I have made so many positive changes in my diet over the past few years. While I used to think that I could never live without certain things (Reese’s cups, ice cream, potato chips), I have learned that once I quit eating that junk I also quit craving it. Thank goodness! There are very few things I genuinely miss from my old eating habits. Pizza is one of them. It’s easy to make vegan pizza – just eliminate the cheese. Almost any pizza joint is willing to make it this way. But since I don’t eat wheat any more, or other flours for that matter, well it gets a little more challenging. Until now….
Enter Quinoa Pizza Crust. Made from the whole grain nutritional powerhouse: quinoa. I know, right?
The original quinoa crust recipe and instructions are here, published by Cooking Light. I made only a few modifications to make it Ultimate Weight Loss approved:
Makes one 9″ Pizza (Once you try it you’ll probably want to double the recipe!)
Crust:
3/4 c uncooked quinoa
1/4 c water plus more for soaking
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp rosemary
Place the quinoa in a bowl, cover with water. Soak 4-6 hours. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Rinse quinoa after soaking. Place in food processor with remaining crust ingredients. Process for about 2-3 minutes until it forms a paste. Spread into silicone baking pan (or you can line a regular pan with parchment paper. Bake 15 minutes. Flip over and bake another 5 minutes.
Toppings:
1/4 c hummus
1/8 cup pizza sauce
1 Tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
1/4 onion, chopped
1/4 bell pepper, chopped
1/3 c broccoli, chopped
1/2 c cherry tomatoes, quartered
Artichokes, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes would make a nice addition as well. Pick your own favorite toppings and go to town! Or have a make-your-own-pizza party where everyone gets to create their own personal pizzas.
On the pre-baked crust, spread a layer of the hummus first, then a thin layer of pizza sauce followed by a sprinkle of nutritional yeast. Pile the veggies on as desired. Bake another 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy!
Holy smokes, Christin, your timing is perfect! I’ve been trying to avoid/eliminate flours, too, but still want pizza on a regular basis. And pizza joints can’t be trusted to be honest about oil in their dough/sauce, as I’ve learned the hard way. This crust recipe is almost an answered prayer! I have all ingredients on hand (Pomi pizza sauce is compliant and very good) and will likely make this tomorrow for dinner. Great post–thanks so much!
this looks terrific. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for giving a UWL alternative
Perfect timing! Pizza is something I really miss. I have tried putting my own pizza sauce over my VFB, which is good, but this sounds even better! Thanks!
Great idea! Looks amazing!
Nice pizza, great post.
Best gf vegan crust ever!!! I can’t say enough good about this!!!will be soaking quinoa daily!