Vegan Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Vegan Cauliflower Pizza Crust is crispy, gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, and made with just 8 simple ingredients. Ready to enjoy immediately or freeze for future cravings!

Healthy homemade pizza is a favorite in our repertoire of low carb recipes and after sharing my super popular cauliflower pizza crust recipe many asked for the vegan version. Voila! Here it is!

This vegan alternative takes a bit longer because you have to flip the crust to bake on both sides. But it’s worth it! Let it cool enough and you should be able to hold a slice.

Ingredients for Vegan Cauliflower Pizza Crust

To make this vegan cauliflower pizza crust recipe, you’ll need to gather just a handful of simple ingredients.

• Cauliflower: Choose a small-medium cauliflower head, 5”– 6” in diameter or approximately 1.5 pounds. You could also pick up two 12 ounces packs of store-bought fresh or frozen cauliflower rice.
• Almond flour: Use fine or superfine blanched almond flour and not almond meal. You can buy it at any grocery store or quickly make homemade almond flour.
• Flaxseed: Ground flaxseed, also known as milled flaxseed, is used as the binder instead of eggs. You can get it pre-milled or grind it yourself at home.
• Spices: We add flavor to the crust with simple dried herbs like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cauliflower on its own can be a bit bland, so get creative! You could also add dried basil or oregano.
• Cooking spray: You’ll need a little cooking spray to prevent sticking, I use Misto.

What Is the Best Cauliflower to Use?

I’ve made all kinds of cauliflower rice recipes and this question keeps popping up the most. When it comes to pizza crust, there are a few options for making cauliflower rice.

• Fresh head of cauliflower
• Cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen)
• Frozen cauliflower florets

I used previously frozen cauliflower rice but it really boils down to what you prefer, your budget, and what your grocery store has in stock.

Choosing cauliflower rice or frozen florets will save you time, and a head of cauliflower will likely save you money.

How to Cook Cauliflower for the Crust

Here’s a brief guide on cooking each type of cauliflower for the vegan cauliflower pizza crust.

For more details, here’s a tutorial on how to cut cauliflower and how to make cauliflower rice.

• Fresh cauliflower: Rinse and separate florets, saving the core because we use it too. Process florets and core in a food processor until a rice-like texture forms. To cook, spread the “rice” on the same baking sheet you will be baking your crust on, or in a baking dish and bake at 375 F for 15 minutes. Or microwave in a bowl for 8 minutes.
• Frozen cauliflower: Let the cauliflower thaw in the fridge overnight, then process it in your food processor. Cook it just like you would with fresh cauliflower.
• Cauliflower rice: For pre-made cauliflower rice, simply microwave it in a large bowl for 8 minutes or bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 375 F. Same process as homemade cauli rice, and there’s no need to defrost first!

How to Make Vegan Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Now that your cauliflower is prepped, here’s an overview of how to make a crispy vegan cauliflower pizza crust.

There is a complete recipe card below.

• Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 400 F, line a pizza stone or baking sheet with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray.
• Cool cooked cauliflower: If you cooked the cauliflower, allow it to cool because we’ll be using our hands to squeeze it. Line a large bowl with cheesecloth or a linen kitchen towel, transfer the cauliflower, and let it cool until it’s safe to touch.
• Squeeze water out: Grab the four corners of the cheesecloth, twist the cauliflower into a ball, and give it a good squeeze to get rid of as much liquid as possible. Be patient, repeat a few times until there’s hardly any liquid left, takes about 3-4 minutes. You’ll end up with roughly 1 cup of liquid and cauliflower mash that is very-very dry.

• Make pizza crust dough: Add the squeezed cauliflower, almond flour, ground flaxseeds, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper into a large bowl. Give it a good mix with a spatula, then let it sit for about 10 minutes.
• Form the crust: Scoop the mixture onto the center of your prepared pizza stone. Use your hands to flatten it out into a thin pizza crust, around 10″ – 11″ in diameter. Watch out for thin edges, just push them in with the palm of your hand.

• Bake both sides of crust: Pop vegan pizza crust in the oven for 30 minutes, then take it out and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Cover it with another sheet of parchment paper, carefully flip it, I find using a second baking sheet makes it easier, and bake for another 10 minutes.
• Add topping and bake: Add your favorite toppings to the baked crust and bake again until the cheese melts. Cool for 2-3 minutes, then slice it into 8 pieces with a pizza cutter and dig in!

Tips for Best Results

This recipe requires a bit of effort but here are my helpful tips and tricks to ensure the best taste and texture!

• Squeeze cooked cauliflower well: This is key for a dry, crispy pizza crust that isn’t soggy. Cauliflower is packed with moisture so squeeze all that liquid out, and yes your arms and hands should be a bit sore.
• Let dough sit: About 10 minutes of rest will allow dough to thicken and stick together a bit.
• Don’t make it too thin or too thick: You want the crust spread out as flat and even as possible and don’t let the edges get too thin or they might burn.
• Flip crust when baking: Hold onto the second parchment paper with your free hand and flip it over, sort of like a pizza crust sandwich.
• Let it cool: So you can pick up a slice without it falling apart easily.

Topping Ideas

Time for the fun part, pick your favorite toppings! Keep the sauce light to avoid a soggy crust, I’m a huge fan of Rao’s marinara or my homemade marinara if I’ve got some.

I recommend sautéing your veggies first, so they aren’t still crunchy once cheese has melted, and don’t overload the crust. Our top picks are mushrooms, onion, and bell peppers. If you’re into salty toppings, throw on some black olives or artichoke hearts.

Then finish it off with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, fresh basil, and vegan parmesan cheese for that perfect garnish. Enjoy your vegan pizza creation!

How to Freeze It

Freeze either 2 larger crusts or 4 smaller individual ones. After baking, cooking, and wrapping the crusts in plastic wrap, freeze for up to 3 months.

When ready to enjoy, bake the frozen pizza crust at 400 F for 10 minutes, add your toppings, and bake for another 5-10 minutes.

FAQs

More Cauliflower Recipes to Try

• Cauliflower breadsticks
• Cauliflower biscuits
• Cauliflower mashed potatoes
• Shepherd’s pie was cauliflower topping

More Pizza Crust Recipes to Try

• Almond flour pizza crust

• Oatmeal pizza crust

• Sweet potato pizza crust

• Cottage cheese pizza crust