Easy Protein Pizza

Fitting pizza into your macros sounds impossible? I got you, my friend. This is how to make Protein Pizza at home. It’s very easy, with no yeast and no protein powder. So cheesy and tasty that you’ll never guess it is also healthy and low calorie.

Hands up if you like pizza. I do, and I do a LOT! Growing up in Italy, pizza has always been part of my cultural heritage. As a kid, it was a must for us to eat pizza from the pizzeria every Friday night. My favorite flavor was “Americana“, which is basically an innocent Margherita with tons of French fries and sausages on top. Something light, we can say 😉

Even though the original is irreplaceable (and should be enjoyed without restrictions or guilt), I sometimes like having a healthier option to satisfy my wildest midweek cravings.

Actually, I’ve been wanting to make protein pizza for a while but all recipes I could find were either too complicated or had a way too many ingredients. So, tired of buying expensive premade fit crusts, I decided to make my own. The result was this easy protein pizza recipe, aka your new favorite recipe ever. It’s simple, healthy and insanely good.

Making pizza good for dieting…Easy!

Well…Pizza is not typically associated with diet, if not as a cheat meal. It’s usually loaded with carbs, oil, fatty cheeses and greasy toppings. That means a hell a lot of calories, we all know it.

But did you know that pizza can be good for the diet? With my recipe, you’ll be able to eat a heavenly delicious pizza while achieving your fitness goals. This is the ultimate macro-friendly pizza: high protein, low in calories, low in fats, and infallibly easy to make.

The secret for homemade protein pizza lies in picking the right ingredients, both for dough and toppings. And if you don’t know where to start, start with my recipe. It implements two tricks that will make your meal lower in calories while packing in some extra protein.

• Protein pizza dough: This recipe uses a combination of flour, olive oil, salt, baking powder and nonfat Greek yogurt for more protein. As you may have noticed, there is need for yeast so that the dough comes together in minutes.
• Low calorie pizza toppings: Instead of fatty cheeses and pepperoni, this diet pizza comes with low fat mozzarella and lean ham over a low calorie pizza sauce.

The ingredients

“Protein pizza dough with no yeast and no protein powder”. I know it may sound too good to be true but let me tell you this…It is now possible with my recipe. Unlike others, it only requires a handful of basic ingredients that you probably already have at home. Starting from the dough!

• Flour: Also known as all purpose flour, this is the type of flour commonly used for pizza dough. And also one the best, because it combines well and produces a softer pizza crust.
• Greek yogurt: This recipe requires thick Greek yogurt, either nonfat or full-fat. In general, full-fat options come with more calories but a much richer taste than nonfat products.
• Baking powder: This is completely optional but helps the dough rise while baking.
• Olive oil: I like using extra virgin olive oil, but any other oil will work. For fewer calories you can also omit, but I honestly don’t recommend it because a bit of oil adds plenty of flavor.
• Salt: A pinch of salt brings out all the flavors and makes your pizza irresistibly delicious. Add as much as you feel necessary, but keep in mind that also the topping is going to be salty. So, don’t exaggerate.

Diet pizza toppings

Moving now to toppings, this Greek yogurt pizza recipe is pretty versatile so that you can adjust it to your taste and preferences. As tradition wants, I sticked to a simple Margetherita base consisting of pizza sauce and mozzarella. For more protein and taste, I then topped it off with pieces of lean ham. Of course, feel free to replace the ham with chicken breast, salami, bacon, tuna or plant based alternatives.

• Pizza sauce: I like making my own with a combination of tomato sauce olive oil, salt, a hint of oregano, garlic powder and onion powder. But don’t worry, also store-bought pizza sauces work.
• Shredded mozzarella: Use full-fat or low-fat mozzarella, or replace with any other shredded cheese you may like. Also dairy-free, if it is necessary.
• Lean ham: The addition of ham makes homemade protein pizza more satisfying while increasing the protein content. For lower calories and fats, I chose fat reduced lean ham, but you can replace with normal ham or any other meat.

Substitutes

• Substitute all purpose flour with wholewheat flour or spelt flour; unfortunately oat flour and almond flour do not work in this recipe.
• Skyr or quark are great alternatives to Greek yogurt. And if you can’t eat dairy, replace with a plant based yogurt that has a thick texture similar to Greek yogurt.
• As an alternative to my homemade pizza sauce you can use barbecue sauce, marinara sauce or even white sauce.
• Replace ham with your favorite protein, such as chicken breast, sliced turkey, salami, bacon or tuna. Or opt for plant based options such as smoked tofu, vegan meat and sliced seitan.

Tips for choosing the right yogurt

Greek yogurt is a crucial ingredient for making protein pizza without protein powder. Besides improving its nutritional profile, the yogurt helps get the perfect dough texture. Neither too dry nor too wet.

It is therefore important that you choose the right one. Don’t confuse Greek yogurt with Greek style yogurt. The main difference between the two is that the former has a firm, thick texture whereas the second is more liquid. And this recipe requires a thick product, so be sure opt for firm Greek yogurt. Any other option would change – and ruin – the dough consistency.

Dairy-free protein pizza

To make dairy-free protein pizza, substitute Greek yogurt with plant based alternatives such as soy Skyr or soy Greek yogurt. What truly matters is that the one you choose has a thick texture. Furthermore, be sure to top your crust with plant based shredded cheeses instead of mozzarella.

Topping ideas

As this recipe is pretty minimalist, you have plenty of freedom when it comes to toppings. If tomato sauce, mozzarella and ham doesn’t call you, try with pepperoni, salami, chicken, grilled vegetables or whatever you crave. And if you still need ideas, here are some ways on how to top homemade protein pizza crust.

• Vegetables: Load up your pizza with a variety of colorful vegetables such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, red onions or grilled zucchini. Besides taste, veggies will add plenty of nutrients and fibers.
• Grilled chicken and avocado: For more protein and taste, top with slices of grilled chicken breast and creamy avocado for healthy fats.
• Mediterranean: Instead of tomato sauce, spread a thin layer of hummus all over the crust and top with kalamata olives, roasted zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese.
• Caprese: When you are done with the crust, skip both tomato sauce and mozzarella. Bake the protein crust alone, then top with fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Pesto: As an alternative to tomato, spread some pesto all over the crust. Top with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, slices of chicken breast and finish off with a good drizzle of olive oil.
• Smoked salmon and arugula: After baking, crown your protein pizza with smoked salmon and a handful of fresh arugula.
• Tuna and avocado: For more protein and taste, garnish your fit pizza with canned tuna and, after baking, slices of avocado.
• Tex-mex: Top with grilled chicken or lean ground turkey, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese. For an extra kick, replace tomato sauce with barbecue sauce.
• Tofu: If you follow a plant based diet, substitute mozzarella with vegan alternatives and choose smoked tofu or herb tofu as a protein-packed topping.

How to make protein pizza

First of all, you need to preheat the oven to 200°C, or 400°F if you are in the States. As an alternative you can also cook your pizza in the air fryer; in this case you will have to preheat the air fryer to 190ºC (390ºF).

Time to prepare the protein dough. First, in a large bowl combine all purpose flour with Greek yogurt, olive oil, baking powder and a pinch of sea salt. Quickly stir the ingredients until they come to form a dough. Depending on the type of Greek yogurt used, you may need adjust the mixture with more flour if it is sticky or with more yogurt if it is too dry.

Transfer the Greek yogurt pizza dough over a clean floured surface and knead to form a soft dough ball. With the aid of a rolling pin and your hands, shape into a round of about 15 cm (6 inches), with the edges thicker than the center. If it gets sticky, sprinkle with more flour.

Our protein pizza is almost ready, we’re only missing the toppings. Spread the pizza sauce over the Greek yogurt crust, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and pieces of ham.

One last step and it’s finally time to eat. Bake your macro-friendly pizza in hot oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the pizza crust is golden brown. As an alternative, air fry for 12 to 15 minutes.

Storage information

Here is how to best store homemade protein pizza.

• In the fridge: After baking, let cool completely and store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the best storage, wrap well or place in an airtight food container.
• In the freezer: Once it has cooled, slice and transfer to a food container or to zigzag bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.

More healthy comfort food recipes

• Chicken nuggets
• Low calorie fries
• Air fryer zucchini fries
• Zucchini pizza crust
• Low calorie chicken fingers
• Simple zucchini fritters
• Greek yogurt buffalo dip