Tasty Cauli Base

As seen on: Delicious Main Course Recipes

This no-fail cauliflower pizza base delivers a crunchy, hand-holdable foundation using any type of cauliflower. The secret lies in thoroughly draining excess water.
emilyscooks.com
Shared By Emily
Last revised on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 18:48:27 GMT
Two slices of cheese pizza on a round plate, resting on a piece of parchment paper. Save this
Two slices of cheese pizza on a round plate, resting on a piece of parchment paper. | emilyscooks.com

I stumbled upon the cauliflower pizza crust idea when my family was trying to eat healthier. It's now our go-to Friday treat. The crust gets wonderfully crisp with a tasty cheese foundation that supports any topping you fancy. And guess what? It comes without gluten and packs fewer carbs.

Why This Method Stands Out

Through tons of kitchen experiments, I've nailed down this reliable technique. You'll get a crispy crust every time - no sogginess or crumbling. Fresh or frozen cauliflower both work great. My kids now actually beg for this instead of traditional pizza.

Basic Pantry Ingredients

  • Cauliflower: Pick up a 2-pound head or grab a frozen bag if you're in a rush
  • Egg: The glue that keeps everything in one piece
  • Parmesan: Your ticket to that amazing crispy, cheese texture
  • Italian Seasoning: My favorite herb mix brings that authentic pizza taste
  • Salt and Pepper: Just a bit to enhance the natural flavors

Picking Quality Cauliflower

I often score fresh cauliflower heads when they're on sale, but during crazy weeks I'll snag those pre-riced packages from the freezer aisle. They both turn out great, and honestly, you can't tell much difference after cooking.

Getting Your Cauliflower Ready

Straight From Your Garden
Chop into small pieces, blitz in the food processor, then cook in your oven or zap in the microwave
Pre-Riced Option
A quick eight-minute microwave session works perfectly
From The Freezer
Let them soften up, then pulse them in your processor just like you would with fresh
A freshly baked cheese pizza cut into eight slices, resting on parchment paper. Save this
A freshly baked cheese pizza cut into eight slices, resting on parchment paper. | emilyscooks.com

Building Your Incredible Base

The Crucial Squeeze
Wait for your cooked cauliflower to cool down, then press out all the water you possibly can
Combine Everything
Stir your dried cauliflower together with the egg, cheese and all those yummy seasonings
Into The Oven
Form it on your paper-lined tray and let it brown up nicely in a hot oven

Customize Your Creation

We love playing with different toppings in our house. My little girl always wants classic tomato and mozzarella while my hubby piles his with grilled chicken pieces. Just don't go overboard or you'll lose that awesome crispiness.

Tricks I've Learned

After countless pizza nights, I've found that getting rid of moisture matters most. Keep your crust around 10 inches across for best results. Let it cool a bit before cutting and you'll thank me later.

Leftovers Planning

During my weekend cooking sessions, I often whip up extra crusts to freeze. Once they've cooled down, just wrap them up tight and stick them in the freezer. They're there whenever you need a quick pizza fix - just warm them up and add toppings.

For Maximum Crunch

Want that super crispy texture? Try turning the crust over midway through cooking. It's a small trick my neighbor from Italy showed me and it works wonders.

A hand holds a slice of crispy cheese bread, with a larger piece in the background on a plate lined with parchment paper. Save this
A hand holds a slice of crispy cheese bread, with a larger piece in the background on a plate lined with parchment paper. | emilyscooks.com

Nutritious Dinner Option

Ever since we switched to cauliflower crusts, I don't get that stuffed feeling after pizza night. It's loaded with good stuff and fiber plus keeps you full without weighing you down like normal pizza does.

Adjust To Your Needs

My vegan buddies swap in flax eggs and non-dairy cheese. You can play with the herbs however you want. I sometimes throw in extra garlic or hot spices when I'm feeling adventurous.

Prep For Busy Days

I've started making multiple crusts in one go. They're so handy on those crazy weeknights when everyone wants something different. Just pull one from the freezer, add your favorites and enjoy.

Storing What's Left

Any leftover slices go straight into glass containers in my fridge. A quick warm-up in the oven brings back all the crispiness. But honestly, it rarely lasts beyond a day in our house.

Boosting The Taste

Sometimes I mix garlic powder straight into the dough or add some red pepper flakes for a kick. Fresh basil scattered on top after cooking fills your kitchen with an amazing smell.

Two slices of golden-brown pizza are placed on a round plate with a piece of parchment paper underneath. Save this
Two slices of golden-brown pizza are placed on a round plate with a piece of parchment paper underneath. | emilyscooks.com

Diet-Friendly Choice

This pizza fits right into my low-carb eating plan. Each piece has only 4 grams of carbs but tastes so rich you won't believe it's actually good for you.

Authentic Taste

You can catch a subtle cauliflower note but the cheesy, crispy texture makes it totally irresistible. My pizza-obsessed friends are always shocked when they try their first bite.

Kid-Approved Activity

Pizza night turns into a fun event when the children help out. They get excited picking their toppings and watching their creations bake. Even my fussiest eater always wants more.

Round Out Your Dinner

We typically pair our cauliflower pizzas with a fresh, vibrant salad. Together they make such a filling and healthy dinner combo.

Worry-Free Indulgence

This recipe lets you enjoy pizza night without any regrets. It's become such a staple at our place that we don't even call for delivery anymore. Who'd have thought cauliflower could be this fantastic?

A freshly baked cheese pizza sliced into eight pieces, resting on parchment paper. Save this
A freshly baked cheese pizza sliced into eight pieces, resting on parchment paper. | emilyscooks.com

Common Questions

→ Why must I squeeze out all the water?
Getting rid of moisture is vital for a crunchy base that won't crumble. Keep squeezing for 3-4 minutes until you've removed roughly 1.5 cups of liquid.
→ Can I use cauliflower rice from the freezer?
Absolutely, you can throw in frozen cauliflower rice without defrosting. Just cook it while it's still frozen.
→ Is it okay to freeze this base?
Sure thing, just cook and let the bases cool, then wrap them in plastic. They'll keep in the freezer for 3 months. Heat up the frozen base before putting toppings on.
→ What if I don't own a food processor?
You can shred cauliflower with a cheese grater or just grab pre-made cauliflower rice from the store.
→ How do I make the crust super crunchy?
After the first bake, gently turn the crust over and cook it a few more minutes before adding your favorite toppings.

Wrap-Up

This no-fail cauliflower pizza base delivers a crunchy, hand-holdable foundation using any type of cauliflower. The secret lies in thoroughly draining excess water.

Carb-Free Pizza Bottom

A crunchy, no-carb pizza base crafted from cauliflower that doesn't fall apart - suitable for both fresh and frozen cauliflower options.

Preparation Time
30 Minutes
Cooking Time
30 Minutes
Overall Time
60 Minutes
Shared By: Emily

Meal Type: Main Courses

Skill Level: Moderate

Cuisine Style: North American

Makes: 8 Portions (1 11-inch crust)

Special Diet: Low in Carbs, Vegetarian-Friendly, Made Without Gluten

What You’ll Need

01 items 2.5 pounds cauliflower (or 2 bags of 12-16 oz pre-riced cauliflower).
02 items 1 big egg.
03 items 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Mozzarella.
04 items 1 teaspoon mixed Italian herbs.
05 items 1/8 teaspoon table salt.
06 items 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper.
07 items Non-stick spray for coating.

Steps To Make It

Step 01

Heat your oven to 375F. Put parchment on your baking tray.

Step 02

Pulse cauliflower until it looks like rice grains. Don't bother if yours came pre-riced.

Step 03

Pop cauliflower rice in the oven for 15 mins or zap it for 8 mins in the microwave. Let it cool on cheesecloth.

Step 04

Get all the water out by squeezing the cauliflower for about 3-4 mins.

Step 05

Throw the dry cauliflower in a bowl with your egg, cheese and spices.

Step 06

Flatten into an 11-inch pizza base. Stick it in a 450F oven for 20 mins, and flip halfway for extra crunch if you want.

Extra Notes

  1. Getting rid of all the moisture makes your crust super crispy.
  2. Works with both fresh and frozen cauliflower heads.
  3. You can keep it frozen for up to 3 months.

Essential Tools

  • Blender or food processor.
  • Flat baking tray.
  • Thin cloth or cheesecloth.
  • Non-stick parchment.

Allergen Info

Review ingredients carefully for allergens, and consult a healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Eggs.
  • Dairy (cheese).

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

Keep in mind, this data is an estimate and not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
  • Calories: 48
  • Fat Content: 2 grams
  • Total Carbs: 4 grams
  • Protein Content: 4 grams