Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust (No-Rise & Protein-Packed!)

As a girl married to a pizza connoisseur, I’ve been on a mission to search out methods to amp up the protein on this beloved staple. Seems, there’s magic in cottage cheese. Blended clean, it provides moisture and construction to pizza dough, and about 20 grams of protein per serving!

An added perk of this high-protein pizza base is the no-rise dough. It skips yeast fully, and nonetheless bakes up crispy, chewy, and quick sufficient to make for a hungry toddler. That’s what makes it a favourite for busy weeknights and anytime I would like pizza now, not later.

Find out how to Get the Excellent No-Rise Pizza Crust

The one most essential tip for this high-protein dough is rolling it skinny. Purpose for about ⅛ inch thick, even when it feels thinner than you’re used to. A skinny crust is what offers these crisp edges and prevents the middle from getting doughy.

I additionally make sure that the dough feels dry to the contact earlier than rolling. If it sticks, I mud my work floor and rolling pin with extra flour as I’m going. As a result of there’s no rise time, the feel you create earlier than baking is precisely what you’ll get within the oven, so a bit of further care right here makes all of the distinction.

Substances You’ll Want

This dough makes use of easy pantry staples, however every one performs an essential position within the closing texture and taste:

• All-purpose flour: This creates a pleasant stability of chew and crisp. I haven’t examined gluten-free flour, coconut flour, or almond flour, and don’t advocate self-rising flour alongside baking powder. Entire wheat flour may match, however count on a denser crust.
• Baking powder: Since there’s no yeast, that is what offers the dough a little bit of raise and retains it from baking up flat. Don’t skip it!
• Sea salt: Salt is crucial for taste. Add garlic powder, oregano, Italian seasoning, or different dried herbs for a extra seasoned crust.
• Cottage cheese: Use blended cottage cheese for a clean dough and protein enhance. Each low-fat and full-fat work, although full-fat will give a barely richer texture. Small or massive curd is ok so long as it’s totally blended. There’s no want to empty it first.

Cottage cheese is what makes this pizza dough particular. As soon as blended, it melts seamlessly into the dough, including protein, moisture, and construction with out the necessity for oil or yeast. The result’s a crust that’s chewy on the within, crisp on the perimeters, and durable sufficient to carry toppings.

I’ve examined this dough as Skyr pizza and with Greek yogurt, and each work fantastically. Yogurt creates a barely thinner, extra traditional pizza crust with crisp edges, whereas cottage cheese produces a chewier texture and a bit extra puff.

Find out how to Make the Dough

Making this protein pizza dough is refreshingly easy, however just a few small particulars make a giant distinction in how the crust seems. Right here’s a step-by-step overview with ideas to assist get that crispy, chewy texture excellent:

1. Combine the dough. Stir the flour, baking powder, salt, and cottage cheese (or yogurt) collectively till a dough kinds. It’d look a bit of tough at first, however that’s regular. As soon as it comes collectively, swap to utilizing your palms to softly press it right into a ball.
2. Knead till clean. Flip the dough out onto a floured floor and knead simply till it feels clean and now not sticky. If the dough is sticking to my palms or the counter, I sprinkle in a bit extra flour. It must be dry sufficient to roll, not moist or cheesy.
3. Roll it very skinny. That is an important step. Roll the dough as skinny as doable, aiming for an excellent thickness all through. A thinner crust means crispier outcomes, whereas thicker spots have a tendency to remain mushy or doughy within the heart. That’s not a very good factor!
4. Parbake the crust. Bake the crust by itself earlier than including toppings. This helps set the construction and prevents a soggy center as soon as the sauce and cheese go on. It’s prepared when it seems to be dry on prime and simply barely begins to agency up.
5. Add toppings and end baking. After parbaking, add the sauce and toppings, then return the pizza to the oven. Keep watch over the underside of the crust throughout this stage. A light-weight golden brown shade is the cue that it’s crisp and able to come out.

I hold this one easy within the recipe card with cheese and pepperoni, however prime your pizza with no matter you want. Don’t overlook a very good pizza sauce, too. I all the time go do-it-yourself with my 4-ingredient pizza sauce.

attempt it!

Home made Pizza Sauce

Our do-it-yourself pizza sauce comes along with simply 4 substances. You’ll find it irresistible!

Retailer leftover unbaked pizza dough within the fridge for as much as 3 days. To freeze, wrap the unbaked dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a resealable freezer bag. It’s going to hold effectively for as much as 2 months. Simply make sure that to thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than utilizing.

When you’ve already baked the crust (plain or totally topped), let it cool fully, then wrap slices tightly or retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-4 days.

I like reheating slices in a 375°F oven, toaster oven, or a scorching skillet for a couple of minutes till the underside crisps up once more. This works particularly effectively with cottage cheese crust, which may soften a bit after storing. It crisps proper again up with dry warmth.

Preserve issues easy on pizza evening with sides that stability the crispy, tacky crust and hold issues recent and enjoyable. These are straightforward add-ons that pair effectively with a high-protein pizza crust:

• Arugula Salad: A peppery arugula salad with a balsamic French dressing provides freshness and a bit of chunk that cuts by means of the richness of the pizza.
• Baked Candy Potato Fries: These are certainly one of my favorites on burger nights, however they’re excellent for dipping on pizza nights, too.
• Caprese Quinoa Salad: You’ll get even MORE protein with this salad, a combo of juicy tomatoes, mozzarella, recent basil, and quinoa.
• Greek Salad: Crisp veggies, briny olives, and feta make this a traditional, refreshing facet that feels gentle however satisfying.
• Home made Ranch Dressing: A cool, creamy ranch is nice for drizzling over the pizza or serving on the facet for dipping crusts or these candy potato fries.

Love the thought of pizza + cottage cheese? Strive my Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl or Whipped Cottage Cheese Pizza Dip subsequent!

Is cottage cheese pizza more healthy than common pizza?

Cottage cheese pizza generally is a more healthy choice as a result of it boosts protein with out including a whole lot of further substances or prep. Increased protein will help hold you fuller longer, and utilizing cottage cheese within the dough provides vitamins like calcium whereas nonetheless delivering a satisfying crust.

For even lighter swaps, my Cauliflower Pizza Crust recipe is one other nice various that cuts carbs and provides veggies. Once I’m within the temper for a conventional pizza recipe, my Grandma Marie’s Home made Pizza Dough is the very best. It’s all about selecting the crust that matches the pizza evening you bear in mind.

Why ought to I select cottage cheese over Greek yogurt or ricotta?

Cottage cheese is increased in protein than ricotta and Greek yogurt. I like utilizing Greek yogurt, too, but it surely offers the crust a thinner, crispier texture. Cottage cheese makes it a bit chewier, which is ideal in order for you a dough that feels substantial with out being heavy.

Greek yogurt can even style a bit of tart, relying on what you’re doing with the remainder of the pizza. Cottage cheese has a extra impartial taste that received’t overpower your favourite toppings.

Are you able to make pizza sauce with cottage cheese?

Sure, cottage cheese might be blended into sauces so as to add creaminess and protein, although it’s often higher as a base for white-style pizza sauces relatively than traditional marinara. Mixing it helps create a wealthy, creamy texture with no need heavy cream.

Does pizza dough sometimes include eggs?

Conventional pizza dough doesn’t include any eggs. It’s sometimes made with flour, water, yeast, salt, and typically oil. You typically received’t see eggs or egg whites in flatbread recipes, both. This no-rise dough is totally different as a result of the protein-rich dairy replaces yeast.

When you’re trying to make a flourless or gluten-free model of this pizza crust, I haven’t examined these variations but. It’d work with options like almond flour, oat flour, or a gluten-free all-purpose mix. You’d seemingly want so as to add massive eggs or alter the moisture to get the batter to carry collectively.

The feel could also be a bit denser than the traditional model, but it surely’s value experimenting in order for you a keto, gluten-free, or low-carb pizza choice!