What Pizza Do Vegans Eat? A Delicious Guide to Plant-Based Pies

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

Recent market data indicates a significant rise in plant-based food accessibility, making it easier than ever for vegans to enjoy their favorite meals, including pizza. So, what pizza do vegans eat? The possibilities extend far beyond a basic cheeseless pie, thanks to innovative vegan cheeses and creative toppings.

Quick Summary

Vegans can enjoy a wide array of pizzas using plant-based ingredients like dairy-free cheeses, vegetables, fruits, and meat alternatives. This guide explores the various components—from crust and sauce to toppings and cheese—that create delicious, ethical, and satisfying plant-based pizzas, both at home and in restaurants.

Key Points

Diverse Toppings: Vegans enjoy a vast array of toppings, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, and plant-based meat alternatives like sausage or pepperoni.
Melty Vegan Cheese: Innovative plant-based cheeses made from cashews, soy, or coconut oil are readily available and provide that classic gooey, melty texture.
Customizable Bases: Most pizza dough is naturally vegan, but for variety, you can also use cauliflower, chickpea flour, or store-bought crusts.
Flavorful Sauces: Beyond classic tomato, sauces like BBQ, pesto (check for dairy), and creamy cashew sauces offer unique flavor profiles.
Widespread Availability: Many major restaurant chains now offer vegan options, and dedicated vegan pizzerias are becoming more common.
Homemade is Easy: Making vegan pizza at home is straightforward and allows for complete control over ingredients and flavor combinations.

The Core Components of a Vegan Pizza

Creating a delicious vegan pizza relies on understanding the plant-based alternatives for each traditional component. Fortunately, modern food technology and culinary creativity offer an abundance of options that are both flavorful and satisfying. The journey to a perfect vegan pie starts with the basics: the crust and the sauce.

Bases and Sauces

Most traditional pizza dough, made with flour, yeast, water, salt, and oil, is naturally vegan. However, it's always wise to double-check pre-made crusts for hidden ingredients like whey. For a healthier or gluten-free base, options abound:

Classic Dough: Simple, flour-based dough that's easy to make at home.
Cauliflower Crust: A popular, low-carb and gluten-free alternative.
Socca Crust: Made from chickpea flour, offering a naturally gluten-free base.
Tortilla or Flatbread: A quick and easy base for a thin-crust pizza.

Pizza sauce is almost always vegan, but gourmet versions can sometimes include dairy. A standard tomato or marinara sauce is a safe and delicious choice. Beyond the classic red sauce, consider these vegan alternatives:

BBQ Sauce: For a tangy, sweet BBQ pizza.
Hummus: A creamy, protein-rich base for a Mediterranean-style pizza.
Pesto: Ensure it's a vegan version, as traditional pesto contains cheese.
White Bean Sauce: A creamy, garlicky sauce that's rich and flavorful.

The All-Important Vegan Cheese

Gone are the days when cheeseless pizza was the only option for vegans. The market now offers a variety of plant-based mozzarella and parmesan substitutes that melt and stretch, with brands like Miyoko's, Violife, and Daiya leading the charge.


Brand	Base Ingredients	Melting Qualities	Flavor Profile
Miyoko's Liquid Mozzarella	Cashew milk, starches	Pours and coagulates into a solid, no shredding needed.	Mild, cheesy, and authentic; doesn't have the typical "vegan cheese" undertone.
Violife Shreds	Coconut oil, starches	Melts well, but can sometimes look plasticky with visible shreds.	Mild mozzarella flavor, works best when melted.
Follow Your Heart Shreds	Coconut oil, starches	Great melt and stretch; can look a bit oily but is crowd-pleasing.	Reminiscent of classic junk-food pizza cheese.

For a whole-food, unprocessed alternative, a sprinkling of nutritional yeast offers a cheesy, nutty flavor without the need for a processed cheese substitute. Homemade cashew mozzarella is also a popular option for those who prefer to control their ingredients.

A World of Toppings

Vegan pizza toppings are limited only by imagination. Vegetables are a fantastic starting point, but don't overlook fruits, herbs, and innovative plant-based proteins that can elevate any pie.

Vegetable and Herb Toppings

Roasted Vegetables: Sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or caramelized onions add deep, rich flavors.
Leafy Greens: Fresh spinach or arugula, added after baking, brings a fresh, peppery bite.
Briny Elements: Kalamata or black olives, capers, and artichoke hearts create a Mediterranean profile.
Fresh Herbs: Basil, oregano, and thyme are classic finishing touches that add aromatic complexity.
Spicy Kick: Jalapeños or red pepper flakes for heat.

Plant-Based Protein and Other Toppings

Meat Alternatives: The market offers a wide range of vegan pepperoni, sausage crumbles, and plant-based chicken chunks that can satisfy meat-lovers' cravings.
Tofu and Tempeh: Marinated and pan-fried tofu or crumbled tempeh add a savory, meaty texture and boost the protein content.
Chickpeas: Roasted chickpeas provide a unique texture and satisfying, earthy flavor.
Fruits: Don't shy away from pineapple for a Hawaiian twist or figs for a gourmet-style pizza with balsamic drizzle.

Finding or Making Vegan Pizza

It's easier than ever to find a delicious vegan pizza, whether you're dining out or cooking at home. Major pizza chains like Blaze Pizza and MOD Pizza now offer vegan cheese and a wide array of vegetable toppings. For a guaranteed plant-based experience, seek out a dedicated vegan pizzeria, like Purezza in the UK. Delivery apps like HappyCow can help locate local vegan-friendly options.

For a homemade approach, the process is straightforward and allows for complete customization. You can either make your dough from scratch or opt for a store-bought vegan crust. Simply choose your desired sauce, load up on your favorite toppings, sprinkle on vegan cheese, and bake. The possibilities for flavor combinations are endless. For example, a great combination is a BBQ sauce base with vegan cheese, caramelized onions, pineapple, and crumbled vegan sausage. Another option is a classic tomato sauce with artichokes, mushrooms, olives, and fresh basil.

Conclusion

As the world of plant-based eating continues to expand, so too do the delicious options for pizza lovers everywhere. Vegans can now enjoy a rich variety of flavors and textures, moving past simple cheeseless pies to fully embrace the comfort food experience. With high-quality vegan cheeses, a vast selection of vegetable and alternative protein toppings, and a multitude of creative sauces, there are no limits to what a vegan pizza can be. The next time you're craving a slice, know that an ethical, healthy, and incredibly tasty plant-based pizza is well within reach.

For more delicious plant-based ideas and recipes, check out this amazing list of options: 19 Drool-Worthy Vegan Pizza Recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vegans can use a variety of plant-based cheese substitutes made from nuts (cashew), soy, or coconut oil. Alternatives also include creamy cashew sauce, hummus, nutritional yeast, or simply loading up on vegetables and herbs.

Most standard pizza sauces are tomato-based and vegan. However, some gourmet or creamy sauces may contain dairy, so it is always best to check the ingredients list if purchasing a pre-made jar.

Yes, many major pizza chains are expanding their menus to include vegan options. This often includes offering vegan cheese and a wide range of vegetable toppings. Some cities also have fully vegan pizzerias.

Brands like Miyoko's (especially their liquid mozzarella), Violife, and Follow Your Heart are known for their effective melting properties on pizza. Homemade cashew-based mozzarella is also a great melty alternative.

A cheeseless pizza is vegan as long as the dough and sauce contain no animal products. Many traditional doughs are vegan, and classic marinara sauce is typically plant-based. The Pizza Marinara is a historical example of a delicious cheeseless vegan pie.

No, not all pizza crusts are vegan. While most simple doughs are made from flour, yeast, salt, water, and oil, some pre-made or restaurant crusts may contain dairy products like whey or eggs for flavor or texture.

Vegan pizzas are often lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, and higher in fiber and vitamins, especially when topped with fresh vegetables. The overall healthiness depends on the ingredients, as heavy use of processed toppings can add unhealthy fats.