Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a stand mixer bowl or a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and quick rise yeast. If you are using a stand mixer, attach the dough attachment. If mixing by hand, grab a large wooden spoon. Pour in the hot water and olive oil, then begin mixing the dough. If you are using a stand mixer, mix the dough on medium-high speed for 7-9 minutes. Otherwise, knead the dough vigorously in the bowl. At this stage, the dough should appear slightly shaggy and feel tacky to the touch.
- Lightly flour a clean surface and transfer the dough onto it. Gently knead the dough for 2-3 minutes. You'll notice it becoming less tacky and wonderfully smooth and elastic under your hands. Place the smooth dough ball into an oiled bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and allow the dough to double in size. This usually takes about an hour or two in a warm area, ideally at least 85F. A great tip is to use your oven with just the light on to create this perfect warm environment. A common mistake is not allowing enough time for the dough to rise properly, which results in a dense crust.
Step 2: Shape the Pizza
- Preheat your oven to a hot 475F. Once your pizza dough has wonderfully doubled in size, lightly punch it down to release the air. Re-flour a clean surface or lay out a piece of parchment paper; this will be your workspace for forming the pizza dough. Carefully remove the dough from the bowl and divide it in half. If you plan to freeze the other half of the dough for a future pizza night, please see my blog post for detailed freezing instructions.
- For the first pizza, begin to gently form the dough into a disk shape. Place the pizza dough on your floured parchment paper or lightly floured surface, and carefully push the middle of the dough out with your fingertips. Be careful not to stretch the dough too aggressively. Watch for the dough to become thin and even across the surface. Avoid using a rolling pin, as this can deflate the precious air bubbles that give your crust its texture. Your pizza should measure about 18 inches in diameter. Repeat this process for the remaining dough ball.
Step 3: Add Toppings
- Now for the fun part: toppings! Spread about 1/2 to 2/3 cup of your favorite pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Then, generously sprinkle your vegan cheese on top. If you're making the garlicky white beans, combine the cannellini beans, minced garlic, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, chopped dill, and sea salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Mix them well. Then, spoon this delicious mixture onto your pizza as an additional topping.
Step 4: Bake the Pizza
- Carefully place your topped pizzas onto a pizza tray or preheated pizza stone. Bake them in the 475F oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the vegan cheese has melted beautifully and the edges of the dough are lightly golden brown and look wonderfully crispy. The internal temperature of a fully baked crust should be around 200-210F. Remove the pizzas from the oven.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Once out of the oven, immediately garnish your Vegan Pizza with fresh basil leaves. The final, magical touch is a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Then, slice and enjoy your incredible creation!
Step 6: Grilling Instructions
- For a different take, you can grill your Vegan Pizza. First, heat your grill to a high temperature and arrange all your toppings, like sauce and vegan mozzarella, conveniently near the grill. Lightly brush your prepared pizza dough with a little olive oil. Once the grill reaches 500F, carefully place the dough directly onto the grates. Cover the grill and allow the dough to cook for 2-3 minutes. You will see it puff up and develop grill marks. Then, flip the dough and let it cook for another minute.
- Remove the partially cooked dough from the grill and transfer it onto a baking sheet. Quickly add all your desired toppings. Place the topped dough back onto the grill and cook for another 3 minutes until the cheese melts. If the cheese isn’t melting quickly enough but your crust is perfectly cooked, transfer the pizza to an oven preheated to 475F for about 5 minutes. Remove your grilled pizza from the oven and top with fresh basil and an extra drizzle of olive oil if you desire, then serve immediately!
Notes
This vegan pizza is incredibly versatile; feel free to customize toppings to your liking. For best results, allow ample time for the dough to rise in a warm environment. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.