This cottage cheese pizza crust has over 20g protein per serving and bakes up crisp but sturdy. Simply 3 components, simple to make and no yeast required!
Pizza is a kind of meals I’ll by no means get uninterested in, however I’m all the time in search of methods to lighten it up and add extra protein. Some time again I shared my protein pizza crust made with Greek yogurt, and since cottage cheese is having such a second, I needed to give it a spin. Enter: cottage cheese pizza crust!
Why I Love This Simple Cottage Cheese Pizza
I used to be obsessive about this pizza crust on the first chew! The cottage cheese blends proper into the dough, making a crust that’s golden, chewy, and durable sufficient to carry all of your favourite toppings. Right here’s why I like it:
- Fast & simple: No yeast, no rise time, no difficult steps. Simply combine, bake, and prime.
- Easy components: Solely 3 essential components (or 4 if you happen to don’t have self-rising flour).
- Protein-packed: Over 20 grams of protein per serving so you possibly can get pleasure from pizza and hit your objectives.
- Customizable: Works with any toppings you’re keen on from traditional pepperoni or cheese to veggie-loaded pies.
- Child-approved: My youngsters liked urgent the dough and including toppings, making pizza evening additional enjoyable.
Substances Wanted
You solely want a handful of straightforward components to make this excessive protein cottage cheese pizza crust, and most of them are pantry staples.
- cottage cheese – the star of this recipe! It provides protein, moisture, and offers the crust a comfortable but sturdy texture. I like to recommend full-fat cottage cheese for one of the best outcomes.
- flour – use self-rising flour if in case you have it (I like King Arthur), which already has baking powder and salt combined in. No self-rising? Simply mix 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour with 2 teaspoons baking powder and ¼ teaspoon salt.
- salt – only a pinch to convey out the flavour.
- toppings – go along with your favorites! I used pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and recent basil, which is such a traditional combo.
Substitutions & Notes
This recipe is straightforward, however you possibly can simply modify it to suit your wants:
- Gluten-free possibility: I haven’t tried it, however I wager you would use a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix made to exchange all-purpose flour cup-for-cup. Search for one with xanthan gum, which helps maintain the crust collectively. Different flours (like almond or coconut) gained’t work right here.
- Cottage cheese decisions: Full-fat cottage cheese makes the crust richer and chewier, however low-fat works too if that’s what you may have available.
- Dairy-free possibility: You might experiment with lactose-free cottage cheese or dairy-free shredded cheese for toppings if wanted.
- Topping concepts: This crust works with any toppings you’re keen on. Attempt traditional cheese or pepperoni, a veggie-loaded combo with onion, spinach and peppers or perhaps a BBQ rooster twist. The choices are really infinite!
How you can Make Cottage Cheese Pizza Dough
Step 1: Mix the cottage cheese till clean.
Step 2: Stir blended cottage cheese along with the flour and salt till a dough types.
Step 3: Roll or press the dough right into a 12-inch circle on the ready pan.
Step 4: Bake the crust for 10–12 minutes.
Step 5: Add sauce, cheese and toppings of selection.
Step 6: Return to the oven and bake one other 8–10 minutes, till the cheese is melted and bubbly. Slice, add recent basil, and luxuriate in!
My Ideas For The Finest Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust
- Mix cottage cheese effectively: Easy cottage cheese = clean, lump-free crust.
- Work the dough by hand: Utilizing your arms helps the dough come collectively. If it feels sticky, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of flour at a time till it’s manageable.
- Roll with parchment: For clean, even edges, place one other sheet of parchment on prime earlier than rolling with a pin.
- Add flour slowly: An excessive amount of flour could make the crust powerful, so go just a little at a time if you happen to want it.
- Don’t roll too skinny: Intention for about ¼-inch thick. Any thinner and the crust can tear or over-bake.
- Pre-bake the crust: All the time pre-bake earlier than including toppings. This retains it sturdy sufficient to carry sauce and cheese with out getting soggy.
- Attempt a pizza stone: If in case you have one, bake the crust on a preheated pizza stone for a good crispier backside.
How you can Retailer & Reheat
This crust is nice for meal prep and makes pizza evening even simpler. Listed here are some storage and reheating suggestions:
- Fridge: Retailer leftover slices in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Reheat within the oven or toaster oven at 350°F till heat and crisp.
- Freezer: Freeze the crust by itself after the pre-bake step. Let it cool, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for as much as 2 months. When prepared, thaw within the fridge in a single day, add toppings, and bake as directed.
- Prep forward: Combine and form the dough, then cowl and refrigerate (raw) for as much as 24 hours earlier than baking.
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Continuously Requested Questions
Nope! The cottage cheese blends proper in, giving moisture and protein and not using a sturdy taste.
Mixing provides the smoothest crust, however you possibly can mash cottage cheese effectively with a fork if you happen to don’t thoughts a barely lumpy texture.
I haven’t tried it, however utilizing a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix with xanthan gum ought to work. Almond or coconut flour gained’t work.
I don’t suggest freezing the uncooked dough. For finest outcomes, freeze the crust after the pre-bake step, then thaw, prime and end baking as directed.
