Easy Vegan Pepperoni
A super simple recipe for vegan pepperoni made with vital wheat gluten and baked in an air fryer or oven. Gorgeous on pizza or sandwiches.
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 133kcal
Ingredients
- 125 g vital wheat gluten
- 4 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder (or granules)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes (or ½ teaspoon chilli powder)
- 1 pinch salt
- 100 ml vegetable stock (made with 1 vegetable stock cube)
- 4 tablespoons tomato puree
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl add the vital wheat gluten, paprika, garlic powder, thyme, cayenne pepper, chilli flakes and salt. Mix well to combine.
- In another mixing bowl add the vegetable stock, tomato puree, olive oil and soy sauce. Mix well.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon to combine, then knead in the bowl for a couple of minutes (with clean hands). You will feel how elastic it is right away.
- Shape and roll into a sausage shape, then roll firmly in non-stick baking paper.
- Now roll in tin foil and twist the ends like a cracker.
- Pop in the air fryer at 200c/400c for 50 minutes (middle shelf, if you have shelves) or in a preheated oven at 200c/180c fan/400f/gas mark 6 for 50 -55 minutes. (If you are making it for pizza, remember it will be cooked a second time on the pizza, so reduce the cooking time by 10-12 minutes for the original bake)
- When it's ready it should have started to brown on the outside and be firm, yet springy to the touch.
- Leave to cool.
- Slice and use in a pizza, sandwich, pasta etc.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Storing Pepperoni
Swaddle it like a baby (in non-stick baking/greaseproof paper) and pop it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Just slice some as you need it, then wrap it up again and pop back in the fridge.
Freezing Pepperoni
Wrap it well, then pop in a freezer bag or tub and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it defrost in the fridge for a wee while before slicing it.
Making Pepperoni for Pizza
It will be cooked a second time on the pizza, so take 10-12 minutes of the initial bake time.
Making Pepperoni for Sandwiches, Toasties, Pasta etc
It's ready to use as a deli slice, so cook it to the time on the recipe card.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 307mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 524IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg
