This protein pizza recipe has an easy cottage cheese crust and packs a whooping 30 grams of protein into each serving. Made with simple ingredients and minimal effort, it’s nut-free, gluten-free, and keto-friendly. Not to mention delicious!
Trying to increase your protein intake? Check out this list of Low Carb High Protein Recipes.
Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust
I am sure many of you have seen the viral cottage cheese flatbread recipes that have been making the rounds. So many food bloggers have been jumping on board and trying the trend.
It seems like a great idea, but I tend to avoid jumping on trends. I do, however, like to take great ideas and use them for other great ideas. And it occurred to me that it would also make a good low-carb pizza crust.
Turns out I was right. I love it when that happens! If you love cottage cheese, be sure to check out my Protein Bagels and Cottage Cheese Muffins too.
Why we love it
It is astonishingly easy to make these protein pizza crusts. Far easier than making keto pizza crust with fathead dough, as well as less heavy and filling.
Simply blend all of the crust ingredients together in a blender or food processor and pour into round cake pans. You end up with two crusts, each about 8 inches in diameter. Then place them on a lightly greased cookie sheet, top with your favorite toppings, and bake until bubbly and melted. Seriously delicious!
★★★★★
Myndi says: “ So quick and easy to prepare. It tastes great too and I have a second one to use the next time I want pizza. Thank you so much for all your delicious recipes!“
Ingredients And Substitutions
- Cottage cheese: I use part skim 2% cottage cheese to make this less heavy. Good Culture has 14g of protein per cup so it’s a great choice for this recipe.
- Eggs: Eggs are critical to holding the crust together!
- Protein powder: Whey protein is the best choice for this recipe. Egg white protein will likely make it rubbery. Some plant-based protein may work.
- Coconut flour: This helps give the crust a little additional structure and volume.
- Pizza seasoning: This adds some flavor to the dough. You can also or Italian seasoning or dried basil.
- Pizza toppings of choice: You can make any kind of pizza with this crust. If you make the classic pepperoni and cheese pizza, you get over 30 gram of protein per serving.
How to Make Protein Pizza
- Prepare the crust mixture: Blend the cottage cheese, eggs, protein powder, coconut flour and pizza seasoning until smooth.
- Pour into pans: Divide the mixture evenly between two round cake pans lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the crusts: Bake at 350ºF until the crusts are firm to the touch.
- Remove the parchment paper: Once cooled, peel the crusts from the paper. Lightly grease a baking sheet and place the crusts upside down on it.
- Add the toppings: Top with your favorite pizza toppings. and bake again until cooked to your liking.
Carolyn’s Tips for Success
You need to line the baking pans with parchment paper and grease the parchment to keep the crusts from sticking. If you prefer, you can spread the crust mixture out on one large 11×15 inch baking pan.
Flipping the crusts upside down before you top them allows the crust to brown up better. I also like putting them directly on the metal baking pan for a crispy thin-crust texture.
For the protein powder, you can try using plant-based protein, collagen, or bone broth protein. I caution against egg white protein powder, as it will make the crusts quite rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Delicious Keto Pizza Recipes
Protein Pizza Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup whey protein powder
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 1 tsp pizza seasoning, or Italian seasoning
- Pizza toppings of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line two 9-inch round baking pans with parchment paper. Grease the parchment.
- In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, protein powder, coconut flour, and pizza seasoning. Blend until smooth.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the two pans, spreading to the edges. Shake the pans gently to even them out as much as possible.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crusts are firm to the touch. Remove and let cool at least 10 minutes.
- Once cooled, carefully peel the crusts from the parchment paper. Lightly grease a baking sheet and place the crusts upside down on the baking sheet.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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After freezing the crusts, do you thaw it before adding toppings or just add toppings and bake?
Definitely thaw it!
yum!! love this protein pizza. i make ahead crust and freeze for quick meal.
This recipe has it ALL. It is super easy to make and is virtually fail proof. Clean up is also a breeze. It is also healthy (low carb and high in protein) and last but definitely not least it is so very TASTY! Love this recipe. Making more crusts for the freezer as we speak. Thank you for all your wonderful go to recipes xoxo
I haven’t made this crust yet but I was wondering if ricotta can be used instead of cottage cheese? Thank you, Lu-Ann
So quick and easy to prepare. It tastes great too and I have a second one to use the next time I want pizza. Thank you so much for all your delicious recipes!
Can you substitute ricotta cheese for cottage cheese?
Quite frankly, I have no idea.
I’ve lost how many times I’ve made this. Today’s variety included barbecue chicken pizza and margarita pizza with fresh basil.
This is so easy and so good, especially when you’re too tired to do anything else
This came out great, added some garlic powder but other that followed the recipe exactly. Rather than make two crusts, we put all of the batter on a large round pizza pan and it turned out fine. So glad to have a healthy low carb crust recipe! Thank you!
The first time I tried this it was sweet despite my protein powder being labeled plain, and I found that my coconut flour also has a slightly sweet coconut flavor. So I tried again with almond flour and my health food store’s bulk only whey powder. This will be our go to pizza crust! I will ramp up the spices to give it more flavor but am so happy to stop having to try recipes. If there is any way to add a yeasty aroma, let me know.
Glad it worked out!
How much almond flour do you use?
You might try using yeast just for the aroma….or try nutritional yeast, which adds a bit of an umami flavor and a nice odor. I use it a lot for keto baked goods for that reason.
I’ve tried a bunch of your recipes, but this is the first time I’m leaving a review. This pizza is delicious! The crust holds up well to sauce and toppings. I topped mine with some italian sausage, parmesan and some pesto. I feel like I’m eating something I shouldn’t. Delicious!
I’m going to make this soon! It sounds easy and yummy! Can I bake the whole recipe on one half sheet pan to make one large pizza?
Give it a go and report back! 😉
I’ve tried sooo many keto pizza recipes in the last few years and this is definitely the best tasting and easiest way to make pizza! It’s been on rotation and great for food prepping for the week. Another winner from you!
I am so glad to hear that!
I’m going to make this but I don’t have coconut flour, can you substitute almond flour? it sounds like an amazing pizza crust. thank you for offering it!!
You can try 3x the amount, but I can’t guarantee it.
Looks amazing. Saved to try.
Looks great!
Can’t wait to try. Your recipes give us so much good advice and tips. Thanks.