Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Pizza Crust: Baking Tips and Recipe

Baking Trader Joe’s cauliflower pizza crust takes a bit more work than its instructions suggest.  If baked and broiled well, the crust will outperform its mushy reviews.

We tried different methods and lengths of baking and broiling times, and in this post, we’ll share our tips on how TJ’s cauliflower crust can reach its optimal quality.

In the end, we wrap up with a mushroom-pesto recipe that will take this crust to a whole new level.

Trader Joe’s Baking Instructions

During our baking experiments, we found that the crust needs a bit more work than described on its box instructions to get the crust crispy and ready to be topped with toppings.

Here is what Trader Joe’s instructions say:

Preheat oven to 450 F.  Remove all packaging from crust and place upside down on a sheet pan (so what was on the top in the package is now on the bottom). Bake for 10-12 minutes, turn over and bake for another 10-12 minutes.  Using a baking rack on the sheet pan will make it even crisper. For a crisper crust, broil for an additional 4-5 minutes or until browned. If topping, top with desired sauce and toppings and broil again until topping is bubbly and browned, 4-5 minutes depending on broiler

The instruction is correct on the need to broil the crust. Broiling will make the crust crispy, but we found that broiling one side is not enough; both sides must be broiled for optimal quality.

So, here are our baking tips and instructions with just a slight variation.

Our Baking Tips and Instructions

Tips:

-For the best result, place the crust on top of a baking rack and place the baking rack onto a baking sheet.  The crust needs to have airflow underneath it to get crispy.

-Broil both sides.

-Be careful flipping the crust when switching sides.  The best way to do it is to have the crust on a baking rack, place a second baking rack on the top, and then flip it.

-Do not overload with toppings.  Keep the toppings limited.  This is a thin crust, and it will break if topped with too many toppings.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 F.
2. After removing the packaging, place the crust upside down on a baking rack positioned on top of a baking sheet
3. Bake for no less than 11-12 minutes
4. Flip and bake the other side for no less than 11-12 minutes
5. Flip the crust upside down again to broil 4-5 minutes
6. Flip the crust to its original side and top it with toppings
7. Broil for 5-6 minutes or until toppings are browned

Note: (1) Our instructions include broiling both sides, and (2) Baking times should not be less than 11 minutes.

Mushroom-Pesto Pizza Recipe on Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Crust

With our mushroom-pesto recipe, you can ace your Trader Joe’s cauliflower crust; this recipe really compliments the crust.