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.
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!
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Ingredients & Substitutions
Here's what you will be needing to make your own naturally gluten-free Vegan Parmesan Cheese:
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:
- 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.
- 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.
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, spaghetti with marinara sauce, 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:
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
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?
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
Vegan Parmesan Cheese
Author: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
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.
Ellen Romain says
I just made this and snook a little taste when I popped it in the fridge to set. OMG! I really love this! Couldn’t be any simpler. I plan to freeze it and grate it as needed. But let’s see how long this lasts…
Melanie McDonald says
It's so handy to have in the freezer...If it makes it that far. Enjoy!!
Lynda says
Hi, When you list eg oil, as optional, is that ingredient included in the nutritional breakdown? Makes quite a difference when following a low fat regime!
🙏
Melanie McDonald says
Yes it is included.
Silma says
can we substitute miso? Thank You
Melanie McDonald says
I wouldn't recommend that. It's very much needed for flavour and helps to hold it all together.
Pamela says
Can we use a Vitamix in lieu of a food processor?
Thank you
Melanie McDonald says
You (or should I say the Vitamix) might struggle. It's really thick and stodgy. I haven't tried it in mine because I know from past experience that food processors handle things like this much better.
Karen says
Is there a substitute for the miso?
Melanie McDonald says
There are so few ingredients in this recipe that any changes will have a big impact. The miso is really important for flavour and also for sticking everything together. I don't recommend using anything else instead or omitting it.
Sunny White says
I am excited to make this but would like to know how long does it keep in the frig and if can it be frozen? Thanks for the great recipes.
Melanie McDonald says
I always include storage/freezing instructions in my posts. This link will take you to them: https://avirtualvegan.com/vegan-parmesan-cheese/#storing
Tracey says
Hay Melanie McDonald: I haven't made this recipe yet I was just wondering what happened to your video? I love being able to watch how to do it, it just makes life & learning easer. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so a video must be worth a million words. Please bring your video back.
Melanie McDonald says
It's there in the post just above the recipe card. There is a "watch video" button at the top of all the pages that have video so you can find them easily ;o)
The only reason you wouldn't be able to see it is if you have started using an ad blocker since you last looked. They wipe out some functions on websites like mine including the videos.
Hope that helps and that you enjoy the cheese!
Tracey says
Thank you Melanie that must be it because there's nothing there.
I did make the cheese though, and it was very easy to make, the hardest part was the waiting, and it is wonderfully delicious. Thank you so much for responding and for this wonderfully delicious recipe.
Shelly Hawes-Smith says
This is so f'ing good Melanie!! I make my own cashew parm as well and I love that but this is next level. I love this in salads but also just to nibble on. SO GOOD.
Melanie McDonald says
So pleased you're enjoying it Shelly!
Judy says
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)
Katy says
Can it be made with other nuts? I have an almond allergy.
Melanie McDonald says
Check the recipe FAQs. This question is covered there :O)
Joan says
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.
Melanie McDonald says
That's awesome Joan. Thanks for giving the recipe a try. I'm really pleased you're enjoying it!
Cheryl says
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 :-)
Melanie McDonald says
Love this! So pleased you're enjoying it Cheryl!
Lorinda says
Why not table salt? I don’t like sea salt as it lacks the iodine I need.
Melanie McDonald says
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.
Ed says
Looks interesting. Does it melt like real parm?
Melanie McDonald says
It gets softer but doesn't melt.
Avie says
What can be substituted for white miso, thanks 😊
Melanie McDonald says
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.
nylongirl says
I don't like to use miso either as it's high sodium content. Wish another substitute too!
Joan says
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!
Melanie McDonald says
Yay! So pleased you're liking it so far. Let me know what you think once it's hardened up and "matured" a bit!
Pat McKenzie says
This looks brilliant! Can’t wait to try it!
Melanie McDonald says
Hope you enjoy it!
Janice says
I haven't tried this recipe yet, but was wondering if there was a substitute for the white vinegar, which I don't use.
Melanie McDonald says
You can omit it but the cheese won't be as sharp. There isn't a substitute in this recipe.
Marie says
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.