Vegan pepperoni is easy to make at home and tastes SO good you'll find yourself snacking on it straight from the fridge! It's meaty, tender, and generously spiced with paprika, fennel seed, and garlic. With both oven and Instant Pot instructions, prep is a breeze. Vegan pepperoni is perfect for pizza, vegan charcuterie and snack boards, sandwiches, and so much more!
If you enjoy the over-the-top flavor of pepperoni, you're going to LOVE this seitan pepperoni. We put loads of time into testing this one to get the flavors just right, and the result is making us so happy!
With a tender and meaty texture plus paprika, fennel seeds, garlic, cayenne, and black pepper, the only things missing from this vegan pepperoni are cruelty and loads of fat!
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We also love that it's seriously easy to prepare and can be used in so many different ways. Enjoy vegan pepperoni:
- on pizza
- in pasta casseroles
- tucked into wraps, sandwiches, and calzones
- alongside your favorite vegan cheeses and crackers on a beautiful, cruelty-free charcuterie board!
- on top of baked potatoes
- sliced and added to salads and pasta salads
- and layered into quesadillas and taquitos!
Whether you serve this vegan pepperoni cold or hot, the flavor and texture are just so satisfying.
Ingredients
The ingredient list may look long at first glance, but it's mostly just spices. You'll also need a few other dry ingredients and flavorings.
- Vital Wheat Gluten - this is critical to the recipe and can't be substituted; I use Anthony's brand.
- Nutritional Yeast - adds umami and flavor and helps tenderize the seitan. I highly recommend this non-fortified nutritional yeast by Sari.
- Flour - any type of flour is fine, such as all-purpose, oat, or chickpea; flour helps to soften the seitan and disrupt the formation of gluten strands so that we end up with pepperoni that's just firm enough.
- Spices - from paprika and fennel seeds to cayenne and black pepper, this blend of seasonings creates authentic pepperoni flavor and aroma.
- Oil - the nature of seitan prevents us from being able to add much fat to this recipe, but a small amount does soften the pepperoni and provides moisture.
- Soy Sauce or Tamari - this is important for saltiness and flavor.
- Maple Syrup - or substitute agave syrup.
- Liquid Smoke - easy to find at most grocery stores; I use the Colgin brand.
See the recipe card below for amounts and full recipe.
How To Make Vegan Pepperoni
Of all of my seitan recipes, this one is probably the easiest. The dough can be mixed in a food processor or by hand in a mixing bowl. And the pepperoni can be steamed in the Instant Pot or baked in the oven.
- Using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle, partially grind the fennel seeds.
- In a food processor or large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
- Add the wet ingredients and mix/blend until a dough forms.
- Move the dough to a flat work surface and knead until it feels firm. This won't take long if you used a food processor. If you made the dough in a bowl, you'll want to knead it longer, about 2 minutes. Divide the pepperoni dough in half.
- Roll each piece into a log that's about 5 to 5 ½ inches long. Place a square of aluminum foil on the work surface, and place a smaller piece of parchment on top. Wrap each log of pepperoni as tightly as possible, twisting the ends like a candy wrapper. Heavy duty aluminum foil works best since it's less likely to tear; the parchment also helps to reinforce the strength of the foil.
- Now you're ready to cook! Choose one of these two cooking methods:
Instant Pot Instructions
Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot, and place the trivet inside. Place the foil packages on the trivet.
Secure the Instant Pot lid and set to sealing. Using the steam function, cook for 30 minutes, followed by a quick release of the pressure.
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Oven Instructions
Place the foil packages on a baking sheet, and bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 55 minutes, flipping them at the halfway point.
Recipe FAQs
Healthy is a fairly subjective term, but I will say this, compared to pepperoni made from a pig's flesh that's loaded with sodium and nitrates? Yeah, this is healthy.
Since this is a seitan recipe it is the exact opposite of gluten-free, but you can always use these spices and seasonings on tofu, tempeh, or soy curls for a gluten-free treat with similar flavors.
No, the pepperoni itself is not greasy. The amount of fat you can add to seitan is limited since it interrupts the formation of gluten. So adding too much oil can make seitan less firm. So this vegan pepperoni is lower in fat but also more dry. See the next question for an important tip!
Absolutely! To prevent the seitan pepperoni from drying out in the oven be sure to coat the pepperoni slices in oil first, or simply spritz the pepperoni with oil once it's on the pizza. Alternatively, if you're trying to reduce fat intake, you can layer the pepperoni underneath the pizza sauce.
Top Tip
The key to perfectly dense seitan pepperoni is to wrap the foil tightly. If the foil is somewhat loose, the seitan will expand during cooking to fill the foil package, and you may end up with bready looking holes in your pepperoni.
I highly recommend heavy-duty aluminum foil for this recipe. Also, the layer of parchment between the foil and pepperoni helps to reinforce it and make it even stronger. This allows you to wrap it snugly and really twist the ends tight.
Serving Suggestions
As I mentioned above, the delicious ways to use vegan pepperoni are limited only by your imagination! Slice it, chop it, or pulse it in a food processor.
Enjoy vegan pepperoni straight from the fridge or in hot recipes like lasagna or cheesy pasta bakes.
We also really love it cold on salads, snack boards, and layered in sandwiches and wraps!
How to Store
Once completely cool, store vegan pepperoni in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. It also freezes well. Just make sure it is wrapped well to protect it from air and freezer burn. Then thaw the pepperoni in the fridge overnight before using.
More Vegan Meats
- Vegan Chorizo
- Easy Buffalo Wings
- Easy Seasoned Seitan
- Maple Breakfast Sausage
- Andouille Sausage
- Seitan-Jackfruit Vegan Ribz
- The Easiest Vegan Chick-un Nuggets
Recipe Video
Tap to play the video and see how easily the recipe comes together.
If you try the recipe I would love to hear from you! Comment below to let us know your favorite ways to use vegan pepperoni.
Recipe
Vegan Pepperoni Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Dry ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups vital wheat gluten (155 g) - see Note 1 for measuring tips
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons oat flour or all-purpose
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 ½ teaspoons fennel seed, lightly crushed - see Note 2
- 1 ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne - omit for mild pepperoni
- ⅛ teaspoon allspice, optional
Wet ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons oil - or smooth nut butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons prepared mustard, yellow or stoneground
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Tear off two pieces of aluminum foil (preferably heavy duty), each about 12 inches long. Also tear/cut two smaller pieces of parchment paper just large enough to wrap around each log of pepperoni. If baking the seitan pepperoni, preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- In a food processor or a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients and pulse or stir to combine. If using a food processor, let it run for about 30 seconds or until the seitan dough comes together in a ball. Transfer the dough to a work surface and knead until smooth and firm, about 30 seconds for dough made in a food processor or 2 minutes for dough made in a bowl.
- Cut the dough in half, and shape each piece into a log about 5 ½-inches long. It's okay if they don't look perfect. Your veggie pepperoni will snap into place inside the foil. Place a piece of foil on the work surface, and place a piece of parchment on top near the edge closest to you. Wrap the pepperoni up tightly, twisting the ends like a candy wrapper.
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Add 1 cup water to the insert and place the trivet inside. Place the two foil packages on the trivet, and secure the lid. Press the "steam" button, and make sure the display reads "high" (if applicable for your IP). Set the time for 30 minutes. Some pressure will build but not as much as during pressure cooking.
- When the Instant Pot beeps that the time is done, carefully quick release the pressure, remove the lid, and use tongs or an oven mitt to move the pepperoni to a plate or cutting board to cool. Unwrap and let cool for 5 minutes before slicing, or cool completely then store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Oven Instructions:
- Place the two foil logs on a baking sheet, and bake for 55 minutes, flipping at the halfway point. Remove from oven, unwrap, and let cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Or cool completely then store vegan pepperoni in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific products and ingredients used.
Troy
Just wanted to comment and say that I love this recipe so much. I've made it 3 times now and doubled it for my latest batch. I've been using it in pasta salad but want to start making pizzas and breakfast scrambles with it. Next time I want to make a bunch to keep in my freezer as a staple that's how much I love it haha. If you make this recipe, measure the spices properly and you don't need to adjust it -- it's seasoned perfectly 🙂 thank you for sharing this Lori!
Alannah
Great recipe!
I used this as a base recipe & added caraway seeds instead of fennel , apple cider vinegar, gochujang paste, tomato puree, veg stock cube, sesame oil & turmeric (plus all the same ingredients otherwise as the recipe, but no liquid smoke).
!! My gosh !! The perfect spicy & sweet chorizo!
Was just a random assortment of spices/pastes at hand but oh my god what a beautiful accident!
You're welcome! 🙂
Joe
This recipe is great! My wife and I are both surprised how good it is.
The one thing I've missed the most in the years since I've followed a vegetarian / vegan diet is sausage. I buy various types of vegan sausage from the store but they are typically overpriced and not all that great.
Now, I'll be making all of your sausage variations! Thank you so much.
Meg
Does it get a different colour if steamed vs baked?
Lori Rasmussen
Hi Meg - No, the color is the same either way. The only difference is on the outside of baked ones where it's in contact with the baking pan may get a little darker.
Vicky
Hi fellow veges out there this vegan pepperoni really is as good as it sounds.
I used less wheat gluten and more chickpea flour and it still worked well. We are vegetarians and do eat cheese and don’t much like nutritional yeast, so I used fresh grated Parmesan instead.
Thanks for sharing the recipe Lori, I did steam it in basket over water in saucepan and it had cooked perfectly in 45 mins.
Thanks again
Vicky
Vicky
Hi Lori
Sounds great, I’m going to make this today, however, I don’t have an instant pot. I wondered if I could steam the parcels in a steamer basket above a saucepan of water. I think it would take longer but would it work?
Thanks
Vicky
Lori
Hi Vicky - yes, you're right! That will work just fine. You may have to carefully open up the foil to check on one to see when it's done. May take closer to 40 minutes.
Claudia
This beat store-bought vegan pepperoni, hands down! I used my homemade sunflower seed butter in place of oil, decreased the red pepper flakes to 1 teaspoon and only used about 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. I used half of one log on my homemade pizza under the cheese and it wasn't at all dry.
Clauia
My IP doesn’t have a steam setting. I’m cooking them on the Meat setting which is 30 minutes. I hope it works.