Smoky Plant-Based Grilled Pizza

Sizzling Summer Delight: Mastering the Vegan Grilled Pizza with Violife

Summer is synonymous with grilling, warm evenings, and delicious food shared with loved ones. Today, we’re taking your outdoor cooking to the next level with an incredibly simple, yet sensationally delicious Vegan Grilled Pizza! This isn’t just any pizza; it’s a culinary experience made possible by the phenomenal Violife dairy-free mozzarella, which truly steals the show. We’re thrilled to partner with Violife for this post, and we extend our gratitude to them for sponsoring this content, as well as to you, our readers, for supporting the brands that make Food with Feeling possible.

A vibrant, cheesy vegan grilled pizza with fresh toppings, ready to be sliced.
Experience the ultimate crispy crust and perfectly melted vegan cheese.

Our journey into the world of exceptional vegan cheese has led us repeatedly to Violife. Having extensively used their products over the past year and beyond, we can confidently declare them to be among the absolute best vegan cheeses available today. Their commitment to flavor, texture, and meltability is unmatched, truly elevating plant-based cuisine. If you’ve been following our culinary adventures on Instagram, you’ve undoubtedly seen us rave about Violife on multiple occasions – and for good reason!

The first Violife product that captured our hearts was their remarkable vegan parmesan wedge. Prepare to be amazed! It perfectly replicates the look, taste, grating consistency, and melt of traditional parmesan, making it an indispensable staple in our kitchen. Following that delightful discovery, Violife’s feta block quickly became another firm favorite. Its tangy, crumbly texture and authentic flavor profile make it ideal for salads, pasta, or simply enjoying on its own.

Close-up of a raw vegan pizza dough, lightly floured, ready for grilling.
Preparing the base for your grilled masterpiece.

We recently had the pleasure of exploring Violife’s entire product range, and we can confirm that every single item lives up to the hype. Beyond the standout parmesan and feta, their extensive collection includes versatile shredded cheeses perfect for everything from tacos to casseroles, decadent cream cheeses ideal for bagels or dips, and convenient cheese slices that create the ultimate melty vegan grilled cheese sandwiches. The breadth and quality of their offerings make adopting a dairy-free lifestyle incredibly easy and enjoyable.

For today’s Grilled Vegan Pizza, we opted for a harmonious blend of Violife’s mozzarella shreds, complemented by a touch of their parmesan for added depth of flavor. While we wholeheartedly recommend this combination for an unparalleled taste experience, a more traditional approach using just the mozzarella shreds will still yield spectacular results. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of trying Violife’s mozzarella, prepare to be utterly impressed. Its authentic flavor and superior meltability set it apart from other vegan cheeses on the market, creating that coveted stringy, gooey texture every pizza lover craves.

Vegan pizza on a grill, with melted Violife mozzarella and various toppings.
Watch as the Violife cheese melts into golden perfection on the grill.

If you’re looking to introduce skeptical friends or family to the delicious world of vegan cuisine, especially a vegan pizza, Violife cheese is your secret weapon. There’s genuinely no compromise on taste or texture, and people are consistently surprised by how much they adore it, even when fully aware it’s dairy-free and plant-based. While we primarily adhere to a plant-based diet, we occasionally enjoy eggs and traditional cheese. Yet, despite this, our affection for Violife’s cheeses remains unwavering. Their products are simply that good, offering a truly satisfying experience that transcends dietary preferences.

A close-up shot of a grilled vegan pizza slice, showing the crispy crust and melted cheese.
Each bite delivers a symphony of smoky flavor and delightful texture.

Now, let’s dive into the star of today’s show: the Grilled Vegan Pizza. This method of cooking pizza isn’t just a novelty; it’s a transformative experience that yields incredibly delicious results and offers several compelling advantages over traditional oven baking. If you’re accustomed to baking your pizzas indoors and are wondering why you should venture outdoors to grill one, allow us to present a few compelling reasons that might just change your pizza-making game forever.

Why Grill Your Pizza? Unlock a World of Flavor and Convenience!

Grilling pizza is more than just an alternative; it’s an enhancement. Here are the top reasons why we believe grilling your pizza is a fantastic choice, especially during the warmer months:

  1. Unforgettable Family Fun: Grilling pizza is an inherently interactive and enjoyable activity. Because pizzas cook so quickly on the grill, it’s perfect for a lively family pizza night or a gathering with friends. Everyone can get involved, from stretching their own dough to choosing their favorite toppings, and even carefully placing their personalized creations onto the grill. There’s a unique charm and excitement about the process of grilling pizza that makes it a memorable culinary adventure for all ages. It transforms a meal into an event, fostering connection and creativity around the grill.
  2. Keep Your Kitchen Cool: This is, for many, reason enough to embrace grilled pizza. In the height of summer, the last thing you want is to crank up your oven, turning your entire house into a sauna. Grilling your pizza allows you to keep the heat outdoors, ensuring your kitchen remains refreshingly cool and comfortable. It’s an energy-efficient choice that not only saves on your utility bill but also makes summer cooking far more pleasant, allowing you to enjoy the process without breaking a sweat.
  3. Incredibly Fast Cooking: Time is often of the essence, and grilled pizza delivers on speed. The cooking process is astonishingly quick. The dough typically needs only about 90 seconds on the grill to develop that initial perfect char, and then an additional 3-5 minutes once all your desired toppings have been added. This rapid cooking time means less waiting and more enjoying, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or when hunger strikes unexpectedly. You get delicious, freshly cooked pizza in a fraction of the time compared to conventional baking.
  4. Achieve the Perfect Crispy Crust: One of the most cherished aspects of grilled pizza is the unparalleled crust it produces. The direct heat of the grill creates a magical transformation, resulting in a crust that is wonderfully crispy and slightly smoky on the outside, while remaining delightfully soft and chewy on the inside. This ideal combination of textures is often challenging to achieve in a standard oven, but it comes naturally with grilling. The slight char from the grill grates also imparts a unique depth of flavor that cannot be replicated indoors, elevating your pizza to gourmet levels.
  5. Versatility and Customization: Grilling opens up a world of possibilities for customization. You can experiment with various dough types, from thin and crispy to slightly thicker bases, and an endless array of toppings. The intense heat ensures toppings cook quickly and evenly, allowing for fresh vegetables to retain a slight crispness and cheeses to melt beautifully. This versatility encourages culinary exploration and ensures every pizza can be a unique reflection of your taste.
Overhead shot of a beautifully grilled vegan pizza on a cutting board, ready to be served.
From grill to table in minutes – perfect for any occasion!

And that’s the complete guide to creating your own incredible Vegan Grilled Pizza! We hope you have a fantastic time experimenting with this recipe and savoring every bite of delicious, plant-based grilled food this holiday weekend, or any time the craving strikes. Grilling pizza is not just a cooking method; it’s a celebration of flavor, convenience, and outdoor living. Give it a try, and you might just discover your new favorite way to make pizza!

Don’t forget to explore Violife’s full range of exceptional dairy-free cheeses on their website. If you’re new to their fantastic products and wondering where to purchase them locally, Violife offers a convenient store locator that you can check out here. Happy grilling!

Watch Our Vegan Grilled Pizza Tutorial:

A video demonstration for this recipe can be found below. For best results, watch the tutorial to see the grilling technique in action!

Video thumbnail for Vegan Grilled Pizza tutorial

Click here to watch the full Vegan Grilled Pizza video tutorial!

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Vegan Grilled Pizza

By
Brita Britnell
Prep:

10 minutes

Cook:

10 minutes

Total:

20 minutes

Servings:

1
medium pizza
Hand picking up a slice of pizza.
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This GRILLED Vegan Pizza is super easy to make and perfect for summer grilling and get-togethers! Enjoy a crispy crust and perfectly melted Violife cheese.

Ingredients

  • 1 vegan pizza dough
  • ½ cup of marinara sauce, or more, as desired
  • 6-8 oz of Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds*
  • Optional pizza toppings such as sliced tomatoes, red onion, mushrooms, bell peppers, fresh basil, or vegan pepperoni.

Instructions

  • Begin by preparing your pizza dough. Roll or gently stretch your vegan pizza dough into a circular shape, aiming for approximately 12 inches in diameter. Don’t stress about achieving a perfect circle; a rustic shape adds character to grilled pizzas. Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface, such as a pizza peel or the back of a baking sheet. This preparation step is crucial for easily sliding the pizza onto the hot grill.
  • While your dough rests, pre-heat your outdoor grill to a medium-high temperature, aiming for about 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Once the grill is hot, it’s essential to oil the grates thoroughly to prevent sticking. Carefully brush the hot grates with cooking oil. A safe and effective method is to dip a folded paper towel in a neutral oil (like grapeseed or avocado oil) and use tongs to rub it across the grates.
  • Gently slide the prepared pizza dough onto the pre-heated grill grates. Close the lid and grill for precisely 90 seconds. After 90 seconds, lift the lid and carefully check the bottom of the dough. You want a beautifully developed crust with visible grill marks, while the top should still appear relatively raw. Promptly remove the dough from the grill and place it back onto your pizza tray or baking sheet, grilled side up. Re-grease the grill grates before proceeding to the next step.
  • Now it’s time to assemble your pizza! Spread your favorite marinara sauce evenly over the grilled side of the dough. Generously sprinkle with Violife mozzarella shreds and any additional optional toppings you desire, such as sliced tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers. Once topped, gently slide the pizza back onto the grill, close the lid, and continue grilling for an additional 3-5 minutes. The pizza is done when the Violife cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly, and the bottom crust has achieved a golden, crispy texture with distinct grill marks. Remove the finished pizza from the grill using a large metal spatula or pizza peel.
  • Allow the grilled pizza to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This brief resting period helps the cheese set and prevents toppings from sliding off. Slice into wedges, garnish with fresh basil if desired, and ENJOY your incredibly flavorful Vegan Grilled Pizza!

Notes

*We typically use about 6 ounces of Violife Mozzarella Shreds for a well-cheesed pizza, but don’t hesitate to use the entire bag for an extra decadent, cheesy experience!
**For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of Violife Just Like Parmesan Wedge along with the mozzarella shreds.
***Ensure your grill grates are clean and well-oiled to prevent the dough from sticking. This is critical for a successful grilled pizza.




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