The “Restaurant-Quality” Frozen Pizza I’ll Stock in My Freezer Forever (I’m Never Buying Another Brand!)

I love a good frozen pizza. They come in clutch for those nights when I can’t be bothered to cook and want something quick, easy, and comforting. 

As a vegetarian, I’m always trying the latest plant-based foods. To be honest, vegan frozen pizzas are typically a huge letdown. There’s something about the cheese — a pretty essential component when it comes to pizza! — that never seems quite right. It either lacks flavor, doesn’t melt properly, or has a weird goopy texture that sticks to the rough of your mouth. (Hard pass.) 

Fearing this was one element the frozen foods gods just couldn’t master, I was ready to end my seemingly hopeless vegan pizza quest — and then I found Blackbird Foods frozen pizzas, and my world forever changed. 

Of all the different types of pizza, by far my favorite is brick oven. I love its doughy crust, with just the right amount of chew, and crispy edge that doesn’t flop while you’re holding a slice. Blackbird Foods frozen pizzas deliver on that and more — they rival even some of the “top-rated” vegan pizzas I’ve tried at restaurants in New York City. 

The company was founded by chefs in NYC and Philly aiming to revolutionize the plant-based market, originally making seitan for local restaurants. After customers continuously requested to be able to cook with their products at home, they brought them to the market and their frozen pizzas were born. (You can purchase their seitan online and in stores.) 

Blackbird’s pizzas are hand-tossed at their facility in New York City, then baked and flash frozen to ensure freshness. They don’t skimp on the quality of their ingredients: They’re all non-GMO, 100% plant-based, and kosher. The crust is the star. Made with enriched flour, filtered water, sea salt, olive oil, and organic brown sugar, it’s anything but bland. The crust isn’t bland or just a vessel for the toppings. It brings a flavor all its own, crisps up well when baked, and has that stretchy pull and doughiness I’m looking for. 

The sauce —  made using only the good stuff like tomatoes, basil, and apple cider vinegar — adds just the right balance of acidity and sweetness. And I was most impressed with the cheese. It melts well, holds its shape, and fully mimics the flavor of mozzarella (thanks to a blend of chickpea protein, tapioca and potato starch). Nor does it have any weird textures or aftertastes.

You can order Blackbird Foods frozen pizzas directly on the company’s website, or find them in grocery stores including Target, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and The Fresh Market for $8-$10 per pie.

Simply let the oven do its thing! All you need to do is bake the pizza for 8-10 minutes, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality pie.

Blackbird Foods offers a variety of pizza flavors, but my favorite is the Margherita (with the Supreme following close behind.) The Margherita has whole slices of garlic and fresh basil — simple flavors done really well. The Supreme builds on that delicious base with green peppers, red onions, and sausage crumbles for all the topping lovers out there. (The sausage, made from wheat and malted barley flour, packs a punch thanks to the shoyu and spices, and has a smokiness to it with notes of fennel and anise.) 

Blackbird’s flavors are so good that you don’t feel like you’re missing out. (I’m sure even your non-plant-based friends would agree!) Plus, you simply can’t beat the quality for the price. Cook one up and serve it alongside a simple Caesar salad for a cozy night in. Or make some of Blackbird’s plant-based wings (which I’ve also tried and loved) for the ultimate game day spread. 

Buy: Blackbird Frozen Margherita Plant Based Pizza, $8.99 for 14 ounces at Target  

Have you tried these frozen pizzas? Tell us about it in the comments below.