Low-carb veggie pizza bites (Printer-Friendly Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 large eggplant, cut into 1/4 inch slices
02 - 1 tablespoon salt (preferably coarse)
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

→ Toppings

06 - 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
07 - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

# Let's Cook!:

01 - Slice the eggplant into 1/4 inch rounds. Sprinkle both sides with coarse salt and place on paper towels. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out excess moisture. After time is up, pat them dry with paper towels to remove salt and water.
02 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, olive oil, and Italian seasoning. Brush this flavorful mixture onto both sides of the eggplant slices. Arrange them on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until they start to soften and brown slightly.
03 - Take the eggplant out of the oven and flip each slice over. Top each round with about a tablespoon of pizza sauce and a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
04 - Let cool for just a minute or two before serving. These are best enjoyed while still warm and the cheese is gooey!

# Recipe Notes:

01 - These pizza bites are perfect for a low-carb or keto diet
02 - The salting step is important to remove bitterness from the eggplant
03 - Feel free to add your favorite pizza toppings like pepperoni, olives, or bell peppers