2 Yummy-licious and Easy Vegan Pizza Recipes for Your Spread!

Pizza is one of the most loved and popular foods worldwide and for good reason. It’s versatile, tasty, and can be customized to suit a wide range of dietary needs, including veganism. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious homemade vegan pizza in two super easy ways. You can prepare it from scratch- the cheese and crust included!

What is vegan pizza?

Vegan pizza is a pizza that is made without any animal-derived ingredients, such as meat, cheese, or eggs. It typically includes a crust, tomato sauce, and a variety of vegetables, herbs, and spices.

Contrary to popular opinion, pizzas can be vegan and delicious. In fact, the cheese can also be substituted with non-dairy variants such as cashew cheese, soy-based cheese or cheese made from almonds, oats, or any popular plant-based milk base.

Your Questions, Our Answers: Vegan Pizza 101

What are some vegan pizza toppings I can use?

There is a ton of possibilities when you want to pile all those toppings on the slices. Being vegan doesn’t mean that you have to limit yourself- you can even choose slices of vegan salami or pepperoni!

Some popular vegan pizza toppings include mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, artichokes, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and vegan cheese. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices to add flavor to your pizza.

Can I use plant-based cheese in my pizza? What is it made of?

Absolutely! We say that it will add an additional dimension to your pizza slices! Vegan cheese is typically made from plant-based ingredients such as nuts (e.g., cashews, almonds), soybeans, or coconut oil. Some vegan cheese brands also use starches or vegetable proteins to create a cheese-like texture.

Can you make a vegan pizza without cheese?

Yes, you can make a vegan pizza without cheese. You can use a variety of toppings to add flavor and texture to your pizza, such as roasted vegetables, herbs, and spices. You can also experiment with different types of vegan cheese, such as cashew cheese, nutritional yeast, or tofu ricotta.

How do you make a vegan pizza crust?

There are many ways to make a vegan pizza crust, including using a traditional wheat-based dough, a gluten-free crust made from alternative flours like almond or chickpea flour, or a cauliflower crust as mentioned in the previous recipe. Common ingredients used in vegan pizza crusts include flour, yeast, water, salt, and olive oil.

How do you cook a vegan pizza?

You can cook a vegan pizza in the oven or on a grill. To cook in the oven, preheat the oven to the recommended temperature on your pizza crust recipe, add toppings, and bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted. To cook on a grill, preheat the grill to medium-high heat, add toppings, and grill for about 5-10 minutes or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.

Is it healthier than regular pizza?

Vegan pizza can be a healthier alternative to regular pizza, as it often includes more vegetables and less processed meats and cheeses. However, the nutritional content of vegan pizza depends on the ingredients used, so it’s important to choose whole-food, nutrient-dense toppings and crusts to make a truly healthy pizza. You can also make it with cauliflower crust, or a gluten-free flour base to make it more palatable according to your preferences!

2 Vegan Pizza Recipes That Will Be the Life of the Party!

Be it movie nights or just a casual get-together with friends, there are several occasions where you can enjoy a good vegan pizza. We have given two recipes below so that you can whip up something new and exciting, without compromising on your taste buds while being a sustainable and mindful eater!

Recipe 1: The Ol’ is Gold Classic

Ingredients:

For the pizza crust:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of instant yeast
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• ¾ cup of warm water
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

For the pizza sauce

• 1 can (28 ounces) of crushed tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon of dried basil
• 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the vegan cheese:

• 1 cup of raw cashews, soaked overnight
• ¾ cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder

For the toppings:

• 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup of sliced bell peppers
• ½ cup of sliced red onions
• 1 cup of vegan pepperoni or sausage
• 1 cup of vegan cheese, shredded
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions:

1. Start by making the pizza crust. In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
2. Add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
3. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a clean, oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise for about an hour in a warm place. The dough should double in size.
5. While the dough is rising, prepare the pizza sauce. In a large saucepan, combine the crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
7. To make the vegan cheese, drain and rinse the soaked cashews and add them to a blender or food processor. Add the water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and garlic powder. Blend until smooth.
8. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a circle or rectangle, depending on the shape of your baking sheet or pizza stone.
9. Transfer the pizza crust to the baking sheet or pizza stone. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the crust, leaving about ½ inch of space around the edges.
10. Add your toppings of choice, starting with the mushrooms, bell peppers, and red onions. Then add the vegan pepperoni or sausage.
11. Spread the vegan cheese evenly over the toppings.
12. Bake the pizza for about 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, and sprinkle chopped fresh basil leaves over the top.
14. Slice and serve hot.

Recipe 2: The Cauli Crust Delight

Ingredients:

For the cauliflower crust:

• 1 head of cauliflower, chopped into florets
• 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water)
• ½ cup of almond flour
• ½ cup of nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon of dried basil
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the pizza sauce:

• 1 can (28 ounces) of crushed tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon of dried basil
• 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the toppings:

• 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup of sliced bell peppers
• ½ cup of sliced red onions
• 1 cup of vegan cheese, shredded
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Place the cauliflower florets in a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped.
3. Transfer the cauliflower to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 4-5 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Let it cool.
4. Once cooled, place the cauliflower in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much excess water as possible.
5. In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower, flax egg, almond flour, nutritional yeast, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
6. Transfer the cauliflower mixture to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use your hands to flatten and shape the mixture into a circle or rectangle, depending on your preference.
7. Bake the crust for 20-25 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and crispy.
8. While the crust is baking, prepare the pizza sauce. In a large saucepan, combine the crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9. Once the crust is done, remove it from the oven and add the pizza sauce, spreading it evenly over the crust.
10. Add your toppings of choice, starting with the mushrooms, bell peppers, and red onions.
11. Sprinkle the vegan cheese evenly over the toppings.
12. Bake the pizza for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, and sprinkle chopped fresh basil leaves over the top.
14. Slice and serve hot.

Conclusion

You can take some notes from us and other popular vegan chefs and home cooks for more tips on how to make the best vegan pizza. In fact, these recipes are only indicative and can be adjusted as per your requirements. We encourage you to use vegan cheeses from this list to make your pizza recipes more delicious while being vegan.

For more recipe guides and sustainable pantry recommendations, dive into the Eco Wiser blog. Besides offering you these delectable recommendations, we also offer you regular updates on the what, why, and when of sustainability. Accompany us on this wonderful journey to make things more planet positive and palatable for eco-enthusiasts like you. Till then, wait for our next update!