Are you a pizza lover who is looking to make healthier choices in your meals? Then try out cauliflower crust. With this low-carb alternative that still tastes delicious, you can enjoy the treats and flavors of a classic pizza without compromising on your dietary preferences. To help you out, we have compiled a list of well-known pizza establishments that are now offering pizzas with cauliflower crusts – perfect for those wanting to eat more healthily without sacrificing their favorite foods. So keep reading if you want to know what pizza places have cauliflower crust – it just might surprise you.
The Rising Popularity of Cauliflower Crust
While vegetable-based pizza crusts like cauliflower have been around for a while, they really started gaining mainstream popularity in the early 2010s. As people became more concerned about reducing carbohydrate intake and got on board with low-carb diets like paleo and keto, cauliflower crust emerged as an ingenious way to still enjoy pizza without all the carbs and calories of dough. The fact that it is naturally gluten-free also appealed to those avoiding gluten. Its surge in popularity is evident in the 582% increase in searches for cauliflower pizza crust recipes between 2016 and 2018. Cauliflower crust is part of a larger trend toward more diet-inclusive and health-conscious menu options in the food industry. Pizza chains recognize the growing demand for lighter, low-carb crust alternatives for weight management and medical conditions like diabetes. With its vitamin and mineral content, cauliflower crust also fits with increased interest in getting more vegetables into our diets. Pizza companies have responded by adding plant-based crusts made from cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, and more to appeal to diverse nutritional needs and preferences.
Pizza Chains With Cauliflower Crust Options
Many major pizza chains now offer cauliflower crust as a substitute for their classic dough. Here are some of the biggest national and regional pizza companies providing this alternative:
Pizza Chain
|
Low-Carb Option | Cauliflower Crust |
Cauliflower Crust Availability | Popular | |
Example with Cauliflower Crust
|
Pizza Hut | |
Domino’s | ||
California Pizza Kitchen | ||
Blaze | ||
Papa Murphy’s | ||
Pizza Place
|
Dietary Feature
|
Gluten-Free Option |
Keto-Friendly Option | ||
Culinary Trend | Alternative Crust | |
Ingredient | Cauliflower | |
Menu Variation | Cauliflower-Crust Pizza |
Additional notes:
- Location: Specify if the chain is national or international, or a specific location if referring to a local pizzeria.
- Price Range: Indicate the general price range of the pizzas.
- Dietary Restrictions: Specify if the cauliflower crust is gluten-free, vegan, etc.
- User Rating: Include average customer ratings or reviews (if available).
Nutritional Profile of Cauliflower Crust Pizza
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One of the main motivations for choosing cauliflower crust is its nutritional profile compared to a standard pizza crust:
- Fewer carbs: A 6-8 inch cauliflower pizza crust generally has 15-40 net carbs compared to around 60 for a regular pizza dough crust of the same size. For low-carb diets, cauliflower crust makes pizza a lot more feasible.
- More fiber: With around 5-15 grams of dietary fiber compared to 2-3 grams in regular dough per 6-inch crust, cauliflower crust promotes digestive and heart health.
- More vitamins and minerals: Specifically, cauliflower crust provides higher amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, potassium, manganese and phosphorus than regular crust. These support immune function, blood clotting, DNA synthesis and bone health.
- Lower calorie: At 50-140 calories per 6-8 inch crust, cauliflower crust cuts between 100-250 calories compared to dough. This equates to considerable calorie savings.
The nutrients and lower carb, calorie counts of cauliflower crust make it an appealing option for:
- Diabetics needing to manage blood sugar levels
- Those following keto, paleo, and other low-carb diets
- Anyone looking to reduce calories for weight loss
- People with celiac disease or gluten intolerance
For those with a medical condition, consult your doctor to see if cauliflower crust may be suitable for your dietary needs.
How Much Does Cauliflower Crust Pizza Cost?
Pricing for cauliflower crust pizza varies across different chains. Most major pizza companies do not charge extra to substitute cauliflower crust, with it coming at the same cost as an original crust. For example, MOD Pizza offers cauliflower crust but the 11-inch size still costs the regular
menu price of around $8.
Some pizza chains like Pieology and Blaze do charge an additional $2-3 for their cauliflower crust option compared to a classic hand-tossed crust. This reasonably reflects the pricier ingredients and preparation involved. Nonetheless, the ability to customize your own personal pizza exactly how you like on a specialty cauliflower crust may be worthwhile.
Independent pizzerias offering cauliflower crust may charge a premium of $1-5 over their house dough crust, depending on their kitchen costs and clientele. But overall, cauliflower crust remains quite cost-competitive considering it is still an alternative option. The benefit of enjoying your favorite pizza modified to be more diet-friendly generally outweighs a small upcharge.
See more : How Many Calories In A Whole Pizza? | Delicious Options
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How To Make Your Own Delicious Cauliflower Crust Pizza At Home?
Ingredients:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Chop the cauliflower into smaller pieces, discarding the stems.
- Using a food processor or grater, pulse the cauliflower until it resembles rice.
- Place the riced cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 5 minutes.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before placing it in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to squeeze out any excess moisture.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and mix in the cauliflower, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
- Spread the mixture onto the lined baking sheet to form your crust.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until it turns golden brown.
- Remove from oven and add your desired toppings.
- Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and toppings are cooked.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Tip: For extra crispy crust, bake the cauliflower crust without toppings for 5-10 minutes before adding your desired toppings.
Allergen Considerations
Those with food allergies like gluten intolerance or dairy sensitivities may find cauliflower crust beneficial. Here are some key considerations:
- Gluten: Most cauliflower pizza crusts are certified gluten-free to appeal to the gluten intolerant market. But individuals with celiac disease should verify the certifications and kitchen protocols. Some risk of cross-contamination may remain.
- Dairy: While cauliflower itself is dairy-free, some pizza chains add eggs and cheese to their cauliflower crust recipe. Check ingredient lists to avoid milk-based ingredients if needed.
- Grains: Although cauliflower crust is gluten-free, some recipes do contain grains like rice flour or oats. Check for these ingredients if you have grain allergies or follow a grain-free diet.
- Yeast: Most cauliflower pizza crusts do not actually contain yeast, but a few recipes call for it to help mimic the chewy texture of dough. Avoid crusts with yeast if you have a yeast allergy.
- Eggs: Some chains like California Pizza Kitchen bake their cauliflower crust recipe with eggs to help bind it together. Skip eggy crusts if you have an egg allergy.
- Nightshades: Since cauliflower is part of the nightshade family, cauliflower crust should be avoided by those with nightshade sensitivities or autoimmune conditions.
- Seeds: For better texture, some cauliflower crusts add chia seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds or poppy seeds. Steer clear if you have seed allergies.
- Preservatives: To extend shelf-life, a few mass-produced cauliflower crusts contain food preservatives. Check labels and avoid these if you have sensitivities.
Always thoroughly check the ingredients and allergen information provided by the restaurant if you have food allergies or intolerances. Call ahead if needed to explain your dietary needs and determine if their cauliflower crust is suitable. With the proper precautions, those with many common food allergies can often enjoy cauliflower crust pizza.
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Pieology at Bridge Street offers a cauliflower crust for an upcharge. They also have a “regular” gluten-free crust as an option.
I think Ledos and CPK both have it as an option but you’d probably be better off buying the crusts from TJ or somewhere and making your own
Blaze pizza out near Innsbrook has phenomenal keto crust. I think they have both a cauliflower crust and a keto crust, but you may want to double check as it’s been a while for me. Even when I wasn’t eating low-carb I would go with that option because it’s tasty.
I warn you, their crusts are not keto friendly. They’re made with rice flour and are full of carbs.
Thank you for sharing this information.
Thank you for sharing this information.