Pizza has become a classic favorite takeout option—but sometimes, you just want a cozy night in and a homemade meal. This vegan pizza recipe proves that going the plant-based route doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. It uses a simple strategy: load up on veggies and rely on nutrient-dense, whole grain crust to deliver craveable texture and taste. Follow these steps to make a healthy, hearty homemade vegan pizza in under an hour.
Prep the Pizza Crust
You can find ready-made whole wheat vegan pizza crusts in the market, or go from scratch. This dough only requires five basic ingredients: whole wheat flour, yeast, nondairy milk, olive oil, and salt. It will come together quickly in your food processor or stand mixer. Shape into a large rectangle or oval that can fit your pizza stone, sheet pan, or baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil and pre-bake for 8 minutes at 450°F. You want the crust partially cooked before topping so it gets crispy and golden around the edges. It will continue cooking once assembled.
Assemble Your Toppings and Sauce
When selecting toppings, go big and bold with layers of color and texture. Sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, artichokes, and fresh spinach all work beautifully. You can also include imitations of classic pizza toppings like vegan pepperoni, Italian sausage, chicken strips, bacon bits, or ground “beef” crumbles made from soy or pea protein. Arrange the toppings so they are evenly dispersed but not overcrowded.
For sauce, pick a fat-free marinara, roasted garlic puree, sun-dried tomato spread, arrabiata, or homemade chunky sauce—just leave off the cheese. Spoon it over the pre-baked crust and spread into an even layer before adding the toppings.
Cook Your Vegan Pizza
When your crust and vibrant rainbow of toppings and sauce are ready, slide the masterpiece directly onto your pre-heated pizza stone or baking sheet. Cook for 15-18 minutes at 425°F until the edges are crispy brown and ingredients are sizzling. For a golden top and reinforced crunch, switch your oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes. This final blast of intense upper heat helps set the vegan mozzarella substitutes found in many cheese-less shreds. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
Pull your homemade vegan pizza out of the oven, allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into pieces and serve. Garnish with freshly chopped basil, oregano, or parsley. Easy oil and vinegar drizzle if desired. Then pull up a seat, grab a craft beer or nice wine, and relish having created a healthier meal full of plants and whole foods—no delivery required.
Customize It!
An easy weeknight version uses convenient pre-made or store-bought dough, jarred sauce, and spiralized veggies like zucchini noodles. For heartier appetites, layer on roasted eggplant, beans, tofu, tempeh, roasted or grilled vegetables like cauliflower or broccoli.
Call on globally inspired flavors to take it up a notch. Indian pizzas incorporate spiced chickpeas, curried potatoes, mango chutney, and cilantro over naan crust. Mexican builds layers of black beans, corn, avocado, peppers, onion, cilantro, and salsa. Greek features artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, Kalamata olives, red onion, and coconut or almond-milk feta cheese alternative.
The homemade vegan pizza formula makes it simple to inject your own favorite flavors into a nutritious blank slate open to any possibilities you can layer up and dream up.
Why Go Vegan Pizza?
Pizza provides comfort, but the traditional versions can pack in cheese, greasy meats, and low-quality carbs that weigh you down. An average slice of large meat-loaded pizza can contain 300-400+ calories with about 120 of those from fat grams alone. A vegan recipe grants all of the enjoyment and satisfaction but with upgraded nutrition from whole food ingredients like vegetables, beans, whole grains, plant-based proteins, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory spices. This allows you to enjoy one of America’s beloved foods while avoiding dairy, excess sodium, nitrites and saturated fat found in most pizzas.
So pull up your pizza peel and get ready to make some plant-fueled magic. Vegan pizza offers indulgence and nourishment all in one wholesome homemade comfort food.