Vegan pizza is, without a doubt, the best culinary innovation ever. And it’s only gotten better at a slew of chains. PETA has been working with companies to extend their meat- and dairy-free options and we’re delighted that so many now offer vegan cheeses, imitation meats, and delicious vegetables. When you want fresh, flavorful pizza without supporting the meat and dairy industries, here are some terrific options.
Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike can enjoy the taste of vegan pizza, which requires less substitution. The same dough and sauce are used, and vegan pizzas have less meat. And, of course, a vegan slice will earn you an ethical pat on the back. The new Screamer’s Pizza in Brooklyn opened in June, a joint venture between Champs, an East Williamsburg vegan diner, and Blackbird Cafe, a plant-based restaurant in Philadelphia.
What is Vegan Pizza?
Veganism is a diet in which no animal products are consumed. This includes the obvious – like meat – and several less visible items like cheese, gelatin, and animal-based colouring additives. It can be difficult to obtain a vegan pizza because cheese is one of the primary ingredients. Fortunately, you need the perfect cheese substitute and a few vegan toppings. Continue reading to find out how we refined our vegan pizza options.
The Top 7 Vegan Pizza Chains
1. Pizza Blaze
With over 300 sites across the United States and a few international locations, Blaze Pizza is the second-largest chain on our list. Blaze Pizza was the first fast-casual pizza company to adopt the Chipotle-inspired “build your own” pizza ordering technique. LeBron James is well-known for being an early investor in the company.
In addition, the restaurant uses environmentally friendly packaging. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative has approved the pizza boxes, and the salad containers are made of recycled plastic.
2. Mushroom with a mellow flavour
Mellow Mushroom is the oldest and most likely the first vegan-friendly pizza chain among our favourites. Mellow Mushroom, a quirky dine-in pizza place with many vegan alternatives, was founded in 1974 by two Georgia Tech grads (Go Jackets!).
With over 200 sites in twenty states, there’s a good chance you’ll find a Mellow Mushroom near you.
They provide a variety of specialty pizzas that can be made vegan by simply replacing the cheese with vegan cheese. You may also use seitan, tofu, or even Portabello mushrooms as a substitute or just for variety.
3. MOD Pizza is a pizza with a modern twist
MOD Pizza, like Blaze, is a create-your-own-style pizza chain. MOD, after all, stands for “Made On Demand.” The Seattle-based company was founded in 2008 by the same family that founded Seattle Coffee Company, which was later sold to Starbucks. MOD Pizza is the largest pizza chain among our favourites, with over 400 stores in the United States and the United Kingdom.
MOD’s vegan friendliness stems from the menu’s Dairy-Free Cheese (no extra fee) and around 25 different toppings, which you can pile on as much as you like. MOD does not have any fake meats, but they have some interesting toppings like grated carrots, artichokes, green chiles, and five different ‘roasted’ toppings like roasted corn and roasted garlic.
4. Pizza Rev
Pizza Rev is another ‘build your own pizza business with over 30 locations, the most of which are in California, where the company was formed. They provide 11-inch artisan pizzas like other ‘build your own’ restaurants such as Blaze and MOD do.
Pizza Rev topped the list thanks to their diverse menu, including three crusts, four sauces, Daiya Vegan Cheese, and Vegan Sausage Crumbles. They also have over 15 different veggie toppings, including roasted cauliflower and sun-dried tomatoes, both unique options.
5. Pieology
Another California-based pizza franchise, Pieology, has over 140 stores in 23 states. They’re a ‘build your own pizza place, similar to a handful of the places on our list of favourites.
Individual artisan-style pizzas cooked in an open flame oven are also available. Given this, it should be no surprise that the two Pieology founders previously worked for MOD pizza.
6. &Pizza
&Pizza is a fast-casual pizza franchise with 36 locations, the bulk of which are in the northeastern United States. Their locations range from DC to New York and Massachusetts, and they were founded in DC in 2012. They, too, are a “make your own” kind of place.
They do, however, manufacture distinctive oblong-shaped pizzas that set them apart from other favourites.
7. Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza is a restaurant that specializes in wood-fired pizza.
Brixx is a North Carolina-based pizza business with 25 locations, most of which are in North Carolina and neighbouring states. Brixx is a pizza restaurant that serves dine-in customers. Your pizza is baked and cooked in a wood-burning oven, which is normally placed in the restaurant’s centre after you place your order at the table.
Brixx has a variety of vegan crusts and sauces, and while none of their classic pizzas are vegan, roughly a half-dozen can easily be converted vegan by swapping out the cheeses. Brixx vegan cheese is included in the price.
Where can Vegan Pizza be Found?
Although Domino’s is the first major company to offer a vegan pizza with non-dairy cheese, vegans may find pizza at various other businesses and restaurants.
Here are several possibilities:
Little Caesars is a chain of pizza restaurants. It has vegan pizza dough, pizza sauce, crazy bread, and crazy sauce.
Papa John’s is a chain of pizza restaurants. It has vegan pizza sauce and crust.
Pizza Hut is a chain of restaurants that serves pizza. There are vegan dough, sauce, and toppings to choose from.
Mushroom with a mellow flavour. There’s a vegan pizza with vegan cheese on the menu.
California Pizza Kitchen is a pizza restaurant in Los Angeles, California. Vegan soup is available, and vegan pizzas prepared with Neapolitan dough are available without the cheese.
Zpizza: There are vegan options on the menu, including vegan cheese.
Pizza Fusion is a term used to describe a dish Vegan pizza with vegan cheese is available.
Vegan pizza is also available at many other local establishments across the country, so keep an eye out for it.
Why Should you Become a Vegan?
Veganism is popular for a variety of reasons. Many people recognize that raising livestock, large-scale fisheries, and other animal industries harm the environment and have gone vegan to reduce their carbon impact. Others are concerned about animal welfare and choose to eat vegan to avoid eating animals. Some people go vegan just for health reasons! Here you may learn more about our vegan ingredients and why individuals choose to go vegan.
Signature Pizzas are Vegan-Friendly at Pizza Hut?
Pizza Hut’s Veggie Lover’s pizza may be vegan by removing the cheese and selecting the Original Pan, Hand Tossed, or Thin ‘N Crispy crusts. The limited-edition Beyond Pepperoni Pizza can also be vegan by requesting the same alterations.
Make your Very Own Pizza
You can make your own pie and top it with whatever vegetables you want for a more personalized pie. Simply specify no cheese and one of the crusts indicated above to avoid animal pain.
Crust Flavors: None of them are vegan because the crusts are created using cow’s milk.
Choose from the Classic Marinara and the Buffalo sauces. Honey is stolen from bees who devote their lives to producing it, and it is used in barbecue sauce.
Drizzles and Dips: Try the Buffalo Drizzle or the Buffalo Dipping Sauce.
Toppings: We strongly advise you to pile on your favourite toppings. Choose one of the following options:
- Peppers from bananas
- Roma tomatoes, diced
- bell peppers, green
- Chile peppers, green
- olives (green)
- Jalapeo peppers are a type of chilli pepper.
- Black olives from the Mediterranean
- Mushrooms
- Onions, red
- Spinach that has been roasted
- Sweet pineapple
- While you’re waiting for your pizza to arrive, preheat the oven. Top it with your favourite vegan cheese and bake it till it’s melty and wonderful when it arrives!
Some Vegan Frozen Pizzas that you’ll Like to Keep in your Freezer
Are you stumped as to what to cook for dinner? With these 8 vegan frozen pizzas, you can’t go wrong! We enjoy a nice plant-based pie, especially one that is simple to prepare at home. Here are some of our favourite frozen pizzas that you can find in supermarkets and on the internet.
Amy’s
Amy’s is a vegetarian brand that makes several vegan products, such as frozen pizzas. There are ten different pizza varieties to choose from, five gluten-free. Our favourite is the Vegan Supreme Pizza, with vegetarian pepperoni, vegetable sausage, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, and creamy dairy-free mozzarella. Amy’s also offers Vegan Cheeze Pizza Snacks in addition to their pizzas, and we already have a handful of them on hand.
Wholly Veggie
Wholly Veggie! is a Canadian firm that makes plant-based pizzas and ensures you get your daily intake of vegetables through its products. The Kale & Hemp (on cauliflower crust) is a nutrient-dense dish. Gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO are all features of Wholly Veggie goods. If kale isn’t your thing, there’s also a vegan Margherita Pizza with cauliflower crust. Pizza that’s both tasty and good for you? We’re ready to help!
Daiya
You can’t go wrong with a Daiya frozen pizza as a vegan staple. This gluten-free plant-based firm has a wide range of products. The Supreme (meatless Italian sausage-style crumbles, mushrooms, and bell peppers), Meatless Pepperoni (with mozzarella-style shreds), and Cheese Lover’s are among our faves (with mozzarella- and cheddar-style shreds). Dinner has been served!
Earth’s Delight
Sweet Earth is a vegetarian-owned firm that produces natural, organic, and non-GMO products. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, bell pepper, onion, and garlic top the Veggie Lover’s pizza, which is 100 percent vegan. Pizza and vegetables are a match made in heaven!
How to Make the Vegan Pizza at Home?
Once the vegetables are chopped (including the broccoli stems! ), toss them in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper until everything is well-seasoned and covered. Your companion might be stretching the pizza dough while you’re doing this.
To keep things simple, I like to use Whole Foods’ Multigrain fresh pizza dough, which can be purchased near the pizza department of the supermarket in the refrigerated section. If you can’t find it, inquire at the pizza counter. Trader Joe’s fresh dough is also said to be wonderful. Alternatively, I’ll have some homemade dough in the freezer if I’m lucky.
And, as a side note, I’ve loved this hole-ey pizza pan lately because it crisps up the bottom corners of the dough nicely.
Spread a thin layer of cashew cream onto the stretched dough to make your vegetarian pizza. You only need a little, so the vegetables can stick to it, but not so much that the middle becomes too gooey.
The oozy cashew cream drizzle is applied last. You don’t want to bake this cashew cream since it will lose a lot of its creaminess.
So, as soon as the pizza comes out of the oven, generously spread the cashew cream over the top. If desired, finish with a sprinkling of red pepper flakes and fresh basil. Voila! Vegan pizza!
Cut into slices and eat!
Conclusion
Nothing beats a good, hot slice of pizza (or, perhaps, a cold slice of pizza!). You’d think there’d be more vegan-friendly pizza chains now, and it’s not that difficult to accomplish. Put some vegan cheese on your menu, like Daiya Mozzarella, and you’ll be all set. You’ll be a hero if you add some decent mock meat.
The majority of the mega-pizza franchises, on the other hand, have yet to take that step. The good news is that there is now a slew of national chains where you can purchase a delicious pie.