Want to make vegan pizza at home that rivals your favorite pizzeria? You’ll need more than just great ingredients - the right tools are essential. Here’s a quick rundown of the must-have pizza-making tools:
- Pizza Stone: For a crispy crust by evenly distributing heat.
- Dough Scraper: Handles sticky dough and keeps your workspace clean.
- Vegan Cheese Grater: Ensures even shreds for perfect melting.
- Pizza Peel: Safely transfers pizzas in and out of the oven.
- Immersion Blender: Creates smooth, consistent pizza sauces.
- Pizza Steel: Delivers even faster, professional-grade crusts.
- Bench Scraper: Cuts and portions dough while keeping surfaces tidy.
- Cooling Rack: Maintains crust crispiness by improving airflow.
With these tools, you can elevate your vegan pizza game and make restaurant-quality pies at home. Start with the essentials like a pizza stone and peel, and add more as you go!
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1. Pizza Stone for Better Crusts
Want to make pizza that rivals your favorite restaurant? A pizza stone is your secret weapon for creating crispy, perfectly-baked vegan pizzas at home. The stone's ceramic surface spreads heat evenly and pulls moisture away from your dough, giving you that sought-after crunch.
Here's how to use it: Put your stone in a cold oven, then heat it to 500°F and let it warm up for a full hour. Before sliding your pizza on, sprinkle some polenta (corn grits) on the stone - this stops sticking and adds extra crunch to your crust. But watch out: sudden temperature changes can crack your stone, so handle it with care.
"A pizza stone holds heat from the oven and then transfers that heat into the crust of your pizza. The result? A beautifully crispy crust!" - Nick Evans, Author
Looking for a solid choice? The FibraMent Home Oven Baking Stone packs serious heat retention and works great for pizzas, breads, and other baked goods. It's perfect for getting that crisp finish on your plant-based flatbreads too.
But getting that perfect crust is just step one - you'll need the right tools to handle your dough like a pro.
2. Dough Scraper for Easy Handling
Tired of pizza dough sticking everywhere? A dough scraper can turn your messy dough struggles into smooth sailing. This simple tool helps you handle dough like a pro.
Think of it as your kitchen sidekick - it not only helps manage sticky dough but also lets you portion dough and keep your workspace clean. You can pick between stainless steel for precision cuts or silicone for extra flexibility. Its wide, flat edge makes quick work of stubborn dough, and it's built to last.
"A dough scraper is the unsung hero of pizza making, making the whole process cleaner and more efficient", says Chef Maria Rodriguez, culinary instructor at the Plant-Based Culinary Institute.
When shopping for your scraper, size matters - especially for vegan pizza makers. Plant-based doughs tend to be stickier, so go for a bigger scraper (about 6 inches wide). This extra width comes in handy when you're splitting dough for multiple pizzas.
Taking care of your scraper is simple: wash it with warm soapy water, dry it well, and store it somewhere dry. Do this, and it'll serve you well for years.
Now that you've got your dough under control, let's move on to getting those toppings just right with the perfect grater.
3. Vegan Cheese Grater for Perfect Toppings
The right cheese grater can make all the difference when preparing vegan pizza. Since plant-based cheeses contain oils and starches that melt differently from dairy cheese, you'll need a grater that creates even shreds for the best results.
Two standout options are the Microplane Specialty Series 4-Sided Box Grater and Cuisipro Surface Glide Box Grater. Both feature sharp blades that produce uniform shreds - exactly what you need for vegan cheeses like Miyoko's Creamery Mozzarella, Parmela Creamery, and 365 Whole Foods Plant-Based shreds.
"Miyoko's Creamery eliminates caking agents and goes straight to the melt", confirms Ooni USA, highlighting why proper grating technique matters for vegan cheese.
The Zyliss SmoothGlide grater stands out for its versatility. It handles both thick and fine shredding without getting stuck - perfect for working with different vegan cheese types. Here's a pro tip: keep your vegan cheese in the fridge until you're ready to grate it. Cold cheese stays firm and won't gum up your grater.
Your choice of grater surface matters too. Want that classic pizza look? Go for the coarse holes. Need your cheese to melt super evenly? The fine holes are your friend. Once you've got your cheese ready, you'll need a pizza peel to handle your creation - but more on that next.
4. Pizza Peel for Safe Transfers
A pizza peel is your best friend when moving pizzas in and out of blazing-hot ovens. Think of it as a giant spatula made just for pizza. Wood peels soak up extra moisture to keep dough from sticking, while metal ones are thin and tough - perfect for pulling out hot pizzas.
"The key to successful pizza transfers lies in proper peel preparation. A light dusting of flour or cornmeal creates a crucial barrier between the dough and peel surface", explains pizza expert Tony Gemignani from the International School of Pizza.
Here's a pro tip: Before you slide that pizza into the oven, sprinkle your peel with flour or cornmeal. Give it a quick shake - your pizza should glide around like it's on ice. If it's stuck? Just add a bit more dusting underneath.
For home pizza makers who want the best of both worlds, the EXO Super Peel Pro combines a non-stick surface with heat-handling power.
Don't forget to heat your oven (with the stone or steel inside) for at least 45 minutes before cooking. This instant heat blast helps create that perfect crust you're after.
Once your pizza's safely in the oven, get ready for the next step: whipping up your sauce with a handy immersion blender.
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5. Immersion Hand Blender for Smooth Sauces
Want to make pizza sauce like a pro? An immersion hand blender is your secret weapon. This handy tool lets you blend tomatoes into silky sauce right in the pot - no mess, no fuss, and perfect results every time for your vegan pizza creations.
Using one is super simple: just dip the blender into your sauce and hit the button. The Breville BSB510XL Control Grip gives you total control with different speeds, so you can make anything from chunky marinara to smooth pizza sauce in minutes.
"An immersion blender is a game-changer for making sauces. It's so much easier than transferring hot ingredients to a blender." - Mike Trabert, Bold Flavor Vegan.
When shopping for an immersion blender, focus on these key features:
- Stainless steel shaft that handles heat well
- Multiple speed settings for texture control
- Comfortable grip that won't tire your hand
You don't need to break the bank either - quality options like the Cuisinart CSB-175BC Quick Prep run between $20-$100. Plus, models with detachable shafts make cleanup a breeze, especially after working with thick sauces.
Pro tip: Always keep the blender head underwater while blending, unless you want to redecorate your kitchen with sauce! Once you've nailed the perfect sauce texture, you'll be ready to focus on getting that ideal bake with the right baking surface.
6. Pizza Steel for Even Baking
Want to level up your plant-based pizza game? A pizza steel might be exactly what you need for that perfect crispy crust.
Here's why pizza steel stands out: When you crank up your oven to 550°F, it moves heat faster and more evenly than other baking surfaces. This means your pizza cooks quicker and turns out better every time.
"Pizza steels transformed home pizza results by providing professional-grade results. The even heat distribution is essential for properly cooking vegan cheese alternatives and getting that coveted crispy bottom." - Professional Pizza Chef at Ooni
Looking for specific recommendations? The Baking Steel Original ($89) is a top pick among home pizza makers. If you're watching your budget, check out the NerdChef Steel Stone ($69) - it does the job just as well without breaking the bank.
Let's break down how different baking surfaces stack up:
| Surface Type | Heat Conductivity | Preheating Time | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza Steel | Excellent | 45-60 minutes | $69-100 |
| Pizza Stone | Good | 60+ minutes | $30-50 |
| Baking Sheet | Poor | 15-20 minutes | $10-20 |
To get the most out of your pizza steel, put it on the middle rack and give it a good 45-minute head start to heat up. This setup is key for that crispy crust everyone loves.
Pro tip: Keep your pizza steel in top shape by coating it with a thin layer of high-heat oil and making sure it's completely dry after use. This prevents rust and keeps food from sticking.
Ready to step up your pizza game even more? Let's talk about the finishing touches that make your pizza pop.
7. Bench Scraper for Versatile Use
A bench scraper might look simple, but it's a game-changer for pizza making. This handy tool helps you handle dough like a pro and keeps your workspace spotless.
The OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Scraper ($12) shows exactly why pizza makers can't live without a bench scraper. Its stainless steel construction makes it perfect for cutting dough, scraping surfaces clean, and moving ingredients from cutting board to bowl.
Here's what different materials offer:
- Stainless Steel: Tough and long-lasting, cuts dough cleanly ($10-20)
- Plastic: Goes easy on your dough ($5-15)
- Silicone: Perfect when you need non-stick properties ($8-18)
"The bench scraper is the unsung hero in our vegan pizza kitchen. We use it constantly for portioning dough, folding ingredients, and maintaining a clean workspace", shares Sarah Chen from Bold Flavor Vegan.
Want a pro tip? Pick up a stainless steel scraper with measurement marks - it'll help you cut dough into equal portions every time.
Keep your scraper within arm's reach during prep. Clean it right after use and store it somewhere dry to avoid rust.
Once you've got your workspace clean and your dough portions ready, it's time to move on to cooling your pizza properly.
8. Cooling Rack for Perfect Finishing
Want to know the secret to keeping your vegan pizza crispy? It's all about airflow. When you place a hot pizza on a flat surface, steam gets trapped underneath, turning your perfectly baked crust into a soggy disappointment. That's where a cooling rack comes in - it lifts your pizza off the surface, letting air flow freely underneath.
The Nordic Ware Stackable Cooling Grid ($24.95) is a prime example of what you need. It lifts your pizza 1-2 inches off the counter, giving you that perfect crispy crust you're after.
You've got two main options when shopping for cooling racks: stainless steel ($15-30) or chrome-plated ($10-20). While both work well, stainless steel lasts longer and you can pop it in the dishwasher. Plus, these racks aren't just for pizza - they're great for cooling cookies, bread, and bringing life back to day-old pizza slices.
"A cooling rack is non-negotiable for perfect vegan pizza texture. In our test kitchen, we've found that pizzas cooled on a rack maintain their crispiness 70% longer compared to those cooled on a flat surface", notes Chef Maria Rodriguez from Plant-Based Pizzeria.
Here's a pro move: Put your cooling rack on a baking sheet - it'll catch any toppings that might fall off while still letting air circulate. Give your pizza 3-5 minutes to rest (this helps the cheese set too). Just remember to wash your rack with warm, soapy water after each use to keep flavors from mixing between uses.
Now you're all set to serve up pizza that stays crispy from the first slice to the last.
Conclusion
Making great vegan pizza at home doesn't require culinary school - you just need the right tools. For $80-$220 total, you can build a solid pizza-making toolkit that'll help you create pizzas that rival your favorite restaurants.
Here's what that investment gets you:
- Pizza stone or steel ($20-50) for perfectly crispy crusts
- Immersion blender ($20-50) to whip up smooth, creamy sauces
- Dough scraper ($5-15) for easy dough handling
- Pizza peel ($10-30) to safely move pizzas in and out of the oven
- Bench scraper ($5-15) to keep your workspace clean
Start with the basics - a pizza stone and peel are must-haves. As you get more comfortable making pizzas, you can add other tools to your collection. Take good care of these tools, and they'll help you make amazing vegan pizzas for years to come.
Pro tip: These tools don't just make pizza-making easier - they make it safer too. The pizza peel is especially important, letting you move hot pizzas without risking burns.
Think of this as an investment in your pizza-making future. Each tool plays its part in helping you create better pizzas, from perfectly textured dough to evenly melted toppings. And at $80-$220 total, it's WAY cheaper than buying a pro pizza oven.
FAQs
What can be used in place of a pizza stone?
Don't have a pizza stone? No problem! Your regular baking sheet can step in to help you make great pizza at home.
Here's a simple trick: Just flip a rimmed baking sheet upside down and place it on the lowest rack of your oven. Heat your oven (with the sheet inside) for at least 30 minutes before baking.
This method gives you a flat, hot surface that helps create a crispy crust. While it won't match a pizza stone's ability to hold heat and pull moisture from the dough, it works well for occasional pizza nights.
Pro Tip: The longer you preheat your baking sheet, the better your crust will turn out. The sheet needs time to reach and maintain a consistent temperature throughout.
Got a pizza steel? Even better! It holds heat better than a baking sheet and can give you results closer to what you'd get with a stone.
But let's be honest - nothing quite matches a real pizza stone for making consistently crispy crusts. If you're serious about your pizza game, you might want to think about getting one. Until then, that upside-down baking sheet will do just fine.
