“Let’s get pizza tonight for the big game!” said my husband after I’ve told him a bajillion times I’m doing Whole30. SIGH. I swear if someone won the selective hearing award of the world, it would be him. We ordered pizza that night, but I wasn’t going to blow it on takeout. That’s why this paleo plantain pizza crust saved the day.
Ok before the Whole30 police get all up in my grill, I realize this is a SWYPO meal (if you don’t know that acronym, Google. It would make me blush to type it out). I totally 110% understand that this isn’t in the purest of whole30 intentions. I do, I get it. So if you are all like, “I’m going to kill this Whole30 thing” then GO YOU and find another whole30 recipe here! But if you’ve completed your challenge and want to keep going with this whole ‘healthy eating that’s changed your life’ thing, maybe this is right up your ally.
This paleo plantain pizza crust is made with insanely simple ingredients all blended together, taking seconds to make and a few minutes to bake – it would make Papa Murphy’s jaw drop. Then simply smother on some compliant pizza sauce and your toppings (I used prosciutto and mushrooms) and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast (because, if I’m going to SWYPO I may as well add a cheesy flavor without actually using cheese), and BOOM! A healthy version of pizza. Definitely paleo, definitely healthy, whole30?? I’ll just say “not really”. Yes, all the ingredients are compliant, the concept however? Eh.
I totally embraced that you “you do you” thing when I scarfed down this grain-free, dairy-free, nut-free pizza. I felt kind of like I was playing hookie in 10th grade orchestra. Like, “oooh I shouldn’t be doing this but pshhh what’s the harm in this one little time?” It was the most heart-pounding excitement I’ve had in months.
The best part? When my husband laid on the couch like a beached whale and complained how bloated and gassy he felt that night, I was all, “whelp, THAT’S what you get when you eat a pizza in front of your whole30 wife. No sympathy buddy – the whole30 Gods were watching you.” Karma.
My toddler even asked for my crust over the ‘real’ one. I didn’t even care who won the game, because I won over the toddler. I’m on FIRE tonight. Even if I wasn’t 110% whole30. Whatever, moving on.
To make this paleo plantain pizza crust, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Peel one ripe green plantain (I actually cut the skin off instead of really peeling it), cut into large pieces, then place into a food processor or blender. Ddd the dried herbs, salt, olive oil, and egg white and pulse or blend until thick and creamy.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the plantain puree over the top, evening it out until it’s about 1/2″ thick throughout. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
Once the crust is fully baked (you should be able to pick it up without it breaking), add the pizza sauce and desired toppings. Bake again for 10 minutes, or until all the toppings have cooked. If desired, sprinkle nutritional yeast on the top.
I guess I know what I’m making for Super Bowl. Need other healthy game food ideas? Check out these:
honey tequila lime chicken dummies,
roasted red pepper and eggplant tapenade dip (also Whole30 compliant)
- 1 ripe green plantain
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large egg white
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Peel or cut skin off of plantain and cut into large chunks (thirds)
- Place the plantain in a food processor or blender, and add the spices, olive oil, and egg white
- Blend until well combined - a thick yet creamy texture
- Spread the plantain batter evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet, roughly ½" thick
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until crust is set and able to transfer without breaking
- Add pizza sauce and desired toppings, then bake an additional 10 minutes
hahahha your opening line though. Seriously I have yet to meet a man that listens and remembers (aka – knows how to multi task)
And you already know how I feel about this subject… so POWER TO THE PEOPLE AND PLANTAIN PIZZA CRUST!
RIGHT?! I swear I tell my hubs something 8 times and he still doesn’t retain the info…. SIGH
I’m not gonna lie… I’ve done the whole SWYPO thing pretty much this whole time. A girl needs an almond butter stuffed date every couple of days, ok?! This is my first whole30 ever and I still feel 100% ok about that.
I need to try this pizza crust! My sister used plantains to make taco shells (http://www.freshtart.com/blog/plantain-tortillas-aip-grain-free-gluten-free-paleo-vegan-delicious/30509600) and raved about how good they were!
Almond butter smothered on banana over here. VICE. Ooooh I made plantain ‘pinwheels’ for a game day app last year – I will definitely have to try the tortillas too. Thanks girl!
THIS IS BEEYOOTIFUL Chrissa, and it looks Whole 30ish enough! It also sounds incredibly delicious; I love how pretty the crust is.
Thanks so much Emily! xo
The magic of plantains <3 Always makes me smile 🙂
How did I not discover them years ago?! LOVE LOVE LOVE ’em!
I have so many friends doing the Whole30 right now, but they always seem to be taking a “quick break” on the day that we’re dining out together… hmmm… 😉 It’s tough, I know! But always worth it, I think. This pizza crust looks SO good! Ive made cauliflower pizza crust before but never even thought about using plantains. Love it!
LOL! Tsk tsk – those rule breakers! 😉 You’ll have to pass this recipe on – it’s soooo much easier than cauliflower crusts too! Thanks Marlynn!
I have to try this crust! I tried cauliflower crust once, and it was an epic fail. This seems like a better option!
Cauliflower crusts are SO finicky. This one is foolproof!
I don’t even really know what Whole 30 is, but I love how healthy and delicious this pizza looks! YUM! 🙂
It’s a stricter version of the paleo lifestyle – but just for 30 days 😉 Anyhoo, paleo/Whole30 or not, this is a good one to replace traditional crusts for a healthier option!
This look awesome! I went Paleo and have done a caluliflour crust, but plantain sounds easier! Can’t wait to try it.
YES Kat!! You gotta try it. I like cauliflower crusts but HATE straining the water and the whole process that goes with it. This one is WAY easy!
This looks really great!! And super creative! I love how pizza can be changed to something so much healthier yet the flavour factor is still there!
TOTALLY. Pizza nights are so fun – would be hard for us to give them up just to be a healthier!
My friend is paleo and I experiment with it, so this is perfect when I have them over!
You’re an awesome friend!
This sounds absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
XO, Amber
amberlately.com
Thanks Amber! My pleasure!
Girl, this is straight up genius! Love the simple ingredient list too. So many of the crusts are filled with cheese! Totally pinning for later! 😀
I KNOW!!! I’ve found ONE cauliflower crust that didn’t call for cheese. And I hate straining all the water from the cauliflower – SUCH a process. This recipe is just sooooo much easier!
Wow plantains!? That is so different will have to try
YESSSSSS! Who’da thunk right?!
This looks delicious and super healthy! I’ll have to try this crust.
Super healthy and so easy to whip up this crust! Thanks Katherine!
I am confused. Is the plantain used ripe or is it green? They have different textures and flavors, and even different colors. From the pictures I think you used the green plantain. Maybe it’s just the way you use to call them. Down here in the Caribbean they are called ripe (yellow skin, sweet flavor, and soft) or green (green skin, bland flavor, and hard). This looks like a very tasty alternative to conventional pizza. I’m going to try it, maybe with both types, playing with different toppings. Thank you very much for sharing!
Ok I should be asking you this question since you are probably way more familiar with plantains than I am! Ok so I guess what I mean by ripe green is a green plantain that is slightly ripe – not completely yellow since it will yield a sweeter flavor but not rock hard. Makes total sense right? (LOL – sorry sarcasm here). Let me know if you try it and which plantain ‘ripeness’ you used! Thanks so much 🙂
Just now seeing this comment and it is super helpful! Thank you! 🙂
Of course!
I would have never thought to ask, but I had never bought a plantain before! I used the ripest they had (was pretty brown) and the crust couldn’t crisp. It held together and I could cut it in slices, but I will try a slightly green one next time! Great recipe!! So easy and tasty.
Hmmmm yes, it might have been a little too ripe if it was browning! Makes the plantain a little mushy. Sorry to hear it didn’t turn out perfectly, but hoping you have better luck with a little different plantain!
That crust looks great!
Sooooo good!
Wow, this looks delicious!!
Thanks so much Desiree!
Oh I know so many who are going to love this and you! Pizza for all for Super Bowl!
Bring it on!! I’ll watch for the commercials this year 😉
I love anything paleo/whole30-ish, this looks great!
Awesome Tee! Glad you stopped by!
Okay this is so creative! I never would have thought to make pizza crust from plantain! sounds really tasty!
Super tasty! It’s definitely my ‘go-to’ crust recipe!
YUM! This looks so delicious. I never tried a plaintain pizza crust but you had me at pizza. I’ve also wanted to try some paleo recipes–we love to switch it up and try new recipes.
Even if paleo isn’t your thing, I loved how super super easy it was to make this. Blend, slap on a pan, and bake! Thanks Aliah!
The reason I love this is all the paleo crusts I use have almond flour. My guts revolt with almonds. I tried making plantain chips once and they sucked and I hated the flavor, butttttt, because it’s you, and I love everything you post I am going to give it a try! You rock.
LOL Heather you crack me up! What didn’t you like about the plantains? They can be a little sweet in a weird way – so the herbs in this helped balance that out. Let me know if you loved or hated it! 😉
I’ve never cooked with or eaten a plantain. A very creative idea for pizza crust.
Jill you gotta try ’em! I just started to incorporate plantains in cooking a few years ago – and they are so versatile!
His looks really great! Love finding new recipes for a pizza crust .
Thanks Mikki! And it’s really SO SO SO easy!
Okay we need to have a pizza night together!! LOVE the idea of a plantain crust; I’ve made a cauli crust but not PLANTAINS!!!
Pizza night AND sleepover. Like we are 16. I’m aaaaaall over that idea! This crust is like way way easier that cauliflower ones. Which is totally my jam!
What a great idea–I’ve never thought to try anything with plantains like this before!
I love how easy it is compared to other veggie pizza crusts!
ohhh my! Yum! pizza is life!!!!
RIGHT?! I like you 😉
I recently found your blog when you took over the whole 30 instagram page- I’ve tried a few of your recipes and loved them but I have to say, this plantain pizza was so good it might have changed my life forever! 😂 Thanks for all the easy, healthy, and yummy recipes!
I’m soooo happy to hear that Cherie! Thanks for the note!
Just made 2 of these and I am never going back to cauliflower crust ever again. These were perfect and delicious. Thank you for making “make your own pizza” night fun again 😊.
THAT’S MY GOAL!! YAY! So happy you liked them!
This looks amazing!! I started following you when you did the whole30 Instagram take over and I love your recipes!
I have a question about plantains. I was under the impression that if a plantain was green that it was considered not very ripe. But there is such a thing as a ripe green plantain? And a second question: when I have peeled and cut up the plantain to put in the food processor, is the plantain supposed to be soft?
I have never bought, let alone, cooked with a plantain so it’s all new to me! I am open for any tips about plantains. 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Clair – thank you for writing. I’m going to go back to this post and clarify. I’m definitely not a plantain expert (Midwest roots here), but what I meant was a green plantain that starts to yellow (ripen). If you purchase a yellow plantain that is starting to brown in some areas, while it still may work, it will definitely have a sweeter taste. The plantain shouldn’t be not be super soft, but not rock hard. I hope this makes sense! Feel free to email me if you have any other questions!
So my husband (who is very wary of Whole30 cooking, especially when it’s a food that he loves) took a bite and said, “Tastes like pizza!” I think that’s the best compliment he could have given! Also my one year old is frantically shoving pieces of the crust in his mouth and clapping. I think he approves as well-haha! I feel like I’m stalking you.. I recently told you on instagram that I’m eating my way through your blog and I wasn’t kidding.. This recipe is yet another win!! Thank you!
DANG that IS! My husband is a super pizza fan, so I know how big of a compliment that is. Thanks so much Eva! xoxo
I just ate two slices and not gonna lie, I’m eating the other two. I’m doing my second Whole30 and have had a craving for pizza for a week. Thanks for saving me from inhaling an entire pie at my local pizza place!
LOL! Hey, I do what I can 😉
Won over the whole family. Yay! I’ve put making this off for awhile because I figured it’d be too complicated. If I would’ve just realized it’s literally throw everything in a blender then bake I woud’ve made this months ago! Oh well, live and learn 🙂
Oh heck yeah Rachel! Easy is the name of my game girlfriend! Glad the crust was a hit.