Oat bran vegetarian pizza is a healthy and quick version of a classic pizza. Oat bran, yogurt and whole wheat flour give a light and nutty touch to the pizza crust. Simple tomatoes and zucchini in a combination with cheese make a delicious pizza topping.
I love pizza. In fact, it is one of my favourite foods. But, since enjoying too much classic-dough pizza I looked for something new and created this variation. The oat bran pizza is the new pizza recipe on my menu.
Oat bran
Do you know oat bran? Oat bran and oatmeal both belong to the same grain. The difference is, that oatmeal comes from the inner part and the oat bran from the outer part of the groat.
Oat bran has a rich nutty flavour with a semi-sweet note. It is slightly different from oatmeal (in taste, texture and also in the way you prepare it).
More, it has plenty of health benefits, too. Its high content of nutrients, fiber, iron, protein, minerals, magnesium and vitamins might have a positive impact on your health. Some of the effects are: benefits to the cardiovascular, lowering the cholesterol level and, because of all of the fiber, the regulation of your digestive system.
Besides that, it is very easy to add to your diet, either in baking, smoothies or breakfast bowls. It will keep you feeling full for a longer time and consequently, it will help you to prevent gaining weight.
This was my first time using oat bran. In fact, my knowledge about oat bran was zero. But, since my boyfriend gave me a book, which contains only recipes with oat bran, I’ve done some research. Now I have a bit more clue. Wink.
Oat bran forms a sticky, gel-like substance when in contact with a fluid. This creates that full feeling. Because it soaks the liquids that are in your stomach, it is recommended to eat them preferably in the morning and to drink plenty of water.
Pizza toppings
What goes on pizza? Anything you like. The classic combo of tomato, cheese and basil, prosciutto and arugula or olives, artichokes and cheese. I love combining fruits and nuts with savoury ingredients, just like in this apple sausage Flammkuchen recipe. Or add vibrant, colourful toppings, such as these here, on this cauliflower crust pizza. Go crazy. Wink.
For this recipe, I kept it simple. The basic toppings of tomato and zucchini taste delicious with the nutty crust and melted cheese. On one of the pizzas, I used pesto, instead of tomato sauce. Pesto is not just an addition to pasta. It can make a lovely pizza topping, too.
You can either use a store-bought one or homemade pesto. I love to make it myself. It’s so easy and so fast to make a jar of delicious, creamy pesto. Let me know if you tried it. Also, you decide which ingredients to use to make your own version of it. Wink.
For more ideas, here are some pesto recipes: turnip cabbage pesto, lovely arugula-basil pesto spaghetti or this zucchini-coriander pesto.
Ingredients for two portions of oat bran vegetarian pizza:
- 200 g yogurt
- 40 g oat bran
- 70 g whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp of baking powder
- salt
- 1-2 Tbsp of tomato sauce
- 1 medium tomato (sliced)
- 1 zucchini (sliced)
- 80 g frozen green peas (thawed)
- 1 garlic clove
- a bunnch of chives
- grated cheese
To begin, preheat the oven to 180° C. In a larger bowl, stir yogurt, oat bran, flour, salt and baking powder. Allow soaking for 7-10 minutes.
In the meantime, wash the tomato, zucchini and chives. Finely chop the chives. Slice the tomato and zucchini into ca 3 mm thick round slices. Take two zucchini slices and dice them. Put half of the remaining zucchini round into a pan (you’ll use them for pesto) and keep the other half aside.
In the meantime, make the pesto. Briefly saute the zucchini rounds until tender. Transfer to a food processor, add garlic, chives, green peas, salt and olive oil and blend until smooth.
Now divide the batter into two parts. Pour the batter onto the baking sheet lined with baking paper and form two round shapes. Using a wet spoon or wet hands, spread it into 1 cm thick circles or any other shape.
Put to bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden. Afterwards, take the oat bran pizzas out of the oven and add the toppings.
On the first pizza, spread 1-2 spoons of tomato sauce and place the zucchini slices on top.
For the second pizza, spread 1-2 spoons of pesto on it, lay tomato slices on top and sprinkle with diced zucchini. Place back in the oven for 10 more minutes. At this point, top them with grated cheese and bake for additional 5 minutes, until the cheese melts.
Finally, take the oat bran vegetarian pizza out of the oven. Cut it in your desired way and sprinkle with some fresh chives.
Enjoy.
