If you’re looking for a hassle-free, realistic-tasting, vegetable-based pizza crust to make your own gluten-free pizza at home, Caulipower has you covered.
Caulipower’s cauliflower crust is by far the closest you’ll get to the real thing. When baked just right, it has a texture that’s chewy, crunchy and crispy all at once. I tried many different cauliflower crusts in the market, and Caulipower’s kept winning the taste test.
That said, there is more you should know about this crust. I’ve put together my unbiased review to give you the bottom line, pros and cons, and other relevant details you might find interesting.
Let’s start with the bottom line to see how this crust stacks up against other cauliflower crusts out there.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
The most common complaint about cauliflower pizza crusts is their lack of crispiness and airy texture. Caulipower has solved this problem with its cracker-textured crust. It will be one of the crispiest cauliflower crusts you’ll ever eat.
The brand strives to market it as the healthiest cauliflower crust available in the frozen aisle. That’s not exactly the case. It has a long ingredients list and some additives that are not exactly “health foods”.
When it comes to baking the crust, the instructions on the box are pretty precise. However, you might need to tweak the baking time for optimal results. After baking the crust several times, I’ve determined the perfect baking duration. You can find my recommended baking time and additional useful tips in my Domino’s Spinach and Feta copycat recipe, which I prepared using Caulipower’s crust.
All things considered, Caulipower’s plain cauliflower crust is definitely worth trying. Its pros totally outweigh the cons.
Pros
- Realistic-tasting
- Short bake time
- Crispy crust
- Perfect for multiple toppings (3-4)
- 2 Crusts per pack
- Company website shows nearby availability
Cons
- Higher in calories & carbs
- Some additives
Unboxing and First Impressions
The crust sits on a piece of cardboard and is wrapped in plastic. It kinda reminds me of crackers when you look at it. The surface isn’t wet or icy at all – it’s dry and looks really fresh.
The top part of the crust has this light brown color, and the bottom is a bit darker. I guess that’s from how they cook it before it gets packaged.
Caulipower Crust’s Taste and Texture Test
Taste
Caulipower’s crust has a subtle flavor, devoid of any distinct cauliflower or other ingredient taste when fully baked. Unlike some cauliflower pizza crusts, it leaves no aftertaste.
The crust adeptly takes on the flavors of its toppings, resembling a regular thin pizza crust in taste.
Texture
Caulipower’s crust excels in texture, being crispy and crunchy. However, overbaking can lead to a texture akin to dry soup crackers.
It’s sturdy enough to hold multiple toppings, but remember, it’s a thin crust, so avoid overloading it.
Smell
There’s no noticeable smell from the crust, either before or after baking.
Size
The crust measures 10 inches and maintains its thin profile and size even after baking.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Cauliflower, Brown Rice Flour, Rice Flour, Water, Corn Starch, Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Oil, Egg, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Baking Powder, Xanthan Gum, Sugar, Yeast, Vinegar, and Salt.
Allergens: Egg
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Container: 3
Serving Size: 1 Slice
Calories: 170
Total Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 0.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 170mg
Total Carbohydrates: 28g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Total Sugars: 1g
Protein: 2g
Is Caulipower’s Crust Healthy?
When it comes to how healthy it is, Caulipower’s cauliflower crust is kind of middle-of-the-road. It’s not the unhealthiest option out there, but it’s also not the top health champ among cauliflower pizza crusts.
This app I checked out, Yuka.io, which rates food based on stuff like nutrition, additives, and whether it’s organic, gives Caulipower crust a score of 45 out of 100. The reason it’s not scoring higher? Mainly because of two additives in the baking powder – monocalcium phosphate and disodium diphosphate.
Here’s the lowdown from Yuka’s analysis, showing the good and not-so-good points:
Overall, I’d say Caulipower’s crust is pretty okay health-wise. The upsides definitely tip the scales more than the downsides. And let’s be real, if you’re after a pizza crust that tastes legit and is made from veggies, you might have to compromise with an additive or two.
Is Caulipower’s Crust Diet Friendly?
Caulipower’s pizza crust packs more calories and carbs compared to other premade cauliflower crusts. The whole 12-inch crust has 510 calories and 81 net carbs. So, if you’re swapping out a regular gluten-free crust for this, you’ll cut some calories and carbs, but it might not be the best fit for strict low-calorie or low-carb diets.
Let’s see how this crust aligns with a few popular diets:
- Paleo-Friendly? Not really. Paleo cuts out processed foods and grains, and Caulipower’s crust includes brown rice flour, a no-go for strict paleo followers.
- Keto-Friendly? It’s iffy. One slice has 27 grams of net carbs, and the whole crust totals 81 grams. Does that fit your Keto plan? You’ll need to decide.
- Whole 30 Compliant? Nope. This diet excludes grains and dairy, and Caulipower’s crust has cornstarch and brown rice flour. Maybe try it after your 30-day challenge.
- Weight Watchers Points? Sure, you can include it. Just note that one slice is 5 points – so plan your daily points around that if you’re indulging.
Ease of Preparation
I’m giving Caulipower’s cauliflower crust top marks for how easy it is to prepare. You don’t have to pre-bake or broil it, and there’s no fuss with double-side baking.
Just pull it out of the box, peel off the plastic wrap, slap on your favorite toppings, and toss it in a preheated oven. In just 10-11 minutes, your 10-inch pizza is good to go.
Honestly, it doesn’t get any quicker or simpler than this.
Realistic-Tasting Score
By now, it’s clear that Caulipower’s cauliflower crust is a dead ringer for the real, doughy deal. Despite being mostly cauliflower, it’s got this uncanny taste that’s really similar to a traditional wheat flour crust.
So, if I had to rate it on how close it gets to the real thing, on a scale from 1 to 10, I’d give Caulipower’s crust a solid 9.
Final Point
I’ve got to say, Caulipower’s cauliflower crust really nails it as a gluten-free option that’s close to a real pizza crust. It’s got the taste down, it’s crispy yet sturdy enough for a bunch of toppings, and it’s a breeze to prepare.
It’s rare to find a cauliflower crust that hits the mark in preparation ease, taste, texture, and availability all at once. Caulipower’s crust ticks all these boxes, making it a solid pick for anyone who loves gluten-free pizza and wants a bit of variety.
Definitely give Caulipower’s plain crust a whirl – I think you’re going to be a fan!