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    Home » Recipes » Sauces & Dressings

    Vegan Cheese Powder (Dairy-free)

    Published: Jul 14, 2016 · Modified: Jun 15, 2022 by Sally Cameron · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Cheesy-tasting but no cheese? Yes! This versatile, non-dairy vegan cheese powder mimics the savory taste of Parmesan. Sort of a vegan Parmesan cheese sprinkle. It's wonderful for people who either choose not to or just can't eat dairy. It has that pleasant "umami" flavor, that magical fifth taste after sweet, salty, sour and bitter. Make some today. There are lots of ways to enjoy it.

    dairy free cheesy sprinkle | AFoodCentricLife.com

    Dairy Free Cheese Powder

    While cooking for a dairy-sensitive client, I created a dairy-free, cheesy tasting Parmesan replacement powder with raw cashews, granulated garlic, sea salt, and nutritional yeast (also called nooch).

    If you adopt a vegan lifestyle or discover you're better off without dairy in your life, the taste of cheese, especially the salty umami flavor of Parmesan, is often missed. Or if you love Parmesan but can't eat aged cheese because of Histamine Intolerance (see note at end).

    The recipe makes 21 tablespoons and will last in the fridge for months...well, not really because you will use it faster once you try it.  It's become a mainstay pantry item in my fridge.

    How to Make a Dairy Free Cheese Powder

    Just place all ingredients in a food processor and process until finely ground, a minute or two. Too simple.

    dairy free cheesy sprinkle|AFoodCentricLife.com

    Vegan Cheese Powder Ingredients

    Be sure to buy raw cashews, not salted or roasted. For nutritional yeast, I prefer Sari Foods. It is non-GMO, organic, gluten-free and is not fortified with synthetic vitamins. You can read more about nutritional yeast on this post. Sari Food Nutritional Yeast is available on Amazon. Many people use Bragg nutritional yeast, as it's widely available.

    There are other good brands, but be sure the are not GMO. I prefer unfortified (no synthetic vitamins added). Granulated garlic is salt free, pure garlic. It's available just about everywhere these days. You could sub garlic powder but the granular form gives it more texture.

    dairy free cheesy sprinkle|AFoodCentricLife.com

    What To Do With Dairy Free Cheese Powder

    Make a batch in a minute,  then use it to make other recipes or use on its own. You will find lots of ways to enjoy it.

    • Use it on popcorn popped with coconut oil
    • Mix it with fresh chopped parsley and finely chopped chives for a cheesy herb blend
    • Sprinkle it over potatoes
    • Use it in dressings and dips
    • Sprinkle atop grilled, roasted or steamed vegetables
    • Mix with mayonnaise or Vegenaise (organic style) as a dipping sauce
    • Use wherever you might use Parmesan
    • Sprinkle over salads
    • Toss with rice or pasta and fresh chopped herbs
    • Mix into polenta or grits for dairy free cheesy grits
    • Toss with scrambled eggs for cheesy eggs
    dairy free cheesy sprinkle | AFoodCentricLife.com

     A Note on Dietary Cautions For Sensitive People

    Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast with many vitamins, nutrients and a good amount of fiber. It's generally fine for most people. If you have histamine intolerance, it does not contain histamine but only you know your triggers. Test with caution. The nice thing is it mimics the savory flavor of Parmesan, which is high risk for people with HITs as it's an aged cheese and aged cheese gather histamines.

    Nutritional yeast contains a lot of niacin (1 T= 38 mg), which makes some people flush. Another thing, it contains tyramine and that can be problematic for migraine sufferers. Read here for more info.

    📖 Recipe

    dairy free cheesy sprinkle | AFoodCentricLife.com

    Non-Dairy Cheese Powder

    Sally Cameron
    Add all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator. It makes about 21 tablespoons. If you are hesitant, start by making a half batch.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course condiment
    Cuisine American
    Servings 21 1 T per serving
    Calories 36 kcal

    Equipment

    • Food Processor

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup raw cashews 5 ½ ounces
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
    • ¾ teaspoon granulated garlic
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions
     

    • Put all ingredients in a food processor and process until finely ground. Store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator. It lasts a month or more.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 36kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 56mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « What is Nutritional Yeast (and the benefits)
    Creamy Vegan Cheese Sauce (no dairy) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Peggy says

      August 22, 2019 at 6:24 pm

      hi, would it work with almonds? My kid is allergic to cashew.

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        August 26, 2019 at 1:27 pm

        I haven't tried it with almonds Peggy so hard to say.You cold try it and report back please if you do! SO many nut allergies these days.

        Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Sally, a classically trained chef (but you don't have to be!). My passion is cooking fresh healthy food and sharing it with others.

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