This gluten-free caprese pizza is a recipe we make week after week. It pairs a sturdy, crisp-yet-chewy gluten-free pizza crust with simple, high-flavor toppings. The finished pizza is dairy-free and vegan, yet bold and satisfying.
What is Caprese Pizza?
Caprese pizza is a fresh, minimalist style of pizza inspired by the classic Caprese salad. A thin crust is layered with tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil, then finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of herbs or chili flakes. The result is bright, aromatic, and perfectly balanced.
No more pizza delivery!
After learning to make pizza from scratch, including our reliable gluten-free crust, we rarely order delivery anymore. Store-bought gluten-free pies often have dense, heavy crusts; making your own lets you control texture and flavor. Even if you don’t need a gluten-free diet, this version delivers authentic pizza satisfaction.
The Best Gluten-Free Pizza Crust
A great pizza begins with a great crust. Our gluten-free crust delivers a crisp exterior and a chewy interior and, while it uses yeast, it requires no lengthy rise time—so you can have a homemade pizza on the table faster than waiting for delivery. If you’d like to start with our crust recipe, follow the link above for full instructions.
Use the Freshest Ingredients You Can Get
For caprese pizza, freshness matters. Use ripe cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, good-quality olive oil, and a mozzarella that melts well. In our dairy-free version we use almond-based dairy-free mozzarella that mimics the texture of traditional mozzarella. Optional additions include minced garlic for aroma and a sprinkle of red chili flakes for heat.
Preparing This Delicious Caprese Pizza
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a pre-baked 12-inch gluten-free crust on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Spread about 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce across the crust. Bake the crust with sauce for 10 minutes so the sauce sets slightly.
Remove the crust and evenly distribute 4 ounces of dairy-free mozzarella over the sauce, then scatter 3/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes on top. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the crust edges are golden and crisp.
If using minced garlic, sprinkle 1 tablespoon over the pizza and return it to the oven for 5 minutes so the garlic softens and becomes fragrant without burning. Finish by scattering 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves over the pie, drizzling with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, and adding 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes and salt to taste. Slice and serve hot.
Ingredients
- One 12-inch pre-baked gluten-free pizza crust
- 3 tablespoons tomato sauce
- 4 ounces dairy-free mozzarella (or regular mozzarella if not dairy-free)
- 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (optional)
- 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Place the pre-baked gluten-free crust on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the crust and bake for 10 minutes so the sauce dries slightly.
- Top with dairy-free mozzarella and arrange the halved cherry tomatoes over the cheese.
- Bake on the middle rack for 15 minutes, until the cheese melts and the crust is golden.
- Sprinkle minced garlic over the pizza and bake 5 more minutes until fragrant (optional).
- Remove from the oven, scatter fresh basil leaves over the pizza, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with red chili flakes and salt to taste.
- Slice and serve hot.
Notes
Pizza crust: A great crust makes all the difference. You can use a store-bought crust to save time, but the linked gluten-free crust recipe yields the best texture if you want that crisp outside and chewy interior.
Mozzarella: Use dairy-free mozzarella for a vegan version or regular mozzarella if dairy is acceptable.
Garlic and chili: Garlic adds aroma and depth; chili flakes bring a pleasant heat—both are optional and adjustable to taste.
Timing: Total time is about 30 minutes (10 minutes prep, 20 minutes cooking). This recipe yields two servings and is categorized as gluten-free, Italian-style pizza made by baking.