Keto-Friendly Pizza: Taste Without the Carbs

The ketogenic diet has exploded in popularity over the past few years, with millions of Canadians adopting this low-carb, high-fat eating plan to lose weight, manage health conditions, or simply feel better. But for many keto dieters, there's one food they miss more than any other: pizza.

Traditional pizza crust is loaded with carbohydrates – typically 30-40 grams per slice – making it incompatible with the keto diet's strict carb limits (usually 20-50 grams per day). At Pizza 73, we didn't think anyone should have to choose between their dietary goals and their favorite food. That's why we set out to create a truly keto-friendly pizza option that delivers on taste without derailing ketosis.

The Keto Challenge

Creating a keto-friendly pizza crust presented unique challenges. Unlike our gluten-free development process, where we could substitute alternative flours, keto required us to fundamentally rethink what a pizza crust could be. Our goals were ambitious:

• Keep net carbs under 6 grams per slice
• Maintain a texture that could hold up to toppings
• Develop a flavor profile that complemented our signature sauces and toppings
• Create something that could be consistently produced across all locations
• Ensure the nutritional profile aligned with keto macronutrient ratios

Our Solution: The Cauliflower-Almond Crust

After months of testing various formulations, our culinary team landed on a revolutionary cauliflower-almond flour blend that exceeded our expectations. This innovative crust features:

• Riced cauliflower as the primary base – providing structure with minimal carbs
• Almond flour for richness and a subtle nutty flavor that complements our toppings
• Mozzarella and parmesan cheese worked into the dough for elasticity and flavor
• Eggs as a natural binder to hold everything together
• A precise blend of Italian herbs and spices to enhance the overall taste experience

Our keto-friendly crust being prepared with fresh ingredients

Nutritional Breakdown

The resulting crust delivers exactly what keto dieters are looking for:

With just 2.5g of net carbs per slice, our keto crust allows dieters to enjoy a couple of slices while staying well within their daily carb limits. The higher fat content also helps keto dieters maintain their preferred macronutrient ratios.

Beyond the Crust: Keto-Friendly Toppings

We didn't stop at creating a keto-friendly crust. We also analyzed our toppings to identify the best options for keto dieters:

Best Keto-Friendly Toppings:

• Proteins: Pepperoni, sausage, bacon, grilled chicken, anchovies
• Cheeses: Mozzarella, parmesan, feta, cheddar (all low in carbs, high in fat)
• Vegetables: Spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives (lower-carb options)
• Sauces: Our special keto pizza sauce (reduced sugar) or garlic olive oil base

The Culinary Challenge: Making Vegetables the Star

Creating a crust with cauliflower as the main ingredient presented unique culinary challenges. Unlike flour, which naturally forms gluten bonds that create elasticity, cauliflower has high water content and no natural binding properties. Our culinary team had to solve several technical issues:

• Developing a method to remove excess moisture from the cauliflower without losing flavor
• Creating the right proportion of cheeses and eggs to bind the ingredients without making the crust too eggy
• Ensuring the crust could be par-baked and stored efficiently for consistent restaurant operations
• Balancing the subtle flavor of cauliflower with complementary herbs and spices

The result is a crust that crisps beautifully on the outside while maintaining a satisfying chew – something many cauliflower crusts on the market fail to achieve.

Customer Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Since launching our keto-friendly option in late 2021, we've received overwhelming positive feedback – not just from keto dieters, but from customers looking to reduce their carb intake for various reasons. Some highlights from customer reviews:

• "Crispy edges with a good chew in the middle – doesn't fall apart like other cauliflower crusts"
• "The flavor complements the toppings instead of competing with them"
• "Satisfies my pizza craving without the carb crash afterward"
• "I can't believe it's mostly vegetables – it tastes too good!"

We continue to refine our recipe based on customer feedback, making subtle improvements to texture and flavor while maintaining the strict nutritional parameters that make it truly keto-friendly.

The Future of Keto at Pizza 73

The success of our keto-friendly crust has inspired us to explore other low-carb menu options. Our culinary team is currently developing:

• Keto-friendly wing sauces with no added sugars
• Low-carb dipping options for wings and crusts
• Keto-friendly dessert options to complete the meal

We're committed to continuing innovation in this space, ensuring that customers following specialized diets can enjoy the full Pizza 73 experience.

Try It For Yourself

Our keto-friendly crust is available at all Pizza 73 locations across Western Canada in a 10" personal size. When ordering online, simply select "Keto Cauliflower Crust" from the crust options menu. You can pair it with any of our signature topping combinations or build your own perfect keto pizza.