Step 1

Pizza Assembly

Step 2

Prepare the dough for the crust. I used the one from my cookbook, but you can also use store-bought dough. Make sure your dough is room temperature.

Step 3

Prep all your toppings.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F with your pizza stone in the oven, if using. If you’re using a pizza pan instead, grease it and/or sprinkle with cornmeal.

Step 5

Roll out your dough until it's about two inches larger than the pizza stone or pan.

Step 6

If you’re using a pizza stone- remove it from the oven very carefully.

Step 7

Put the pizza dough onto the pan or stone and poke it with a fork all over. This will prevent the dough from bubbling. If you are using a stone- move VERY quickly so that the crust does not start to cook before you’re finished pizza assembly.

Step 8

Place the vegan cheese sticks (or shreds if using), end to end, around the edge of the dough.

Step 9

Brush a small amount of water on the dough to moisten the edge all of the way around. This will act like a glue.

Step 10

Fold the dough over the cheese and press it down onto itself, add more water if it is not sticking. Sealing it all the way around, so the cheese does not ooze out the side.

Step 11

Using a new brush, brush the top of the folded dough all the way around with olive oil. Just the round stuffed crust edge, not the entire pizza.

Step 12

Spread your desired amount of pizza sauce onto the centre of the dough and brush all the way to the edge, just covering the seams along the stuffed crust.

Step 13

Add the other toppings, as much as you desire, and then sprinkle on the grated mozzarella to finish.

Step 14

Place the pizza into the oven and bake for 12 to 20 minutes or until the crust begins to turn golden brown and the cheese is melted. The timing will depend on the type of pizza pan or stone you are using.

Step 15

Slice the pizza and serve hot on it’s own with a side of chili oil or vegan ranch.