20+ Best Vegan Pizza Toppings - Nourished with Natalie

Just because you’re vegan, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on pizza night. And, if you think a vegan pizza means tomato sauce and a few sad toppings, fear not! There is an abundance of delicious vegan pizza toppings that will make vegans and non-vegans alike absolutely obsessed.

Besides cheese and meat, most pizza toppings are actually naturally vegan. Vegetables, spices, pineapple, are all suitable for those following a plant-based diet.

Keep on reading for a full list of vegan pizza toppings (and a printable guide!). Below I’ve also included some delicious vegan pizza combinations.

But first, lets start at the base.

IS PIZZA DOUGH VEGAN?

Good news – pizza dough is often naturally vegan! Made with water, flour, salt, and yeast it’s pretty simple to make. You can find my favorite slow rise cast iron vegan pizza dough here.

However, some places may add milk, so it’s always best to check when ordering.

VEGAN PIZZA BASES (BESIDES TOMATO SAUCE)

The next key part to pizza? The perfect base! Fortunately, tomato sauce is almost always vegan as well. But, if you want to get creative you can use a different base for your pizza sauce such as hummus, bbq sauce (just make sure it doesn’t have honey), or pesto (make sure there is no cheese).

WHAT CAN YOU PUT ON PIZZA INSTEAD OF CHEESE?

Besides tomato sauce, the most popular pizza ingredient is cheese. But, there’s a wide variety of vegan cheeses on the market. You can find a vegan cheese brand at just about every grocery store now.

If you’re looking for a good vegan cheese for your pizza, here are some of my favorites:

However, if you want to skip the cheese that’s always an option as well. There’s plenty of other great toppings you can add.

Or, want a cheesy flavor but can’t find vegan cheese? You can add nutritional yeast. It’s a deactivated yeast that has a cheesy flavor and is a great source of protein!

Or, just add some of the many topping ideas below.

VEGAN PIZZA TOPPINGS

There’s a hundred and one pizza toppings, and just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you have to miss out. Whether it’s vegetables, herbs, sauces, or even fruit, there’s plenty of vegan and vegetarian pizza toppings.

VEGETABLES

One of the best ways to enhance pizza is to add a ton of vegetables! Fortunately, there are loads of veggies that taste great on pizza. You can add raw, roasted, or even pickled vegetables.

But, when should you use raw vegetables and when should you roast them, or even pickle them?

Raw, fresh vegetables are a great pizza topping because they are easy and. tasty, And, most of the time they get cooked perfectly in the oven. However, some vegetables are better roasted beforehand.

So, let’s talk which vegetables don’t need to be cooked beforehand:

Broccoli – Broccoli can be cooked first or enjoyed raw.
Corn – Corn can be enjoyed raw on pizza, just make sure to drain any excess water if it’s canned.
Bell Pepper – Yellow, orange and red bell peppers all are a great addition. Cooking makes it more tender, however you can also enjoy it raw when diced into small pieces.
Red Onions – You can enjoy red onion raw or pickled on your pizza.
Spinach – No need to cook thin leafy greens like spinach or arugula before adding.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Since they’re already dried, most of the excess water has been cooked out of them already.
Canned Artichoke Hearts – For canned artichokes, they will not need to be cooked. Just drain well and add!

Some vegetables on the other hand are best cooked prior to adding on top of a pizza. And, if you have any roasted vegetables leftover, go ahead and add them as well.

Vegetables to cook prior to adding:

Broccoli – You can also cook broccoli beforehand, especially if you are adding larger florets to your pizza.
Bell Pepper – Again, bell peppers can be added raw or roasted.
Root Vegetables – Root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, take longer to cook. So, make sure to roast them beforehand!
Onion – Onions can be added raw, however caramelized onions taste even better.
Mushroom – Because mushrooms carry excess water, they’re better sautéd before adding.
Garlic – Roasted garlic is delicious on pizza! To roast, slice the top off, drizzle with olive oil and wrap in tinfoil. Then roast at 400F for 40 minutes.

FRUITS

Pineapple – I know pineapple is controversial, but it’s delicious on pizza! You can add it fresh or frozen.
Kalamata Olives / Black Olives – If you like olives, they make a great addition to pizza!
Tomatoes – Chopped tomatoes, thinly sliced tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, all are tasty on pizza. When using chopped or sliced fresh tomatoes, just make sure to get rid of the excess water before adding.
Figs – Figs are a unique and delicious add on to pizza, especially with a balsamic base!

SPICES & HERBS

Another easy and delicious way to enhance a pizza is with fresh herbs and dried spices. Trust me, they add a LOT to pizza. I love having a basil plant in my kitchen that I can use for fresh basil whenever I make pizza!

Spices

Dried Oregano, Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Onion Flakes – Dried seasonings like these add a burst of flavor to pizza.
Garlic Powder – Garlic powder adds garlic flavor without going through roasting a fresh clove.
Paprika – Paprika comes from red peppers and adds a bit of earthiness and a subtle sweetness.
Black Pepper – A bit of black pepper goes great with some vegan cheese.
Red Pepper Flakes – If you like a little spice, red chili flakes are a great way to add in some heat.

Herbs

Oregano – Fresh oregano adds a sharp and pepper-y flavor.
Basil – Fresh basil adds a sweet and slightly spicy flavor.

SAUCES

A great finishing touch to a dairy-free pizza is adding a drizzle of sauce! If you’ve never had pizza with a bit of balsamic, agave, or even sriracha drizzled on top, you’re missing out. It adds the perfect finishing touch.

Here are some great sauces you can drizzle on but of course, there’s plenty more. Get creative!

Sauces:

Agave – Agave is a sweetener, similar to honey. However it is vegan-friendly and adds a sweetness to pizza that brings out a ton of flavor.
BBQ Sauce – A little BBQ sauce goes a long way! It’s packed with flavor and a perfect finishing sauce.
Balsamic Glaze – Balsamic has a rich, complex sweetness that will add to any pizza.
Vegan Aioli – Aioli is a creamy, flavorful sauce that is perfect for dunking pizza in!
Sriracha / Hot Sauce – For those who like spiciness, these sauces pack a punch.
Pesto – Packed with flavor, pesto is great on pizza. Especially when paired with vegan mozzarella.

Just make sure the above sauces are made with all vegan friendly ingredients.

VEGAN MEATS

And, of course, you can always add plant-based meat to pizza as well. If you’re making a pizza for a vegan and meat-eater, this is the way to go.

There’s tons of vegan meat options these days, so you can find them at your local grocery store. Vegan beef crumbles, sausage, pepperoni, etc., are all great options.

BEST PIZZA COMBINATIONS

If you need any ideas on what kind of vegan pizza to make, below you’ll find a list of some of my favorite combinations. And, keep reading for my personal favorite combination.

Hawaiian – Use BBQ sauce as your base and layer it with vegan cheese, pineapple, and red onion.

Vegan ‘Meat’ Eaters – Start with red sauce and then follow with vegan sausage and pepperoni.

Veggie – Add all of your favorite veggies, and then top with herbs and spices such as garlic powder, basil, and red pepper flakes (if you like spiciness).

Chickpea – Use hummus as your base, then top with vegan cheese. Follow with red onion and spinach.

Taco Pizza – Make a taco inspired pizza by adding black beans, dairy-free cheese, chopped tomatoes, bell peppers, and vegan beef crumbles.

Vegan BBQ Pizza – Begin with a base of BBQ sauce and top with vegan cheese, pickled onions, pineapple, and a drizzle of vegan aioli.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

What can vegans eat on pizza?

If you’re vegan or cooking for a vegan, there’s lots of options! All of the above options are suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Just make sure to avoid any meat, dairy, and other animal products (such as honey).

What are the best non meat toppings for pizza?

Just because you don’t eat meat means you need to miss out on delicious pizza toppings. Simple ingredients, such as vegetables, spices, herbs, sauces, and even fruits like pineapple are all vegan-friendly and tasty.

WHAT IS MY FAVORITE WAY TO TOP PIZZA?

My personal favorite pizza combination? I love having tomato sauce as the base, followed by vegan cheese. And, then topped with pineapple, broccoli, roasted garlic, corn, fresh basil, dried oregano, and red chili flakes. Then, finally drizzled with a touch of agave. Yum!

I know, I know… it seems like a weird combination but it is SO good.

And, here is my homemade pizza recipe that also just so happens to be the best vegan pizza recipe ever! Let me know if you give it a try.

And there you have it, the best vegan pizza toppings! The next time your making pizza, know that there are plenty of options out there. So, go throw that vegan pizza party!

Did I miss any? Let me know below.

And, let me know your favorite pizza combinations. I’m always looking for new ones to try!