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Vegan Caramelized Onion Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe

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4.1 from 12 reviews

These Vegan Caramelized Onion Spinach Pizza Rolls feature a homemade herb-filled dough generously stuffed with savory tomato sauce, sweet caramelized onions, tender spinach, and fresh basil, all topped with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy vegan finish. Perfect for a satisfying vegetarian lunch or dinner, these soft, flavorful pizza buns are sure to be a crowd-pleaser and you’ll find it hard to stop at just one!

  • Total Time: 2 hours 8 minutes
  • Yield: 12 pizza buns

Ingredients

Pizza Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup warmed almond milk or other vegan milk
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
  • ¼ cup olive oil or avocado oil recommended
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 3 cups all purpose flour (375 grams)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt

Caramelized Onions & Spinach

  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 4 cups spinach, loosely packed
  • 2 Tablespoons vegan butter
  • salt & pepper to taste

Bun Filling

  • ⅔ cup tomato sauce
  • 8-10 leaves fresh basil, torn
  • 1-2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the warmed almond milk and sugar, then sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is activated and bubbles form.
  2. Prepare the dough: Add the oil, dried oregano, garlic powder, and dried basil to the yeast mixture and whisk. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a thick dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough: Using a stand mixer with a bread hook or by hand on a floured surface, knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it is elastic, tacky but not sticky, and stretches without tearing.
  4. First rise: Form the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours to develop flavor.
  5. Second rise: About an hour before baking, remove the dough from fridge, punch it down, reshape into a ball, and let rise for 1 hour at room temperature.
  6. Caramelize onions: While the dough rises, melt vegan butter in a large frying pan over low heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 20-30 minutes until soft, sweet, and browned.
  7. Cook spinach: Add spinach to the caramelized onions in the pan and cook for an additional 2 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
  8. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  9. Roll out dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a ½ inch thick rectangle using a floured rolling pin.
  10. Assemble filling: Spread the tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a 2-inch border around the edges. Evenly distribute the caramelized onion and spinach mixture, then sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves on top.
  11. Form rolls: Carefully roll the dough into a log, tucking in the filling to avoid spilling. Pinch the seam to seal, then turn the roll seam-side down.
  12. Slice and arrange: Cut the log into 12 even slices and place them in a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
  13. Add topping: Sprinkle the tops of the rolls with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
  14. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 34-38 minutes until the buns are golden brown and cooked through but still soft inside.
  15. Serve: Slice the buns and serve warm, optionally with extra tomato sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For best flavor, allow the dough to ferment in the fridge for 24-48 hours.
  • If you do not have vegan butter, olive oil can be used for caramelizing the onions but the flavor may differ slightly.
  • Nutritional yeast is optional but adds a nice cheesy, nutty flavor to the rolls.
  • Make sure to roll the dough tightly and seal the edges well to keep the filling inside during baking.
  • These rolls can be served as a main dish or as a hearty appetizer or snack.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat gently before serving.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 38 minutes
  • Category: Lunch + Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/vegan-caramelized-onion-spinach-pizza-rolls-recipe/