Making vegan pizza at home is easier than you think. With crispy crusts, melty dairy-free cheeses, and creative toppings, these recipes will satisfy vegans and non-vegans alike. Here's a quick rundown of what you'll learn:
- 1. Classic Vegan Pizza: A traditional pie with marinara, vegan mozzarella, mushrooms, bell peppers, and basil.
- 2. Vegan Broccoli Cheese Pizza: Creamy cashew cheese and garlic-seasoned broccoli for a comforting twist.
- 3. BBQ Veggie Pizza: Smoky BBQ sauce, jackfruit, and caramelized onions for a bold flavor.
- 4. Vegan Caprese Pizza: Fresh Roma tomatoes, cashew mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze for an Italian-inspired treat.
- 5. Grilled Veggie Pizza: Smoky, grilled vegetables on a crunchy crust.
Key Tips for Perfect Vegan Pizza:
- Dough: Use all-purpose or gluten-free flour. Pre-bake your crust for 5-7 minutes to avoid sogginess.
- Cheese: Try cashew mozzarella, store-bought vegan shreds, or nutritional yeast.
- Toppings: Keep it balanced - don’t overload your pizza to maintain a crispy crust.
Ready to create restaurant-quality vegan pizza? Let’s dive into these recipes!
Related video from YouTube
Basics of Making Vegan Pizza
Want to make amazing vegan pizza at home? It all comes down to three key elements: dough, sauce, and toppings. Let's walk through how to nail each one.
The Perfect Vegan Dough
Great pizza starts with great dough. Here's what you'll need: all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, olive oil, and lukewarm water. The water temperature matters - keep it between 98°F and 120°F to wake up that yeast.
Knead your dough for 5-10 minutes until it feels smooth and bouncy. Got a stand mixer? Even better - let it do the work. Pop the dough in a warm spot for 1-2 hours until it puffs up to double its size. Here's a time-saving tip: Make extra dough and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can't do gluten? No problem. Try chickpea flour or your favorite gluten-free blend instead.
Pre-baking Success
Here's a game-changer: Pre-bake your crust for 5-7 minutes before adding toppings. This simple step stops that annoying soggy middle that nobody wants in their pizza.
Vegan Cheese Alternatives
Gone are the days of cheese-less vegan pizzas. Try cashew mozzarella for that stretchy pull you're after, grab some ready-made vegan shreds from the store, or sprinkle on nutritional yeast for a quick cheesy kick.
Smart Topping Choices
The topping possibilities? Endless. Load up with grilled veggies, marinated tofu, or antipasti. Mix it up with roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, and fresh arugula. But remember: don't pile on too much - a lighter touch keeps your crust nice and crispy.
"The secret to great vegan pizza lies in the preparation. Pre-baking your crust and carefully selecting your toppings ensures a restaurant-quality result every time."
Now you're ready to tackle our top 5 vegan pizza recipes like a pro.
1. Classic Vegan Pizza
Want to make a killer vegan pizza that'll impress even the most devoted cheese lovers? Here's how to nail that perfect plant-based pie with an Italian-inspired twist.
Mix up our basic pizza dough and let it hang out in a warm spot for about an hour - it should double in size. Here's a pro tip: pop the covered dough in a barely warm oven (110°F, then turned off) to speed things up.
Next, spread your favorite marinara sauce and load it up with vegan mozzarella. Top it off with fresh basil leaves, sliced mushrooms, and bell peppers for that authentic pizzeria feel.
"The secret to a perfect classic vegan pizza lies in the temperature of your yeast activation. Keep your water between 98°F and 120°F - too hot kills the yeast, too cold won't wake it up."
Want to save time on busy weeknights? Make extra dough and stick it in the freezer - it'll keep for up to 5 days. Just move it to the fridge the night before you need it. Once you've got your toppings on, bake at 475°F for 10-12 minutes until the crust turns golden and the vegan cheese gets all melty and bubbly.
Make it your own: Try adding caramelized onions for a touch of sweetness, or sprinkle on some seasoned tofu "sausage" for extra protein punch.
Need a gluten-free version? Swap in chickpea flour blend - you'll get a different texture but still nail that crispy crust.
Now that you've got this classic down, let's check out some more creative plant-based pizza ideas.
2. Vegan Broccoli Cheese Pizza
Want to make a pizza that's both delicious AND plant-based? This broccoli cheese combo brings together crispy florets and melty vegan cheese for a comfort food makeover you'll love.
For the cheese, you've got two ways to go. Grab vegan mozzarella from the store for a quick fix, or whip up your own cashew cheese that'll take this pizza to the next level. Here's a simple cashew cheese recipe: blend 1 cup of soaked cashews with nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and a splash of plant milk until it's smooth and creamy.
Here's a pro tip for the broccoli: steam those florets for 3 minutes, then mix them with minced garlic and olive oil. This step makes all the difference.
"The key to perfectly roasted broccoli on pizza is pre-steaming. It ensures your florets are tender inside while getting crispy edges in the oven!"
Time to build your pizza! Spread that cheese sauce nice and even, then add your garlic-seasoned broccoli. Want some heat? Throw on red pepper flakes. A quick drizzle of olive oil helps everything get golden brown. Pop it in a 475°F oven for 12-15 minutes until those broccoli edges get nice and crispy.
Make it your own: Try adding some sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions. Need more protein? Crumble some seasoned tempeh on top before baking.
Got special dietary needs? No problem! Skip the cashew cheese for soy-based alternatives if you're avoiding nuts. Need it gluten-free? Our chickpea flour crust has got you covered.
Up next: let's check out how to make an awesome BBQ Veggie Pizza.
sbb-itb-aeda923
3. BBQ Veggie Pizza
Want to give your vegan pizza a smoky-sweet kick? This BBQ Veggie Pizza ditches regular tomato sauce for a bold BBQ base that'll wow your taste buds.
Mix organic ketchup, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and cumin. Let it simmer for 10 minutes until it thickens into a rich sauce. Need it gluten-free? Just swap soy sauce for tamari.
"This vegan BBQ sauce is perfectly sweet yet tangy, smoky, and a little spicy. These tools help transfer heat evenly and absorb moisture, resulting in a crust that's crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside."
The star topping? BBQ-coated jackfruit - it shreds just like pulled pork and soaks up all that BBQ goodness. Pair it with sweet red onions and a mix of vegan mozzarella and parmesan. Want more veggies? Toss on some zucchini, yellow peppers, or garlicky spinach.
Building your pizza is simple: Spread the BBQ sauce on your dough, add vegan cheese (store-bought is fine!), then pile on your toppings. Pop it in the oven at 475°F for 18 minutes to keep everything juicy and full of flavor.
Pro tip: Add caramelized onions - they're perfect with BBQ sauce and bring out its sweet notes.
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container. They'll last 3-4 days in the fridge or up to 3 months frozen - but good luck having any left over!
Make it yours: Try mixing it up with mushrooms, cauliflower, or BBQ-seasoned chickpeas for extra protein.
Not into smoky-sweet flavors? Don't worry - our next recipe brings a fresh, tangy twist to vegan pizza.
4. Vegan Caprese Pizza
Missing those classic Italian flavors? This plant-based spin on Caprese pizza packs all the fresh, aromatic punch of the original - no dairy needed.
Start with our basic pizza dough (check out the Basics section). Here's a pro tip: make your dough the night before and let it rest in the fridge. This extra time helps build better flavor.
"The key to a great vegan Caprese is getting that perfect mozzarella substitute. Cashew-based alternatives provide the closest texture and mild flavor profile to traditional fresh mozzarella", shares Karissa from Karissa's Vegan Kitchen.
Heat your oven to 450°F and pre-bake your crust for 5-7 minutes. Then comes the fun part: add generous dollops of vegan mozzarella (skip the shredded stuff - it won't give you that classic look), and layer on thick slices of ripe Roma tomatoes. Pick tomatoes that are deep red and just slightly soft for the best taste. Add a good drizzle of olive oil. Once it's baked, scatter fresh basil leaves on top and finish with a swirl of balsamic glaze - this adds a sweet-tangy kick that makes the fresh tomatoes and basil pop.
Make it yours: Need it gluten-free? Mix rice and chickpea flour instead of regular flour.
Storage tip: This pizza tastes best straight from the oven, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Want to kick things up a notch? Our next recipe shows you how grilled veggies can transform your vegan pizza game.
5. Grilled Veggie Pizza
Want to make a vegan pizza that'll wow even die-hard meat lovers? This grilled veggie pizza combines charred vegetables with a crispy crust that'll make your taste buds dance.
Here's what makes this pizza special: grilling your veggies before they go on the pizza. It adds a smoky kick that turns ordinary vegetables into something extraordinary.
Start with our basic pizza dough, but here's a little secret: add extra olive oil to the dough. This simple trick helps create that irresistible crunch when it hits the heat.
Getting that perfect crust: Pop your pizza stone in the oven 30 minutes before baking. Trust me - this step makes ALL the difference for a crispy bottom.
While your dough does its thing (give it 1-2 hours in a warm spot), let's prep those toppings. Cut your zucchini, bell peppers, and onions into even slices. Then comes the magic - grill them for 3-4 minutes per side. This step packs in flavor and keeps your crust from getting soggy.
For the cheese, cashew mozzarella works like a charm. It's mild enough to let those smoky veggies take center stage.
Time-saving tip: Make extra dough and freeze it - it'll keep for up to 3 months.
Feel like experimenting? Mix bread flour with spelt flour for your crust. Just keep the total amount of flour the same as the original recipe. The result? A hearty crust that stands up perfectly to those grilled toppings.
Now that you've got these grilling tricks down, let's look at some expert moves to level up your vegan pizza game.
Tips for Better Vegan Pizza
Want to take your vegan pizza from good to GREAT? Here's how to nail every aspect of your pizza-making game.
Let's start with the foundation - your dough. Knead it for 5-10 minutes until you can stretch it paper-thin without tears. Got sticky dough? Here's a pro tip: let it rest for 15 minutes so the flour soaks up the moisture, then add more flour bit by bit as you knead.
Here's something most home cooks don't know: pop your crust in the oven for 5-7 minutes BEFORE adding toppings. This creates a moisture barrier that keeps your crust crisp - super important when you're loading up on veggies.
Want that pizzeria-style crust? Put a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack while your oven heats up. The steam helps create that perfect contrast between crispy outside and chewy inside.
Your choice of flour makes a big difference:
- Bread flour = extra chewy crust
- All-purpose flour = reliable results
- Mix of all-purpose and spelt = rustic, nutty flavor
Two game-changing tips:
- Cook those water-heavy veggies (like zucchini and mushrooms) before they go on your pizza. This keeps your crust from getting soggy.
- Crank up that oven as high as it'll go. And if you're serious about pizza, invest in a pizza stone or baking steel - just remember to give it 30 minutes to heat up properly.
Conclusion
These five vegan pizza recipes show that you don't need dairy or meat to make an amazing pizza.
Making great vegan pizza is simpler than you might think. Start with a solid crust recipe - whether you prefer classic all-purpose flour or want to try spelt flour blends. Then, pick your favorite plant-based cheese and pile on the toppings that make your taste buds happy. Don't forget to pre-bake your crust - it's a game-changer for getting that perfect texture.
Think of these recipes as your pizza playground. Mix and match ingredients, try new combinations, and most importantly - have fun with it! Once you've mastered these basic recipes, you'll be ready to create your own signature vegan pizzas. The only limit is your imagination.
Ready to fire up that oven? Let's make some pizza magic happen!
