Vegan Cheese Is A Thing! 5 Vegan Cheese Recipes You'll Love
By: Suzanne Kvilhaug
June is National Dairy Month, and June 4th is National Cheese Day! You might assume that vegans won’t have much to celebrate, but au contraire! Vegans can join in on the fun and they’ve got plenty of options when it comes to vegan cheese. There may be a difference in flavor - but different doesn’t mean bad, it just means different.
Vegan cheese may seem like a “new” thing but it dates back to 16th century China where it was made with whole soy or fermented tofu. Fortunately for us, the vegan cheeses we can get now are a lot more diverse and in many cases comes very close to replicating the melt and mouthfeel of animal-milk cheese. So what does vegan cheese consist of? Well, it varies. Store-bought vegan cheese is generally made of ingredients like cashews, almonds, coconut oil, tapioca, nutritional yeast, soy protein and cornstarch. It can be soft or hard and grateable and often takes the familiar form of traditional cheeses like shreds, slices, and fancy rounds. But in all cases it’s totally plant-based.
For homemade vegan cheese dishes, there’s a wide variety of possibilities. Check out these 5 flavorful vegan recipes that feature the creamy, goodness of cheese and the uniqueness of dairy-free cheese. Who knows, you may even like it more than traditional cheese!
5-Minute Vegan Cashew Queso
I can't be the only one who finds the cheese dips in a jar at the store a little unappetizing. Skip the sketchy cheese and make it home without all the iffy ingredients and the dairy. Described as creamy, cheesy, smokey and delicious- this Vegan Cashew Queso recipe by Minimalist Baker requires just 7 ingredients, 5 minutes, and a blender. To go all out, pair this with grain free tortilla chips from Siete.
Vegan Mozzarella Sticks
Is there any better feeling than when mozzarella sticks are brought to the table when you’re out to eat? Ready, set, devour! Luckily they are easy enough to make at home too and vegans don't have to miss out on this traditional favorite, they just need to be a little creative. These breaded and fried Vegan Mozzarella Sticks by Vegan Huggs use hearts of palm as the cheese substitute. Maybe you’re raising your eyebrows at that ingredient, but the rave reviews speak volumes. When breaded and fried, the hearts of palm get stringy inside to mock the texture of cheese that’s in regular mozzarella sticks. And if you want the sauce to be homemade too, consider this marinara sauce recipe from the Simple Vegan Blog.
Vegan Mac and Cheese
Kraft macaroni and cheese = the epitome of nostalgia. I’ve tried several types of boxed vegan mac and cheese and they fulfill the craving, but somehow there’s nothing quite like the homemade version. This cashew-based Vegan Mac and Cheese recipe by Cookie + Kate is remarkably cheese-like and likely a home run with anyone who tries it.
Vegan Margherita Pizza
And now you’ll see why it’s a misconception that there aren't any good vegan pizzas. This Vegan Margherita Pizza recipe by Vegan Richa is one of those recipes where you glance at the picture and want to drop what you’re doing, go buy the ingredients and get to work. At least I did. Gooey cashew cheese, pizza dough, and pizza sauce all made from scratch make this even more appetizing. Plus it’s entirely soy-free with nut-free and gluten-free options included.
Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake
Oh yeah, vegan cheesecake does exist. Topped with crushed cashew chocolate bark and raspberries, this no-bake vegan chocolate cheesecake recipe by The Vegan 8 has just 8 ingredients and it’s gluten-free. Velvety smooth, creamy, and rich without being too sweet means this could become your next go-to dessert recipe for many future occasions.
More Vegan Cheeses to Try!
Vegan cheese is increasingly available in grocery stores and online. Here are some more great products to check out:
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