Meatless seitan chicken wings and seitan burgers are one thing, but meatless pepperoni? Well, that’s on a whole other level! After many rounds of testing, I’ve developed this vegan pepperoni recipe that tastes and feels just like the meat version. Thanks to its meat-like texture, seitan makes a rockin’ pepperoni that’s perfect for making your favorite at-home pizza or veggie Italian sandwich!
here’s what you’ll need
Making vegan pepperoni only takes a handful of ingredients, and many of the items are probably already in your pantry! Measurements can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post!
Vital Wheat Gluten: The first (and main) ingredient in seitan is wheat gluten. By working the dough, we’ll develop strong gluten strands, which give this pepperoni its meaty texture! The Sauce: To form the dough and add some flavor, we need water, tomato paste, soy sauce, and coconut oil. Ensure you use solid, cold coconut oil, which will give this pepperoni those fat pockets found in traditional pepperoni. Seasonings: The seasonings are where homemade pepperoni really shines! You’ll need crushed red pepper flakes, ground mustard seed, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chopped or crushed fennel seeds. Liquid Smoke: Last but not least, 1 tsp of liquid smoke will make this recipe complete!
let’s make it
Making vegan pepperoni isn’t as complicated as you might think. The whole process takes 1 hour, with 15 minutes devoted to prep time. Step 1: Create The DoughIn a large bowl, stir together all of the ingredients until a ball forms. Transfer the mix to a clean surface and knead for about 5 minutes or until the dough is elastic and cohesive. The dough will still be lumpy, which is okay! Step 2: Shape The PepperoniDivide the dough into 2 even pieces, and then shape each piece into a log (similar to a sausage link). Wrap each tightly in aluminum foil, making sure the foil overlaps so it doesn’t open during cooking. Twist the ends to secure. Step 3: Steam The LogsBring a pot of water to a boil and place a steamer basket on top. Place the wrapped pepperoni logs in the basket. Cover and let steam for 45 minutes. Step 4: Let Them Cool and SliceRemove the pepperoni logs from the basket and gently unwrap them. Transfer to the fridge and allow to cool fully, then use a sharp knife to thinly slice each log into pepperoni pieces!
It’s time to use that pepperoni
This vegan version can be used in any way that traditional pepperoni can!
Bruschetta Pizza: What’s better than a classic pepperoni pizza with vegan cheese? Boursin Tomato Sandwich: Turn this sandwich into an Italian club by adding vegan pepperoni. Meatless Charcuterie Board: Add pepperoni to your snacking board as an easy protein option to pair with cheese and fruit.
