Ultimate Vegan Flatbread Pizza

I used to think making pizza meant ordering takeout or settling for frozen options from the store. Growing up, that’s all we knew in our house – pizza night meant picking up the phone or preheating the oven for a boxed dinner.

But then I discovered how simple it is to make flatbread pizza at home, and even better – a vegan version that’s just as satisfying as the original. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basic ingredients and about 20 minutes. Even my pickiest friends can’t tell the difference between this and regular pizza, which makes it perfect for feeding both vegans and non-vegans alike.

What Kind of Flatbread Should I Use?

When it comes to flatbread for pizza, you’ve got several good options at your local grocery store. Most supermarkets carry brands like Stonefire, which makes a reliable pre-made flatbread that’s perfect for this recipe, but you can also use naan, pita bread, or even Lebanese-style flatbread. Just make sure to check the ingredients list if you’re strictly vegan, as some flatbreads contain dairy or honey. For the best results, look for a flatbread that’s slightly thick and sturdy enough to hold your toppings without getting soggy – thin flatbreads tend to crisp up too quickly and can burn before your toppings are heated through. If your flatbread is frozen, let it thaw completely at room temperature before adding your toppings.

Options for Substitutions

This vegan pizza is super adaptable and you can switch things up based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Flatbread base: Can’t find ready-made flatbread? Try using pita bread, naan, or even a regular pizza crust. Just keep in mind that cooking times might need to be adjusted depending on the thickness of your base.
• Vegan feta: If vegan feta isn’t available, try crumbled firm tofu seasoned with a bit of lemon juice and salt, or other vegan cheese alternatives like shredded vegan mozzarella.
• Roasted red peppers: You can use fresh bell peppers (any color works!), though you might want to pre-cook them for a few minutes to soften. Jarred sun-dried tomatoes make a nice swap too.
• Kalamata olives: Any type of olives will work here – try black olives, green olives, or even olive tapenade. Not an olive fan? Just leave them out or add some artichoke hearts instead.
• Fresh basil: If fresh basil isn’t on hand, you can use dried basil (about 1 teaspoon), fresh oregano, or even a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making flatbread pizza is ending up with a soggy crust – to prevent this, brush your flatbread with olive oil and pre-bake it for 3-4 minutes before adding any toppings.

Another common mistake is overloading the flatbread with too many toppings, which can make it difficult to achieve a crispy base and properly cook everything through – remember that less is more when it comes to toppings, especially with juicy ingredients like tomatoes.

To keep your vegetables from releasing too much moisture during baking, try patting them dry with paper towels first, and make sure to spread them evenly across the flatbread rather than clustering them in the center.

For the best flavor and texture, add delicate ingredients like vegan feta and fresh basil in the last few minutes of baking or right after the flatbread comes out of the oven – this prevents them from becoming overly dried out or losing their fresh taste.

What to Serve With Flatbread Pizza?

This Mediterranean-style flatbread pizza pairs perfectly with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon juice and olive oil – the peppery greens are a nice contrast to the savory pizza toppings. If you’re looking to make it more of a meal, try serving it alongside some marinated chickpeas or a bowl of minestrone soup. For a casual gathering, I like to put out some roasted vegetables like zucchini and eggplant on the side, which echo the Mediterranean flavors of the pizza. A glass of crisp white wine or sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon completes the meal nicely.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: If you have any leftover vegan flatbread pizza (though I doubt you will!), wrap it in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container. It’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days. The toppings might make the crust a bit softer over time, but it’s still totally enjoyable!

Make Ahead: Want to prep ahead? You can chop all your toppings and store them separately in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to eat, just assemble and bake your pizza – this way, you’ll get that fresh-from-the-oven taste and crispy crust every time.

Warm Up: To bring back that just-baked taste, pop leftover slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. I find this works better than the microwave, which can make the crust chewy. A toaster oven works great too if you’re just warming up a slice or two!

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	8-10 minutes
Total Time	23-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 600-700
• Protein: 12-15 g
• Fat: 40-45 g
• Carbohydrates: 50-55 g

Ingredients

• 1 ready-made flatbread pizza base (such as stonefire artisan flatbread)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup pitted, sliced kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup crumbled vegan feta
• 4-5 fresh basil leaves

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Garlic Oil

Check your flatbread pizza dough instructions for the recommended oven temperature.

Most suggest 425°F.

Preheat your oven to that temperature.

In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over low-medium heat and add minced garlic.

Cook until the garlic is fragrant and slightly brown, approximately 3 minutes.

Ensure not to overcook it, as it will continue cooking in the oven.

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the oil infuse with garlic flavor for about 10 minutes while you prepare other ingredients.

Step 2: Prepare the Toppings

While the garlic olive oil is infusing, dice your roasted red peppers and slice cherry tomatoes.

Prepare any other preferred toppings, such as kalamata olives, by slicing them if necessary.

These fresh ingredients will give your flatbread pizza vibrant colors and flavors.

Step 3: Assemble the Vegan Flatbread Pizza

Take your premade flatbread dough and evenly spread the garlic-infused olive oil across the surface.

Top with diced roasted red peppers, cherry tomato slices, and kalamata olives.

Finish off by sprinkling your flatbread with vegan feta cheese, ensuring the toppings are distributed evenly for consistent flavors in every bite.

Step 4: Bake the Flatbread

Place the assembled flatbread directly on the oven rack for 8-10 minutes, or follow the cooking time specified on your flatbread pizza dough instructions (most will be in this range) until the crust achieves a golden brown finish.

Alternatively, you can use a parchment-lined baking sheet or a pizza stone for baking if preferred.

Step 5: Cool and Finish with Fresh Basil

Remove the flatbread from the oven and let it cool on a cooling rack for 1-2 minutes.

For optimal freshness, wait up to 5 minutes before topping with fresh basil to prevent it from browning.

Once ready, slice and serve your vegan flatbread pizza.

Enjoy the delicious combination of flavors and textures!