Being Italian, there are certain foods I could never completely give up – and real pizza is definitely one of them!
I still enjoy a traditional wheat pizza when I’m in Italy, but I wanted to find an alternative I could make at home more regularly. Wheat-based pizza can leave me feeling bloated, so I started experimenting with different pizza bases.
That’s how this quinoa pizza came about.
I eat a lot of quinoa because I love how versatile it is. You can add it to salads, make burgers with it, use it in bowls – and, as it turns out, you can make a rather delicious pizza base with it too.
The quinoa crust is made with cooked quinoa, egg, garlic, onion, herbs and olive oil. It’s naturally gluten-free and provides fibre and plant protein, while the toppings are completely up to you.
I particularly like mine with tomato sauce, goat’s cheese, rocket, black olives and artichokes. It’s a lovely option when you’re craving pizza but fancy trying something a little different.
Why you’ll love this quinoa pizza
There are a few reasons this recipe has become a favourite of mine:
- It’s simple to make. There’s no kneading, proving or waiting for dough to rise. The quinoa mixture is blended, spread onto a tray and baked.
- The base is naturally gluten-free. Quinoa doesn’t contain gluten, making it a useful alternative to a traditional wheat-based pizza crust.
- It’s satisfying without being complicated. Quinoa provides fibre and plant protein, while the toppings bring plenty of flavour.
- You can make it your own. Use the toppings I’ve suggested or simply work with whatever vegetables and herbs you have in the fridge.
- It’s a useful weeknight option. If you have cooked quinoa ready in the fridge, there’s very little preparation involved.
And perhaps most importantly, it still feels like pizza. I don’t think healthy eating should mean giving up all the foods you enjoy.
Nutritional benefits of quinoa pizza
The quinoa base is what makes this pizza a little different from a traditional wheat-based pizza.
Quinoa is technically a seed, although we generally use it in much the same way as a grain. It’s a useful source of plant protein and fibre and also provides nutrients including magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and folate.
Quinoa provides protein and fibre
One cup of cooked quinoa provides around 8g of protein and 5g of fibre. It also contains all nine essential amino acids, which is one reason quinoa is often described as a complete protein.
Fibre is particularly important for digestive health and normal bowel function. In the UK, adults are generally advised to aim for around 30g of fibre each day, so including foods such as quinoa, vegetables, pulses, nuts and seeds can help contribute towards that target.
Of course, the nutritional value of the whole pizza depends on the ingredients and portion size. I prefer to look at a recipe in the context of your overall diet rather than labelling individual foods as simply ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
A naturally gluten-free pizza base
Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, so it can be used as an alternative to a traditional wheat pizza base.
If you have coeliac disease or need to avoid gluten strictly, it’s important to look beyond the quinoa itself. Check packaged ingredients such as tomato sauce, cheese and other toppings, and take care to avoid cross-contamination during preparation.
A simple way to add more variety
One of the things I like about recipes such as this is that they make it easy to experiment.
Rather than feeling that healthy eating means following a set list of foods, try adapting familiar meals in ways that suit you. Add a few more vegetables, change the herbs or use whatever ingredients you already have at home.
Small changes like these can make healthy eating much more practical when you’re busy.
Ingredients for quinoa pizza
For the quinoa crust:
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 egg
- ¼ white onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- A handful of fresh basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- A pinch of salt
For the toppings:
- Tomato purée or tomato sauce
- A handful of goat’s cheese
- A handful of rocket
- A handful of black olives
- A handful of artichokes
Use these quantities as a starting point rather than feeling you have to measure every topping precisely. Pizza is wonderfully forgiving.
Ingredient substitutions
The toppings are very easy to adapt, so don’t worry if you don’t have everything in the recipe.
- Goat’s cheese: Try mozzarella, feta or another cheese you enjoy.
- Rocket: Fresh spinach or basil can work well too.
- Black olives: Green olives, capers or sliced peppers are good alternatives.
- Artichokes: Try roasted peppers, mushrooms, courgette or aubergine.
- Tomato sauce: Passata or a simple tomato pizza sauce will work. If you need the pizza to be gluten-free, check the label of any prepared sauce.
- Fresh basil: Dried herbs can be used when needed, although fresh basil gives the crust a lovely flavour.
The egg is an important part of the crust because it helps bind the ingredients together, so I wouldn’t simply leave it out without testing an alternative first.
How to make Quinoa Pizza
The secret to a good quinoa pizza base is to keep it thin. A thick layer is much more likely to stay soft in the middle.
1. Blend the crust ingredients
Place the cooked quinoa, egg, onion, garlic, olive oil, basil, oregano, thyme and salt into a food processor.
Blend until you have a fairly smooth mixture.
2. Spread the mixture thinly
Line a pizza tray or baking tray with baking paper.
Spoon the quinoa mixture onto the tray and spread it evenly into a thin layer.
This step really matters. Try to keep the thickness consistent, particularly in the centre of the pizza.
3. Bake the quinoa crust
Place the tray in a preheated oven at 190°C and bake for around 20 minutes.
Keep an eye on it because cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the base and your oven. You want the crust to feel firm and look lightly golden.
4. Add your toppings
Remove the crust from the oven and add your tomato sauce and goat’s cheese.
Return it to the oven for approximately another 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the toppings are heated through.
5. Finish with fresh toppings
I like to add the rocket, olives and artichokes after the pizza comes out of the oven. The rocket stays fresh and you get a lovely contrast between the warm base and the fresh toppings.
Of course, you can adapt this depending on what you have available.
Expert tips for the best quinoa pizza
Keep the base thin. This is probably the most important tip. If the mixture is too thick, the centre can remain soft while the edges are already cooked.
Cook your quinoa ahead of time. If you regularly eat quinoa, cook a batch and keep it refrigerated. Having it ready to go makes this recipe much quicker on a busy evening.
Don’t overload the pizza with wet toppings. Ingredients such as mushrooms and courgettes contain quite a lot of water, which can make the base softer. Cooking them first can help.
Give the base time to cook properly. Don’t worry if your pizza needs a few extra minutes in the oven. Look at the texture and colour rather than relying solely on the cooking time.
Add some toppings after baking. Rocket, fresh basil and other delicate ingredients are often better added at the end.
Don’t worry about making it perfect. The beauty of homemade pizza is that it doesn’t have to look like something from a restaurant. Use the ingredients you enjoy and make it work for your household.
Storage instructions
If you have leftover quinoa pizza, allow it to cool and place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
For the best quality, I’d aim to eat leftovers within 2–3 days and reheat them thoroughly before serving.
The oven or air fryer will give you a firmer, crisper base. A microwave is quicker, but the crust will be softer.
You can also prepare the quinoa crust ahead of time and refrigerate it before adding the toppings.
Nutritional note
Nutritional information can vary depending on the ingredients and portion sizes used. This recipe is intended as general food and nutrition information and isn’t a substitute for personalised medical or dietary advice.
Quinoa Pizza FAQ
Is quinoa pizza gluten-free?
Yes. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, so it can be used to make a gluten-free pizza crust. If you need to strictly avoid gluten, check all packaged ingredients and take care to prevent cross-contamination.
Does quinoa make a good pizza crust?
It can make a surprisingly good pizza base. Cooked quinoa is blended with egg, herbs, garlic and olive oil, then spread thinly and baked until firm. The key is not to make the crust too thick.
Is quinoa pizza healthier than regular pizza?
It depends on the ingredients, portion size and what the rest of your diet looks like. This recipe uses quinoa rather than traditional wheat flour and includes ingredients such as tomato, rocket and artichokes. Quinoa also provides fibre and plant protein. Rather than thinking of one pizza as universally ‘healthier’, it’s more useful to consider the overall balance of your meal and diet.
Can I make quinoa pizza without cheese?
Absolutely. Simply leave out the goat’s cheese and add extra vegetables, herbs or another topping you enjoy. You could also use a dairy-free cheese alternative if that suits you.
Can I prepare quinoa pizza in advance?
Yes. You can make the quinoa crust ahead of time and keep it refrigerated. When you’re ready to eat, add your toppings and heat the pizza in the oven.
Related recipes
If you enjoy cooking with quinoa, you might also like my Black Quinoa Salad Recipe. It’s another simple way to include this versatile ingredient in your meals.
You can also explore more of my healthy recipes for practical ideas that work around busy everyday life.
Take the Next Step in Your Diet & Fitness Journey
Healthy eating isn’t about being perfect or following restrictive rules. It’s about finding realistic habits that work with your life.
If you’re juggling work, family and everything else on your to-do list, personalised nutrition and health coaching can help you turn healthy intentions into practical, sustainable habits.
If you’d like support with your nutrition, weight management, digestive health or healthier daily routines, explore my health coaching packages to see how I can support you.
Ready to talk?
👉 Contact me today to start your journey to better health.
👉 Explore my health coaching packages to find the right fit for you.
