Whenever we hear the word-Pizza, our mouth starts watering but then we remember that it’s not the healthiest meal and we should banish those tempting urges. Pizza is one of the most delicious comfort foods around and we certainly incorporate it into our diet once in a while to indulge. Luckily we can start eating Pizza more regularly without the guilt with these healthy gluten-free options! Goodbye Maida!!!
1. Quinoa Pizza Crust
Quinoa has been the gluten-free buzzword in the food industry for all its health benefits and quite rightly so.
Pronounced ‘keen-wa’, it is a great healthy alternative packed with protein. So when we tell that you can turn it into a pizza base, and it tastes good – you must try it!
Ingredients:
● 3/4 cup uncooked Healthy Alternatives- Peruvian Quinoa Red
● 1/4 cup water
● 1 tbsp. baking powder
● 1/4 tbsp. salt
● cooking spray
Instructions:
1. Soak the quinoa overnight for 8 hours. Then rinse and drain completely. In a food processor bowl, place the quinoa, water, baking powder, and salt. Process for about 2 minutes until a smooth batter is formed, scraping down the sides of the food processor as necessary.
2. Line an 8 or 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper, and then spray the parchment paper with cooking spray. Pour the batter into the pan while smoothing it with a rubber spatula.
3. Bake the crust for 15 minutes at 425°F. Remove the parchment paper from under the crust.
4. Flip the crust over, placing it back to the oven for 5-10 more minutes, or until golden and the edges are crispy.
5. Remove the pizza from the oven and add sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice. Simple toppings like pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and a handful of fresh basil leaves will add great flavour to this quinoa crust. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melts. Cut it into pieces and serve hot.
2. Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Cauliflower (Gobi) can always be found in an Indian kitchen – who doesn’t love aloo gobi? This vegetable is rich in antioxidants and high in fibre, making for a great plant based pizza base that will keep you coming back for more. Pizza dough made from vegetables is like a dream come true!
Ingredients:
● 5 cups cauliflower florets
● 1 clove garlic
● 1½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
● 2 Healthy Alternative- Free Range Country Eggs, beaten
● 2 tsp. freshly chopped parsley
● ¼ tsp. salt
Instructions:
1. Place the cauliflower florets and garlic in a food processor and process until it forms a paste.
2. Transfer to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on High for 3 minutes. Let it cool slightly and then put and stir in the mozzarella, eggs, parsley and salt.
3. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the mixture into a circle, on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until brown and crispy around the edges for about 40 minutes.
4. Remove the crust from the oven and cover evenly with your favourite pizza toppings. Return the pizza to the oven and continue baking until the toppings are heated through for about 5 minutes more. Remove the pizza, cut it into slices and serve.
3. Eggplant Mini Pizza
Yes you read that right, an eggplant pizza! But we kid you not we can actually turn this not-so-favourite vegetable into a yummy pizza crust! Rich in calcium and minerals eggplants are also an excellent source of vitamins. Trust us, you can whip up this dish quite quickly and they make excellent appetizers. So, the next time you want to feed some healthy snack to your loved one, this will make an excellent option!
Ingredients:
● 1 eggplant, – 3 inches in diameter peeled and cut into 4 half-inch thick slices
● 4 tsp. Healthy Alternatives- Pure Olive Oil
● 1⁄2 tsp. salt
● 1⁄8 tsp. ground Healthy Alternative Black Pepper Whole
● 1⁄4 cup pasta sauce
● 1⁄2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Brush both sides of the eggplant with oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange them on a baking sheet and bake for about 6-8 minutes, until browned and almost tender, turning once.
3. Spread the pasta sauce on each eggplant slice, topping it with the shredded cheese. Bake until the cheese melts which is about 3 to 5 minutes. Serve hot.
4. Sweet Potato Pizza
Striking the balance between delicious and vibrant, sweet potatoes have become a popular
Component of the modern diet. From casseroles to pies to fries, there are a myriad of ways to enjoy this tasty root vegetable. They also have great nutritional value being rich in vitamins and potassium. What you didn’t know is that they make a great pizza base too!
Ingredients:
● 1 ½ tbsp. Healthy Alternatives- Pure Olive Oil
● 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
● 1/2 cup almond flour
● 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
● 1/4 tsp. salt
● 1/4 tsp. Healthy Alternatives Organic Garlic Powder
● 1 Healthy Alternative- Free Range Country Egg
● 1/4 cup pizza sauce
● 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
● 1/4 tsp. Healthy Alternatives Organic Red Chilli Flakes
Instructions:
1. Add the sweet potato cubes to a food processor. Pulse until coarsely ground, similar to the texture of coarse salt. Add the paste, almond flour, Parmesan, salt, garlic powder and egg to a bowl and stir until combined.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush with 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Transfer the sweet potato mixture to this sheet and form a circle. Brush with the remaining olive oil. Bake until browned around the edges for about 25 to 30 minutes.
3. Remove the crust from the oven and top with the pizza sauce, goat cheese, and pepper flakes. Place back in the oven and cook until the toppings are warmed through and cheese is melted for another 8 to 10 minutes. You can add more toppings of your choice. Serve hot.
5. Whole-wheat Pizza
One of the most common healthy alternatives going around is whole wheat. Whether its pasta or bread, many of us have started switching over and why not? Apart from being good for weight loss, grains also contain good amount fibre promoting digestion. They do make a great pizza base too and who doesn’t like to not feel guilty after chewing a slice!
Ingredients:
● 250g Healthy Alternatives Organic Whole Wheat Flour
● 1 tsp. instant yeast
● ¼ tsp. salt
● 2 tbsp. grapeseed oil
● 3 peppers
● 1 large onion
● 1 tsp. Healthy Alternatives Organic Fennel Seeds
● 2 tbsp. barbecue sauce
● 2 tbsp. tomato purée
● 1 large skinless chicken breast fillet, diced
● 175g baby plum tomatoes, quartered
● 50g grated smoked cheese
● 200ml warm water
Instructions:
1. Tip the flour into a mixer bowl. Add the yeast, salt, oil and the warm water, then mix well to a very soft dough. Process the food mixer for about 5 minutes. The dough is sticky, but try not to add too much extra flour. Leave in the bowl and cover with a tea towel. Or just use – L’Exclusif -Pizza Base Whole Wheat
2. Toss the peppers and onions with the oil and fennel seeds and then roast for 15 minutes. Meanwhile mix the barbecue sauce and tomato purée with 5 tbs water.
3. Heat oven to 220C .Take the dough from the bowl and press into the base and up the sides of an oiled sheet. Spread with two thirds of the barbecue sauce mix then add the remainder to the chicken and toss well to coat it.
4. Take the roasted pepper mixture from the oven and spread on top of the pizza. Scatter over the tomatoes then evenly spoon on the barbecue chicken. Scatter with the cheese and bake for 15 minutes. Serve hot.
Want more healthy recipes? Check out Healthy Indian Breakfast Recipes.
