We’re big on pizza and sourdough the way it should be and want to show you some healthy pizza alternatives that will make your mouth water!
Pizza, the world’s most popular food, has been enjoyed for centuries and although its roots are widely acknowledged to be Italian, almost every culture and cuisine now enjoys a variant of this humble flatbread.
Popular, yes, however rarely can the traditional pizza be classed as a nutritious option. What should be a labour of love, using slowly fermented dough and minimalist toppings, is now the epitome of highly processed fast food – often made with poor and indigestible dough and loaded with low quality ingredients such as processed meats and cheese.
For foodservice professionals, Pinsa Romana provides a versatile, healthier base that works in cafes, restaurants, catering, and event kitchens, giving chefs an easy way to serve artisan-quality products while meeting customer demand for nutritious options.
That is set to change for those who embrace Pinsa Romana. This new type of pizza (sometimes referred to as “roman-style”) is gaining huge popularity in Italy, offering a healthier alternative to traditional pizza.
Pinsa is so more than just an up-market pizza.
It originated in Rome, Italy around the early 2000’s and, contrary to popular belief, it is not the two-thousand-year-old fare of Caesar & co. Made with a blend of flours that would never have been used in traditional Italy – wheat, soy, and rice being more Beijing than Bologna – this unique blend is what gives it such a light and crispy texture that the Italians have embraced so wholeheartedly.
Its versatility is ideal for professional kitchens, allowing it to be used not only as a healthier pizza base, but also for flatbreads, gourmet sandwiches, wraps, and even dessert bases.
The dough is highly hydrated – 80% or so – and then left to ferment for at least 24 hours, which allows the yeast to ferment and break down the gluten, making it highly digestible and lighter to eat.
Amazingly flexible as a foodservice product with adjusted cooking techniques, Pinsa Romana flatbreads also make the perfect base for a luxury filled sandwich, wrap or dessert.
By definition, Pinsa Romana is typically lower in calories and fat than traditional pizza. Traditional pizza is often loaded with high-fat cheeses, processed meats, and oily sauces. Pinsa Romana is made with premium, fresh ingredients that are lower in fat and calories, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious consumers.
The use of soy and rice flour further reduces calorie count, giving restaurants and cafés a competitive advantage when offering healthier menu items.
The high water content used in Pinsa Romana dough is one reason why its much easier to digest. Typical pizza dough is around 60% hydration, whereas Pinsa is 80%!
In addition, the long fermentation time helps the yeast break down the gluten in the dough, giving a much lower overall gluten content, up to 30% less than regular pizza dough. While not suitable for people with celiac disease, it is ideal for customers seeking lighter, easier-to-digest alternatives.
Pinsa Romana is also generally higher in protein than traditional pizza. The use of soy flour in the dough increases the protein content, making it a great option for vegetarians and vegans who are looking to add more protein to their diet.
This makes Pinsa a practical choice for health-focused menus in cafes, restaurants, and catering environments.
Pinsa Romana is typically topped with lighter ingredients, such as little pools of buffalo mozzarella, and vegetables like tomato and courgette, some of which are added after cooking, for an all-round fresher and lighter meal.
These toppings provide important nutrients that are often lacking in traditional pizza, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The use of fresh ingredients also reduces the amount of salt and preservatives in the pizza.
Pinsa is a good source of complex carbohydrates, which provide slow-release energy for the body. The dough being predominantly wheat flour is digested slowly, providing a steady source of energy. Unlike some traditional pizza doughs, Pinsa avoids added sugars, making it a better choice for sustained energy.
Pinsa Romana provides a healthier alternative to traditional pizza, giving professional kitchens a versatile, low-gluten, artisan flatbread option without compromising flavor or quality. It is lower in salt, sugar, calories, and fat, higher in protein, easier to digest, and typically topped with fresh ingredients that provide essential nutrients.
For foodservice professionals and hospitality operators, Pinsa Romana’s par-baked format ensures quick and efficient service without compromising on quality, making it ideal for cafes, restaurants, catering, and event kitchens. Embrace Pinsa Romana as a versatile, healthier base for pizzas, flatbreads, sandwiches, wraps, and desserts, helping you offer modern, nutritious menu options.
Yes, Pinsa Romana’s lower gluten content and high-protein dough make it ideal for creating lighter, more digestible options for health-conscious customers. Chefs can use it as a base for salads, sandwiches, or wraps, offering versatile menu items suitable for modern dietary preferences.
Its light and airy Pinsa Romana base allows cafés and restaurants to serve smaller, satisfying portions, making it ideal for healthy, calorie-conscious menu options. This makes calorie-controlled meals and healthier menu options easier to implement, appealing to diners seeking balanced, guilt-free choices.
Absolutely—pre-stretched and par-baked Pinsa bases save preparation time while ensuring consistent size, texture, and bake quality. This efficiency makes it perfect for busy cafés, restaurants, and catering operations aiming to deliver premium, healthy dishes quickly.
Yes, beyond pizza, it serves as a versatile base for artisan flatbreads, wraps, sandwiches, and desserts. Its digestible, light dough allows chefs to experiment with creative, healthy dishes that cater to modern consumer trends and seasonal ingredients.
Offering nutritious, lower-calorie, and artisan-quality options positions a restaurant or café as health-conscious and premium-focused. Customers perceive menus featuring Pinsa as modern, versatile, and aligned with contemporary wellness trends, enhancing overall brand appeal.
Recipe Overview This Valentine’s Day, delight your customers with an artisanal Amore Pizza, crafted on our Great Taste award-winning Oval Pinsa Romana base. Naturally vibrant
Recipe Overview Bring a touch of holiday magic to your table with this festive Pinsa Romana recipe that celebrates the season’s most comforting flavours. Blending
Recipe Overview This pinsa combines salty-sweet richness with crisp, fresh contrast. Its light, airy crust is layered with creamy Stilton, toasted walnuts and delicate slices
