Hey everyone, I’ve had a week off from worrying about making meals that look worthy to be posted on the internet and I’m finally back with a new recipe, a healthy quinoa pizza base. I loved the idea of making this as it’s an easy way to add in more protein to your diet, keep it healthy and still feel like you’re having a treat.
The base has a more thin and crispy kind of texture rather than a thick doughy one, but it cooks brilliantly. I’m making this one with cauliflower today and I’ve had cauliflower crusts before that just haven’t worked. They end up a little soggy and the base can’t hold the weight of a slice, so you have no chance of eating without a knife and fork. This one doesn’t, the base cooks firmly without being too hard leaving a base strong enough to hold the toppings, but not too crispy.
You can make this really quickly too. There’s an optional step for letting it set in the fridge, but that just makes it slightly easier to mould your base into shape, it still works well without it. If you skip the chill time, you can have this is the oven after just 15-20 minutes prep.
This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nut free and vegan.
Serves: 1 medium pizza base
Prep time: 15-20 minutes
Chill time: 15-30 minutes (optional)
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
Base
- Half a head of a medium sized cauliflower
- 100g quinoa flour
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax, 3 tbsp water)
- Any herbs/ seasoning you’d like to include in your base. I used some dried garlic, dried oregano, some chilli flakes and a little black pepper.
Toppings
Obviously for this section you can use whatever you want but on the pizza in photographs I used the following ingredients:
- 2 tbsp free from sundried tomato pesto
- Half a red pepper, sliced
- 2 medium chestnut mushrooms, sliced
- 1 red chilli, diced
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°c
- Place the cauliflower in a food processor and turn on high until the cauliflower has broken down and cauliflower rice has formed.
- Tip the cauliflower into a large dry frying pan and cook for 5 minutes on a medium-high heat, stirring gently. You don’t want to add any water or oils to the pan as we’re trying to dry the cauliflower out here. Just stir the cauliflower to check it isn’t sticking and it’s cooking evenly.
- After 5 minutes, set the cauliflower aside to cool down to cool down enough to be handled. I usually find it takes just under 10 minutes but that obviously varies depending on room temperature and how much heat you’re comfortable with.
- Once cauliflower has cooled, tip it into the centre of a tea towel and wrap the cauliflower in the towel firmly, then wring out the towel to remove as much water from the cauliflower as you can. (Note: this bit feels disgusting, you can skip this step if you want, but you’ll need more flour)
- Once drained, add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and combine. I find starting with a spoon and finishing off with your hands creates the most even mixture.
- If you’re including chill time, place bowl in the fridge for 15-30 minutes now. If not, press dough out onto a baking tray until you have your desired shape.
- Place baking tray in the centre of the oven for 15 minutes, dough should be firm on the surface but not completely hard at this stage. I like to lightly sauté my vegetables before they go in the oven. If you wish do that as well, start cooking them at this point. After 15 minutes, remove the base and add your toppings then place back in the oven for a further 5 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!
Do you like vegetable-based pizzas? What do you think of the idea of using a quinoa pizza base?
Until next time,
Sophie
To catch up with my previous dinner recipes, click here.
Ooo, this is interesting. Who doesn’t love a more healthier pizza?! This sounds so interesting, will definitely have to try this style out in the future. Great recipe as always 🙂
Amy,
https://creativenails.uk
OMG girl ! I have been dreaming of pizza all afternoon. Don’t know why! This looks so tasty! I wanna make it!
Erm who needs a reason to dream of pizza?! Thank you so much! Let me know if you try it! x
I love finding new pizza recipes! Pizza is probably my favourite thing to make. Just because it’s quick, easy and can be customised to you and your preferences. I definitely prefer thin, crunchier bases to thick, softer ones. Thanks for sharing!
I hadn’t made one in so long before this (Recipe A Day May problems..) but I really enjoyed it! I go through phases whether I prefer thinner or thicker ones. I think it all depends on the toppings too!x
That looks delicious and healthy too! I’ve tried the cauliflower base one before, from scratch and it took FOREVER to make! haha! Looking at this, it looks quite easy and faster than the cauliflower one so I think I will definitely be giving this a go. I prefer thin pizza bases anyway so this recipe is perfect!
Aimsy xoxo
That really looks yummy, I love pizza and it’s always the really unhealthy kind that I tend to reach for, I would love to make my own and for it not to be full of rubbish, great post x
these pizza look really tasty, I love vegetables on a pizza but I’m not sure if find it as good without cheese x
these pizza look really tasty, I love vegetables on a pizza but I’m not sure if find it as good without cheese x
Sophie, you always make such delicious things, I can’t believe you’ve made the base out of quinoa! I would of never of thought of that before. I’m definitely going to try this recipe soon!
Love, Cally x
http://www.lovecally.com
Thank you so much! Let me know if you try it!! x
Quinoa pizza never thought of that but for sure sounds delicious. For sure I will think of this recipe next time I have quinoa in my hands. Lea, xx
I’m trying to cut out bread where ever I can and this is such a good idea! Using quinoa as the base is a healthy alternative and the pizza looks delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe :)!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
Not going to lie, I’ve never tried a all veggie based pizza and sounds a bit off putting. However, your recipe sounds awesome, and your photos sold me! It looks delicious and doesn’t take long at all to make. I could totally eat this. Thanks for sharing!
This looks so yummy and very easy to make! I’m a vegetarian so will definitely try this out. x
This looks gorgeous, I really can’t wait to try it! Pizza is one of my favourite things but I really shouldn’t eat bread, so I love messing around with different ways to make it. I’ve tried tortillas before and they’re cool but flimsy – this looks great, though!
Beka |
Yeah I agree! I never know how to eat a tortilla base! It’s just too…floppy…. I’d love to know if you try it! x
I definitely prefer thin and crispier bases when it comes to pizzas that really thick doughy ones! I’ve never heard of making a pizza base out of quinoa before! xxx
It was a little experiment! I’d never tried this recipe out before but I was wondering if I could make it work. I was really happy with how it turned out x
How interesting. I didn’t know you were able to make pizza base with this ^^
It looks yummie! I love how creative the recipes on here are.
I think my fave veggies base so far is zucchini.
It works really really well too ^^
Thank you so much! You always have the sweetest things to say!! Oooh I’ve never made one from courgettes before, that could be an interesting experiment! Thanks for the inspiration! x
Aaannnddd now I’m craving pizza and it’s impossible to get pizza at midnight in China.. 🙁
The base is a great idea for vegans or healthy people. My mums vegan so I know she’ll appreciate this recipe a lot. I love making homemade pizzas.
Haha I’m sorry! I’ve definitely been in that sort of situation before. That’s great! I hope she enjoys it x
I love Veggie pizza’s they’re my ultimate fave, and you can never go wrong with mushrooms (in my eye’s at least)! Thanks for sharing your healthy pizza recipe.
Emma x
emmarollason.com
Thank you so much! It’s weird, I absolutely hated them before I became vegan now I love them. It’s so strange how your taste buds change x
I love this idea of using a quinoa base! I’m all for a guilt-free and tasty pizza! It’s great that the quinoa gives it that extra protein to make it really healthy and filing too. Great post Sophie, thank you for the inspiration <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Thank you! It’s good knowing it’s secretly good for you, and the extra protein does make it a little more filling than usual too which is great x
Wow! That looks delicious! I’m not much of a cook but can accept an invite if you are looking to cook for a new friend!
Aditi,
http://www.aditispen.com
Haha always! I love cooking for other people. Come hungry, I make about 500 dishes…x
Ooo this looks pretty tasty and healthy! Impressed with the short cooking time too!
Thank you so much! That’s the best part right? I’ve made traditional bread base pizzas from scratch before and they take forever! x
Amazing!! Looks so good
Thank you!
A pizza in 20 – 30 minutes? Count me in. Looks delicious and happy to see you back with blogging 😀
Thank you so much! It felt pretty good to have some recipe inspiration again! x
I have never tried pizza with a vegetable base. In fact one of the reasons I dislike pizza is because it’s too bready. I’m inspired to try this one.
I’m the same! I suffer with gluten as well so I always end up regretting it. It’s great to find some alternatives x
My oldest daughter love quinoa though I have never tried to make it into a pizza crust. Might have to give it a try sometime for a special treat.
I love quinoa too, it’s such a versatile grain! I honestly wasn’t sure if it would work as a pizza base but I was really happy with how it turned out x
You know what, I read the title of this post and thought nahhhh, not for me – I mean I am a solid dominos meat feast stuffed crust deep pan pizza kinda gal, but after reading the post and seeing the pictures I actually want to try this!
http://www.whatevawears.co.uk
This looks super yum! I’ve tried to make cauliflower base pizzas before but they never end well. Maybe I’ll give yours a go and see how it ends up looking
Kate xx
I love pizza! I actually made one (two to be exact) today, although I’m not vegan so it was a regular pizza, but still delicious. Yours look pretty tasty as well, I’ve been trying to limit my intake of meat so I might try it next time!
Dorota
http://www.fetchcandle.wordpress.com
This looks great – will definitely be giving this a go and it’s always great to change up the toppings and spices which are used which makes it interesting!
Love it!
Layla x
http://www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk
Although I don’t enjoy cooked mushrooms – this looks delicious and I’m definitely eager to try putting my chef hat on and having a go at making this. Thanks for sharing doll xoxo
This sounds soooooooo good! I have never had a base other than like a dough before, but this sounds really interesting (and a lot healthier!). I’ve saved this so I can give it a go!
Ciara | https://teatimewithciara.com/
Yum! I loved cauliflower pizza but the idea of adding quinoa is brilliant. Ill have to try it!
Cheers xx
Rachel |
Healthy pizza? Yes please! You’ve just given me a reason to eat more pizza!