We focus so much on pizza toppings that pizza crust (which actually lays the foundation of this wonderful meal) goes unnoticed. Pizza is a versatile meal that can be made in a number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian ways. You can experiment with the assortment of vegetables and meats to create the pizza according to your taste preference. For a healthier option, you can discard cheese and add in nutritious veggies. Sadly, no matter what you do, pizza still falls under the category of unhealthy foods. And, that's because the base of pizza will always be the culprit. Pizza base is usually made with all-purpose refined flour (maida), which is said to be not-so-great for regular consumption.
It's just so difficult to control cravings for pizza. Only if we could replace the pizza base with something healthier! Well, actually, we can! There is not one, not two, but many possible healthy alternatives for pizza that taste just fine. Want to know what they are?
(Also Read: Here's A Keto-Friendly, Low-Carb Pizza That You Can Eat Guilt-Free)
Pizza base can be made healthier
Here are 5 of the best healthy and nutritious pizza crust substitutes:
1. Whole-Wheat Pizza Base
Whole wheat (atta) is the best substitute for refined flour. Simply replace the refined flour with this flour and proceed to make pizza base as usual. Don't worry, it won't taste like roti and would give you the same pleasure of eating the delicious pizza.
2. Oats Pizza Base
Oats is a superfood that is high-fibre and low-fat food and is considered great for weight loss. Take rolled oats or instant oats and grind them in a blender till it turns into a powder form. Use this powder instead of regular flour and make your healthy pizza base.
3. Cauliflower Pizza Base
Cauliflower florets are mashed in a grinder or food processor and left on a strainer to drain out water. The mixture is added to eggs and enhanced with spices like oregano and pepper to make a crispy, thin-crust pizza base.
4. Multi-Grain Pizza Base
As the name suggests, this is made with a cluster of different healthy flours – whole-wheat, maize flour (makki ka atta), oats flour etc. To the flours, add seeds like flax seeds, sunflower seeds and chia seeds. Mix them all together and make multigrain pizza base with this healthful mixture.
5. Chickpea Pizza Base
Give your pizza a makeover with a shiny, golden pizza base made with chickpea (Kabuli chana) flour that is loaded with nutrients. Boil and grind chickpeas to make a fine paste and make your pizza base with it.
(Also Read: See How To Make Pizza Dough)
We hope to have solved your problem of resisting your favourite pizza. Make these healthy pizza crusts and keep enjoying pizza in its healthier form.