This homemade dairy free pizza recipe is the only pizza recipe you’ll ever need. Whether you’re dairy free or cooking for someone who is, you’ll love how easy and delicious this pizza is without feeling like you’re missing out. With a thick, chewy and bubbly homemade crust, a flavourful pizza sauce and all your favourite toppings, skip the takeaway and make your own next pizza night!
One thing I learnt immediately when I visited Italy, was that pizza didn’t need cheese to be exceptional. Due to its simplicity, if the other ingredients, the sauce, the base, were of a high quality, then that was really all that mattered.
Now my homemade version of pizza will never measure up to that first bite of Italian pizza in Venice, but I have managed to find a combination that is not only easy enough to make that you can do it on the days you’d rather order takeaway, but also delicious enough to mean you actually want to go to that effort because it’s so tasty.
This post is your guide for everything you need to know about making a delicious homemade pizza that is dairy free. As written, this is not a recipe for a cheese-less pizza as I am recommending you use a dairy free mozzarella cheese for that classic pizza taste and texture which is what I like. But by all means, if you don’t love cheese alternatives, experiment without as I can assure you that you can still enjoy pizza even if your body doesn’t enjoy cheese.
Key Ingredients
This is our base recipe that we can use as a guide for getting creative with toppings.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Pizza dough – to me a good homemade pizza base is what really makes the pizza the best it can be. This is a recipe I’ve worked on perfecting for years, and it is so incredibly simple to make yet tastes so much better than anything store bought. This is the pizza dough recipe that I make at least once a fortnight. It makes enough dough for two large pizzas so you can freeze half if needed.
- Dairy free mozzarella – for the cheese you can really use any that you know you like. I like the Bio brand from Woolworths and Coles as it does melt more than other brands I’ve used.
- Pizza sauce – when we are talking about a simple pizza, you want the sauce to itself hold so much flavour it really is the most perfect base for any toppings. I love to use a homemade marinara sauce but if I am a bit short on time or feeling lazy, a store bought version is just fine.
- Toppings – for this most basic of pizza’s, we’re just using some classic pepperoni and some fresh basil but this is really the part where you can add what you like.
A Note on Dairy Free Cheese
It’s important to understand that not all dairy free cheeses are made equally. Some will not melt in the oven, you can try turning on the grill or covering them to help encourage melting but this is often more hassle than result. I recommend experimenting with different brands to find one that you like the taste and texture of.
If you still are not loving the result when using dairy free cheeses, then remember that you don’t really need it. Experiment with cheese free pizza and use your favourite sauces instead (mayo works!) to add that rich, creamy texture.
Step-By-Step Instructions
To make your dairy free pizza, you’ll need to start by preparing your homemade pizza dough. I have a whole foundational recipes blog post all about how to make homemade pizza dough so you can use that as your guide as it includes all my tips and tricks to get it perfect, every single time.
While most of the time to make pizza dough is hands off, you will need to plan ahead of time so you can allow enough time for the dough to rise. I usually leave it for about an hour but you can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge or even freezer until you’re ready to use it. Just let it come to room temperature before you start to stretch it out.
Prepping the pizza dough ahead of time really does help to make busy nights much more manageable. Plus as the dough rests for a longer time, the flavour does develop further which is an added bonus.
Once you have the dough rested, and at room temperature, it’s time to stretch it out. For this step, don’t use a rolling pin. Instead, place the ball of dough in the centre of some baking paper and use your hands to gently press the dough outward, rotating as needed until the dough is the size of your pizza tray or stone.
From here, you can spread over the pizza sauce and sprinkle over some dairy free cheese. Place your toppings on the pizza, remembering less is more when it comes to toppings.
From here you can transfer your dairy free pizza to a preheated baking tray or pizza stone and bake in a very hot oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
I usually like to finish off my pizza with some fresh herbs for extra flavour.
My Top Tips!
I have had a lot of practice making dairy free pizzas over the years, so these are my top tips to help you ensure that you get the best quality pizza at home and never want to buy takeaway again!
- Dairy free mozzarella is usually made from coconut oil so it’s best to not overload your pizza with it as it can get more oily and sticky than regular cheese.
- If you love making pizza at home, then I recommend investing in a pizza stone. They are relatively inexpensive and help ensure a crisp and even crust without the need for a fancy pizza oven.
- If you’ve made your pizza dough ahead of time, ensure you allow it to come to room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This will make it easier to roll out and shape, as it will allow the gluten to relax a bit.
- Store your yeast in the fridge to keep it fresh for longer. You’ll know it needs replacing if it doesn’t become frothy after combining it with warm water and sugar.
- If you’re struggling to find a warm spot for the dough to rise, turn your oven on to about 100°C (210°F) while you prepare the dough. Once done, turn off the oven and place the bowl inside, leaving the door slightly ajar. Let it rise for about 45 minutes and watch the dough double in size.
What to serve with dairy free pizza
When making homemade pizza, it’s a good idea to keep the sides minimal. Here are a few options;
- Simple rocket (arugula) salad with balsamic glaze – The peppery flavour pairs beautifully with pizza.
- Homemade bread – try this garlic bread wreath or this olive and herb focaccia.
- A delicious drink – you can’t go wrong with a glass of red (I recommend a Tempranillo), or for a non-alcoholic drink, try my cherry spritz or non-alcoholic mojito.
Recipe FAQs
You can use a pizza paddle for this, but the easiest method is to stretch out your pizza dough onto a sheet of baking paper. Carefully slide the baking paper with the dough onto a flat baking tray to carry it to the pizza stone. Then, slide the pizza (still on the baking paper) onto the stone. You can use the baking paper to help slide the pizza off onto your serving board for cutting, avoiding direct contact with the extremely hot stone.
Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the oven or air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for about 5-7 minutes to keep the crust crisp.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
Favourite Pizza Recipes
Love making dairy free pizza at home and want more inspiration for different toppings and flavours? Try one of these pizza recipes next!
- Classic ham and pineapple pizza
- Simple prosciutto pizza
- Easy BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Vegan buffalo cauliflower pizza (recipe in my ebook COMFORT)
Dairy Free Pizza
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ recipe homemade pizza dough
- ¼ cup marinara sauce or pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded dairy free mozzarella
- Toppings such as sliced pepperoni and fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250-260°C (450-500°F). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating for the best results. Alternatively, use a heavy-duty baking tray.
- Stretch out your pizza dough on a sheet of baking paper to your desired size and thickness. Work by pressing the dough outwards using your fingers.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the base, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Sprinkle over the dairy free mozzarella, then evenly distribute your chosen toppings, such as sliced dairy-free pepperoni.
- Carefully transfer the pizza (with the baking paper) onto the hot pizza stone or tray. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before adding fresh basil (if using). Slice and serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
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