Pizza is a staple in our household and Savory Plant-Based Pizza is one of our favorites! You can find this and 100+ recipes in my new book, Simple Green Meals.
Friday nights in the Hansard household are my favorite. Why? Because it’s pizza night! We have school, work, baseball practice, gymnastics, and a ton of obligations through the week, so Ryan and I decided to set aside a night for our little family to unwind and reconnect… and what better way than with pizza?!
Can you eat pizza on a plant-based diet?
Since doing my first 21-day plant-based cleanse, I know my body feels best when I just eat plants. Our kids will always cheese a traditional NY style cheese pizza from our local pizza shop, Padula’s. Yet I know how I’m gonna feel when I eat that so I’ve started making my own personal-size pizza for my husband and me to enjoy too. Now, I can enjoy one of my favorite meals without feeling bloated and icky. Ya feel me?!
Why We Made The Switch To Savory Plant-Based Pizza
- Eliminating gluten from this pizza was an easy switch when I thought to use quinoa. I still get the crunchy, hearty crust without having gluten.
- I love cheese but cheese doesn’t love me! And believe it or not, I don’t miss the cheese on this pizza!
- I don’t feel bloated! At. All. Can I get an amen?! Every time I indulge in pizza, I inevitably feel bloated. Not anymore!
Bring Friday Night Pizza Night to your family.
Savory Plant-Based Pizza
- Author: Jen Hansard
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
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Cook Time: 30 minutes
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Total Time: 45 minutes
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Yield: 2 pizzas
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Category: Dinner
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Method: baked
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Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
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PinDescription
A simple quinoa batter makes for a crispy-edged, tender, gluten-free pizza crust that takes almost no effort to make. These toppings are some of my favorites—especially the pesto— but feel free to top with whatever your heart (or tummy) desires.
Ingredients
For Crust
- 11⁄2 cups dry quinoa, soaked overnight in 6 cups water
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 1⁄4 cup avocado oil
For Toppings
- 3⁄4 cup pesto (store bought or homemade)
- 1⁄2 cup very thinly sliced fennel bulb
- 1⁄4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup baby arugula
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- sea salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- To make the crust: Drain the pre-soaked quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse. Transfer to a high-powered blender and add 1⁄4 cup water, the seasoning, salt, and garlic. Puree, adding more water if needed, to make a very smooth batter.
- Place a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or a rimmed pizza pan in the oven for 5 minutes. Add the avocado oil, return the pan to the oven, and heat for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the hot pan, and tilt it so the oil covers the bottom evenly. Carefully pour the batter into the center of the pan—don’t pour too quickly or the oil could splatter. Spread the batter evenly. It should be 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch thick, depending on the pan. (If using a pizza pan, it may not reach all the way to the edges.)
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the top becomes somewhat dry and the edges golden. Carefully slide a large spatula under the crust to loosen it, then slowly flip it over, being careful not to splash any hot oil. Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
- To top the pizza: Carefully transfer the crust to a rack. Blot off the oil. Remove excess oil from the skillet or pan, leaving just enough to coat the bottom. Place the crust back in the pan and spread the pesto over the crust, then top evenly with the fennel and onion. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes to warm the toppings through.
- Toss the arugula with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add to the top of the pizza, cut into wedges, and serve immediately.
Keywords: vegan pizza
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