First thing first, if you know anything about me; you will know I Love cheese! Especially this best vegan cheddar cheese recipe. Vegans shouldn’t have to go without cheese, but we also should have to worry about what we put in our body. With this sentiment the vegan cheddar cheese block recipe was born!
I am not the creator of this idea, obviously. I did create this recipe based off another method. With that being said, I basically pumped this recipe with as much flavor as I could! You will fall in love with this delicious recipe and its all put together in a few easy steps!
Best Vegan Cheddar Cheese Recipe Ingredients
Agar Agar
Agar Agar is a vegan gelatin substitute that is extracted from a type of seaweed called red algae. This substance is used in a lot of different industries. It is safe to eat and use in cooking, but some people have been known to have allergic reactions to this substance. This, typically, is used to congeal or “set” jellies or gels.
Agar agar is sold in a few different forms. You can purchase this food additive on amazon or other online marketplaces. Be sure to do your research before using this product to make sure it is what you want to use!
Refined Coconut Oil
The refined coconut oil helps this recipe with its texture. The coconut oil acts as a thickening agent when its emulsified. Then when it cools down it thickens up which helps the vegan cheddar cheese block harden up. Be sure to get refined coconut oil so your cheese doesn’t taste like coconut.
Cashews
Cashews give this best vegan cheddar cheese recipe the creaminess and texture. Being that this is a vegan cheddar cheese block, you almost expect a certain “mouthfeel”. The cashews bring this important element to the table.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice gives the recipe a level of acidity that usually goes unnoticed, until it is gone. In layman’s terms, it gives this best vegan cheddar cheese recipe a tang!
Cornstarch
Cornstarch gives this vegan cheddar cheese block the ability to melt and stretch a bit. If you don’t like using corn starch, I’m fairly sure that tapioca starch will work as well.
Spices
Salt is a crucial component in a recipe like this because of the water and oil content. You will also see spices like turmeric, onion powder, and garlic powder. Turmeric gives the cheese the color you would expect from a cheddar cheese, and the garlic and onion powder are purely for flavor.
How to Make this Vegan Cheddar Cheese Recipe
This recipe impressively simple if you are prepared. Be sure to have all of your ingredients ready, so you a make this as seamless as possible. You should also have a greased glass or ceramic bowl or mold of some sort.
First off, you will need to bring a cup and a half of water and agar agar to a boil on the stove. While the mixture is coming up to a boil, combine all the remaining ingredients into the blender. I like to have the blender ready to just turn on, because you need to act quick here.
Let the water boil for 25 seconds before removing from the heat. Carefully pour the boiling water into the blender and turn on. I would start off on a low speed, so you don’t spray food everywhere. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
Quickly remove the puree from the blender. Using a rubber spatula, immediately scrape all the puree from your blender into your greased bowl or dish. If you don’t do this quickly then the mixture will set in your blender!
Once all of the mixture is in the bowl, be sure to smooth out the top so the cheese has a flat side. Place the liquid in the fridge for 2-3 hour, maybe longer, to set up completely.
How to Use the Best Vegan Cheddar Cheese Recipe
There are so many uses for this cheese. When talking about versatility, your vegan cheddar cheese block is at the top of the list. Let’s go over a few uses that will boost your recipes to a new level!
Sandwiches
This is the best vegan cheddar cheese recipe because of its meltability. You can make a perfect gilled cheese with this vegan cheddar cheese block by simply slicing it thin. Then using your favorite vegan bread, and you know the rest!
Cheese Board
You could always keep your vegan cheddar cheese block whole and use it for cheese boards. This will totally blow away you friends and family. This is perfect for parties, gatherings, family dinners and more!
Soup Garnish
Grate your best vegan cheddar cheese recipe and garnish your soups with it! Duh! There nothing like a good bowl of vegan chili with some shredded vegan cheddar cheese block on top!
Salads
This is the best vegan cheddar cheese recipe to incorporate into salads! This will add cheesy richness to any salad. Ultimately, this vegan cheddar cheese block may not last long after you make it!
Sauce
Use your scraps and throw them into your mac and cheese sauce and boost the flavor and body! Whenever I go through a recipe, I’m always left over with some bits and pieces that wont really fit into any recipe. That’s when I throw them in a sauce and have a huge bowl of mac and cheese!
Casseroles
Shred your vegan cheddar cheese block and throw it in your favorite casseroles! The best vegan cheddar cheese recipe will accent virtually any casserole you can think of. This is a great way to throw a quick meal together and relax after a long day.
Snack
Just eat as a snack! Pair this cheese up with some fruit, crackers, or just eat as is! This is the perfect cheese to be passed around as an hors d oeuvre before appetizers roll out!
Best Vegan Cheddar Cheese Recipe FAQs
Can I replace the cashews in this recipe?
Yes, you can, you can replace them with sunflower seeds just make sure you replace the cashews by weight. This way you make sure you get similar results.
What can I do to replace the Agar Agar?
There is another food additive called kappa carrageenan. I will say that this has just as much, if not more, controversy attached to it as Agar Agar. I would go with Agar Agar because I know the recipe works with it.
Does the vegan cheddar cheese melt?
This cheese does melt. Although, it wont melt in the sense of a traditional cheese. It, more or less, spreads but never dissipates.
Is this vegan cheddar cheese healthy?
By comparison yes! Its hard to answer that question straight up because being healthy is a perspective. From my perspective, this best vegan cheddar cheese recipe is healthy.
How long does the vegan cheddar cheese block last?
Store in the fridge for 5-7 days! That’s why the recipe is in smaller amounts. If you plan on having a large gathering, then double the recipe.
Can you freeze this vegan cheddar cheese block?
Yes, you can freeze this vegan cheddar cheese, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The texture changes when it gets that cold then thaws out.
Best Vegan Cheddar Cheese Recipe Tricks and Tips
Soak Your Cashews
You can get some extra creaminess out of your cashews by soaking them over night ( 6-8 hours) or you can boil water, then pour it over the cashews for 5 minutes.
Smoked Cheddar
If you want to get a smokey flavor from your cheddar cheese, then there are a few ingredients you can add to this recipe. Get some smokey flavor from smoked paprika. This will add a hit of smokiness and also give off a deeper orange color.
You can also use fire roasted red peppers. Whether you buy them in a can or do them yourself, this will give off a moderate smoke flavor, a very deep orange color, and will give off a pepper flavor as well.
High Powered Blender
Even if you soak the cashews overnight, you will still need a strong blender to puree this mixture smooth. It is also smart to start off blending on a low setting, then turn up to high. This way you don’t paint your walls and ceiling by accident.
Grease Your Cheese Mold
Do yourself a favor and grease the vessel you are molding your cheese in. Its almost impossible to get out of there clean if you don’t. This may be the most important tip here.
Agar Agar
Make sure you are using Agar Agar powder. If you have the flakes, then you will need to use 2-3 times more to get the same effect.
Fermenting
Try fermenting your best vegan cheddar cheese recipe and you will never go back. It’s delicious adding a natural funky flavor to your cheese making it similar to the real deal.
Equipment Needed
1 High Powered Blender
1 sauce pot
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
1 rubber spatula
1 glass or ceramic vessel
Pan spray
Best Vegan Cheddar Cheese Recipe
Yield: 20 Servings
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes
Ingredients
1 Tbsp Agar Agar
1 Cup Water
1 Tbsp Cornstarch
1 Cup Cashews, soaked
3 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
¼ Cup Refined Coconut Oil, melted
1 Tbsp White Vinegar
1 tsp Paprika
½ tsp Garlic powder
½ tsp Onion Powder
½ tsp Turmeric
½ tsp Salt
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pot, combine water and Agar Agar powder and bring to a boil. While the water is coming to a boil, lightly grease your glass or ceramic vessel with pan spray. Stir the water until the Agar has completely dissolved.
- Combine the rest of the ingredients in the high-powered blender. Once the liquid has boiled and agar is dissolved, pour into the blender. Blend immediately.
- Once the puree is smooth, stop blending. Using the rubber spatula, quickly transfer the puree to the greased mold you are using. Use the rubber spatula to smooth out the top of the cheese.
- Place in the fridge and cool for 2-3 hours. Be sure to let the vegan cheddar block cool completely before removing from the mold.