Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this Fathead Pizza Crust because I can make a satisfying pizza base without traditional wheat flour. The combination of mozzarella and almond flour gives me a sturdy crust that can hold plenty of toppings.
I also appreciate how quickly the dough comes together. There is no yeast to activate and no long rising period, so I can prepare and bake the crust without waiting for traditional pizza dough to rise.
Another reason I enjoy this recipe is its versatility. I can make one larger pizza, divide the dough into smaller individual pizzas, or use the same basic dough for other low-carb baked creations.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- Cream cheese
- Fine blanched almond flour
- Large egg
- Baking powder
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Olive oil, optional
- Pizza sauce and preferred toppings, for serving
Directions
- I preheat my oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper.
- I place the shredded mozzarella and cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl.
- I microwave the cheeses in short intervals, stirring between each interval, until they are completely melted and easy to combine.
- In a separate bowl, I mix the almond flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
- I add the almond flour mixture to the melted cheese and stir until everything starts coming together.
- I add the egg and continue mixing until I have a uniform dough. When the dough becomes difficult to stir, I carefully knead it with lightly oiled hands once the cheese mixture is cool enough to handle.
- I place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll or press it into a thin circle or rectangle. I aim for an even thickness so the crust cooks consistently.
- I remove the top sheet of parchment and transfer the crust, still on the bottom parchment sheet, to my baking pan.
- I prick the surface lightly with a fork to help prevent large air pockets.
- I bake the crust for approximately 10–12 minutes, or until it begins to turn golden.
- I remove the crust from the oven and add a thin layer of pizza sauce followed by cheese and my preferred toppings.
- I return the pizza to the oven for another 5–8 minutes, or until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- I let the pizza rest for a few minutes before slicing. I find that this short resting period helps the crust become firmer and easier to handle.
Servings and Timing
I usually use this recipe to make one medium pizza, which gives me approximately 4 servings depending on how I slice it and how many toppings I add.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Initial baking time: 10–12 minutes
- Final baking time: 5–8 minutes
- Total time: approximately 25–30 minutes
- Servings: about 4
Variations
When I want a stronger Italian flavor, I add extra dried oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning directly to the dough. I can also add a little grated Parmesan for additional cheesy flavor.
For a spicy crust, I mix red pepper flakes or a small amount of cayenne into the almond flour before combining it with the cheese.
When I want individual pizzas, I divide the dough into smaller portions and shape each one separately. I find this variation useful when I want to prepare different toppings for different servings.
I can also make the crust slightly thicker when I prefer a softer, chewier pizza base. When I want crispier results, I roll the dough thinner and make sure the initial crust is nicely golden before adding the toppings.
For toppings, I like combinations such as mozzarella and pepperoni, mushrooms and peppers, chicken and spinach, or simple cheese and herbs. I keep wet toppings relatively light so the crust doesn’t become soggy.
Storage/Reheating
I let leftover Fathead Pizza Crust or prepared pizza cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. I store it in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
When reheating pizza made with this crust, I prefer using the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer. These methods help me restore the firmer texture of the bottom crust while reheating the toppings.
I can use the microwave when I need a quick option, but I find that it creates a noticeably softer crust.
I can also prepare the crust ahead of time. I complete the initial bake, let the crust cool, and refrigerate or freeze it without toppings. When I am ready for pizza, I add the sauce and toppings and bake it until everything is hot and melted.
FAQs
What is Fathead Pizza Crust made from?
I make traditional-style Fathead dough primarily with mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, almond flour, and egg. I also add baking powder and seasonings to improve the texture and flavor of my pizza crust.
Why is my Fathead dough so sticky?
I find that Fathead dough can become sticky because melted cheese naturally has a soft texture. I let the mixture cool slightly before handling it and use lightly oiled hands or parchment paper when shaping the dough. I avoid adding large amounts of extra almond flour because that can make the finished crust dry.
Can I make Fathead Pizza Crust ahead of time?
Yes. I like to bake the plain crust first and let it cool completely. I can then refrigerate it for a few days or freeze it for longer storage. When I want pizza, I add my toppings and bake the crust again until everything is hot.
How do I make Fathead Pizza Crust crispy?
I roll my dough fairly thin and prebake it until the surface and edges are noticeably golden. I also avoid using too much pizza sauce or very wet toppings. After adding my toppings, I bake the pizza again until the bottom is firm and the cheese is bubbling.
Is Fathead Pizza Crust gluten-free?
I make this version without traditional wheat flour, and almond flour is naturally gluten-free. When I need the entire recipe to be strictly gluten-free, I check every packaged ingredient and topping I use to make sure each one is specifically labeled or verified as gluten-free.
Conclusion
This Fathead Pizza Crust is an easy homemade option I enjoy when I want pizza with a cheesy, low-carb base. Mozzarella, cream cheese, almond flour, and egg create a dough that requires no yeast or rising time, so I can move from preparation to pizza relatively quickly.
PrintFathead Pizza Crust Recipe
A cheesy, low-carb pizza crust made with mozzarella, cream cheese, almond flour, and egg for a golden, pleasantly chewy base. With no yeast or rising time required, this easy Fathead crust is ready for your favorite pizza toppings in about 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 medium pizza, 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 3/4 cup fine blanched almond flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, optional, for handling the dough
- Pizza sauce and preferred toppings, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper.
- Place the shredded mozzarella and cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave the cheeses in short intervals, stirring between each interval, until completely melted and easy to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
- Add the almond flour mixture to the melted cheese and stir until the ingredients begin to come together.
- Add the egg and mix until a uniform dough forms. Once cool enough to handle, knead carefully with lightly oiled hands if necessary.
- Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll or press it into an evenly thick circle or rectangle.
- Remove the top sheet of parchment and transfer the crust, still on the bottom parchment, to the prepared baking pan.
- Prick the surface lightly with a fork to help prevent large air pockets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the crust begins to turn golden.
- Remove from the oven and top with a thin layer of pizza sauce, cheese, and preferred toppings.
- Return to the oven for 5–8 minutes, until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the pizza rest for a few minutes before slicing so the crust can firm up.
Notes
- Add extra oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, or grated Parmesan to the dough for stronger Italian flavor.
- For a spicy crust, add red pepper flakes or a small amount of cayenne pepper to the almond flour mixture.
- For individual pizzas, divide the dough into smaller portions and shape each portion separately before baking.
- Roll the dough thinner and prebake until noticeably golden for a crispier crust, or leave it slightly thicker for a softer, chewier texture.
- Keep pizza sauce and wet toppings relatively light to prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
- If the dough is sticky, let it cool slightly and use lightly oiled hands or parchment paper rather than adding excessive almond flour.
- Store leftover crust or prepared pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat in an oven, toaster oven, or air fryer for the best texture.
- The crust can be prebaked, cooled completely, and refrigerated or frozen without toppings for convenient future pizzas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of crust without toppings
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg