Following a vegan diet shouldn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious slice of pizza.Veganism is becoming increasingly popular in Australia, with vegans searching for healthy, cruelty-free ways to enjoy the popular Italian dish. A lot of Western restaurants, including Crust, Dominos and Pizza Hut, cater to vegans and vegetarians, but there are plenty of gourmet vegan pizza toppings and recipes which are healthy and easy to make yourself at home. These pizza toppings are dairy-free and don’t contain any meat or animal products and can appeal to meat-eaters, vegans and vegetarians alike at your next pizza party!
1. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a classic pizza topping favourite for all types of diets and can be a fantastic substitute for meat. Porcini mushrooms are the best variety of mushroom for pizza, as they are small and have a rich, woodsy flavour.
2. Avocado
Avocados are incredibly popular in Australia, particularly among vegans as they do not contain any dairy or animal product. Sliced avocado is the perfect addition to any vegan pizza. Avocados are very high in fat, but it is considered a ‘good fat’ if eaten in moderation as they can help to lower bad cholesterol.
3. Cauliflower
Cauliflower can be roasted and used as a pizza topping, or it can also be used to make egg-free, dairy-free pizza base. Caramelised roasted cauliflower adds a sweetness and depth of flavour to a vegan pizza recipe.
(Credit: Getty)
4. BroccoliMuch like cauliflower, broccoli can be used to make a vegan pizza base. Using steamed broccoli as a pizza topping is soft and easy to eat, while raw broccoli is sweet and smoky. 5. HummusHummus is the perfect vegan alternative for tomato paste on a pizza base. A dairy-free hummus can be used to add a delicious, garlic flavour to a vegan pizza recipe. 6. SpinachSpinach is a great vegan pizza topping – both frozen leaf or fresh. Artichokes pair beautifully with spinach and makes for a delicious slice. 7. ArtichokeArtichoke hearts are a good substitute for any type of meat topping you want to swap when making vegan pizza. (Credit: Getty)8. ChickpeasChickpeas are also a delicious vegan pizza topping. They are both low calorie and are rich in protein and fibre, which makes it a perfect substitute for meat. 9. CapsicumA good pizza always has a healthy dose of capsicum. They are low in calories and exceptionally rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants.10. TomatoFresh tomatoes or a thick tomato paste works wonderfully on vegan pizza. You can use whole or diced tomatoes sprinkled on top.11. ZucchiniZucchini can be chopped into squares or peeled into thin strips for a delightful vegan pizza recipe – either roasted or raw.12. PumpkinAgain, pumpkin is a delicious substitute for meat. Butternut or Jap pumpkins are good varieties and can be boiled first before being roasted on pizza. (Credit: Getty)13. PotatoThinly peeled potato is the best way to serve it on vegan pizza – but if you are feeling daring it can be chopped into little pieces and sprinkled on top. Potato pizza is best cooked in the oven at a lower temperature to make sure everything bakes to perfection14. Sweet potatoSweet potato can be layered in ribbons or chopped up into pieces for vegan pizza. Australian sweet potatoes can be roasted, baked or fried for an tasty vegan topping.15. PineapplePineapple may be a controversial pizza topping, but it is a staple in a lot of pizza recipes – including Hawaiian. Roasted and pulled pineapple is a fantastic way to serve it as a topping. 16. Vegan cheeseThere are plenty of choices for vegan cheese in Australian supermarkets – including Parmesan by Angel Food, Tofutti ‘Better Than Ricotta Cheese’ or Daiya ‘Mozzarella Style Shreds’. Vegan cheese can help all the ingredients stick together and stay on the slice. 17. OlivesYou can’t go wrong with olives on pizza – black, green,stuffed or Kalamata. They add a rich, intense flavour and black olives in particular are full of unsaturated fats that lower cholesterol and fight heart disease.(Credit: Getty)18. Butternut squashButternut squash can be served in cubes or sliced on vegan pizza. One cup of cooked butternut squash has only 83 calories, making it an excellent choice if you want to lose weight or body fat.19. Pine NutsRoasted pine nuts add a nice crunch to a vegan pizza and it is best served sprinkled on top of the rest of your ingredients.20. CashewsSome vegan pizza recipes ask you to blend cashews for a creamy pizza base – but you can also sprinkle roasted cashews on top for an added crunch too.21. EggplantRoasted eggplant is a good alternative for meat on vegan pizza. Slice the eggplant up, boil it then place on top of the pizza for a delicious roasted eggplant pizza.
