Protein Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust with Almond Flour
This cottage cheese pizza crust with almond flour creates a high-protein, gluten-free base in just 20 minutes without yeast or rising time. Blending cottage cheese smooth and combining with almond flour, garlic powder, and seasonings delivers a crispy, tender crust to hold your favorite toppings.
This cottage cheese pizza crust with almond flour solves the Friday night dilemma of wanting pizza without the heavy, bloated feeling that follows traditional crusts. After months of experimenting in my kitchen, I discovered that blending small curd cottage cheese until silky smooth, then combining it with almond flour, garlic powder, and Italian seasonings creates the perfect high-protein base that’s both crispy and tender. The almond flour keeps it moist and grain-free, while the cottage cheese adds protein and incredible flavor without any of the heaviness of regular dough.
What really sets this recipe apart is how quickly it comes together – no yeast, no rising time, no advance planning needed. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a sturdy, golden crust that holds any toppings beautifully. My family doesn’t even know they’re eating a healthier version (they just know they don’t feel sluggish afterward), and I love that we’re getting extra protein with every slice. Whether you’re following a keto lifestyle, avoiding gluten, or simply want a lighter pizza option that won’t leave you feeling weighed down, this cottage cheese almond flour pizza crust delivers everything you love about pizza night without the post-dinner regret.
Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust Recipe
- High-protein power: Cottage cheese adds protein while keeping the crust light and flavorful
- No yeast needed: Ready to top in 10 minutes with zero rising time required
- Gluten-free goodness: Almond flour creates a naturally grain-free base
- Perfect texture: Crispy bottom, tender inside, and strong enough for any toppings
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make cottage cheese almond flour pizza crust:
Cottage Cheese: This is the magic ingredient that makes this crust high-protein and perfectly moist. I always use full-fat for the most creaminess. You can also swap with Greek yogurt.
Light Olive Oil: Just a little bit helps create that crispy bottom we all love. I’ve used avocado oil too, or you can even melt some butter if you prefer.
Almond Flour: This keeps our crust grain-free and adds great flavor. Make sure you use the fine flour, not almond meal. Here are additional flour options you can use in place of the almond flour and gluten-free flour combination in the recipe card.
| Additional Flour Measurements (Use in place of the almond flour + gluten-free flour combination in the recipe card) |
|---|
| 3/4 cup (120g) gluten-free flour |
| 1/2 cup (60g) oat flour + 1/3 cup (50g) gluten-free flour |
| 3/4 cup (90g) all-purpose flour |
Gluten-Free Flour: I add this to help everything hold together better. If you’re not gluten-free, regular all-purpose flour works perfectly. It’s really just here as a binder.
Garlic Powder: Because what’s pizza without that garlicky goodness? Fresh minced garlic works too – just double the amount.
Onion Powder: This rounds out the savory flavors. You could use dried minced onion instead if that’s what’s in your pantry.
Baking Powder: A little lift goes a long way! Just make sure yours is fresh – old baking powder means a flat crust.
Salt: Don’t skip this because it brings all the flavors together. I use sea salt, but kosher salt works great too.
Easily Adapt This Recipe for Any Diet
This recipe is naturally easy to tweak! Follow these simple swaps to make it gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan while keeping the same great texture and flavor.
- Gluten-Free: Recipe is already gluten-free as written.
- Dairy-Free: Replace cottage cheese with dairy-free cottage cheese alternative.
- Vegan: Use dairy-free cottage cheese alternative and replace with plant-based options.
💡 Pro Tip: If you try a substitution, let us know how it worked in the comments!
How to Make My Cottage Cheese Almond Flour Pizza Crust Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions that are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Blend the Dough Ingredients
Add 2/3 cup small curd cottage cheese and 2 teaspoons light olive oil to a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth, about 30 seconds. Add to a medium mixing bowl with 1 cup almond flour, 1/3 cup gluten-free flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Stir with a spatula until a lightly tacky dough forms. Don’t worry if it seems sticky—this creates the perfect texture.
Step 2: Shape and Bake the Pizza Crust
Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a 10-inch pizza pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Oil your hands well and spread the dough evenly in the pan, making the edges slightly thicker.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the top is lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add Toppings and Final Bake
Add your favorite pizza toppings and return to the 425°F oven for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Expert Recipe Tips
Check your baking powder: Fresh baking powder ensures the crust gets the right lift and texture
Oil your hands well: This prevents sticking when spreading the dough—don’t use extra flour as it makes the crust dense
Protect the edges: If the crust edge browns too quickly, wrap tin foil around the rim of the pan
Let it cool slightly: Cooling for 5 minutes after pre-baking prevents soggy toppings
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- Classic Pepperoni Pizza: I like to top with low-carb marinara, fresh mozzarella, and basil. You’ll love how the cottage cheese crust complements these simple flavors.
- Loaded veggie: Try spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers for a nutrient-packed meal. Perfect for getting more vegetables into your diet.
- Meat lover’s: Add pepperoni, sausage, and bacon for a protein-packed feast. The sturdy crust holds up beautifully to heavy toppings.
- Buffalo chicken: Use grilled chicken, buffalo sauce, and blue cheese. Amazing for game day gatherings.
Do you love pizza? Check out more of my easy and healthy pizza recipes:
- Best-Tasting Easy Oat Flour Pizza Crust Gluten-Free
- Best Viral Caesar Salad Chicken Crust Pizza Low-Carb
- Best Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl Low Carb Viral Recipe
- Ranch Chicken Low Carb Tortilla Pizza Quick Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza Easy Low-Carb
- Pepperoni Gluten-Free Pizza Muffins
Protein Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust with Almond Flour
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup cottage cheese
- 2 teaspoons light olive oil
- 1 cup almond flour (112g)
- 1/3 cup gluten-free flour (50g)
- 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Add 2/3 cup small curd cottage cheese and 2 teaspoons light olive oil to a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth, about 30 seconds.In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup almond flour, 1/3 cup gluten-free flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Spray a 10-inch pizza pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Oil your hands well and spread the dough evenly in the pan, making the edges slightly thicker.Bake for 10-12 minutes until the top is lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings and return to the 425°F oven for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.
I’m excited to share this really easy and delicious gluten-free pizza crust you can make and bake in 20 minutes! Let me know what you think 🙂