Low Carb Eggplant Pizza (2024)

Home Recipe Index Meal Type Lunch/Dinner Low Carb Eggplant Pizza

By Brittany Mullins

4.24

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Published Oct 04, 2018, Updated Jan 23, 2023

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A low carb eggplant pizza recipe that uses sliced eggplant instead of a carb-heavy breaded crust. Tons of flavor and super simple to assemble, this recipe is gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan-friendly.

Does anyone else feel like eggplant is a forgotten veggie? I mean, besides the eggplant emoji, when is the last time you thought about eggplant? Or purchased eggplant? Or maybe you’ve nevereven eaten it before?!

I remember the first time I tried eggplant… it was post-college and layered with cheese and basil and pan-fried to perfection. I loved it, but if I’m being honest, eggplant isn’t a veggie I buy on the regular.

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But lately, Isaac and I have been low-key obsessed with this eggplant pizza, so I see a lot more eggplant in my near future.

Eggplant is a great “vehicle” for flavor. What do I mean by this? It’s pretty mild on its own so it pairs really well with complex flavors, making it a great base for a recipe! I had the idea of creating a pizza using eggplant as the crust one weekend when pizza was on my brain. I love that this pizza is easily made low carb by using eggplant andhow simple this pizza was to create (aka much easier than putting together a cauliflower crust!).

It’s definitely more of a fork and knife pizza, but trust me when I say that it’s really delicious and just like regular pizza. And you can top it with anything you desire! I made this veggie version to share, but I’ve also made a meat version with chicken sausage from our local farmers market and it was phenomenal. If you want a little more protein, follow the instructions for how to add ground meat (or veggie crumbles) to the recipe.

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Benefits of Eating Eggplant

Eggplants are very nutrient dense – meaning they pack a lot of vitamins and minerals in without a ton of calories. They’re low in carbs, but high in fiber, folate, potassium and manganese along with other vitamins and minerals. One important thing to note: eggplant, just like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and tomatillos, are in the nightshade family. Nightshades are typically safe to consume but they do containalkaloids so if you’re someone who struggles with autoimmune conditions, IBS or other food sensitives consuming nightshades might contribute to your condition. Learn more about nightshades here.

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Is Eggplant Good for Losing Weight?

Because of eggplant’s texture, flavor and ability to replace higher-calorie foods, eggplants are great to incorporate when trying to lose weight – and this recipe is the perfect example! Instead of making or ordering pizza with a doughy crust loaded with calories, you can easily make this eggplant pizza that is packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals! All the pizza flavor is still there — you’re just replacing the crust with something a bit healthier.

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How Do You Cook Eggplant?

There is a myth that raw eggplant ispoisonous. This isn’t true, however, the leaves and flowers of the plant can be toxic. And like I mentioned above, plants in the nightshade family, all contain alkaloids. One alkaloid present in eggplant is called solanine and it can be poisonous when consumed in extremely large quantities.

So yes, eggplant is okay to consume raw, but at the end of the day it tastes much better cooked – plusthere are so many ways to cook it! You can eat the skin and the small seeds, just make sure you cut off the green stem on the top. You can cut it into strips (lengthwise) or into rounds (widthwise). Bake it, roast it, grill it, pan-fry it… so many options. As for peeling eggplant, you certainly don’t have to peel them – it’s really your choice. The skin is completely edible, but sometimes with larger eggplants, the skin can be a little tough and you may want to consider peeling.

For this low carb eggplant pizza recipe I didn’t find the skin to be too tough, but if you’re using a large eggplant and don’t want to deal with biting through the tough skin, go ahead and peel your eggplant before using it in this recipe.

More Eggplant Recipes

  • Baked Eggplant Parmesan
  • Cheesy Eggplant Casserole
  • Ratatouille
  • Coconut Curry with Eggplant

More Healthy Pizza Inspired Recipes

  • Cauliflower Pizza
  • Spaghetti Squash Pizza Crust
  • Tortilla Pizzas with Hummus
  • Pizza Trail Mix
  • Naan Pizza with Butternut Squash and Pesto
  • Zucchini Pizza Bites
  • Easy Tortilla Pizzas
  • Cloud Bread Pizza
  • Protein Pizza

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.

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4.24 from 130 votes

Low Carb Eggplant Pizza

By: Brittany Mullins

A low carb eggplant pizza recipe that uses sliced eggplant as the crust instead of a carb-heavy breaded crust. Tons of flavor and super simple to assemble, this recipe is vegetarian and vegan-friendly.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 1 large eggplant
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2-1 cup no sugar added pizza sauce*
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach
  • sea salt, to taste
  • ground pepper, to taste
  • 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh oregano
  • crushed red pepper, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat: Preheat the oven to 400°F.

  • Cut eggplant: Slice the eggplant lengthwise, about 1/4-1/3 inch thick. Brush or rub a little olive oil on each side of the eggplant slices and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking stone. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Placein oven for 7-10 minutes, or until eggplant is hot and starting to cook down.

  • Sauté: Meanwhile grab a skillet, add 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil and sauté the garlic and onion until soft (about 3-4 minutes). Season with salt and pepper. Add pizza sauce and spinach to the skillet and cook for 1-2 additional minutes until mixture is warm and spinach has wilted.

  • Adding toppings: Remove the eggplant slices from the oven, top each with the onion and spinach mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and chopped oregano. Place in the oven for approximately 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

  • Serve: Serve immediately with more fresh oregano and crushed red pepper.

Video

Notes

  • For the pizza sauce you can make your own using my recipe or use store-bought. My favorite store-bought option is Rao’s Homemade.
  • If you’d like to add more protein to this dish, simply add about 8 oz of ground chicken sausage or veggie sausage to the skillet with the garlic and onion. Sauté until sausage is thoroughly cooked and then add your pizza sauce and spinach.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 of recipe | Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 19g | Sodium: 791mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 15g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Lunch/Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: eggplant crust pizza, eggplant pizza, low carb eggplant pizza

Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

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About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany

Low Carb Eggplant Pizza (12)
Low Carb Eggplant Pizza (2024)

FAQs

Is eggplant good for a low carb diet? ›

An eggplant's nutritional value is that it's low-carb, low-calorie, and a good fiber source. The potential health benefits of eggplants are rooted in their antioxidant content, heart disease risk protection, and more.

Does eggplant need to be cooked before putting on pizza? ›

Arrange the sliced eggplant on the lined baking sheet, and lightly brush the tops with oil. (This is optional; skip if you prefer to cook without oil.) Sprinkle with salt, then bake until the eggplant is easily pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. Add the toppings.

Can diabetics eat eggplant? ›

Eggplants are low in calories and carbohydrates, making them an excellent choice for individuals with diabetes. They are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. 100g raw eggplant contains approximately: Calories: 25 Kcal.

Is eggplant keto-approved? ›

Eggplant is low in net carbs, high in fiber, and perfectly suitable for a keto diet. 100g of raw eggplant contains just 3g net carbs. And for the same amount of cooked eggplant, this rises to 6.5g net carbs.

Is eggplant OK for weight loss? ›

Eggplants are high in fiber and low in calories, making them an excellent addition to any weight loss regimen. Fiber moves through the digestive tract slowly and can promote fullness and satiety , reducing calorie intake. Each cup (82 grams) of raw eggplant contains 3 grams of fiber and just 20 calories.

How many carbs will break ketosis? ›

Eating more than 50 grams of carbs may disrupt ketosis.

Some people can eat more and still stay in ketosis, whereas others may need to restrict their carb intake more in order to stay in ketosis.

Do Italians put eggplant on pizza? ›

5 Definitely In Italy: Eggplant

When eggplant is served as a pizza topping in Italy, it is usually sliced thinly and layered on the pizza.

When not to use eggplant? ›

When looking at the exterior of the eggplant, check the stem and cap. Both should be green and fresh-looking. If they are starting to fade in color, that's an indicator that the vegetable may be spoiling. You'll also want to toss the eggplant if there is any mold on the stem or cap.

What is the secret to tender eggplant? ›

The other trick for perfect roasted eggplant? Cooking it at a high temperature (425 F / 218 C) for enough time (25-30 minutes) to give it a browned exterior and tender interior. Just look at those cubed purple beauties! & Super snack-able!

Who should not eat eggplant? ›

Foods containing oxalates, such as eggplant, may not be suitable for people prone to kidney stones. Anyone with this condition should limit their intake of oxalate-containing foods. Find out more about the causes and treatment of kidney stones.

How many net carbs are in one eggplant? ›

Eggplant (1 eggplant, peeled (yield from 1.25 lb)) contains 26.1g total carbs, 10.5g net carbs, 0.9g fat, 4.6g protein, and 110 calories.

What vegetable is not good for diabetics? ›

Vegetables to avoid in your diabetes diet

“Starchy vegetables, such as corn, potatoes and yams, are packed full of carbohydrates and, as a result, affect your blood sugar levels,” he says. “In particular, boiled potatoes have a high glycaemic index rating of 78.

What vegetables can kick you out of ketosis? ›

Starchy vegetables contain more digestible carbohydrates than fiber and should be limited when you're on the ketogenic diet. These include corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes and beets. Limit high-sugar fruits too, which spike your blood sugar more quickly than berries and have more carbohydrates.

What veggies are unlimited on keto? ›

You do not have to limit vegetables if you are on the keto diet or are considering it. Plenty of low-carb vegetable options include arugula, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes.

Which vegetable is not allowed in keto? ›

- Starchy Vegetables: Potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, yams, corn, cassava, artichoke, etc. - Refined Carbs: Bread, pasta, pastries, tortilla, sandwich, etc. Due to the high-carb content of these food items, they are not keto-friendly.

What is the best vegetable to eat on a low carb diet? ›

Top 12 Options for Low-Carb Vegetables
  • Red Bell Peppers. ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Zucchini. ...
  • Green Beans. ...
  • Cucumber. ...
  • Artichokes. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts.
Jan 12, 2024

Can you eat eggplant on slow carb diet? ›

Peas, carrots, eggplant, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, green beans and red peppers are examples of slow-burning vegetables. Not only are these veggies a good source of energy, but they are also low in calories and high in fiber, potassium, folate and vitamins A and C.

How many eggs a day can I eat on a low carb diet? ›

Eggs are an incredibly low-carb food and contain only 1 gram of carbohydrates. A keto diet is typically restricted to 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates daily. So, including 5 to 6 eggs daily won't significantly impact your daily carb intake.

What plant based foods are low-carb? ›

Conversely, low-carb dieters who relied heavily on animal-based proteins gained more weight over time. In addition to low-carb vegetables like broccoli, lettuce, and zucchini, other low-carb plant-based options include avocados, nuts and seeds, and tofu and tempeh.

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