Vegan Pizza
Vegan
Pizza is a plant-based take on the universally loved dish, offering all the
deliciousness of traditional pizza without any animal-derived ingredients. As
global interest in sustainable eating and ethical food choices grows, vegan
pizza has risen in popularity across cultures and cuisines. While classic pizza
typically relies on dairy-based cheese and sometimes meat toppings, vegan
versions creatively replace these elements with flavorful alternatives such as
nut-based cheeses, vegetables, legumes, and even plant-based meats. The result is a food recipe that’s not only kinder to the planet and animals, but also vibrant, nutritious, and packed with bold flavors and textures.
One of the greatest strengths of vegan pizza is its versatility. From thin crust to deep-dish, and from Mediterranean-style toppings like olives, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes to spicy Southwestern-inspired versions with black beans and jalapeños, there’s no limit to the possibilities. Vegan cheeses made from cashews, coconut oil, or soy melt beautifully and deliver a creamy mouthfeel, while vegetables add freshness, crunch, and depth. Whether you're a lifelong vegan or just trying something new, vegan pizza proves that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat compassionately and creatively.
Vegan Pizza Recipe
Servings: 1 large pizza (12–14 inches)
Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus 1 hour for dough rise)
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Ingredients
For the Dough (or use store-bought vegan dough):
- 2 ¼ cups (280 g)
all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (180 ml) warm
water
- 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet)
active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Vegan Cheese Sauce:
- ½ cup raw cashews
(soaked in hot water for 15–30 minutes)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp nutritional
yeast
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt to taste
Toppings (customizable):
- ½ cup pizza sauce or
marinara
- 1 small zucchini,
thinly sliced
- ½ cup cherry
tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly
sliced
- ½ bell pepper, sliced
- ¼ cup olives (black
or green), sliced
- Fresh basil or arugula
(for topping after baking)
- Red pepper flakes or oregano (optional)
Instructions
1.
Make the Dough:
o In a bowl, combine warm
water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
o Add flour, salt, and olive
oil. Mix and knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
o Cover and let rise in a
warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2.
Prepare the Vegan Cheese:
o Drain the soaked cashews
and add to a blender with water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder,
onion powder, and salt.
o Blend until completely
smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as desired.
3.
Preheat the Oven:
o Preheat your oven to 475°F
(245°C) and place a baking stone or tray inside to heat.
4.
Assemble the Pizza:
o Roll out the dough on a
floured surface into a 12–14 inch round.
o Transfer to a piece of
parchment paper. Spread pizza sauce evenly across the dough.
o Add prepared vegetables
and drizzle or dollop the vegan cheese sauce over the top.
5.
Bake:
o Transfer the pizza (on
parchment) to the hot tray or stone.
o Bake for 12–15 minutes, or
until the crust is golden and the toppings are roasted.
6.
Serve:
o Top with fresh basil or
arugula and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
o Slice and enjoy warm.
Vegan
pizza is a satisfying and guilt-free way to enjoy one of the world's most beloved
comfort foods. It’s easy to adapt to whatever you have on hand, making it ideal
for both weeknight meals and entertaining.
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