This Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust is a simple, high-protein way to make homemade pizza using cottage cheese and flour. The crust bakes thin and lightly crisp, creating a great foundation for your favorite toppings. It’s an easy weeknight recipe that gives pizza an extra protein boost.
I make lots of cottage cheese recipes, and this high-protein pizza crust is one of my go-to options when a pizza craving hits. It’s straightforward, tasty, and adds a little extra nutrition without extra fuss.
Why You’ll Love Cottage Cheese Pizza
Swapping traditional dough for this cottage cheese crust is an easy way to add protein to pizza night. The crust offers a pleasant, familiar flavor and bakes up thin and slightly crisp. Pair it with a side salad for a balanced meal.
What makes this version stand out:
- Only two main ingredients. Cottage cheese and self-rising flour form the base; add garlic powder or Italian seasoning if you want more flavor.
- No yeast, no rising time. Mix, shape, and bake—perfect for busy evenings.
- Higher in protein. Cottage cheese boosts protein; a typical two-slice serving contains about 24 grams of protein.
- Thin, lightly crisp texture. The crust turns golden at the edges and stays tender in the middle, holding toppings well.
- Customizable. Top with anything from classic pepperoni to vegetable or chicken combinations.
- Quick to prepare. Make it on a whim when you want pizza without the time commitment of traditional dough.
Ingredients You Need
These simple ingredients make a whole pizza crust:
- Cottage cheese: Full-fat (about 4% milkfat) gives the best flavor and texture, but other varieties will work.
- Self-rising flour: All-purpose flour with baking powder and salt included. If you only have all-purpose, add ½ tsp baking powder and ¼ tsp salt per cup of flour.
- Garlic powder and Italian seasoning: Optional, but recommended for extra flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese: Use your preferred shredded cheese; mozzarella is classic. Add a sprinkle of parmesan or feta if you like.
- Pizza sauce: Any pizza or marinara sauce will work.
- Turkey pepperoni: Optional, but a tasty topping choice.
Best Pizza Toppings
Use any toppings you enjoy. A few favorite combinations:
Classic Pizza Toppings
- Marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni
- Sausage with bell peppers and onions
- Mushrooms and extra cheese
- Parmesan and red pepper flakes
High-Protein Options
- Grilled or rotisserie chicken
- Turkey pepperoni
- Ground turkey or lean beef
Fresh and Veggie-Forward
- Spinach and ricotta
- Cherry tomatoes and fresh basil
- Roasted vegetables
- Arugula or fresh greens added after baking
Flavor-Packed Variations
- Buffalo chicken with a ranch drizzle
- BBQ chicken with red onion
- White pizza with garlic, olive oil, and ricotta
- Hamburger-style with ground beef and cheddar (top with fresh lettuce or tomato after baking)
- Chopped bacon
Tip: Don’t overload the crust—too many toppings can prevent it from crisping.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese and self-rising flour.
Step 2: Mix first with a spoon, then use clean hands to finish forming the dough into a ball. The dough will be slightly sticky; if it’s unmanageable, dust your hands with a small amount of flour and continue shaping.
Step 3: Lightly flour a sheet of parchment paper. Press the dough flat by hand on the parchment. Working on the parchment prevents sticking.
Step 4: Roll the dough into a thin pizza shape with a lightly floured rolling pin. Aim for a thin crust that still holds toppings.
Step 5: Transfer the parchment with crust to a baking or pizza pan. Spread sauce evenly over the rolled dough.
Step 6: Top with shredded cheese, pepperoni, or any desired toppings. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust turns golden and crisp. Allow the pizza to cool a few minutes, then slice and serve.
Jamie’s Tips
Expert Recipe Tips
- Work on parchment paper. The dough is sticky, so shaping and rolling on parchment prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Roll thin. A thin crust crisps better; a thick crust can stay soft in the center.
- Bake until golden and set. Edges should be lightly golden and the center firm before removing from the oven.
- Adjust bake time for toppings. Less sauce and fewer toppings finish closer to 18–20 minutes; heavier toppings may need a few extra minutes.
- If dough is too sticky, add a teaspoon of flour at a time until it’s manageable.
FAQs
It offers a similar savory flavor and pairs well with classic toppings, though the texture is slightly different. Add garlic powder or Italian seasoning for familiar pizza notes.
Self-rising flour works best. If using all-purpose flour, add ½ tsp baking powder and ¼ tsp salt per cup of flour.
The cottage cheese makes the dough naturally sticky. Working on parchment and lightly flouring hands or the rolling pin helps.
Yes, you can mix the dough ahead and refrigerate briefly, though it’s easiest to work with fresh.
Other Ways to Use Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust
- Cottage cheese garlic sticks: Slice the dough into long sticks, brush with butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and top with mozzarella.
- Mini pizzas: Divide the dough into 3–4 balls for individual pizzas and reduce bake time.
- Try different toppings: Any favorite pizza toppings work—mix and match to suit your taste.
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven at 400°F until the cheese is melted and the crust is warmed through.
More Easy Pizza Recipes
High Protein Lavash Bread Pizza (in under 10 minutes!)
Feta Pizza with Spinach and 2-Ingredient Dough
Quick and Easy Pizza Boats
Easy Healthy High Protein Pizza (30+ grams Protein)
If you’ve made and enjoyed this Cottage Cheese Pizza or another recipe from the blog, please leave a rating and comments below!
Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust
Jamie N, Registered Dietitian
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese full-fat works best
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2-3/4 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup turkey pepperoni sliced, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese and self-rising flour. Mix with a wooden spoon, then form into a ball with clean hands. If the dough is very sticky, lightly dust your hands with flour and continue shaping.
- Lightly flour parchment paper, press the dough flat, then roll into a thin pizza shape on the same parchment. Work directly on the parchment to avoid sticking.
- Transfer the parchment and crust to a baking sheet. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough.
- Top with shredded cheese, pepperoni, or other toppings.
- Bake 18–20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and the crust is golden and crisp. Heavier toppings may require a few extra minutes.
Notes
- The dough will be sticky. Work on parchment paper and lightly flour hands or tools as needed.
- Roll thin. A thin crust crisps better and stays sturdy under toppings.
- Cottage cheese consistency matters. Thicker cottage cheese gives a better texture; strain very watery cottage cheese if needed.
Nutrition
Serving: 2 slices |
Calories: 331 kcal |
Protein: 24 g
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Food photography by Marie-Catherine Dubé.