Vegan Polenta Pizza Bites
These vegan polenta pizza bites are the perfect mini, gluten-free appetizer. They're easy to make and great for feeding a crowd (or tiny hands).
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time35 minutes mins
Total Time55 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: gluten-free, Pizza, vegan
Servings: 15 pizza bites
Author: Ashley
- 1 tube polenta, chilled and sliced into ⅓- to ½-inch-thick rounds (I love Ancient Harvest polenta)*
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing
- Salt + pepper
- ½ cup grape tomatoes, sliced into rounds**
- Handful fresh basil leaves, very thinly sliced
- 1 recipe Cashew Mozzarella Cheese
- ½ cup store-bought pizza sauce (I love Rao's)
Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the polenta rounds on the baking sheet. Very lightly brush the top of each slice with olive oil. Generously sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Once the oven is preheated, bake the polenta rounds for 25 to 30 minutes, or until beginning to turn golden and firm/crisp. Leave the oven on after baking.
Meanwhile, prepare the tomatoes and basil.
When the polenta is about 10 minutes away from being ready, prepare the Cashew Mozzarella Cheese.
Spread about a teaspoon of pizza sauce on each baked polenta round. Then, dollop a bit of cashew mozzarella onto each. Top with a few tomato rounds.
Bake for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until slightly crisp and golden.
Garnish with fresh basil.
Serve immediately.***
*A sharp, serrated bread knife works best for slicing the polenta without crushing/crumbling it.
**You can add or adjust veggie toppings to suit your tastes! I'd imagine diced or sliced mushrooms and/or peppers would be lovely on these, too. Just keep in mind the final baking time—it's only 5 to 8 minutes, and some veggies need a longer bake to soften.
***These are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but can be reheated. I like to make a batch to keep in the refrigerator and then reheat two at a time in the oven for Sloane's dinner (400F for 5 minutes, or until warmed through).