Creating Vegan and Allergy-Friendly Pizza

Pizza is a beloved staple, but enjoying it can be challenging for those with food allergies. Everybody should be able to savor a warm slice of pizza. Let's explore a recipe inspired by athin and crispy dough method from renowned pizza expert Anthony Falco's book, Pizza Czar, adapted to be vegan and allergy-friendly.

The Thin and Crispy Dough

Inspired by Falco's recipe for Thin and Crispy Dough, here's how to create a vegan allergy-friendly version.

Ingredients for Gluten-Free Pizza Dough:

• 2 cups gluten-free flour

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast

• 1 cup warm water

• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

• Prepare the dough

  • Mix warm water, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let it sit until bubbly.

  • Add flour blend, salt, and olive oil. Knead until smooth and the bowl is clean.

• Rest and Rise

  • Allow dough to rise in an oiled bowl, covered, for 1-2 hours.

  • After it has rested for 1-2 hours, gently knead by folding it over itself and let it rest for 2-3 more hours.

• Preheat and Roll

  • Preheat oven to 500°F or whatever the highest temperature on your oven is with a pizza stone if you have it. If not, a large pan will do.

  • Gently shape the ball of dough into a circle.

  • Indent the dough where you want to create a defined crust.

  • Slowly and carefully toss the dough between your hands and let gravity stretch it out.

• Bake the Crust

  • Transfer the dough on parchment to the pizza stone. Bake quickly (1-2 min) until the crust is more shaped and less floppy.

Topping Your Vegan Pizza

• Tomato Sauce: Choose a vegan and gluten-free option. Most sauces are anyway allergy-friendly, so this should not be a big issue.

• Cheese Alternative: Opt for dairy-free cheeses made from nuts, soy, or another base if you are allergic to the above. Chao Cheese by Field Roast has great flavor and melts well.

• Vegetables: Add bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and any other vegetables you wish.

• Protein: If you wish to include protein in your pizza, try adding marinated tofu or plant-based sausage.

• Herbs: Use fresh basil, oregano, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Assembly and Final Bake

• Assemble

  • Spread sauce over pre-baked crust.

  • Add toppings (cheese alternative, vegetables, protein, etc.)

• Bake

  • Slide the topped pizza back onto the pizza stone. Bake until cheese alternative melts (5-10 min depending on the heat of your oven).

• Serve

  • Slice, serve immediately, and enjoy. You can also add crushed red pepper and honey on for some sweet and spicy flavors.

Conclusion

With this vegan and allergy-friendly recipe, you can savor a slice of homemade pizza without compromise. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or have other dietary restrictions, this recipe guarantees a delicious pizza night. Experiment with toppings to create your favorite combinations and relish the crispy, flavorful results. Pizza lovers, rejoice – allergens need not stand in the way of enjoying this classic dish!