Name: Vegan Zucchini Pizza Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 large zucchini (cut into (24) 1/2 inch rounds); 2-3 tbsp low-sodium vegetable broth ((to saute)); 1 small onion (diced); 1 medium red bell pepper (diced); 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms (sliced); 2 medium garlic cloves (minced); 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/4 + 1/4 tsp himalayan pink sea salt ((divided)); 1/8 tsp black pepper; 1 cup tomato sauce ((I used a chunky vegetable style tomato sauce)); 1 cup vegan shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup fresh parsley ((or fresh basil))

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Zucchini pizza bites are the most delicious vegan and gluten-free snack or appetizer. All the flavors that you love in pizza in a mini, snackable, tasty bite! Hearty slices of zucchini topped with sauteed vegetables, tomato sauce, and vegan mozzarella will be your new favorite snack!

Wanna eat more vegetables and have your pizza too? These vegan pizza bites were made for you! Tender slices of zucchini topped with your favorite tomato sauce, sauteed onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms, and melted, stretchy, gooey vegan mozzarella cheese. Doesn't that sound delicious?! These bite-sized, poppable snacks are easy to make in about 35 minutes and they're perfect to serve as a low-carb appetizer or snack.

Want More Vegan Pizza Recipes? Try these pita pizzas or this quinoa pizza crust.

Step by Step Instructions

Slice the zucchini into ½ inch rounds and arrange them on a large parchment paper-lined tray. Sprinkle salt lightly over each round and let it sit for 10 minutes to draw excess liquid out. Use a paper towel to blot and dry each zucchini slice.

Transfer the zucchini to a large pan and saute for a few minutes. You want to see a little color start to develop but don't let the zucchini get too soft. The zucchini slices should still be slightly firm because it has to support the toppings and you don't want it to fall apart when you pick it up. Place the cooked zucchini slices back on the parchment-lined baking tray.

In the same pan, saute the onions, red bell pepper, and mushrooms until soft. Add the minced garlic and dried seasonings and let it cook for a couple of minutes. Put a small dollop of tomato sauce on each zucchini slice and then spoon the sauteed vegetables on top of each slice. Sprinkle shredded vegan mozzarella cheese over each zucchini pizza bite.

Put the tray into the oven for a few minutes or until the vegan cheese is soft and melted. The vegan pizza bites will brown quickly, so make sure to watch them! Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.

What Goes With It

I usually serve these mini pizza bites as an appetizer or snack, but you could also serve them as a main course with a side of any of the following recipes:

How Long Does it Last in the Refrigerator?

Store any leftover vegan pizza bites in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

How to Reheat It

You can warm up the zucchini pizza bites on a plate in the microwave for a few minutes or you can put the slices on a parchment-lined tray and put them under the broiler for 4-5 minutes until warm.

Can I Freeze It?

Don't freeze the leftover cooked zucchini mini pizzas because they will be very soggy when you try to defrost and reheat them. If you just want to freeze the raw zucchini, you can slice it into rounds, salt it, let it sit for at least 10 minutes, blanch it, and then freeze it for a future meal. The zucchini won't turn out soggy when you defrost it if you prep it this way.

Recipe Variations

There are so many ways you can switch up this recipe, any of the following variations would be delicious!

Zucchini Pizza Boats: Slice 3 medium zucchini in half to make 6 zucchini boats. Scoop out the seeds and put a layer of tomato sauce in the cavity of the zucchini. Fill with the cooked vegetable mixture and top with shredded vegan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Zucchini Noodles: Saute the veggies and mix in tomato sauce and spiralized zucchini noodles for a substantial meal instead of a bite-sized snack.
Spinach Artichoke Zucchini Bites: Skip the veggie and tomato sauce combo and top each zucchini slice with a dollop of vegan spinach artichoke dip for a creamy take on this recipe.

Substitutions & FAQ

Zucchini Substitutions: You can use slices of a small eggplant or sweet potato instead of zucchini rounds.
Vegan Cheese Options: Violife, Follow Your Heart, and So Delicious are my favorite vegan cheese brands to use for shredded vegan cheese. Or you can make homemade vegan cheese using this recipe.
Can I Use Store-Bought Tomato Sauce? Yes, I usually use premade tomato sauce to save time. If you want to make homemade vegan tomato sauce, I really like this recipe.
What Other Toppings Can I Use? Spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, banana peppers, roasted garlic, pineapple chunks, or olives would be great topping additions.

Success Notes

Don't cut the zucchini any thinner than ½ inch thick because it needs to be thick enough to pick up and support the toppings.
Sweating the zucchini first to remove excess water will help to keep the zucchini slices firm and able to hold toppings without getting mushy.
Store the leftover vegan pizza bites in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Want More Delicious Vegan Zucchini Recipes?

Lemon Tahini Courgette Salad

Zucchini Tomato Pesto Casserole

Courgette Potato Soup (Recipe coming soon!)

Zucchini Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich

*This recipe was originally published on 6/6/16, but I updated it with better recipe instructions on 7/25/20.

Vegan Zucchini Pizza Bites (Gluten-Free)