Craving pizza but sticking to your Keto diet? Meet Fathead dough, your new best friend for creating the perfect low-carb pizza crust! Made with mozzarella cheese, almond flour, and a few simple ingredients, this dough is the answer to your pizza cravings without the carbs. It’s not only delicious but also super easy to make, giving you that crispy, chewy crust we all love—without the guilt. Whether you’re making a classic Margherita or topping it with all your favorite keto-friendly toppings, Fathead dough lets you enjoy pizza night while staying on track with your diet.
Fathead dough is hands down one of the most versatile doughs in the Keto world. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a bread-like base that works for everything—Keto dinner rolls, fathead pizza pockets, and more! The best part? It’s super easy to make and totally customizable. Want more flavor? Add your favorite seasonings for a savory twist, like in these Keto calzones. You can even sweeten it up for treats like low-carb stuffed cinnamon rolls. The possibilities are endless!
To make Fathead dough, you’ll need a few key ingredients that come together to create a keto-friendly dough:
- Almond Flour or Coconut Flour: Almond flour is my go-to for its texture and taste, but coconut flour is a great choice, especially for sweeter recipes. Just keep in mind that coconut flour is much more absorbent, so you’ll need to use much less of it—around â…“ of the amount you would use of almond flour. If you’re interested, check out my keto coconut flour cupcakes recipe for a good example of how to use coconut flour in low-carb recipes.
This mix of ingredients forms the base of Fathead dough, which can be used for a variety of keto-friendly recipes like keto bagels or pizza pockets.
Mozzarella Cheese is a must-have for Fathead dough. Its meltiness and mild flavor make it the perfect binder for creating that desired bread-like texture. While pre-shredded mozzarella works just fine, shredding it yourself off a block is the way to go. Pre-shredded cheese often contains fillers to prevent clumping, but these can affect the dough’s texture. When you shred mozzarella fresh, it melts much more smoothly, making it easier to work with and ultimately tastier. Plus, it’ll give your dough the perfect consistency for all kinds of keto-friendly creations!
Cream Cheese or Butter – These rich, creamy ingredients are key to achieving the perfect consistency in Fathead dough. They help smooth out the dough, giving it a soft, pliable texture. The high fat content from either cream cheese or butter ensures the dough has that ideal bread-like feel. Plus, they’re completely interchangeable, so you can use whichever you prefer or have on hand, and still get great results!
Egg – One large egg is used in this recipe to help bind the ingredients and give the dough structure. It contributes to the dough’s elasticity, making it easy to work with.
Baking Powder – Baking powder is crucial for giving Fathead dough a slight rise, helping it achieve a more bread-like texture. If you skip this ingredient, the dough will remain flat, similar to the consistency of my keto spinach pesto flatbread.
How to Make Fathead Dough: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Making Fathead dough is super simple and quick! Here’s how you can do it in just a few easy steps:
- Melt the Cheese & Butter – In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the cream cheese (or butter) and mozzarella cheese together. Heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth (about 1 minute total).
- Combine the Ingredients – Once melted, stir the cream cheese (or butter) and mozzarella until well combined. Then add the egg and continue mixing until everything is evenly incorporated. If the dough becomes too stiff, microwave it for 5-10 more seconds to soften.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour (or coconut flour), baking powder, and any seasonings you like.
- Form the Dough – Add the cheese and egg mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a soft, sticky dough ball forms.
- Shape the Dough – Using wet hands, form the dough into the desired shape for your recipe. For a pizza crust, roll it out between two sheets of parchment paper for an even shape.
- Bake the Dough – Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
Can You Freeze Keto Pizza Dough?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze keto pizza dough! If you want to make it ahead of time, simply roll out the prepared Fathead dough and wrap it tightly in cling wrap. Store it in the freezer for later use.
When you’re ready to make your pizza, take the frozen dough out and bake it in the oven for 5-10 minutes before adding your toppings. Finish baking until the crust is golden and crispy. It’s an easy way to enjoy homemade keto pizza whenever you want!
Can You Buy Pre-Made Fathead Dough?
Yes, you can now buy pre-made Fathead dough! Finally, a brand called Fattyhead Keto Crust offers a variety of options, from pizza crusts to baguettes. They even have pre-made frozen pizzas with keto-friendly toppings!
I’ve personally tried it and found it available at my local Hy-Vee store. It’s an incredibly convenient and delicious option, and I even have some stashed in my freezer for easy keto meals!
How Many Carbs Are in Fathead Dough?
Fathead dough is low in carbs, making it perfect for a keto diet. Here’s the nutritional breakdown for ¼ of the recipe:
- Calories: 434.25
- Total Carbs: 8.05 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Net Carbs: 5.05 grams
- Protein: 33.725 grams
- Fat: 33.075 grams
With just 5.05 grams of net carbs per serving, it’s a great low-carb option for anyone on the keto diet!
Here’s the breakdown for each ingredient in fathead dough:
| Ingredients | Calories | Total Carbs (g) | Fiber (g) | Net Carbs (g) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella | 790 | 8.75 | 0 | 8.75 | 77.5 | 47.5 |
| 2 ounces cream cheese | 194 | 2.4 | 0 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 20 |
| 1 large egg | 72 | 0.4 | 0 | 0.4 | 6 | 4.8 |
| 1 cup almond flour | 680 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 48 | 60 |
| 1/2 teaspoon baking powder | 1 | 0.65 | 0 | 0.65 | 0 | 0 |
Fathead dough is a game-changer for anyone on a keto diet. Not only is it low-carb, but it’s also versatile and easy to make, allowing you to enjoy your favorite traditional dishes in a healthier way. Whether you’re craving pizza, breadsticks, or pastries, this Fathead dough recipe will help you stay on track with your keto lifestyle!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 2 ounces cream cheese (or butter)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions:
- Melt the Cheese: In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the cream cheese (or butter) and mozzarella together. Heat in 30-second increments for about 1 minute to prevent burning the cream cheese.
- Mix the Dough: Once melted, stir the cream cheese and mozzarella until smooth. Add the egg and mix until well combined. If the dough feels too stiff or hard to spread, microwave it for an additional 5-10 seconds to soften it.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together almond flour (or coconut flour), seasonings, and baking powder.
- Form the Dough Ball: Slowly mix the cheese and egg mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until a sticky, soft ball of dough forms.
- Shape the Dough: Wet your hands, then work the dough into the shape needed for your recipe.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Bake the dough for 12-15 minutes until it’s golden and crispy.