BBQ Seitan Pizza

Nut-free option, Soy-free option

Inspired by the classic nonvegan BBQ chicken pizza, this version uses seitan in place of chicken. The combination of barbecue sauce, marinara, red onion and mozzarella (and topped with a drizzle of ranch, of course) will have you wondering why you don’t make this pizza more often. This recipe only calls for a half batch of Pizza Dough, so use up the rest by making our Pesto Seitan Pizza.

The BBQ Seitan Pizza offers a delightful fusion of two beloved culinary worlds – the classic charm of pizza and the smoky allure of barbecue. This recipe takes the traditional pizza to new heights by introducing seitan, a versatile and protein-rich plant-based meat substitute. Seitan, known for its meaty texture, is coated in tangy barbecue sauce, providing a savory contrast to the doughy pizza base.

The star of the show, seitan, is derived from wheat gluten, making it a popular choice for those seeking meat alternatives. The preparation involves chopping steamed seitan into bite-sized pieces and generously coating them with barbecue sauce. The result is a chewy, flavorful topping that perfectly complements the other components of the pizza.

The pizza’s foundation is a homemade or store-bought pizza dough stretched into a circular shape. A layer of marinara sauce serves as the canvas for the toppings, adding a familiar Italian touch to the dish. Vegan Mozzarella shreds add creaminess and melt to perfection, enveloping the toppings in a gooey layer of goodness.

Chopped red onions provide a fresh and slightly pungent note, balancing the sweetness of the barbecue sauce. The pizza is baked until the crust achieves that desirable crispy texture, and the Mozzarella shreds melt into a tantalizing blanket over the toppings.

A finishing touch of melted vegan butter mixed with garlic salt is brushed onto the outer crust, enhancing its flavor profile and creating a golden sheen. For a creamy and cooling element, a drizzle of vegan ranch dressing is added, elevating each bite with its tangy richness.

The BBQ Seitan Pizza captures the essence of comfort food while offering a unique twist with its combination of hearty seitan, smoky barbecue, and classic pizza components. It’s a recipe that caters to diverse tastes, from those seeking plant-based alternatives to those looking to explore new and exciting flavor combinations. Whether enjoyed with family or friends, this pizza promises a satisfying experience that brings together the best of both worlds.

PREP TIME: 10 minutes, plus prep time for Pizza Dough and Steamed Seitan

COOK TIME: 15 minutes

YIELD: 8 slices

INGREDIENTS:

• Olive oil, for pan
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegan barbecue sauce, divided
• 4 oz (113 g) Steamed Seitan, chopped into ½” (1.3-cm) pieces (about ¾ cup) (soy-free if needed)
• ½ batch Pizza Dough
• ½ cup (120 g) vegan marinara sauce
• 1 cup (112 g) vegan Mozzarella shreds (nut-free and/or soy-free if needed)
• ½ medium-sized red onion, chopped (about ½ cup [80 g])
• 1 tbsp (14 g) vegan butter, melted (nut-free and/or soy-free if needed)
• 1 tsp Garlic Salt
• Vegan Ranch Dressing, for serving (nut-free and/or soy-free if needed)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a 12-inch (30-cm) round pan with olive oil.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix ¼ cup (60 ml) of the barbecue sauce with the seitan pieces to thoroughly coat the seitan. Set aside.
3. Using your hands, stretch out the pizza dough into a 12-inch (30-cm) circle with a slightly thicker outer crust. Carefully place the stretched dough on the prepared pan.
4. Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the dough, leaving the thicker edge of the crust bare.
5. Sprinkle the vegan Mozzarella shreds on top of the sauce.
6. Evenly distribute the coated seitan pieces and chopped red onion on the pizza.
7. Drizzle the remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) of barbecue sauce over the toppings.
8. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the vegan Mozzarella is melted and bubbly.
9. While the pizza is baking, prepare the butter mixture by stirring together the melted vegan butter and Garlic Salt in a small bowl.
10. Once the pizza is out of the oven, brush the butter mixture on the outer crust of the pizza for added flavor.
11. Drizzle your desired amount of vegan ranch dressing on top for extra creaminess and tang.
12. Allow the pizza to cool for about 3 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a cutting board and slice it into eight slices.
13. Serve your delicious Barbecue Seitan Pizza slices and enjoy the combination of barbecue and pizza flavors.