Updated December 2020
Looking for a homemade, upscale recipe that is a sweet and savory take on traditional crispy, cheesy pizza?
Now that I have your attention, I’m thrilled to share this healthy flatbread pizza recipe made with butternut squash, maple syrup, pancetta, ricotta, and Swiss chard.
Making A Sweet And Savory, Healthy Flatbread Pizza
So let’s start cooking so we can get to my favorite part: eating!
If we want to keep healthy eating exciting, we need to ensure there are loads of flavors in each dish, and this one has it all. This low calorie flatbread pizza has maple-roasted butternut squash, red onion, chard, pancetta, fresh herbs, ricotta, and pecorino cheese. How's that for an explosion of the taste buds?
The sweetness of the maple syrup complements the saltiness of the pancetta, and when you add the creaminess of the ricotta you`ve got a glorious bite of gusto with texture too!
Low Calorie Flatbread Pizza Conditions
There are two things you must promise me you will do when you make this low calorie flatbread pizza.
Number One: Use only pure maple syrup. Pancake syrups (with no real maple) are no comparison. True maple syrup has a complex, nuanced sweetness, and it works equally well in savory and sweet dishes. It will keep, refrigerated, for several months, and it’s all natural, high in calcium and has loads of vitamins and minerals. I use it instead of sugar to bring a more subtle sweetness to almost all of my recipes.
Some other wonderful uses for maple syrup (you’ll never regret this purchase):
- In your homemade salad dressings
- As a marinade for salmon, chicken or pork
- As a substitute for sugar in baking
- When roasting veggies (brussel sprouts and carrots are especially delicious with a drizzling of maple syrup)
Number Two: Buy fresh pancetta, not the cubed stuff. Fresh pancetta should look pink and damp. Avoid anything that looks discolored and dry. The fat should be white and creamy-colored, and the rind should be thin and elastic. You can find good pancetta in most larger grocery stores, or any specialty meat market.
Can Kids Help With This Low Calorie Flatbread Pizza?
This healthy flatbread recipe is a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Pizza is always a popular choice, and they can help in the assembly. Teaching kids healthy eating habits at a young age is imperative if they're going to develop a vital, fit lifestyle.
Who Should I Make This Healthy Flatbread Pizza Recipe For?
It's a great snack for a large group or can be dinner for a small family—more proof that eating healthy can be your everyday eating style. You can also make this as a dinner for one, as it is low in saturated fat and calories. I know you`ll enjoy this low calorie flatbread pizza as much as I do.
Ingredients Needed For A Low Calorie Flatbread
- Naan thin crust pizza
- Butternut squash
- Pure maple syrup
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Red onion
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh pancetta
- Fresh whole-milk ricotta
- Apple cider vinegar
- Rainbow chard
How To Make A Healthy Flatbread Pizza
This dish has a few components, but they`re quick and easy and you`ll be delighted with the results.
You will first want to roast your butternut squash with maple syrup. When the squash is tender, toss it with some oil and seasonings. Also brush your naan with oil to ensure a crunchy pizza crust straight from the oven.
Next, cook your pancetta in a pan until crisp.
Spoon the butternut squash mixture, along with the pancetta and dollops of ricotta, onto the naan. Sprinkle on the pecorino as well.
Bake until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. Once the pizza is removed from the oven, top it off with a salad made with Swiss chard.
This healthy flatbread recipe has so many layers of flavor and is perfect for a small gathering of friends.
Tips For Making Healthy Flatbread Pizza
What Tools Can I Use For The Best Results?
A flatbread pizza pan is a great way to ensure a crisp crust and allows for air circulation around the food. I like this one because:
- It does not require oil—it’s nonstick
- The coating is nontoxic
- It is made with green manufacturing
A good pizza cutter is the best way to slice through your healthy flatbread pizza. This one is great because:
- It has a nonslip handle for safety
- The cutter is made of rust-resistant stainless steel
- It is as child-safe as a pizza cutter gets
A fine cheese grater will allow for adding freshly grated pecorino on top, without the need for buying pre-grated cheese. This one is awesome because:
- It doubles as a citrus zester
- The blade is a razor-sharp stainless steel
- It has a comfort-hold handle
How Do You Get A Crispy Crust At Home?
By turning the oven to a high temperature—in this case 450 degrees Fahrenheit—it allows the crust to get as crispy as a store-bought pizza. Brushing the naan with oil will also ensure that the pizza crust has a nice flatbread feel and crunch to it.
Can I Change Up This Healthy Flatbread Pizza Recipe?
Yes! The beautiful thing about cooking is that recipes, including flatbread recipes, can be altered to fit your taste buds. If you do not like Swiss chard, change it out for spinach or another leafy green.
For the flatbread pizza crust, use ready-made naan flatbread. You can usually find naan crust in most supermarkets. If you cannot find naan at your store, any pre-made pita or pizza crust will work. I like to check the ingredients list prior to buying my pizza crust to ensure I am buying a healthy product.
Where Is The Pizza Sauce On This Pizza?
Some healthy flatbread pizza recipes include a sauce as one of the ingredients, and some do not. By simply brushing oil on the crust and adding lots of toppings, the need for a traditional tomato pizza sauce decreases. Once you bite into this flatbread pizza, you will not miss the classic pizza sauce.
Can This Healthy Flatbread Pizza Recipe Be Made Vegetarian?
As stated previously, feel free to change up the recipe to fit your needs. Pancetta offers a salty, crispy bite, but feel free to omit it completely or use vegan bacon bits. Any small, crunchy topping offers a satisfying mouthfeel in this low calorie flatbread pizza recipe.
It’s Easy Being Cheesy
Who doesn’t love the comfort of a cheesy pizza? Instead of ordering takeout, try elevating your pizza experience with this amazing healthy flatbread pizza. It is a great excuse to get the kids into the kitchen and teach them about healthy eating. The layers of flavor you will experience are unlike any pizza from a restaurant. Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing you’re cooking a healthy snack or meal for yourself and your family. Cheers!
Healthy Flatbread Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 naan thin crust pizza
- ¾ lb butternut squash peeled, cut into small ¼ inch square pieces
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 6 oz fresh pancetta
- ¾ cup fresh whole-milk ricotta
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cup very thinly sliced Rainbow chard leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 F.
- In a large bowl, toss the squash with 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup, 1-½ teaspoon of the oil, ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Spread it in a single layer on a large, heavy-duty, rimmed baking sheet and roast until tender and lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Let cool to warm.
- Lower the oven temperature to 425 F.
- Using a small pan, cook pancetta over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on either side. Remove from heat, place on a paper towel while you prepare other ingredients.
- Brush the naan pizza crust lightly with ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, ensuring you cover the entire crust.
- In a large bowl, gently toss the squash, onion, thyme, 1-½ teaspoon of the remaining oil, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Scatter the squash mixture evenly over the pizza, top with sliced pancetta and teaspoons of ricotta all over. Sprinkle with the pecorino and bake until brown. About 12- 15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon syrup and 1 tablespoon oil, the vinegar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the chard to the bowl, toss and coat. Scatter the chard over the flatbread. Cut into pieces and serve.
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This looks delicious. I was looking for a new healthy pizza recipe and this looks perfect. I wish I had it in front of me right now, it's making me hungry! Thanks for sharing.
Ashlyn ~ Dollop of Yum
This pizza looks like an amazingly healthy way to satisfy my pizza cravings! I love all the veggies you put on top and the pancetta. Pancetta! I love that stuff and could seriously put it on everything. I featured your recipe in my latest post, "Kick Start The New Year #3: 15 Healthy Lunches"!
Amy [email protected]
Love all the fresh ingredients. Looks so tasty!
Robyn @ simply fresh dinners
Thanks so much, Amy - it really was delicious!
Bam's Kitchen
Hello Jenny and Robyn! I love this pizza with all of the fresh ingredients. My boys were just asking if we could have pizza for dinner tomorrow so can't wait to give your recipe a try. You know the first time I had roasted squash on my pizza was on my first trip to Cambridge, UK for a wedding. I was in love instantly with the delicious squash and they also topped the pizza with fresh rocket too. This is a great little recipe. Wishing you both a super weekend!
Robyn @ simply fresh dinners
Hi Bobbi,
I'm so late in replying to this comment! Thanks so much for your kind words. I really loved the roasted squash combined with greens. It opens up whole new thought on pizza toppings doesn't it? Have a great weekend!