Description
This Vegan Liquid Mozzarella recipe features a creamy, dairy-free cashew-based cheese paired with a homemade yeast-leavened pizza crust. Topped with fresh basil, garlic-infused olive oil, and savory pizza sauce, this 25-minute pizza offers a melt-in-your-mouth plant-based alternative perfect for vegan and dairy-free diets.
Ingredients
Liquid Mozzarella
- ½ cup raw cashews (dried, unsoaked, well filled somewhat heaping half cup)
- ¾ cup water (use 1 tablespoon less for thicker consistency)
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon yellow or white miso (or chickpea miso for soy-free option)
- 2 teaspoons tapioca starch (or 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour)
- Optional add-ins: 1 to 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast, 1 tablespoon non-dairy yogurt, or 1 teaspoon sauerkraut brine or pickle brine
Pizza Dough
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon active yeast
- ½ cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Toppings
- ¼ cup pizza sauce or as needed
- Freshly torn basil leaves
- 2 teaspoons olive oil to drizzle
- 1 garlic clove (finely minced)
Instructions
- Make the mozzarella cream: Drain the cashews and add them along with water, olive oil, garlic, salt, lemon juice, onion powder, miso, tapioca starch, and any optional add-ins to a blender. Blend until the mixture is very smooth, about a minute. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then blend again. Repeat this process 3-4 times until all grittiness is gone and the cream is silky.
- Set aside the cheese: Once smooth, set the liquid mozzarella aside at room temperature. No cooking is necessary for this cheese.
- Prepare the yeast starter for pizza dough: In a bowl, combine active yeast with warm water and 1 tablespoon of the flour. Mix and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy and activated.
- Make the pizza dough: To the yeast starter, add 1 cup flour, salt, oregano, and olive oil. Mix well until combined.
- Add remaining flour: Gradually add remaining flour, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough becomes sticky but manageable and forms into a rough ball.
- Let the dough rise: Cover the dough with a damp towel and place near a warm spot (like near a warming oven). Let it rest and rise for at least 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 425°F (215°C).
- Shape the pizza crust: Sprinkle flour on your work surface and transfer the risen dough onto a lined baking sheet. Use your hands to gently press and stretch the dough outward into a thin crust, keeping the edges slightly thicker.
- Spread sauce and cheese: Spread pizza sauce evenly over the crust. Spoon puddles of the liquid mozzarella onto the sauce, then drizzle some more cheese all over for generous coverage.
- Add basil leaves: Tear fresh basil and scatter it atop the mozzarella or across the entire pizza for aromatic flavor.
- Drizzle garlic oil: Mix minced garlic into the olive oil designated for drizzling. Drop this mixture evenly over the pizza. Optionally, sprinkle red pepper flakes for heat.
- Bake the pizza: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- Broil for finishing: Switch the oven to broil and broil the pizza for 3-4 minutes or until some of the mozzarella starts to turn golden brown.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven. Let it rest for 1-2 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- The liquid mozzarella requires multiple blending sessions with rest periods to achieve a creamy, grit-free texture.
- For thicker mozzarella, reduce water slightly by 1 tablespoon.
- If soy is a concern, substitute chickpea miso for yellow or white miso.
- You can use store-bought pizza crust or gluten-free / almond flour-based alternatives if preferred.
- The pizza dough should be covered and rested in a warm place to properly activate yeast and rise.
- Broiling at the end gives the mozzarella a lovely golden, slightly crisp finish.
- Adjust garlic and red pepper flakes to taste for extra flavor punch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan, American-Style
