Best Paleo Cauliflower Rice Pizza (Crispy, Grain-Free, No Cheese)

Let’s be honest, giving up pizza was one of the hardest parts when we switched to eating paleo. But after some trial and error (and a few soggy crusts), I finally landed on a version that actually satisfies the craving. This Paleo Cauliflower Rice Pizza has become a weeknight favorite at our house. It’s crispy on the outside, tender in the center, and it holds toppings like a champ. In this article, I’ll share the story behind it, how to make it step-by-step, why store-bought cauliflower crusts miss the mark, and how this one keeps things clean without skimping on taste.

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How This Paleo Cauliflower Rice Pizza Became a Family Staple

My story with paleo pizza nights

When we started eating paleo as a family, pizza felt like a hard goodbye. Friday nights weren’t the same without that crispy, cheesy slice. But I wasn’t about to let that tradition go without a fight. One night, I remembered my grandmother Evelyn’s trick of turning whatever was on hand into something warm and satisfying. That’s when I started playing with cauliflower rice. After a few tries, this crust was born, tender in the middle, crisp on the edges, and ready to hold up under toppings like sautéed mushrooms or homemade sausage.

This Paleo Cauliflower Rice Pizza has become a Friday night go-to in our home. It’s quick to prep, full of flavor, and keeps us all feeling good. My kids load it with sauce and their favorite veggies, and my wife loves how it doesn’t leave us bloated or tired afterward. If you’ve been missing pizza but want to stick to real-food ingredients, this recipe is your answer.

Why this crust works for paleo

Let’s clear something up: not all cauliflower crusts are paleo. Many frozen cauliflower pizza crust options, like Caulipower, sneak in cheese, grains, or starches like corn flour or rice flour. That’s why they end up with more carbs than you’d expect and aren’t suitable for paleo eaters. But this version? It’s made with clean, paleo-approved ingredients like coconut flour, eggs, and seasonings.

The key is in prepping the cauliflower rice properly, draining out the moisture after microwaving. This gives the crust structure without the need for cheese or fillers. Combined with eggs and coconut flour, it bakes into a firm, golden base that holds up beautifully. I’ve even served it to friends who had no idea it wasn’t “real” pizza.

If you’re into easy, grain-free dinners, check out my paleo pizza roll-ups or these paleo chicken nuggets, both are kid-approved and full of flavor.

Making a Paleo Cauliflower Pizza Crust That Actually Works

How do you make pizza crust with cauliflower rice?
It starts with the right prep. You’ll need about 3 cups of cauliflower rice, either riced from fresh cauliflower or a good-quality frozen version. I microwave mine for about 5 minutes to soften it, then the most important step: wringing it out. Seriously, get that water out. I use a clean dish towel and squeeze until I can’t get another drop. This keeps the crust from turning mushy.

Once drained, I mix in eggs for binding, coconut flour to soak up moisture, and seasoning for flavor. You spread the dough into a circle on parchment paper, don’t skip the parchment, and bake it until golden. It crisps up around the edges and firms up in the middle, making it sturdy enough to handle toppings like marinara, veggies, or cooked meat.

You can compare this base to traditional options in our sweet potato beef bowl, both use natural ingredients that actually fill you up.

Why frozen cauliflower pizza crusts don’t cut it
Let’s talk about those store-bought cauliflower crusts like Caulipower. They might sound healthy, but most of them are loaded with added starches, cheese, and grains. That’s why they’re not paleo and why they can be surprisingly high in carbs. If you’ve ever wondered “why is Caulipower pizza so high in carbs?”, that’s your answer.

This homemade version skips the junk and keeps the ingredient list clean. Plus, you control the seasoning and portion size. A full crust made from this recipe serves 3, and you can top it however you like. For more paleo-friendly comfort food, check out my paleo chicken and broccoli stir fry, another weeknight favorite.

How to Make Paleo Cauliflower Rice Pizza

This paleo cauliflower rice pizza isn’t just a grain-free twist, it’s a crust you’ll actually want to make again. If you’ve tried frozen cauliflower pizza crusts before and felt let down by the texture or ingredients, you’re in for a better experience here. This version is simple, satisfying, and 100% paleo.

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What you’ll need (and why it works)

To make a real paleo cauliflower pizza crust that holds together and tastes amazing, you need just a few essentials. Start with cauliflower rice, the star ingredient. You can either rice it yourself from fresh cauliflower using a food processor or grab a bag of frozen cauliflower rice. Both work, as long as you remove the excess moisture.

Next come the eggs, which act as a binder, and coconut flour, which absorbs moisture and adds subtle richness. The baking powder gives the crust a little lift while garlic powder and Italian seasoning bring the classic pizza flavor. Finally, a pinch of sea salt ties it all together.

If you’re used to scanning the back of frozen cauliflower pizza crust boxes and wondering why they’re filled with starches and dairy, you’ll appreciate how clean and straightforward this recipe is.

Step-by-step: building a crust that actually holds

Here’s where a lot of cauliflower crust attempts go wrong: they skip the moisture removal. If your cauliflower rice is wet, your paleo pizza crust will be soft and fall apart. After steaming or microwaving the rice (5-6 minutes does the trick), let it cool just enough to handle. Then use a clean towel to wring out every last bit of water. This step alone separates a good paleo cauliflower crust from a mushy one.

Once dry, toss the cauliflower into a large bowl and crack in the eggs. Sprinkle in the coconut flour, baking powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to really work everything together until it forms a slightly sticky dough.

Spread the mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet into a pizza shape, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but keep it about ¼ inch thick for the right texture. Bake it on the middle rack of a preheated oven at 425°F for about 13–15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the center is set.

At this point, you’ve got a solid base. Add your favorite toppings, like sautéed veggies, marinara, or leftover protein, and slide it back in for another 5-10 minutes. You’ll end up with a crispy, golden, flavor-packed paleo cauliflower rice pizza that’s completely free of grains, dairy, and fillers.

Bonus tip: I’ve found that this crust pairs beautifully with leftovers. One night I topped it with paleo chorizo meatballs, the next with grilled chicken and some greens. If you’re craving variety, it adapts easily, just like my paleo chicken burrito bowl.

Why this beats the store-bought version

When people ask how many calories are in a cauliflower pizza crust, what they’re really asking is: Is this worth it? Many frozen cauliflower crusts clock in higher than expected because they include rice flour, potato starch, or cheese. That’s why brands like Caulipower end up with more carbs than you’d think, making them less ideal for paleo eaters.

With this version, you’re in control. No hidden ingredients. Just whole foods that work together to make a crust you’ll feel great eating. And if you’re tracking calories or macros, the nutrition stays clear and simple, which we’ll break down in the next section.

Paleo Nutrition & Cauliflower Pizza Crust Breakdown

Cauliflower pizza crust nutrition breakdown

One of the biggest questions I get about paleo cauliflower rice pizza is whether it’s really lighter and cleaner than traditional or store-bought options. The short answer is yes. This homemade crust is naturally lower in carbs and free of the common additives found in most frozen cauliflower pizza crust products.

Let’s break it down. A single serving of this paleo cauliflower rice pizza crust, based on dividing the full recipe into 3 equal portions, delivers the following approximate nutritional values:

Nutrient	Per Serving	Frozen Crust Avg*
Calories	140	220–290
Net Carbs	6g	17–24g
Protein	7g	4–7g
Fat	9g	10–15g

*Values based on leading frozen cauliflower crust brands with non-paleo ingredients

As you can see, this paleo cauliflower rice pizza keeps things light without losing flavor. Thanks to the eggs and coconut flour, it also provides a good amount of protein and fat to keep you full.

How many calories in a cauliflower crust pizza?

If you’ve been scanning labels or Googling “how many calories in a cauliflower crust pizza,” you’ve probably noticed there’s no simple answer. Most packaged cauliflower pizza crusts range from 220 to nearly 300 calories per serving. That adds up quickly if you eat more than a quarter of the pie.

This homemade paleo cauliflower rice pizza is different. At just around 140 calories per serving (without toppings), it fits beautifully into a clean, whole-food lifestyle. You can add your favorite paleo toppings like roasted chicken, sautéed mushrooms, or fresh basil without going overboard.

More importantly, this paleo pizza crust doesn’t contain hidden starches or dairy, so you avoid blood sugar spikes and bloating that often come with prepackaged versions. That’s especially important if you’re eating paleo for energy, weight balance, or gut health.

If you want another light but satisfying option for busy weeknights, try my paleo sambal shrimp lettuce wraps. They’re quick, spicy, and full of protein, just like this cauliflower pizza.

Paleo Alternatives to Traditional Pizza Crusts

Other ways to enjoy paleo pizza without grains

If you’re loving this paleo cauliflower rice pizza but want to keep things fresh, you’ll be happy to know there are other paleo pizza crust options that work just as well. One of my favorites is using sweet potato slices or mashed sweet potato mixed with almond flour to form a soft and slightly sweet crust. It’s great with spicy toppings like sausage or jalapeños.

You can also make portobello mushroom pizza boats, which are fast, satisfying, and naturally low in carbs. If you’re craving something ultra quick, try baking a few rounds of thinly sliced eggplant and topping them like mini pizzas. These options don’t give you the same crisp edge as a cauliflower crust, but they’re perfect when time is tight.

Still, if your goal is a crust that feels close to the real thing, this paleo cauliflower rice pizza crust is still the clear winner. It hits that balance of flavor and structure, which can be hard to find in paleo cooking.

Try it once, and it might just earn a spot in your weekly meal rotation, right alongside my paleo chicken burrito bowl or paleo sweet potato and ground beef bowl.

How this paleo cauliflower rice pizza stacks up

Let’s recap. This paleo cauliflower rice pizza uses only real, whole ingredients. There’s no dairy, no grains, no fillers, and no sketchy starches. Compared to frozen cauliflower pizza crusts, which often contain rice flour, cornstarch, and added cheese, this one keeps everything paleo and simple.

What really sets this recipe apart is how well it performs. The crust crisps beautifully on the edges while staying firm in the middle. You don’t have to eat it with a fork unless you want to. That makes it a real replacement for traditional pizza, not just a compromise.

And if you’re wondering what the paleo alternative to pizza is, this recipe is your answer. It feels indulgent without straying from your clean eating goals. Whether you’re following a strict paleo plan or just want a healthier pizza night, this crust delivers every time.

Next up, we’ll answer some of the most common questions people ask about making cauliflower pizza crusts paleo-friendly. Then, don’t miss the full Tasty Recipe Card at the bottom of the page for the complete step-by-step version.

If you’ve been missing pizza but want to stay on track with your paleo lifestyle, this recipe is the one to try. It’s simple, customizable, and feels like a real slice, not a compromise. The combination of cauliflower rice, coconut flour, and eggs makes a crust that’s crisp around the edges and firm enough to hold all your favorite toppings.

Unlike store-bought versions, this paleo cauliflower rice pizza doesn’t come loaded with unnecessary starches or dairy. You control every ingredient, so it stays clean, grain-free, and completely paleo. Whether you’re prepping dinner for yourself or feeding the whole family, this crust delivers the kind of comfort food that fits your goals and actually tastes good.

Give it a try next pizza night. Then top it your way, meaty, veggie-loaded, or simple with sauce and herbs. However you slice it, this paleo cauliflower pizza crust might just become a regular in your kitchen like it has in mine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paleo Cauliflower Rice Pizza