Eggplant Pizza with Caramelized Onions
This hearty and delicious Eggplant Pizza with caramelized onions is a meal that vegans and meat-eaters alike will enjoy.
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For many there is still a lot of mystery behind what vegans eat. I have been offered fish more than once yet asked, “can vegans eat peanut butter?” just as many times. There actually isn’t much secret behind what we eat, and preparing food is really quite easy – you just leave out the animals.
I’m using Vegan MoFo to take an A-Z trip through my pantry to bring you 26 easy recipes to show you that anyone can cook vegan. Eating vegan, well, it’s as easy as ABC.
I’m still on the fence about eggplant.
Over the years I have found very few eggplant recipes that I enjoy. And yet sometimes, when prepared correctly and mixed with the right ingredients, it’s one of the most delicate and delicious foods. How is it that eggplant can be both delicate & delicious and tasteless & slimy? Because of my own mixed results with eggplant recipes and the many other disappointing times I have eaten eggplant, it’s not one of those vegetables I have around much.
So when it came to letter “E” I started to panic a little.
I couldn’t think of any other (whole) foods that started with the letter “E” and even found myself doing a quick google search hoping to find an ingredient that would relieve me from the finicky eggplant. As you can imagine there’s not a lot of time for trial and error when you’re creating six recipes, taking six photoshoots, and writing and preparing six posts every week for a month straight.
And so, it was with reluctance and trepidation that I began this recipe.
I adapted the recipe from an eggplant pizza I found on epicurious that wooed me with it’s mouthwatering picture (food photography matters) and took careful measure to prepare the eggplant (almost) exactly as they recommended. Guys, it was good. Even my picky 2 year old who refuses to eat vegetables gobbled this up. And despite making my own pizza crust (which I never do) this recipe was totally quick to throw together and completely delicious.
Eggplant pizza for the win!
Eggplant Pizza with Caramelized Onion
Ingredients
Crust
- 2¼ tsp fast acting yeast
- ⅔ cup warm water
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup whole wheat flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Topping
- 1 medium eggplant, sliced ¼" thick
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup vegan mozzarella cheese, I used Diaya
- 3-4 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced
- salt
Instructions
- To make the crust
- Combine yeast and warm water and set aside. Mix together flours and salt in a large bowl. Add olive oil and mix. While mixing, slowly add water/yeast mixture.
- Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. Place in a large oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and place in a warm area for 1 - 1½ hours, until doubled in size.
- Once dough is ready you can begin preparing everything else.
- To make the toppings
- Turn the oven to broil and move an oven rack to the top shelf. Slice the eggplant ¼ inch thick and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly brush each side with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Broil for 4-6 minutes on each side, until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a small skillet and sauté onions until caramelized - about 10 minutes. They will be dark in color (not burnt) and fragrant. Add garlic and sauté for another minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
- To assemble the pizza
- Turn down oven to 450F.
- Shape the dough to fit on a pizza stone or baking dish. Lightly brush on the remaining olive oil and top with the vegan cheese. Place broiled eggplant over the cheese, covering the entire surface. Top with caramelized onions and fresh rosemary. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the crust is lightly browned.
- Allow the pizza to cool 5 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition
What are your favorite ways to prepare eggplant?
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Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a 14-year (and counting) vegan, professionally trained photographer, former pastry chef, founder of My Darling Vegan, and author of the 
Lindsay says
Absolutely delicious! The combination of flavors is fantastic. I needed a faster dinner tonight so I used store bought naan bread but I will try your dough recipe in the future. Yum, this will be added to my favorites!
Barbara Jordan says
I have not tried the pizza yet, although I plan to. A problem that I have with eggplant is the skin. It is so tough. Do you think that the flavor of the eggplant would change if I peel it first?
Thanks
Barbara
Nikki says
This turned out sooo DELICIOUS! I’m not vegan so I made mine with a combo of Parmesan and Mozarella cheese and it came out great. Thanks!
Rachel says
Can this be made with a pre-made crust? I want to try this but I’m worried about the time-suck.
Sarah says
Yes, for sure!
Tammy says
I made this for supper tonight. Followed exactly but added fresh mushrooms too. So delicious and pretty easy. Thanks!
Chloe says
What temperature do you set the oven for broil?
Sarah says
Most ovens have a broil setting, but if yours doesn’t, you can set your oven to 500 F.
JOSIE LEJEUNE says
Yum yum! Made this today – absolutely delish. Thanks for the recipe.
Shanna says
Can tbis be assembled before and popped in the oven right before guests arrive?
Sarah says
Yep, that would be fine.
Becky says
Oooh this sounds amazing. I’ve never tried aubergine on pizza either!
Kelly G. says
I don’t know why, but I’ve never tried eggplant on pizza! I’ll have to give this a try – you can’t go wrong with caramelized onions!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
This pizza looks like heaven! I love love love eggplant and it looks delicious on this pizza! I was always ‘scared’ to cook with eggplant until this year and now it somehow makes it way into a lot of the dishes I cook!! Pinned and shared on Facebook!
Sarah says
Thanks, Ceara. Did you learn a secret to eggplant success I should know about?
veggiebytes says
Hooray that E is for Eggplant! I love eggplant even though I might have a slight allergy to it, especially if it is not ripe. I think the alkaloids in it make my mouth itch sometimes. Anyway, I like to have pizza without all the tomatoes and tomato sauce more often than not, so I usually get some kind of pesto. This looks like another yummy alternative, especially with the caramelized onions. Have a great Vegan MoFo and I’ll be back for a visit…I’m curious what you will do for “X”!
Sarah says
I’m curious about X too!
Caeli @ Little Vegan Bear says
Great pizza!
Vegalina says
This looks so yummy! I have to say that I just loove egglpant. Especially for BBQ’s eggplant is key 🙂
Your pictures are amazing by the way!
Sarah says
BBQ eggplant sounds amazing! I’m going to have to try that soon!
Caitlin says
i feel the same way about eggplant! i always want to try an eggplant dish when it’s available, but i’m also simultaneously scared it will be terrible. it looks like you definitely found an amazing recipe that makes the eggplant reach its potential in deliciousness, tenderness, and delicateness (is that a word?).
Sarah says
I’m glad you can relate, Caitlin. It’s always good to know I’m not alone.
ameyfm says
This looks soooo good. I love this combo, and it sounds especially good on a pizza. I’m loving your Mofo posts and pics so much!
Sarah says
Thanks so much!