Bruschetta Pizza with Chickpea Crust

Pizza night is a cherished tradition in many households, but have you ever thought about giving it a healthy twist? While conventional pizza can be a tasty treat, it’s often loaded with ingredients that can be problematic for our skin.

Today, we’re excited to share a recipe that offers a delicious alternative: Bruschetta Pizza with a Chickpea Crust. This delightful dish is not only scrumptious but also packed with nutrients, making it a guilt-free indulgence that’s kind to your skin.

Why Rethink Conventional Pizza?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a moment to understand why traditional pizza might not be the best choice for our skin:

• Inflammatory Oils: Many pizzas are cooked with oils that are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is a known contributor to acne and other skin issues.
• Dairy: Cheese, a staple topping on most pizzas, contains hormones that can interfere with our own hormonal balance, potentially leading to breakouts. Dairy is also known to increase the production of sebum, the oily substance that can clog pores.
• Processed Meats: Toppings like pepperoni and sausage are often high in preservatives such as nitrates and loaded with excess sodium, both of which can contribute to inflammation and puffiness in the skin.

The Power of Chickpeas

Chickpea flour, also known as garbanzo bean flour, is a gluten-free alternative to traditional wheat flour, making it a better choice if you’re working on gut health. It’s high in protein, which supports tissue repair, including the skin, and is rich in fibre, aiding digestion and promoting a healthy gut. A healthy gut can help reduce skin inflammation and acne.

Additionally, chickpea flour has a low glycemic index, preventing rapid blood sugar spikes that can lead to hormonal imbalances and acne. It also contains essential nutrients like folate, iron, and magnesium, which contribute to overall health and skin vitality. The flour’s subtle nutty flavour pairs well with fresh toppings, creating a unique and tasty base for pizza.

Topping it Off

The toppings for this pizza are simple yet bursting with flavour, each bringing its own set of benefits for the skin. The combination of homemade bruschetta, dairy-free pesto, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction creates a harmony of tastes that will transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean.

Bruschetta

Made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil, bruschetta is not only delicious but also packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from sun damage, while garlic has antibacterial properties that can help fight acne-causing bacteria.

Dairy-Free Pesto

Traditional pesto is made with Parmesan cheese, but using a dairy-free alternative helps avoid the potential skin-irritating effects of dairy. Pesto is also rich in healthy fats from olive oil and nuts, which are essential for keeping the skin moisturized and supple.

Balsamic Reduction

Balsamic vinegar is rich in acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties and may help limit spikes in blood sugar. The reduction also adds a sweet and tangy flavour that compliments the other toppings.

Arugula

This peppery leafy green adds a pop of colour and a burst of flavour to the pizza. It’s also rich in vitamin K, which is known for its role in wound healing and reducing inflammation. Arugula’s high content of antioxidants helps protect the skin from damage and promotes a healthy, youthful glow.

The Bruschetta Pizza with Chickpea Crust is not just a delight for your taste buds but also a boon for your skin, thanks to its nutrient-rich toppings and base. The chickpea crust offers a healthy dose of fibre and protein, essential for skin repair and elasticity.

Toppings like tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil are loaded with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, along with healthy fats and vitamins that protect and nourish the skin. This pizza is a delicious way to support your skin’s health, blending indulgence with benefits in every bite, making it an excellent addition to a skin-friendly diet.

Bruschetta Pizza with Chickpea Crust

This Bruschetta Pizza with a Chickpea Crust is not only scrumptious but also packed with skin-loving nutrients!

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Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 cup chickpea garbanzo bean flour
• ¼ cup arrowroot starch
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• Optional: 1 tsp Italian seasoning

For the Balsamic Reduction

• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp raw honey

For the Toppings:

• ⅓ cup dairy-free pesto (recipe in notes)
• 1 cup bruschetta (recipe in notes)
• 1 cup arugula

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place your cast iron pan (or desired pizza tray) in the oven on the lowest rack to heat up for about 10 minutes. This step is key to achieving that crispy-bottomed crust.
• Make the chickpea crust. In a large bowl, whisk together the chickpea flour, arrowroot starch, nutritional yeast, baking powder, garlic powder, sea salt, and the Italian seasoning if you're using it. Pour in the warm water and olive oil, and stir until everything is nicely combined into a smooth batter.
• Spread the crust. Carefully remove the hot cast iron pan from the oven. Drizzle a bit of avocado oil on the pan to keep the crust from sticking. Pour your crust batter into the pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
• Bake the crust. Pop it back into the oven on the lowest rack and bake for about 10 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to start to pull away slightly from the pan and the top to begin to firm up.
• Make the balsamic reduction. Heat balsamic vinegar in a pot over medium until it simmers, then reduce heat and let it thicken for about 15-20 minutes until halved in volume (stir occasionally). Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of raw honey until well mixed. Cool to thicken.
• Add the toppings. After the initial 10 minutes of baking, remove the crust and spread your pesto over the top. Then, spoon over the bruschetta mixture generously.
• Back in the oven. Return it to the oven for another 7-10 minutes. You want the toppings to get nicely acquainted with the crust, but keep an eye on it to prevent any burning.
• The finishing touches. Once out of the oven, scatter a handful of fresh arugula over the top and drizzle with that balsamic reduction.

Notes

• Dairy-Free Pesto Recipe
• Bruschetta Recipe