Pizza Hut's Vegan Cheese: A Reality Check

does pizza hut have began cheese

In recent years, Pizza Hut has expanded its vegan options, including vegan cheese. In 2017, the chain began trialling Violife, a vegan cheese made from coconut oil, in a small selection of UK restaurants. Since then, Pizza Hut has rolled out vegan cheese options in several international locations, including the UK, Germany, and Australia. However, vegan cheese is not yet available in North American locations, such as the US and Canada. While Pizza Hut has made strides in vegan cheese options, some customers have expressed mixed opinions about the taste and texture of the cheese, particularly regarding its tendency to stick to the roof of the mouth and congeal at room temperature.

Does Pizza Hut have vegan cheese?

Characteristics Values
Vegan Cheese Availability Yes, in the UK, Germany, and Australia
Type of Cheese Violife (made from coconut oil)
Previous Cheese Supplier Violife
New Cheese Supplier Ornua
Vegan Cheese Options in the US and Canada No
Vegan-Friendly Dough in the US Thin 'n Crispy, Hand-Tossed, and Pan Crust
Vegan-Friendly Dough in the UK Signature stuffed crust
Vegan Toppings Plant-based meat toppings, vegetables
Vegan Sides Plain wedges (UK), Vegan Cheesy Garlic Bread (Australia), Fries and breadsticks (US)
Vegan Dipping Sauces Buffalo dip (US), Sweet chili and tomato sauce (Australia), BBQ sauce and tomato ketchup (UK)

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Pizza Hut UK offers vegan cheese

In recent years, Pizza Hut has expanded its vegan options, including vegan cheese, in several countries. In the UK, Pizza Hut initially began trialling Violife, a vegan cheese made from coconut oil, in a small selection of restaurants in 2017. Since then, the chain has rolled out vegan cheese as an option nationwide, and now, UK menus have a dedicated vegan section. In addition to Violife, Pizza Hut UK has also offered Ornua as a vegan cheese option.

Pizza Hut UK now offers a vegan version of its signature stuffed crust pizza, which is "classic dough stuffed with Violife Vegan Chse and topped with your favourites from our Vegan Menu". The vegan stuffed crust option costs £2.50 to add to any vegan pizza.

While some customers have praised the taste of the vegan cheese, others have noted that it can become rubbery and stick to the roof of the mouth when melted. Additionally, Pizza Hut's vegan cheese has been described as looking too white and too soupy to be dairy.

For those in the UK who are craving a cheesy vegan pizza, Pizza Hut offers a convenient option with its vegan cheese, which can be enjoyed alongside other vegan menu items.

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The US and Canada don't have vegan cheese options

While Pizza Hut has come a long way in terms of vegan options, the US and Canada are still lagging when it comes to vegan cheese. In 2017, Pizza Hut UK began trialling Violife, a vegan cheese made from coconut oil, in a small selection of restaurants before rolling it out nationwide. Now, Pizza Hut in the UK has a whole vegan section on the menu, including vegan cheese and vegan meat toppings. Similarly, several international locations have vegan cheese on the menu, including Australia and Germany.

However, in North America, vegan cheese is yet to be added to the menus. While there are some vegan-friendly dough options in the US, such as Thin 'n Crispy, Hand-Tossed, and Pan Crust, and some locations offer plant-based meat toppings, there is no vegan cheese option. This means that vegans in the US and Canada miss out on classic stuffed-crust pizzas, which are available in the UK.

While it is possible to order a pizza without cheese and add your own vegan cheese at home, this requires purchasing additional ingredients and takes away from the convenience of delivery. It also means that those who want a cheesy pizza experience have to go without or put in extra effort, which can be frustrating when ordering food for delivery or dining out.

Pizza Hut has made some strides towards vegan options, such as offering vegan meat toppings in the US and Canada, but the lack of vegan cheese in these locations remains a notable exception. This has not gone unnoticed, with some customers expressing their disappointment and frustration online.

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Australia and Germany have vegan cheese on the menu

Pizza Hut Australia first trialed vegan cheese in May 2018 at two locations in New South Wales, with the plan to add the option to all Australian locations if the trial was successful. This move was likely influenced by the success of rival Domino's, which had recently launched vegan pizzas in Australia featuring cheese from the U.S.-based manufacturer, Follow Your Heart.

In Germany, Pizza Hut now offers three new vegan pizzas: Smokey BBQ Vegan, Tuscany Spicy Vegan, and Vegan Chik 'n' Cheez. The chain has also added Beyond Meat Italian Sausage Crumbles as a permanent menu item at all 450 locations in Canada, although it is unclear whether this option is available in Germany.

Pizza Hut's introduction of vegan cheese and meat options reflects a growing trend towards plant-based offerings at its locations worldwide. The chain has also introduced vegan options in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the United States, although the specific offerings vary by region.

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Pizza Hut has changed its vegan cheese supplier

This change has sparked mixed reactions, with some customers expressing frustration at the sudden alteration in ingredients, especially those with food intolerances. Others have noted that the new cheese melts better and appears more "cheese-like".

Pizza Hut has been gradually expanding its vegan options, with the UK, Australia, and Germany now offering Violife cheese as a staple menu item. The company has also trialed Beyond Meat pizzas, including the Beyond Italian Sausage Pizza and The Great Beyond Pizza, although these were limited-time offerings.

Currently, Pizza Hut does not offer vegan cheese options in the US, and customers must order their pizzas without cheese to make them vegan-friendly. However, with the increasing demand for plant-based options and the success of trials like Beyond Meat, it is likely only a matter of time before vegan cheese becomes a permanent fixture on Pizza Hut's US menu.

The change in vegan cheese suppliers at Pizza Hut highlights the evolving landscape of fast-food chains, as they strive to meet the diverse dietary needs and preferences of their customers. While the new cheese may take some time to gain trust among vegan consumers, the confirmation from Pizza Hut employees and the visible differences in appearance and behavior provide reassurance that the product is, in fact, vegan.

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Vegan cheese toppings are available in the UK

In the UK, Pizza Hut offers a variety of vegan options, including vegan cheese toppings. The popular chain began catering to vegans in 2017 when it started trialling Violife, a vegan cheese made from coconut oil, in a few UK restaurants before expanding the option nationwide. Pizza Hut now offers a dedicated vegan menu, including vegan cheese as a topping and stuffed into the crust.

While the vegan cheese option has been well-received by some, others have noted that it can be sticky and rubbery when melted. Pizza Hut has also been praised for offering vegan-friendly dough options in the UK, including a vegan version of its signature stuffed crust. In addition to vegan cheese, UK customers can also order plant-based meat toppings, such as Beyond Meat's Italian Sausage and soy-based Chik'n.

The availability of vegan cheese and meat toppings varies by location, and some countries, like the US and Canada, do not offer vegan cheese on their menus. However, North American customers can still enjoy vegan pizzas by ordering a simple tomato base and loading it with vegetables or plant-based meat toppings, which are available in select locations.

Pizza Hut has made significant strides in catering to vegan customers in the UK, and the availability of vegan cheese toppings is a testament to that. While there may be some room for improvement in the consistency and taste of the vegan cheese, the option provides a convenient and tasty choice for those seeking plant-based alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Pizza Hut offers vegan cheese in several countries, including the UK, Germany, and Australia. In the UK, Pizza Hut initially offered Violife cheese but has since switched to Ornua.

Pizza Hut locations in the US and Canada do not offer vegan cheese on their menus. However, you can order a pizza without cheese and add your own vegan cheese at home.

In addition to vegan cheese and meat toppings, Pizza Hut offers a variety of vegan-friendly options. In the UK, you can enjoy plain wedges, a vegan version of the stuffed crust, and BBQ sauce. In Australia, they offer Vegan Cheesy Garlic Bread, sweet chili and tomato sauce, and a range of vegan pizzas. In the US, the Thin 'n Crispy, Hand-Tossed, and Pan Crust options are dairy-free, and the buffalo dip is a vegan-friendly sauce option.

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