Best Vegan Pizza Toppings to Make Your Pizza Night
When I went vegan and gluten-free to help heal my chronic autoimmune symptoms, I cried when I thought of pizza. No cheese? No meat? No crust? I thought I was in for a lifetime of saying ‘no thank you’ on pizza nights. Luckily, I thought again.
Here, you will find fantastic cheese and meat substitutes that are easy, healthy, and just plain delicious vegan pizza toppings. Trust me, even your non-vegan friends and family will want more of this vegan comfort food. Gluten-free crust options, too!
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Key Takeaways
- Grab your blender and choose your sauce with No-Cook Tomato Sauce, Dairy-Free Pesto, Vegan BBQ Sauce, and Cashew Cheese sauce options.
- Toppings can be easy and fun to mix into a vegan comfort food combination of your dreams, and you never want to order takeout again.
- Crafting the perfect vegan pizza crust is crucial; make it easy with gluten-free flour mixtures, or go rogue with a flavorful sweet potato crust.
- Turn your vegan pizza night into hot gossip by optimizing baking time and temperature, choosing tools for the perfect crisp, and some hints on hosting a vegan pizza party with various crusts, sauces, and toppings.
The Art of Vegan Pizza Sauce
Good pizza will always start with a good sauce. The sauce is why I don’t miss the cheese.
Take your vegan pizza experience up a notch with these top-rated vegan pizza sauces; you only need a few ingredients and a blender.
Easy No-Cook Tomato Pizza Sauce
Although tomato sauce is naturally suitable for a vegan diet, this recipe is so easy you will find other ways to use it.
For a memorable pizza night experience, add extra dried herbs like oregano and flavorful roasted garlic.
Easy No-Cook Tomato Pizza Sauce
by Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
- 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes, undrained
- 6-ounce can of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- Pinch of crushed red pepper
Place ingredients in a blender and blend!
Vegan Pesto
I do not use nutritional yeast because, unfortunately, nutritional yeast can be inflammatory. This Dairy-Free Pesto recipe doesn’t care because it adds flavor without using nutritional yeast.
By making easy substitutions, you can make a pesto that is just as delicious as the traditional version without any dairy. I guarantee that this recipe won’t miss the absence of cheese.
Vegan Pesto
by Love and Lemons
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts or pepitas
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups basil leaves
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Place ingredients in a blender and blend!
Vegan BBQ Sauce
Yep, another one for the blender. Can it get any easier? For a delicious vegan BBQ pizza, this works great as a drizzle!
If you want to make this one a little thicker, reduce the amount of water, toss in 1/2 to 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder, and let it simmer on low for 3-5, stirring frequently.
Vegan BBQ Sauce
by Luv Cooks
- 1 cup filtered water
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1/2 cup organic applesauce
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Place ingredients in a blender and blend!
Dairy and Oil Free Cashew Cheese Sauce
Ready to try something new and exciting? Say goodbye to the classic tomato sauce and let this “cheese” sauce take over! And it’s oil-free too!! You can put this on before toppings or add it as a drizzle.
I’ve even made the pesto sauce my base and this cheese sauce as a drizzle. Go wild!
Oil-Free, Dairy-Free Cashew Cheese Sauce
by The Reluctant Foodie
- 1 cup of raw cashews
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 1/2 – 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 – 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 Medjool date
Place ingredients in a blender and blend!
Top It Like It’s Hot: Vegan Pizza Toppings Galore
Now that the sauce is covered, it is time to explore some yummy vegan pizza toppings. The options are limitless! Here are some suggestions for creating your perfect pizza one delicious bite at a time.
- A variety of vibrant veggies, including roasted vegetables
- Satisfying meatless alternatives
- Sauteed Onions, garlic and mushrooms
- Fresh basil, oregano, cilantro or chives
Vegetable Medley Magic
The appeal of vegan pizza lies in an array of vibrant and delectable veggies – and they don’t need to be raw or bland. Veggies can entirely make your vegan pizza recipe blow people’s minds. Some excellent vegetarian pizza toppings on a vegan pizza are:
- Broccolini roasted to perfection
- Roasted grape tomatoes
- Roasted sweet potatoes – see below for roasted sweet potato recipe perfect to throw on
- Freshly chopped bell peppers bursting with taste – use multiple colors!
- Marinated zucchini – soak zucchini in olive or avocado oil and your favorite dried spices.
Pro Tip – Cooking your veggies before putting them on your pizza gives them more flavor and keeps the water produced while cooking some vegetables, like mushrooms, from making your pizza soggy.
Each vegetable offers a distinct taste and texture, creating a delightful surprise in every bite combined with your homemade vegan pizza.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
by The Reluctant Foodie
- 2-3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ground black pepper to taste
Combine ingredients, place on parchment lined baking sheet, and bake in the oven at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes until fork tender and slightly crispy.
The Best Sauteed Onions, Garlic and Mushrooms
Cooking these three vegan pizza staples – onions, garlic, and mushrooms – is a must-have and by far my favorite vegan pizza toppings. They go with any vegan pizza recipe. This recipe takes 15 minutes and will delight all foodies, not just vegans.
Meatless Marvels
Are you curious about the alternative to meat? No need to worry; you won’t notice it missing with choices like Easy Vegan Sausage or Pepperoni Chickpeas.
These excellent substitutes offer protein and texture while maintaining a plant-based option for your pizza cravings.
East Vegan Sausage (soy & Gluten Free)
By Minimalist Baker
Pepperoni Chickpeas
By How Sweet Eats
A Fresh Finish with Herbs
Every vegan pizza is truly complete with the addition of freshly chopped herbs. Whether you opt for a handful of fresh basil, cilantro, or parsley, these vibrant greens will add flavor and look fantastic. Think of it as adding the perfect finishing touch – but even better because it’s plant-based. Use dried oregano in place of parmesan!
Best Vegan Pizza Topping Combinations
Now that we have the basic sauces and toppings, here are my favorite pizza topping combos:
Reluctant Foodie’s Favorite Vegan Pizza Combos
- tomato sauce – sauteed onions and mushrooms – vegan sausage – cashew cream drizzle – dried oregano
- vegan pesto sauce – blistered grape tomatoes – cashew cream drizzle
- tomato sauce – pepperoni chickpeas – vegan pesto drizzle – cashew cream drizzle – fresh basil
- vegan BBQ sauce – roasted sweet potatoes – roasted broccolini – cashew cream drizzle – fresh cilantro
- cashew cream sauce – sauteed onions and mushrooms – pesto drizzle – fresh basil
Crafting the Perfect Vegan Pizza Crust
The pizza crust is the foundation of your vegan pizza creation.
Creating a top-quality vegan pizza dough requires selecting the appropriate flour, experimenting with yeast-free, cauliflower, chickpea, or other vegetable dough alternatives, and perfecting techniques for preparing your pizza dough.
Like any art form, making a deliciously crispy yet chewy base for your pizza can take time to master, so have fun experimenting.
Reluctant Foodie’s Top 3 Vegan Pizza Dough Choices
Nutmeg State Pizza Company Sourdough Pizza Dough Mix
Simple Mills Almond Flour Gluten Free Pizza Baking Mix
Medical Medium Sweet Potato Crust Recipe
Choosing Your Flour
The type of flour you use for your pizza crust can significantly impact its overall taste and texture. From all-purpose to whole wheat to gluten-free options, each choice offers a distinctive profile that will influence the outcome of your crust. If you’re not gluten-free and can do a wheat crust, look for pizza dough flour blends like this one from King Arthur.
Gluten-Free Crust Options
Do not let dietary limitations spoil your delight in a delicious vegan pizza. You can still join the fun of a pizza party with various gluten-free, vegan pizza dough options and toppings that are mindful of common allergens!
Being on a gluten-free diet doesn’t have to mean giving up delicious, crispy pizza crusts. Numerous alternatives, such as gluten-free blends, almond flour, or chickpea flour, can create a tasty vegan pizza crust without compromising dietary restrictions.
Scroll up for a sweet potato crust recipe, but try your hand at a Gold Potato Pizza Crust for another potato vegan pizza dough recipe.
From Oven to Table: Baking and Serving Your Vegan Pizza
It is time to complete the process by baking and presenting your vegan pizza.
Bake your vegan pizza at 475F for the best results for approximately 10-12 minutes. This temperature will result in a perfectly crispy crust and thoroughly cooked toppings.
All-in-One Pizza Stone
Use a baking sheet or pizza stone when making your vegan pizza. While the former may produce a crunchier crust, the latter is more practical for those cooking at home.
4-Piece Rectangular Pizza Stone Set
This set has everything you need to cook and slice your pizza. The pizza stone distributes the heat evenly, making that perfect crust. It can be used on BBQ or inside the oven – including a pizza oven.
Serving Suggestions
After baking your homemade pizza, you are ready to serve it! Cut the pizza into wedges or squares and provide a selection of dipping sauces or toppings. Remember that appearance is essential when presenting your delicious homemade pizza, so follow your gut to create your “best vegan pizza recipe.”
Serving a Healthy Salad on the side? Check out my Oil-Free Salad Dressings!
Hosting a Vegan Pizza Party
Are you looking to demonstrate your skills in making delicious vegan pizza? Why not throw a vegan pizza party? It won’t take much to host an event to impress your guests.
Planning Your Pizza Menu
When creating a pizza menu, it is essential to aim for variety. Provide various crusts, sauces, and toppings catering to different preferences and dietary needs. Including unique twists on traditional pizzas, like breakfast or dessert variations, is also beneficial in your selection of offerings.
Prepping Ahead for a Stress-Free Party
When planning a stress-free pizza party, it is crucial to prepare in advance. Make the dough and sauces, prepare toppings by chopping and cooking them beforehand, and set up your baking area. The more tasks you can complete before the party begins, the more time you will have to enjoy with your guests during the event.
Interactive Pizza Stations
Add some excitement to your event by incorporating interactive pizza stations where guests can participate in making their pizzas. Provide a selection of crusts, sauces, and toppings for them to choose from and let them get creative with their personalized creations. This unique catering option allows everyone to enjoy the experience while satisfying individual preferences.
Summary
This vegan pizza recipe guide gives you the necessary skills to make a delicious vegan pizza. From selecting tasty vegan pizza toppings, perfecting the plant-based sauce, learning how to create an unforgettable crust, and hosting your vegan pizza gathering, you will have the most amazing vegan pizza night. So don’t hold back – it’s time for you to start making tasty plant-based pizzas in your kitchen!
More Vegan Comfort Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
What can vegans eat on pizza?
Vegans can have a dairy-free pizza with toppings, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, arugula, and basil. Diced red onion adds extra flavor to this delicious meal that is tasty and free from animal products. Vegan cheese is also an option.
Incorporate these fresh ingredients for a flavorful, non-dairy alternative on your next homemade pizza. Enjoy the satisfying combination of flavors without compromising dietary preferences.
What can I put on my pizza instead of cheese?
Numerous vegetarian pizza recipes are available, offering a range of delicious topping options without cheese. Top your pizza with flavorful veggies and a drizzle of olive oil, and you won’t miss the cheese. Look for vegan or cashew cream cheese if you still want the feel and taste of cheese.
What are the top ten veggie pizza toppings?
Top 10 Veggie Pizza Toppings include:
- fresh basil
- homemade vegan pesto
- red pepper flakes
- bell peppers
- caramelized onions
- arugula
- mushrooms
- olives
- sun-dried tomato sauce
- artichoke hearts
