi Becca – wow a broccoli pizza crust? I had to read it a few times just to make sure I was reading that correctly! What a neat idea!
I never thought anything could beat cauliflower pizza but I was wrong. YUM
Your Broccoli Pizza Crust is amazing, Becca! It looks absolutely delicious and I love how wholesome it is. I’m cutting back a bit on bread myself so this is just the kind of recipe I’m looking for. Thank you for sharing it!
You’re welcome April! I’m always trying to eat less bread – but it rarely works ;) Recipes like this help!
I love this recipe! I’ve never heard of broccoli crust before, but looks like it works pretty good instead of the regular pizza crust. I’m definitely going to make this. I’m just wondering if I can substitute flax eggs for regular eggs. Might experiment a little.
I’ve not tried flax eggs in this so I have no idea – but if you try it, let me know how it turns out! :)
This probably is the healthiest pizza crust that I have ever heard of! Sounds very delicious too!
Yum! I really love low-carb pizza crusts, but never tried one made with broccoli before.
I always have broccoli in the fridge so this looks like the idea recipe for a quick and healthy meal. I’ve never thought of broccoli pizza crust although I’ve seen plenty with cauliflower – good idea.
Now that is an interesting idea, very clever Becca. Great way to get the kids to eat veg
What a brilliant way to sneak in broccoli into your kids diet,they wouldn’t even know they were eating it.
Definitely – and I don’t know any kid who would turn down pizza :)
Oh I love this, and as I’m going back on the Whole30 sometime soon I’m sure it’ll come in very handy :D
Janie x
Oh good, I hope you find it useful! :)
I’m not one to substitute veggies for proper bread – too old, too set in my ways – but am always on the lookout for this kind of thing for my daughter, who does the 5-2 form of dieting and needs low-calorie food for her fast days. Mind you, with all that cheese it isn’t particularly low-calorie, but the crust might make a nice bread-substitute and then loads of tomatoes and other veggies on the top….
I’m sure she could just use a bit less cheese! Even with the amount I used, it’s still less than 400 calories for a whole individual pizza. But yes, I’m sure the base could work well with other toppings too :)
this is great!! I’m definitely going to try it out :)
This is a favourite in our house. Ever since I saw it all over Pinterest a couple of years ago, along with the courgette and cauliflower versions, I knew I just had to try it and I wasn’t disappointed. I mean, it’s not real pizza, but for a pizza addict like me it makes a nice substitute :)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that this crust is made out of broccoli! I hope my little one would eat more broccoli now!
What a great way to eat broccoli!! I loved the idea!
It’s a great way to sneak broccoli into veggie haters ;)
What a great idea! Gorgeous flavour too!