16 Foods You Can Turn into a Healthy, Delicious Pizza Crust
Updated: Apr. 20, 2021Cauliflower crust is just the beginning.
Cauliflower
No healthy-crust list would be complete without mentioning cauliflower. You’ve probably seen cauliflower pizza crusts blowing up online, and for good reason. Fiber- and vitamin C-rich cauliflower creates a sturdy crust, and its light taste will fool you into thinking you’re eating regular ol’ pizza dough. Try this version from Damn Delicious.
Broccoli
If cauliflower can make a pizza crust, it’s no surprise broccoli can do the same. Sub a head of cauliflower for its green cousin and you’ll get a crust that’s loaded with vitamins C and K. Try this recipe from A Tasty Love Story.
Zucchini
Zucchinis are chock-full of immune-boosting vitamin C, and an entire squash has just 33 calories. Plus, because zucchinis are already a staple in Italian cooking, they’re a natural choice for a pizza. Put toppings on sliced zucchini coins for a bite-sized pizza fix, or try this zucchini crust recipe from Gluten Free with LB.
Butternut Squash
Butternut squash isn’t just deliciously sweet and creamy, but it’s packed with immunity-boosting vitamin A. Turn it into a stunning pizza pie, complete with a healthy green sauce, with this recipe from Wholehearted Eats.
Eggplant
For a fun take on fiber-rich eggplant Parmesan, try a handheld eggplant pizza crust instead. Pop toppings on sliced eggplant to make mini pizzas, like this recipe from The Domestic Man.
Spaghetti squash
You’ve probably heard spaghetti squash can make for an obvious pasta substitute, but you can use it for a low-carb pizza, too. Fix your buffalo chicken craving at the same time with this recipe from Shared Appetite.
Quinoa
With almost twice as much protein as rice, quinoa might already be your go-to grain substitution, but did you know you can make it into pizza crust too? Skip those complicated quinoa flour recipes, which require yeast and time for the dough to rise. This recipe from Simply Quinoa uses run-of-the-mill quinoa, not a speciality flour, to come together quick.
Potato
Russet potatoes get a bad rap, but they’re loaded with vitamin C for an immunity boost, vitamin B6 for proper brain function, and potassium to keep blood pressure in check. This easy, no-frills pizza crust calls for nothing but potato and salt if you skip the potato starch. Shinshine uses fresh asparagus and peas for a springtime dinner.
Pumpkin
Watch out, pumpkin pie—a pumpkin pizza pie gives dessert a run for its money. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and heart-healthy potassium, not to mention low-calorie. Unlike thin and crispy veggie-based pizza crusts, this pumpkin dough from Sweet as Honey is thick and moist.
Spinach
You know you should eat a rainbow of foods, and this green crust has you covered. Spinach is a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin K, and folate, and it’s even easier to make this crust than a cauliflower one. Head over to Sweet as Honey to get the recipe.
Split peas
Give spinach pizza crust a hefty dose of protein with split peas, which are also packed with manganese, folate, thiamin, and other important nutrients. Learn how to make your own from Blissful Basil.
Sweet potatoes
Thanks to beta-carotene, just one sweet potato packs in more than three times your daily needs of vitamin A, which is important for immune function and healthy vision. This three-ingredient recipe from Pinch of Yum makes it easy to transform sweet potatoes into a delicious pizza crust.
Polenta
Made from cornmeal, polenta is a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, thiamin, phosphorus, and iron. Visit Lemons & Basil to find out how to make this polenta pizza, which uses kobocha squash sauce for an extra hit of nutrients.
Portobello mushrooms
Portobello mushroom caps aren’t just a fantastic source of minerals like phosphorus and selenium—they make a handy, flavorful vessel for your favorite pizza toppings, too. Visit Table for Two to learn how to recreate these mini pizzas.
Beets
Give your pizza a major “wow” factor with a bright beet crust. Beets are packed with fiber, folate, and manganese, making them a healthy option for your pizza crust. Get the recipe from Bakers Royale.
Carrots
Vitamin A-rich carrots are anything but rabbit food when you turn them into a drool-worthy pizza. Make your own at home using this recipe from Jo and Sue.