This Vegan Pizza Recipe Will Blow Your Mind

You Don’t Have to Miss Out on Pizza Night Anymore

Craving cheesy, melty, flavor-packed pizza without the dairy, meat, or guilt? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re a full-time vegan or just vegan curious, this homemade vegan pizza recipe is about to become your new obsession. It’s fun to make, insanely delicious, and 100% joy-approved.

We’ll walk you through every dreamy detail — from the soft, golden crust to that gooey vegan cheese that actually melts. And yes, you can totally customize every slice with your favorite toppings. Grab your rolling pin and let’s make pizza night magical again.

Vegan Pizza Dough That’s Soft and Crispy in All the Right Places

Let’s be honest — great pizza lives and dies by the dough. It’s the foundation that holds all your dreamy toppings, melty vegan cheese, and bold flavors. And the best part? You don’t need a pizza oven or fancy ingredients to make dough that’s chewy on the inside, crispy around the edges, and 100% plant-based.

This recipe is simple, dependable, and perfect for beginners. Whether you’re making it the same day or prepping ahead for tomorrow’s pizza night, this dough comes together with pantry staples and a sprinkle of patience.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons (or 1 standard packet) active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon organic cane sugar or pure maple syrup
• ¾ cup warm water (ideally between 105–110°F / 40–43°C)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for a chewier texture)
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus a little extra for greasing the bowl

Instructions:

1. Activate the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the warm water, sugar (or maple syrup), and yeast. Let it sit undisturbed for 10 minutes. The mixture should turn foamy — that’s your yeast waking up and getting ready to work its magic.
2. Mix the dough: Add the flour, sea salt, and olive oil to the bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead until smooth: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it with your hands for 6 to 8 minutes. The dough should become soft, stretchy, and slightly tacky but not sticky. If you have a stand mixer, you can use a dough hook attachment to make this step even easier.

Choose Your Rise: Fast or Flavorful

There are two ways to rise your dough, and each has its own kind of joy.

Option 1: The Quick Rise (1 Hour at Room Temperature)

This is perfect when you want pizza tonight and don’t want to wait. After kneading:

4. Lightly oil a clean bowl, place your dough inside, and cover it with a clean towel or beeswax wrap.
5. Set it somewhere warm — a turned-off oven with the light on works well.
6. Let the dough rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

Once risen, punch the dough down gently, roll it out to your desired thickness, and get ready to build your pizza masterpiece.

Option 2: The Cold Rise (8–24 Hours in the Fridge)

Want even better flavor and texture? Go slow. A cold rise lets the dough ferment gently, which makes it more flavorful, airy, and easier to digest.

4. After kneading, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it tightly with a lid or plastic wrap.
5. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours — or overnight for best results.
6. When you’re ready to make pizza, take the dough out and let it rest at room temperature for about an hour before rolling it out. This brings back the softness and makes it easier to stretch.

Joyful Tips for the Best Vegan Dough Experience

• Flour matters: All-purpose flour works beautifully, but bread flour gives extra chew and crisp edges.
• No sticky messes: Lightly flour your hands and rolling pin to keep things smooth and fun.
• Oven power: Bake your pizza on a preheated pizza stone or cast iron pizza pan for an even crispier crust.

If you’re short on time or want a backup in the fridge, there are some wonderful store-bought vegan options too. I love keeping Wholly Wholesome Organic Pizza Dough or Simple Mills Almond Flour Pizza Dough Mix on hand for those nights when I want pizza joy without the prep.

The Ultimate Vegan Pizza Recipe (Cheesy, Saucy, Perfection)

You’ve made the dough, and now it’s time for the fun part — assembling your pizza masterpiece. Whether you’re craving classic Margherita or a bold BBQ veggie combo, this recipe gives you a delicious base to let your creativity shine.

What makes this vegan pizza so special? It’s the perfect combo of crispy crust, rich tomato sauce, melty cheese, and toppings that actually make you excited to eat your veggies. And best of all — it’s super customizable.

Basic Vegan Pizza Recipe (for one 10–12 inch pizza)

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of homemade vegan pizza dough (from earlier!)
• ½ cup pizza sauce (classic red or creamy white — your choice)
• 1 cup shredded vegan cheese (I love Miyoko’s Mozzarella or Violife Just Like Mozzarella)
• Favorite toppings (see next chapter!)
• Olive oil and fresh basil for finishing
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes, garlic powder, or oregano for extra flavor

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you’re using a pizza stone or steel, place it in the oven while it preheats. A hot surface helps create that crispy-bottom magic.
2. Roll out your dough on a floured surface until it’s about ¼-inch thick. You can go thinner for more crisp or leave it thicker for a pillowy base.
3. Transfer the dough to a floured pizza peel, parchment paper, or lightly greased baking sheet.
4. Add your sauce: Spread a thin, even layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving about ½ inch around the edges for the crust.
5. Sprinkle on your vegan cheese. You can also dollop it if you’re using a soft, melty option like Miyoko’s Liquid Vegan Mozzarella.
6. Top it off with your chosen veggies or plant-based toppings (more on that next!).
7. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melty and bubbling. Keep an eye on it — every oven is a little different!
8. Add the finishing touches: Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with red pepper flakes or herbs, and add a few fresh basil leaves or arugula for that gourmet pizzeria vibe.
9. Slice and serve immediately — ideally while dancing in your kitchen.

Joyful Tip: Want that restaurant-style finish? Brush your crust with olive oil and a tiny pinch of garlic powder before baking. It adds flavor and turns golden and glossy in the oven.

Affiliate joy: A cast iron pizza pan or baking steel seriously boosts your crust game. Try the Lodge Cast Iron Pizza Pan or the NerdChef Steel for that perfect bake every time.

Vegan Pizza Toppings That Taste Like a Party

This is where things get really fun — the toppings. Gone are the days of boring vegan pizzas with just mushrooms and spinach. The plant-based world is bursting with delicious, colorful, and satisfying options that make every bite a flavor explosion.

Whether you love to keep things classic or load up your pizza like a salad in disguise, there’s a topping combo here for you. Mix, match, and make it your own — pizza night is your creative playground.

Topping Combo Ideas You’ll Crave Again and Again

1. Mediterranean Dream

• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Marinated artichoke hearts
• Kalamata olives
• Red onion
• Fresh spinach
• Sprinkle of oregano

2. BBQ Chick’n Delight

• Tangy BBQ sauce (in place of tomato sauce)
• Sliced red onion
• Vegan chick’n (try Daring Plant-Based Chicken Pieces)
• Fresh cilantro after baking
• A drizzle of extra BBQ for that sticky-sweet finish

3. Veggie Overload (In the Best Way)

• Bell peppers (red, yellow, green)
• Zucchini ribbons
• Mushrooms
• Red onion
• Sweet corn
• A few jalapeños for heat

4. Margherita But Make It Vegan

• Tomato sauce
• Fresh tomato slices
• Vegan mozzarella
• Fresh basil
• Drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil

5. Spicy Lovers Unite

• Sriracha or spicy tomato sauce
• Banana peppers
• Jalapeños
• Red pepper flakes
• Crumbled spicy vegan sausage like Field Roast Spicy Mexican Chipotle

More Toppings to Mix & Match

• Roasted garlic cloves
• Caramelized onions
• Vegan feta (try Violife Feta Style or make your own)
• Pickled red onions
• Capers
• Arugula (added after baking for that fresh peppery bite)
• Pineapple — yep, we said it

Tips for Topping Success

• Don’t overload: too many toppings = soggy pizza. Layer with love.
• Dry veggies first: sauté mushrooms or zucchini to release moisture before baking.
• Add delicate greens (like arugula or basil) after baking so they don’t wilt.
• Experiment with layers — a sprinkle of cheese under the toppings and a little on top = extra melty goodness.

Affiliate joy: A veggie slicer like the OXO Good Grips Mandoline makes prepping toppings a breeze and helps everything cook evenly.

Easy Vegan Cheese Recipe (Melty & Magical)

Let’s talk cheese — the gooey heart of any great pizza. And yes, you can make a vegan version that melts, stretches, and delivers all that comfort food goodness, without a single drop of dairy.

This homemade vegan mozzarella is simple to make, takes under 10 minutes, and gives you full control over what goes into it. No additives, no weird aftertaste — just creamy, cheesy joy.

Melty Vegan Mozzarella Cheese (Makes about 1 cup)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 15–20 minutes (or overnight in cold water)
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons tapioca starch (key for that stretchy, gooey texture!)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (for a savory, cheesy flavor)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions:

1. Blend until smooth: Drain your soaked cashews and blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until the mixture is silky smooth — no lumps allowed!
2. Cook and stir: Pour the mixture into a non-stick saucepan and heat over medium. Stir constantly with a silicone spatula or whisk. After 3–5 minutes, the liquid will thicken into a stretchy, cheesy blob (yes, this is what you want!).
3. Use immediately: Spoon it directly onto your pizza before baking. It melts beautifully and creates those golden bubbly patches we all love.
4. Store leftovers: If you have any left, it keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just reheat gently before using.

Shortcut for Busy Pizza Nights

Don’t feel like blending and cooking? No worries. There are some seriously good vegan cheeses out there that melt like magic and taste amazing. My go-to favorites:

• Miyoko’s Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella – pours like sauce, melts like a dream
• Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds – mild, creamy, and super versatile
• Daiya Cutting Board Mozzarella – great melt and stretch if you like bolder flavor

Affiliate joy: A high-speed blender like the Vitamix E310 or Nutribullet Pro makes silky vegan cheese a breeze — and it’s perfect for smoothies, dressings, and sauces too.