Can You Make Fathead Dough Without Cream Cheese
The supreme guide on how to make fat head dough with 4 ingredients. Can be made with almond flour or coconut flour EVEN WITHOUT a microwave PLUS 16 keto recipes to use it.
The basic fathead dough is a gluten-free, low-carb, and keto dough recipe and can be used to make a standard crispy keto fathead pizza crust, bagels, breadsticks, crackers, and even cheesy keto garlic bread.
This is the supreme guide to learning everything you ever wanted to know about making fathead dough, and the best ways to use it in your low-carb diet.
Learning how to make the incredibly versatile keto dough will make dinner time so much easier and tastier. Discover exactly which low-carb flour to use, which cheese to use, what to do if your dough is too dry or if it's too sticky. PLUS a variety of quick and easy keto recipes to enjoy.
Jump to:
- What is fathead dough (mozzarella dough)?
- Step-by-step instructions
- How to make keto pizza crust
- How to make Fathead dough with almond flour or coconut flour
- Substitutions
- Best ways to use mozzarella dough
- Storage
- Recipe FAQ
- 📖 Recipe
- 16+ Fat Head dough recipes
- 💬 Comments
What is fathead dough (mozzarella dough)?
The basic fathead dough recipe is made with 4 simple ingredients: shredded mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, low-carb flour (such as almond flour or coconut flour), and an egg.
It is versatile and can be used for savory recipes or sweet recipes that can all be enjoyed on a low carb diet. It can be baked crispy or soft. You can make fathead bagels, pie crusts, crackers, rolls, buns, pizza, pancakes, tortillas, and garlic bread.
It is one of the first low-carb recipes you need to learn on your keto diet because it's quick, easy, and can be used in so many ways.
What is Fathead pizza?
Fathead pizza is a keto low carb pizza crust recipe that is low in carbs, high in protein, and moderate to high fat.
It is cooked and served exactly the same as a traditional pizza, with a tomato paste sauce, toppings, cheese, and deli meat. It can be cooked like a thin pizza crust or a deep-dish pizza crust.
Unlike a traditional pizza dough, it is incredibly filling and you will only be able to eat 1 or 2 slices. This is one of the benefits of a low-carb diet or keto diet. You begin to fill up on low-carb high-protein foods that keep you satiated and so you end up eating less food, your appetite will reduce and you will naturally eat fewer calories in the long run.
When you compare the nutrition of a regular pizza with a keto pizza you will immediately notice how much lower in carbs each slice is. It's higher protein to keep you full, but you may be worried about the fat and calories.
Remember, you will only be able to eat 1 or 2 slices because low carb pizza crust is so filling and satisfying. Whereas most people will eat an entire wheat pizza crust to themselves.
Pizza nutritional information:
WHEAT PIZZA CRUST: Traditional pizza (crust only, per slice): 25.5 g net carbs, 3.8 g protein, 3.4 g fat, 155 calories.
ALMOND FLOUR PIZZA CRUST: Fathead keto pizza (crust only, per slice): 2.4 g net carbs, 11 g protein, 16.8 g fat, 203 calories.
COCONUT FLOUR PIZZA CRUST: Fathead keto pizza (crust only, per slice): 1.8 g net carbs, 8.2 g protein, 9.4 g fat, 132 calories.
Nutritional values from cronometer.com
What does a fathead pizza taste like?
Does it taste cheesy? No, it tastes like a delicious regular pizza because it is made with mild-flavored shredded mozzarella cheese and low-carb flour. You can make many variations by adding herbs, spices, Italian seasoning and even sweeteners to make sweet fathead dough recipes.
It cooks in the oven just like a traditional dough and can be made crispy or soft depending on the cooking temperature and length of cooking time. You can even use it to make keto pizza pockets and add a variety of ham and cheese fillings.
What kind of sauce do you use on fathead pizza?
You will need to avoid all regular pizza sauces that have added sugars and unnecessary carbs. You can make your own homemade sugar-free ketchup, sugar-free BBQ sauce, or I prefer to use a concentrated tomato paste.
Tomato paste is higher in carbs but because it is so flavorsome, you use only a small amount. It gives you a real bang for your buck! Learn to spend your carbs wisely.
Topping ideas for keto pizza
You can use your favorite pizza toppings on a keto pizza crust. Most pizza toppings are naturally low-carb such as meat and vegetables. Just avoid sticky sweet sauces with added sugars and of course, pineapple.
Begin with a sugar-free tomato pizza sauce, then add a variety of toppings such as sliced pepperoni, cooked ham, ground meat, sliced mushrooms, olives, sliced onions, and herbs such as dried rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Should you add cheese onto a pizza base before or after adding the pizza toppings? It's up to you whether you add shredded cheese before you add your toppings or after you add your toppings. Some people will swear either way is the correct way. It's more down to your personal preference whether you like a cheesy crust or a melted cheesy topping.
Basic fathead dough recipe (4 ingredients)
Once you learn how to make this basic keto dough, you can use it in a variety of ways. All the ingredients, quantities, and full written instructions are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Shredded mozzarella - low moisture.
- Cream cheese - full fat NOT spreadable or low fat cream cheese.
- Low-carb flour - almond flour or coconut flour (see notes below.)
- Egg - this can be omitted if you have an egg allergy and want to make an egg-free pizza crust recipe.
Step-by-step instructions
Add the pre-shredded mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, and almond flour or coconut flour in a large microwave-safe bowl.
Mix gently then microwave on HIGH for 1 minute to melt the shredded cheese.
If you don't have a microwave, you can use the stovetop method. Simply heat the shredded mozzarella and cream cheese in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat. Make sure to mix and stir continuously to prevent the cheese from burning and sticking to the saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the almond flour or coconut flour.
Mix the melted cheeses and almond flour or coconut flour with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. If the cheese isn't melted enough to do this, microwave for another 10 seconds at a time.
Be careful not to overheat the cheese otherwise it can begin to cook and harden.
Allow the cheese to cool for 30 seconds to 1 minute before adding the raw egg, otherwise, the hot cheese may begin to cook the raw eggs.
Now your gluten-free keto dough is ready to use in any recipe. you can use the dough to make a crispy keto fathead pizza crust, keto breadsticks, keto crackers, and even fat head sausage rolls.
How to make keto pizza crust
How thick should a crispy pizza crust be? The dough should be 2-3 mm ⅛ inch.
How thick should a deep pan pizza crust be? The dough should be 8 mm ⅓ inch.
Now you know how to make your basic keto dough, place it between 2 sheets of baking parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, bottle of wine, or the bottom of a measuring cup, spread or roll the dough into a circular pizza shape.
The best way to make a crispy fathead pizza crust is to make small holes all over the pizza base before baking.
How to make Fathead dough with almond flour or coconut flour
The original recipe for fathead pizza crust uses almond flour but for those who have a nut allergy, you can make fathead dough with coconut flour.
You usually cannot directly swap almond flour for coconut flour in most recipes, they behave in completely different ways. Always use recipes that have been developed using one flour or the other.
The fathead dough that is made with coconut flour is higher in fiber, lower in carbs, lower in fat, and lower in protein and calories. It doesn't taste of coconut, but if you are sensitive to the subtle flavor, you can add extra herbs, salt, sweetener, or flavors depending on the fat head dough recipe you are using.
Can I use another gluten-free flour?
When you understand how different low-carb flours work, you can begin to experiment with other flours. But low-carb flours cannot be confused with gluten-free flours.
Low-carb flours are grain-free and therefore naturally gluten-free. Gluten-free flour is often highly processed and has high starch. They are usually a mixture of rice starch, potato starch, and tapioca starch.
If you use regular gluten-free flour, instead of low-carb flour, your baking will be higher carb and generally turn out dry and flaky.
Can I use another type of cheese?
Yes, as long as you use a mild-flavored shredded cheese. If your cheese is too strong or sharp, the dough will be cheesy and not so versatile for sweet recipes.
You can use either pre-shredded cheese or you can make your own shredded cheese. Use the shredding/grating blade in your food processor and store your shredded cheese in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. You can even freeze shredded cheese for up to 3 months.
Tools for fathead dough
You only need simple kitchen tools that you probably have already. Measuring cups, large mixing bowl, rubber or wooden spatula, rolling pin, and a pizza stone, pizza pan, or baking tray.
If you don't have a rolling pin, you can use a wine bottle, a large coffee mug, or the bottom of the measuring cup to spread out your pizza dough between the 2 pieces of baking parchment paper.
How to stop fathead dough from sticking to the parchment paper
Some people find their dough sticking to their baking paper but this is easily preventable with a few simple tricks. Always roll the keto fat head dough between two sheets of nonstick parchment paper, baking paper, or wax paper. But it must be nonstick.
If your dough sticks, use a flat-edged knife and slowly scrape the dough away from the paper as you pull away and remove the top sheet. You can also use wet hands or spray your hands with cooking oil spray to prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers.
Hint: Do not throw away the top baking parchment paper sheet as you will need this to help flip the keto pizza crust mid-way during cooking to make a crispy golden brown crunchy pizza crust.
Substitutions
The original mozzarella pizza dough recipe uses almond flour, however, if you are allergic to almonds or cannot tolerate almonds, you can use coconut flour.
Fat head pastry can be made with: 85 g (¾ cups) almond meal/flour OR 4 tablespoon (¼ cups) coconut flour.
Shredded mozzarella cheese - instead of mozzarella cheese, you can use another low moisture shredded mild cheese such as cheddar or edam.
Egg - this may be omitted if you have an egg allergy or want to make an egg-free fathead pizza crust recipe.
Baking powder - there is no baking powder in the recipe, however, if you want a softer, lighter pizza crust, you can add 1 teaspoon baking powder to the gluten-free pizza dough.
Best ways to use mozzarella dough
Now you know how to make fathead pizza dough, you can easily change the basic recipe to make a huge selection of fathead dough recipes such as pizzas, garlic bread, crackers, breadsticks, and even fat head sausage rolls and keto nacho chips.
- Snacks - add chili pepper flakes while making the keto dough, roll out thin and cut into square keto crackers.
- Lunches - roll the cheese dough into one large sheet and cover sausage meat to make delicious keto sausage rolls.
- Kid-friendly - cut into triangles and make crunchy cheesy homemade nacho chips.
- Dinners - there are endless possibilities such as a green fathead pizza, meatlovers keto pizza, cheeseburger pizza, and my famous cheesy garlic bread.
See the original fat head pizza recipe made with almond flour on my website!
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Fat Head nachos -
Mozzarella dough bagels -
Original fat head pizza -
Keto cheesy garlic bread -
10 ways to use fat head dough
Equipment
How you bake your mozzarella dough can have a big impact on how the recipe turns out. Stone bakeware takes longer to heat up than metal pans and also retains heat for longer, which could make the pastry continue to cook once taken out of the oven.
A metal sheet pan or pizza pan will heat up quickly but also cool down quickly so beware the base of a pizza could begin to bur before the topping has cooked. This is why I generally flip the pizza base over mid-cooking to ensure both sides are cooked evenly.
If you use a pizza stone, you will get the authentic taste of a stone oven pizza. Some pizza stones need oiling, some need dusting with flour and others are pre-seasoned so are non-stick.
You can see all the kitchen equipment I use in my low-carb keto Amazon store.
Storage
You can keep cooked fat head dough in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The cooked dough can also be kept in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can I freeze the raw fat head dough? No. Fathead dough is best made fresh and cooked immediately. The dough is quick to make and once you add the raw egg it begins to heat when mixed with the hot cheese. A warm raw egg can never be saved for later or frozen to be cooked at a later date.
The raw ingredients don't stand up well to freezing and are not safe.
Recipe FAQ
What do you do if your Fathead dough is too sticky?
The main reason you might have sticky fathead dough is the moisture from your mozzarella cheese. Always buy low moisture mozzarella, not the balls of traditional mozzarella that is stored in liquid. If your dough is too sticky, add almond flour or coconut flour an extra tablespoon at a time, and gently fold and then knead well.
What can you do if your mozzarella dough is too dry?
A dry dough usually occurs when the pre-shredded mozzarella cheese has added starches and anti-clumping agents. Always read the ingredient list to avoid things like potato starch, cornflour, and rice starch. If your pizza dough is too dry, add an extra tablespoon of cream cheese at a time and knead the dough until it is soft.
Can you make a fathead pizza recipe ahead?
The heated cheese and warmed raw egg should be cooked immediately. However, if you have friends coming around and want to do some meal prep before they arrive, you can store the raw pizza bases in the fridge in an airtight container, or wrap it in plastic wrap for 1-2 hours. Then cook as soon as they arrive.
Can you freeze fathead dough?
You can only freeze the cooked mozzarella dough and cooked keto pizza bases, never freeze the raw pizza dough that contains raw egg.
Can fathead pizza crust be frozen?
Making homemade frozen keto pizza bases is easy. Make a double or triple recipe (there are easy 2x or 3x buttons on the recipe card below) then cook a few pizzas at once. Once the pizzas are cooked on both sides, allow them to cool on a wire rack then place them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Place pieces of baking parchment paper between each pizza and remove one at a time.
How do I defrost a keto frozen pizza?
Place a frozen keto pizza base on the countertop for 1 hour. Alternatively, if you made a thin crispy pizza crust, you can add all your favorite pizza sauce and pizza toppings and cook from frozen. As the cooked pizza defrosts and heats, the toppings will melt with the shredded cheese topping.
How to make fathead dough without a microwave?
If you don't have a microwave, you can heat the mozzarella and cream cheese in a medium saucepan over a low-medium heat. Make sure to mix and stir continuously to prevent the cheese from burning and sticking to the saucepan.
What is the secret to a crispy pizza crust?
Roll the pizza dough think enough. Cook on both sides. Use a pizza stone or preheated oven with a pre-heated baking sheet pan.
Should I prebake a pizza crust?
Yes! It is important to bake the pizza crust recipe first then add the pizza toppings. otherwise, you will end up with an undercooked pizza base and over-cooked toppings.
How do you make leftover pizza crispy?
You can bake or grill in your oven, you can fry in your frying pan, and you can even reheat in your air fryer for a wonderful crispy crust.
Tricks to the perfect keto pizza dough
Always flip your pizza base halfway through cooking. This ensures you have a crispy pizza base, not a soft soggy floppy pizza base.
You can either use a very large spatula to flip the base or use the top piece of baking parchment that you used to roll the raw dough, place that on top of the pizza base then quickly flip over back onto your pizza stone or baking sheet pan.
📖 Recipe
The supreme guide tomaking basic fat head dough (almond flour or coconut flour). The most POPULAR KETO pizza crust recipe ... thin crispy crust OR keto deep pan pizza.
Calculate ingredients
Adjust servings: 6 slices
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- 170 g (1 ¾ cups) pre shredded/grated cheese mozzarella is the best or Edam/mild cheese
- 85 g (¾ cups) almond flour
- 2 tablespoon cream cheese
- 1 eggs - medium
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Mix the shredded/grated cheese and almond flour/meal in a microwaveable bowl. Add the cream cheese. Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute.
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Stir then microwave on HIGH for another 30 seconds.
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If you don't have a microwave , you can heat the shredded cheese and cream cheese in a medium saucepan over a low-medium heat. Make sure to mix and stir continuously to prevent the cheese from burning and sticking to the saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the almond flour or coconut flour.
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Add the egg, salt, rosemary and any other flavourings, mix gently.
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Place in between 2 pieces of baking parchment/paper and roll into a circular pizza shape (see photos above). Remove the top baking paper/parchment. If the mixture hardens and becomes difficult to work with, pop it back in the microwave for 10-20 seconds to soften again but not too long or you will cook the egg.
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Make fork holes all over the pizza base to ensure it cooks evenly.
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Slide the baking paper/parchment with the keto pizza base, on a baking tray (cookie tray) or pizza stone, and bake at 220C/425F for 12-15 minutes, or until brown.
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To make the base really crispy and sturdy, flip the pizza over (onto baking paper/parchment) once the top has browned.
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Once cooked, remove from the oven and add all the toppings you like. Make sure any meat is already cooked as this time it goes back into the oven just to heat up the toppings and melt the cheese. Bake again at 220C/425F for 5 minutes.
Fat head pastry can be made with: 85 g (¾ cups)almond meal/flour OR 4 tablespoon (¼ cups)coconut flour.
The nutrition panel is for the base only as toppings will vary widely depending on what was added and how much.
ALMOND FLOUR PIZZA CRUST: Fathead keto pizza (crust only, per slice): 2.4 g net carbs, 11 g protein, 16.8 g fat, 203 calories.
COCONUT FLOUR PIZZA CRUST: Fathead keto pizza (crust only, per slice): 1.8 g net carbs, 8.2 g protein, 9.4 g fat, 132 calories.
Nutrition Facts
Fat Head Dough - almond flour or coconut flour
Serving Size
1 slice (serves 6)
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Approximate nutrition information is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. For the most accurate nutritional data, use the actual ingredients and brands you used in your preferred nutrition calculator.
16+ Fat Head dough recipes
FatHead Pizza Recipe - Number One Low-Carb Recipe
FatHead pizza recipe is the NUMBER ONE recipe that every reader NEEDS to make. It has won over many traditional pizza lovers who are never going back. See the conversion below to see how to make these using almond flour or coconut flour.
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NET carbs = 2.4 g
Fat Head Nachos
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NET carbs = 5.1 g
Keto Hamburger Buns
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NET carbs = 4.5 g
Cheesy Keto Garlic Bread - using mozzarella dough
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NET carbs = 1.5 g
Fat Head Dough Calzones
Incredible keto Fat Head dough calzones that are healthy and gluten free. Perfect for low-carb healthy lunch boxes .
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NET carbs = 1.6 g
Keto Meatlovers Fat Head Pizza
If you love Fat Head pizza, you'll absolutely adore meatlovers fat head pizza. This is a keeper.
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NET carbs = 2.4 g
Keto Mozzarella Dough Bagels
Incredible mozzarella dough keto bagels. Perfect for salmon and cream cheese.
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NET carbs = 2.4 g
Fat Head Sausage Rolls
Fat Head sausage rolls are the perfect party food, dinner or lunch box filler. Make as large or as small as you like. See the conversion below to see how to make these using almond flour or coconut flour.
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NET carbs = 3 g
Keto Taco Cups With Fat Head Pastry
Keto taco cups with Fat Head pastry are super popular with children and adults alike. Make them as mild or spicy as you like.
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NET carbs = 6.1 g
Green FatHead Pizza
If you are a fan of the infamous Fat Head pizza, you will love free fat Head pizza. The combination of mint and feta makes this a fresh and tasty change.
See the conversion below to see how to make these using almond flour or coconut flour.
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NET carbs = 2.4 g
FatHead Crackers
See the conversion below to see how to make Fat Head crackers using almond flour or coconut flour.
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NET carbs = 2.1 g
Low-Carb Mozzarella Dough - 4 ways
Fat Head dough (mozzarella dough) is the NUMBER ONE recipe for the entire site. If you only ever try one low-carb recipe, this is it. It has won over many traditional pizza lovers who are never going back. See the conversion below to see how to make these using almond flour or coconut flour.
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NET carbs = 14.9 g
Mozzarella dough keto pizza scrolls
Wow! Mozzarella dough keto pizza scrolls - my kids absolutely LOVE these in their lunch box
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NET carbs = 1.9 g
Keto Pizza Pancakes With Mozzarella Dough
How to make insane keto pizza pancakes with mozzarella dough. Perfect for a quick dinner or school lunch box emergency.
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NET carbs = 3.9 g
Keto Bread Sticks With Mozzarella Dough
INSANE keto bread sticks with mozzarella dough. Healthy, easy grain-free and gluten free recipe.
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NET carbs = 0.8 g
Amazing Keto Dinner Rolls
These mozzarella dough keto dinner rolls are soft, pillowy, and delicious with a crunchy crust!
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NET carbs = 2.3 g
Can You Make Fathead Dough Without Cream Cheese
Source: https://www.ditchthecarbs.com/how-to-make-fathead-dough-even-without-a-microwave/