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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Cheese

    Published: Apr 19, 2022 · Modified: Aug 25, 2022 by Melanie McDonald · This post contains affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 21 Comments

    Vegan Parmesan Cheese

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN WATCH VIDEO
    5 from 17 votes
    Vegan Parmesan Cheese

    Easy Vegan Parmesan Cheese made with a handful of ingredients in only 5 minutes. This dairy-free hard cheese has a sharp, savory, nutty, flavor and a slightly salty edge. It can be grated, shaved, sliced and crumbled and is a great dairy-free alternative to parmesan. Oil-free option included.

    a wheel of vegan parmesan with some wedges cut out and a pile of grated parmesan

    When it's nutty-sharp-salty-cheese to serve with your favourite pasta dishes and salads, only Vegan Parmesan Cheese will do, and now you can make your own in just 5 minutes. It's so quick and easy you won't believe your eyes!

    Most importantly it tastes absolutely delicious, with a sharp, savoury, nutty flavour and a slightly salty edge. And, because this is a hard vegan cheese, you can grate it, shave it, slice it and crumble it!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How to Make Vegan Parmesan Cheese
    • Storing
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Recipe Video
    • Recipe
    • Comments & Reviews
    grated vegan parmesan cheese

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Here's what you will be needing to make your own naturally gluten-free Vegan Parmesan Cheese:

    vegan parmesan cheese ingredients

    Most of the ingredients in this recipe are crucial for the great flavour and texture. There are a couple of subs you can safely make though:

    • Almond flour - Almond flour is made from blanched almonds and is very fine and light yellow in colour. However, you can also use ground almonds or almond meal with one caveat: It must not have brown skin flecks throughout otherwise your cheese will look really strange. Raw cashews or brazil nuts ground to a flour-like consistency will also work but I think that almonds give a better flavour in the finished cheese.
    • Refined coconut oil - Emphasis on refined. You cannot use unrefined or virgin coconut oil in this recipe. The coconut oil makes the cheese richer, gives it a better creamy mouthfeel and helps it set firmer. You can omit it but your cheese will be less rich and won't set quite as hard.
    • Nutritional yeast - Although I recommend using the nooch if at all possible, I know some people don't like to use it. Omit if you prefer and add an extra tablespoon of miso instead.
    • Lemon zest - A tiny amount but it adds a sharp brightness to the cheese. You can omit it if you prefer. It won't affect how the recipe technically works.
    • Distilled white vinegar - Essential for balance and sharpness. Other vinegars do not give the same effect.

    How to Make Vegan Parmesan Cheese

    This Vegan Parmesan recipe is so easy to make! For full instructions scroll down to the recipe card, but here's a quick summary of the process with step by step photos:

    1. Simply throw everything in a food processor and blend to combine. Once it comes together into slightly grainy, doughy clumps it's ready. Switch to pulse once you are very nearly there so you don't overdo it.
    how to make vegan parmesan cheese
    1. Then shape it into a wheel, pop it on a piece of parchment paper resting on a plate or in a container with lid left off, and let it set up in the fridge, or the freezer. As this recipe is replicating parmesan I prefer to leave it uncovered so it can dry out a bit as it sets.

    Success tip - Don't over process the vegan parm or the almond flour will turn into nut butter. Not the effect we're going for!

    Storing

    • In the refrigerator - After the initial setting period, store the cheese in a jar or other container in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 2 weeks.
    • In the freezer - Vegan parmesan will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. It's possible to grate and shave this cheese straight from the freezer, so that's where I tend to keep mine most of the time. In the freezer store it in an airtight container, either in its wheel form, or grate it into a container then freeze so you can quickly grab a few tablespoons as you need it for sprinkling on all the things.
    a bowl of pasta with vegan parmesan grated on it

    Serving Suggestions

    Grate over pasta dishes, soups and risottos. Shave over salads and pizza. Basically use it in any way you would regular parmesan cheese.

    That bowl of Vegan Penne alla Vodka, Baked Vegan Orzo, Cauliflower Alfredo or Vegan Carbonara?...Just begging for you to grate Vegan Parmesan Cheese ALL over it! And don't forget to make a delish caesar salad with my vegan chicken breasts ;O)

    I also highly recommend trying it on:

    • cooked risi e bisi (Italian rice and peas) in a pan topped with some melting butter and fresh chopped parsley
      Risi e Bisi
    • a bowl of vegan carbonara
      Vegan Carbonara
    • cherry tomato sauce
      Cherry Tomato Sauce
    • creamy vegan gnocchi with garlic and kale in a bowl
      Creamy Vegan Gnocchi with Garlic & Kale

    And it's worth pointing out that vegan parmesan cheese can be used in combination with my vegan ricotta to make all manner of amazing Italian dishes!

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I make this vegan parmesan nut-free?

    I haven't tried to make this nut-free, it but I think hemp seeds would work really well as a substitute for the almond flour. You will just need to get them to a flour-like consistency in the food processor before you begin. Perhaps raw sunflower seeds would work too?

    Can I make oil-free vegan parmesan?

    The coconut oil makes the cheese richer, gives it a better creamy mouthfeel and helps it set firmer. You can omit it if you prefer though.

    Recipe Video

    Recipe

    a wheel of vegan parmesan that has had wedges cut out and some grated

    Vegan Parmesan Cheese

    Author: Melanie McDonald
    5 from 17 votes
    Easy Vegan Parmesan Cheese made with a handful of ingredients in only 5 minutes. This hard cheese has a rich, savoury/sweet, nutty, flavour and a slightly salty edge. It can be grated, shaved, sliced and crumbled!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    PREP TIME: 5 minutes
    COOK TIME: 0 minutes
    TOTAL TIME: 5 minutes
    Servings: 8 (Makes one 4 inch wheel)

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup (100 grams) almond flour , or ground almonds (or ¾ cup (100 grams) of raw almonds with no skin processed to a flour-like consistency)
    • ¼ cup (20 grams) nutritional yeast
    • 1½ teaspoon fine sea salt , not table salt
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon white miso
    • 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
    • 1 tablespoon refined coconut oil , optional

    RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

    • Food Processor
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Add everything to a food processor and process until the mixture becomes a clumpy, damp, slightly grainy dough. This should only take a minute or two. Scrape down as necessary to make sure everything gets combined. It should hold together well if you squeeze the mixture in your hand. There is a photograph in the post showing what it looks like.
    • Remove the blade and tip the mixture out onto a clean counter. Bring it all together into a rough ball then shape into a wheel/round about 4 inches wide and 1 inch high. Be sure to compact it really well while doing this.
    • If any cracks appear around the edge, wet a finger under the tap and rub/squeeze the crack to bring it together and neaten it up.
    • Place the wheel on a piece of parchment paper on a small plate in the fridge. Don't cover it with anything so it can dry out a bit. Let it set ideally overnight or for up to 48 hours. This lets it dry out and allows the flavours to develop.
      If you need to rush it, place the cheese carefully, on the parchment paper, in the freezer. After about 30 minutes you should be able to grate or shave it.
    • Once it's nicely solid, transfer to an airtight container (or wrap it well), and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or the freezer for up to 3 months. It can be used (grated/shaved) while still frozen.
      Make sure the cheese is well chilled before crumbling or grating. If you accidentally leave it out of the fridge for too long and it gets a bit soft, simply pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes or so. For nice clean shavings, it is better for the cheese to be frozen.

    NOTES

    Recipe can easily be doubled if required.

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 1serving (⅛ of the wheel)Calories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 515mgPotassium: 56mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is provided for convenience. The data is a computer generated estimate and should be used as a guide only.

    Tried this recipe?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @avirtualvegan on Instagram and hashtag it #avirtualvegan

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Judy says

      January 13, 2023 at 1:57 am

      5 stars
      This looks very good. I''l try it.Unfortunately I can't have any soy products so no tofu for me( althoigh I liked it)

      Reply
    2. Katy says

      May 02, 2022 at 2:25 am

      Can it be made with other nuts? I have an almond allergy.

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        May 02, 2022 at 11:21 am

        Check the recipe FAQs. This question is covered there :O)

        Reply
    3. Joan says

      April 24, 2022 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      So ours has been aged and we’ve been using it. We are really, really enjoying this recipe! We have grated it on baked potatoes, pasta and even spread it on toast and crackers. It’s also fantastic just out of the jar! I don’t think we will ever be without it in our fridge. Love this super healthy cheese substitute! Thanks so much.

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        April 25, 2022 at 10:16 am

        That's awesome Joan. Thanks for giving the recipe a try. I'm really pleased you're enjoying it!

        Reply
    4. Cheryl says

      April 23, 2022 at 9:44 am

      5 stars
      I made this cheese 48 hours ago - so now that the 'cure' time is behind me, I was able to take a slice off it today to try & it tastes fantastic! I haven't had the need to try grating it yet. The flavours are delicious...the vinegar gives the cheese a nice tang, nutritional yeast gives it a nutty edge and the lemon is so Spring fresh! It has the perfect amount of salt too - it will be a keeper in my 'favourite' recipe folder. Thank you for sharing your recipe Melanie :-)

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        April 25, 2022 at 10:13 am

        Love this! So pleased you're enjoying it Cheryl!

        Reply
    5. Lorinda says

      April 20, 2022 at 4:45 pm

      Why not table salt? I don’t like sea salt as it lacks the iodine I need.

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        April 20, 2022 at 4:52 pm

        It doesn't taste as good and in something like this with so few ingredients, and an emphasis on the slightly salty flavour, it's important to have a good tasting salt. Good quality sea salt tastes way better than table salt. Table salt is also much stronger so a different amount is needed in recipes.

        Reply
    6. Ed says

      April 20, 2022 at 6:22 am

      Looks interesting. Does it melt like real parm?

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        April 20, 2022 at 10:59 am

        It gets softer but doesn't melt.

        Reply
    7. Avie says

      April 19, 2022 at 12:35 pm

      What can be substituted for white miso, thanks 😊

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        April 19, 2022 at 12:41 pm

        There is no substitute. It's essential in this recipe for flavour and for holding everything together. It's easy to find in most good grocery stores.

        Reply
        • nylongirl says

          April 20, 2022 at 11:42 am

          I don't like to use miso either as it's high sodium content. Wish another substitute too!

          Reply
    8. Joan says

      April 19, 2022 at 10:48 am

      Just finished making this. I had some almonds I’d slightly over processed so they were perfect for this recipe. I didn’t have lemon zest so I subbed in 1/2 tsp lemon juice. The flavour is wonderful even with my substitutions. I can’t wait to try it after the 48 hour rest period! I haven’t rated it yet but will after I’ve tried it out in some recipes. I am excited to see how this works out!

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        April 19, 2022 at 10:55 am

        Yay! So pleased you're liking it so far. Let me know what you think once it's hardened up and "matured" a bit!

        Reply
    9. Pat McKenzie says

      April 19, 2022 at 9:37 am

      This looks brilliant! Can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        April 19, 2022 at 10:55 am

        Hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    10. Janice says

      April 19, 2022 at 9:20 am

      I haven't tried this recipe yet, but was wondering if there was a substitute for the white vinegar, which I don't use.

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        April 19, 2022 at 10:56 am

        You can omit it but the cheese won't be as sharp. There isn't a substitute in this recipe.

        Reply
      • Marie says

        April 20, 2022 at 12:37 pm

        5 stars
        Take 2 Tbsp of water and dissolve 3/4 - 1 tsp ascorbic acid powder into it. Taste it for desired tartness. I do this as I cannot use white vinegar or any vinegar. For apple cider vinegar, I use apple juice like Tree Top but not the transparent sweet kind and mix ascorbic acid powder into it. It works great. I use Earthborn Elements Ascorbic as it is a very fine one, or NOW Brand.

        Reply

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