Cloud Bread Pizzas
You might be thinking.. hmm what is cloud bread? This is a fun {& affordable} gluten-free, yet protein forward alternative for pizza lovers. Think pizza crust adjacent versus replacement.
Cloud Bread Pizzas are a fun way to indulge your pizza cravings & completely customizable for yourself and for entertaining guests!
What is Cloud Bread anyway?
The foundation of the cloud bread “crust” comes from whipping egg whites, a similar process to whipping heavy cream, that uses either a stand or handheld mixer. Air becomes incorporated into the egg whites, which increase in volume and transform into a foamy base.
Egg whites are whipped until they become firm peaks. This means that if you were to take a whisk and turn it upside down with the egg whites on it, the peaks would hold with the tip slightly falling down (versus standing straight up or completely collapsing).
Then, the whipped egg whites are enriched with the fat from the egg yolk and parmesan cheese to produce a light & delicate “ cloud bread.” And if you need a dairy free approach: simply substitute miso and nutritional yeast for a sharp umami flavor.
La Chef Professional Note:
You do not want to salt this cloud bread base. Believe it or not, there are actually a few times that salt can be disadvantageous. Salt will actually weaken the protein molecules of the egg whites, creating an unstable structure.
Make as a Game Day snack or for a fun romantic Valentine’s Dinner!
Purple Potato Chorizo Cloud Bread Pizza with Avocado Salsa Verde
Check out more Superbowl and Valentine recipe ideas here.
Save Money Like La Chef
Many gluten-free alternatives are commonly found in supermarkets nowadays. However, I find that these options can be pretty expensive, especially compared to the “normal” counterparts.
Of course, this just increases the challenge of eating “healthier.”
And these gluten-free products really aren’t as nutrient dense as they could be when made at home (always read the ingredient list). Many gluten-free products simply replace regular carbohydrates with highly processed, unfavorable starches, flours and added preservatives.
Following Kitchen Hack #10, these Cloud Bread Pizza Crusts will help you save money & fuel yourself with real ingredients (Click here for more kitchen hacks + meal plan).
For the price of a dozen of eggs (along with a few pantry staples): you can make 4 large Cloud Bread pizzas that can be easily stored in the freezer for 4 to 6 months! Dalé.
Create Memories in Your Own Home Kitchen
As a chef, I love working with & sharing food in any capacity, including tools that help you create and share memories of your own in your own home kitchen!
I have self-published Holidalé Like a Chef to share my love of vibrant foods, such as these fun & easy appetizer ideas, AND to help you experience stress-free magic as well on throughout the year with meal planning worksheets, free chef curated meal plan, and vision board templates.
The celebratory recipes included in my {new} cookbook are inspired by my favorite flavor combinations and childhood memories as well as my current Napa Valley influences.
Cloud Bread Pizzas
Ingredients
3 Eggs, separated
2 tsp Corn Starch
1/4 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
3 Tbsp Parmesan
OR for Dairy Free Substitute:
1½ Tbsp Miso
1½ Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
Favorite Toppings:
Tomato, Fresh Basil & Mozzarella
Chorizo, Potato & Avocado Salsa Verde
Sausage, Peppers & Mushrooms
The options are endless!
La Chef Professional Tip
Make cloud bread pizza crusts in bulk (Kitchen Hack #18) and freeze in an air-tight container for 4 to 6 months.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Whisk cold egg whites until a stiff peak forms.
Mix in cornstarch & baking powder until completely blended. **It’s best to leave this base completely
unseasoned. Salt basically weakens the protein structure of the egg whites, taking more time to whip
egg whites that will be unstable.Spread mixture on a parchment lined sheet pan and bake in the oven for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until it is pretty set and golden brown.
Meanwhile, prepare your favorite toppings.
Once cloud bread crust is baked, top sauce and desired pizza toppings.
Finish cloud bread pizza in the oven until the cheese is melted. For the last 5 minutes, you can turn the oven up to 400 degrees F to get golden brown. Allow to cool, slice & enjoy ¡Dalé!
