Game Day Vegan Pizza Bites Recipe
I absolutely love this recipe because it’s a deliciously easy way to satisfy my pizza cravings while keeping it vegan and fun. Plus, the combination of gooey cheese, savory pepperoni, and fresh veggies all wrapped in a flaky crescent roll makes it the perfect bite-sized comfort food for any gathering or solo snack fest.
I relish making these Game Day Vegan Pizza Bites because they are so scrumptious and also packed with plant-based goodness. Using vegan crescent roll dough, I fill them with tangy pizza sauce, shredded vegan mozzarella, and flavorful vegan pepperoni.
To ramp up the taste, I throw in some diced bell pepper, sliced black olives, and a good deal of oregano, basil, and a little bit of garlic and onion powder. They’re a perfect bite-sized treat for any gathering!
1. Use vegan crescent roll dough.
2. Fill ’em with tangy pizza sauce, shredded vegan mozzarella, and savory vegan pepperoni.
3. Diced bell pepper, black olives, dried oregano, basil, and some garlic and onion powder go in next.
Ingredients
Vegan Crescent Roll Dough:
Delivers carbohydrates; makes a tender, flaky crust.
Pizza Sauce:
Antioxidant-rich; contributes zest and juiciness.
Shredded Vegan Mozzarella Cheese:
Free from dairy; gives a smooth texture and an outstanding, cheesy flavor.
Vegan Pepperoni Slices:
Rich in protein from plants; flavored for deliciousness.
Bell Pepper:
Abundant in vitamin C and fiber; contributes crunch and sweetness.
Black Olives:
Healthy fats and vitamin E are what this is a source of; the flavor, which can be described as briny, is what you get when you eat olives.
Dried Oregano and Basil:
Herbs with aroma and flavor provide the Italian flair that makes so many unfussy, rustic recipes mouthwateringly memorable.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 pack vegan crescent roll dough (about 8 rolls)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded vegan mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup vegan pepperoni slices, chopped
- 1/4 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
2. On a clean surface, roll out the dough for vegans into 8 individual triangles and clean them.
3. Apply a light layer of olive oil to each triangle with a brush. This adds flavor to the triangles and helps them crisp up when baked.
4. In a tiny dish, combine the dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Sprinkle a tiny bit of the mixed spices over each triangle, then about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each one, leaving a small edge for sealing.
6. Sprinkle a little of the shredded vegan mozzarella cheese, chopped vegan pepperoni slices, diced bell pepper, and black olive slices into each triangle. Place them at the wider end of the triangle.
7. Roll up each triangle starting from the wide end and moving towards the point, making sure to encase the fillings inside the dough.
8. Position the pizza bites on the prepared baking sheet with the seams facing down and spaced apart.
9. Apply a bit more olive oil to the tops of each pizza bite to achieve a golden finish.
10. Place in the oven, which has been preheated, and bake for 10-12 minutes. The end of this baking cycle will yield a crust that is a beautiful, golden brown (about as golden as Bruce Jenner’s Olympic medal), and a cheesy interior that is warm and melty. Serve at once!
Equipment Needed
1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Rolling pin (optional, if needed to roll out dough)
5. Pastry brush
6. Small mixing bowl
7. Measuring spoons
8. Tablespoon
9. Knife
10. Cutting board
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of cheese?Absolutely, you can replace it with any type of shredded vegan cheese that melts well; for instance, vegan cheddar or maybe a blend of different flavors.
- Is there a gluten-free version?If available, use gluten-free crescent roll dough. You can also make your own gluten-free dough at home.
- Can I add more toppings?Certainly! You can include more veggies such as mushrooms, spinach, or red onions. Just ensure the filling doesn’t exceed the amount that the dough can hold without leaking.
- How should I store leftovers?Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will be good for up to 3 days. The oven is the best way to reheat this dish, but you can use the microwave if that’s what’s handy.
- Can I prepare these ahead of time?You can prepare the pizza bites a day ahead and refrigerate until needed. They will be just as good if you make them a day ahead and bake right before serving.
- Are these suitable for freezing?It is best to freeze them prior to baking. The quickest way is to lay them out on a tray and place them in the freezer, then transfer them to a Ziploc bag for longer-term storage. You can bake them straight from the freezer, just add a few minutes to the baking time.
Substitutions and Variations
Vegan mozzarella cheese, shredded: If you don’t have this, you can substitute it with shredded vegan cheddar cheese. Or try this: use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Remove the words “Vegan pepperoni slices” and replace with “Pepperoni slices made from 100% plant ingredients”.
Then create the sentence as follows:
Use chopped sun-dried tomatoes or diced smoked tofu to create a pepperoni that packs a savory punch.
Diced bell pepper: Substitute with diced tomatoes or sliced mushrooms for different texture.
Sliced black olives: Capers or artichoke hearts can be used as substitutes.
Dried basil: Substitute finely chopped fresh basil or a blend of herbs for Italian seasoning.
Pro Tips
1. Chill the Dough: Before rolling out the crescent roll dough, chill it in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. This makes it easier to handle and helps prevent over-stretching when rolling.
2. Customize Your Cheese: Feel free to mix in different varieties of vegan cheese, like vegan cheddar, for a more complex flavor profile. Just ensure the cheeses melt well together.
3. Add Fresh Herbs: For an extra burst of flavor, garnish the baked pizza bites with fresh basil or parsley right before serving. It adds a fresh note and visual appeal.
4. Use a Silpat Instead of parchment paper, consider using a Silpat baking mat for a non-stick surface that evenly transmits heat and helps create a perfectly crisp bottom.
5. Air Fryer Option: For an even quicker option, try using an air fryer to cook the pizza bites. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F and cook for about 8-10 minutes for an extra crispy texture.
Game Day Vegan Pizza Bites Recipe
My favorite Game Day Vegan Pizza Bites Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Rolling pin (optional, if needed to roll out dough)
5. Pastry brush
6. Small mixing bowl
7. Measuring spoons
8. Tablespoon
9. Knife
10. Cutting board
Ingredients:
- 1 pack vegan crescent roll dough (about 8 rolls)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded vegan mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup vegan pepperoni slices, chopped
- 1/4 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions:
1. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
2. On a clean surface, roll out the dough for vegans into 8 individual triangles and clean them.
3. Apply a light layer of olive oil to each triangle with a brush. This adds flavor to the triangles and helps them crisp up when baked.
4. In a tiny dish, combine the dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Sprinkle a tiny bit of the mixed spices over each triangle, then about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each one, leaving a small edge for sealing.
6. Sprinkle a little of the shredded vegan mozzarella cheese, chopped vegan pepperoni slices, diced bell pepper, and black olive slices into each triangle. Place them at the wider end of the triangle.
7. Roll up each triangle starting from the wide end and moving towards the point, making sure to encase the fillings inside the dough.
8. Position the pizza bites on the prepared baking sheet with the seams facing down and spaced apart.
9. Apply a bit more olive oil to the tops of each pizza bite to achieve a golden finish.
10. Place in the oven, which has been preheated, and bake for 10-12 minutes. The end of this baking cycle will yield a crust that is a beautiful, golden brown (about as golden as Bruce Jenner’s Olympic medal), and a cheesy interior that is warm and melty. Serve at once!