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Chef John's Crispy Cauliflower Pizza Base

Chef John's Crispy Cauliflower Pizza Base bakes up with golden, crunchy edges and a tender center, carrying a gentle tang from goat cheese and nutty notes of Parmigiano-Reggiano. The subtle heat of cayenne brightens each bite, making a flavorful, gluten-free foundation for your favorite toppings. Serve on pizza night when you want something lighter yet richly satisfying.

  • Prep15 mins
  • Cook45 mins
  • Serves4
  • DifficultyMedium
Chef John's Crispy Cauliflower Pizza Base
  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Put the cauliflower in a food processor and process until finely ground.

  3. 3

    Cook the cauliflower, water, and salt in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant and most of the water has evaporated, 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool completely.

  4. 4

    Move the cauliflower to the center of a clean dish towel. Wrap it and squeeze firmly to remove excess moisture. You should end up with about 1 1/2 cups of cauliflower pulp.

  5. 5

    Mix the cauliflower pulp, egg, goat cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl to make a soft dough. Shape it into a ball and set it in the center of the prepared baking sheet. Press the dough into a circle about 1/4 inch thick.

  6. 6

    Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Let cool, then flip the crust over before adding toppings.