Let’s be real—who doesn’t love pizza? It’s the ultimate comfort food. But what if your lifestyle calls for something a little different? Enter the Paleo Vegan Pizza! It’s everything you love about pizza—without the gluten, dairy, or guilt. Instead of a regular crust, we’re using nutrient-packed flours like almond and tapioca. And the cheese? A luscious, creamy cashew-based sauce that might just steal the show. Perfect for a cozy Friday night in or wowing your friends with something new.
Quick Recipe Breakdown
What to Expect
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Size and Serving
- Makes one 10–12” pizza (serves 2–3 people).
Doubling up? Just scale the ingredients, and you’re good to go.
Skill Level
- Beginner-friendly with one fun step: blending the cheese sauce.
Things You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Parchment paper
- A baking sheet or pizza pan
- A blender (or food processor for the cheese)
- Rolling pin (or a wine bottle if you’re improvising!)
Plan Ahead
- The dough keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Cashew cheese sauce? Make it 3 days in advance if needed.
The Ingredients List
For the Crust
- 1 flax egg (1 Tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 Tbsp warm water)
- ¾ cup blanched almond flour
- ¾ cup tapioca flour (or arrowroot starch)
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- ⅓ cup warm water
- ⅓ cup avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
Pro Tips:
- No tapioca flour? Arrowroot starch works fine.
- No rolling pin? Grab that wine bottle.
For the Cashew Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup raw cashews (soak them 15 minutes if no high-speed blender is handy)
- 2½ Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 5 Tbsp warm water or almond milk
- 2 Tbsp avocado/olive oil
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
Bonus Tip: Fresh cashews = creamier sauce. Trust me.
Toppings
- ⅓–½ cup marinara or pizza sauce
- Fresh basil leaves
- Crushed red pepper (optional)
- Sautéed veggies (onions, peppers, mushrooms—your call!)
How to Make It
Step 1: Prep the Crust
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Stir together 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal and 3 Tbsp warm water for your flax egg. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it thickens.
- In a big bowl, mix the flours, seasonings, and salt.
- Combine warm water, oil, and apple cider vinegar in a cup. Slowly pour this into the flour mix while stirring. Add your flax egg and mix until you get a soft dough.
Sticky dough? Dust with a little extra tapioca flour.
- Roll the dough into a ball, then flatten it into a 10–12” circle on parchment.
- Bake the crust for 12–15 minutes until set but not browned yet.
Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce
- Soak the cashews for 15 minutes if needed.
- Drain, then blend the cashews, lemon juice, almond milk, oil, garlic powder, sea salt, and nutritional yeast.
- Blend until silky smooth. If it’s too thick, add a splash more liquid.
Spoiler: It’s so good you’ll want to eat it by the spoonful.
Step 3: Assemble the Pizza
- Spread your crust with marinara sauce (don’t forget to leave a border!).
- Dollop the cashew cheese sauce over the top. No need to spread it perfectly—it’ll melt into gooey goodness.
- Add your toppings (hello, basil and veggies).
- Pop it back in the oven for 10–12 more minutes.
Done? Your crust should be golden, and the cheese bubbling. Let it cool for just a minute—if you can wait!
Tips, Tweaks, and Ideas
- Spice it up: Add chili flakes or a drizzle of chili oil.
- Fancy it up: Caramelized onions or a drizzle of truffle oil, anyone?
- Seasonal flair: Summer? Add fresh tomatoes. Winter? Roasted squash is perfection.
- Nut-free version: Swap cashews for sunflower seeds in the cheese sauce.
Serving and Storing
- Serve warm on a cutting board for that rustic vibe—bonus points if you pair it with a fresh arugula salad.
- Leftovers? Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat at 375°F in a toaster oven to keep that crust crispy.
The Verdict?
This Paleo Vegan Pizza isn’t just a healthier option—it’s the kind of meal that makes you forget you’re eating “healthy.” It’s cozy, it’s satisfying, and honestly, it’s just plain fun to make. Give it a try next pizza night—you might just convert a pizza purist or two.
Paleo Vegan Pizza Recipe
This isn’t your average pizza. It’s a feel-good, wholesome version with a crispy almond flour crust and a rich, creamy cashew cheese sauce. Whether you’re paleo, vegan, gluten-free, or just looking for something different, this pizza has your name on it. Packed with fresh flavors and easy to customize, it’s perfect for a chill dinner or impressing your crew.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 (makes one 10–12” pizza) 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: Paleo, Vegan
Ingredients
The Crust
- 1 flax egg (1 Tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 Tbsp warm water)
- ¾ cup blanched almond flour
- ¾ cup tapioca flour or arrowroot starch (+ some for dusting)
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- ⅓ cup warm water
- ⅓ cup avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
Dreamy Cashew Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for 15 mins if your blender isn’t powerful)
- 2½ Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 5 Tbsp warm water or unsweetened almond milk
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
Toppings (Get Creative!)
- ⅓–½ cup marinara or pizza sauce (Rao’s is a great pick)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Optional: sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, red pepper flakes
Instructions
Step 1: Crust Boss Moves
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a pizza pan or baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Stir flaxseed meal with warm water to prep your flax egg. Let it thicken for about 10 minutes.
- Combine almond flour, tapioca starch, coconut flour, the seasonings, and salt in a bowl. Mix it up!
- Stir together warm water, oil, and apple cider vinegar. Slowly pour this into the dry mix along with your flax egg. Stir until you get a nice soft dough.
Pro Tip: If things get sticky, don’t panic—just sprinkle a little extra tapioca flour to keep it manageable.
- Shape the dough into a 10–12” circle on your parchment paper. Want it crispy? Roll it thin. Want it soft? Leave it thicker.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, just until it sets.
Step 2: Cheese Sauce Magic
- Toss all cheese sauce ingredients into a blender. Blend on high until it’s smooth and creamy.
Too thick? Add a splash of almond milk or water until it’s spreadable.
Step 3: Build Your Masterpiece
- Spread marinara sauce over the baked crust (but leave a little border to keep things neat).
- Add dollops of that dreamy cashew cheese. No need to be fancy—it’ll melt into perfection.
- Top with fresh basil or your favorite extras (hello, roasted veggies).
- Pop it back into the oven for 10–12 minutes. When the crust is golden and the cheese has golden spots, you’re ready to go.
Let it cool for a minute (if you can wait) and slice it up.
Notes
Tips & Tricks
- For a crispier crust, use a pizza stone or roll it extra thin.
- No rolling pin? Grab a wine bottle—it works like a charm.
- If your cashews aren’t soft, soak them in hot water for 15 minutes before blending.
Serving and Storing
- Pair it with: A fresh, simple salad (arugula with lemon vinaigrette is 👌).
- Leftovers? Store slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven or toaster oven to keep that crust crunchy.