With 5 ingredients (plus salt & pepper) and 5 minutes, you can make my version of VEGAN PARMESAN CHEESE. My recipe uses a combination of nuts, and the end result is a delicious “cheesy” spicy mixture that can be sprinkled on EVERYTHING.
TGIF! I don’t know about you, but it was hot as hell! I did everything in my power to keep cool, and that meant seeking refuge in air conditioned rooms (full blast please), and drinking a ton of iced tea. I’m a lifelong Californian, and I can’t remember experiencing a July this warm. If this isn’t an argument for global warming, I don’t know what is. Anyways, I hope you are keeping cool. I’m huddled under the a/c vent at home writing this post.
Enough whining – back to the food.
Although I knew for years, I knew that I had a sensitivity to dairy. I always felt horrible after eating ice cream or drinking milk, yet I couldn’t admit that this was a problem. I sound like an addict, don’t I? I only started eliminating dairy in earnest when my dermatologist prescribed eliminating dairy to reduce my rosacea flare-ups. He also suggested eliminating spicy foods, coffee and alcohol. Whoa, whoa, whoa! One step at a time. I’ll start with the dairy, thank you very much.
Although I won’t whine publicly about it, I really miss eating cheese. I won’t lie – I indulge occasionally, but then I need to live with the consequences of a rosacea breakout (and an unhappy tummy). I resisted trying non-dairy cheeses for the longest time, as I thought there didn’t hold a candle to the real thing. I was totally wrong!
This vegan parmesan cheese was the first homemade recipe I made. This non-dairy cheese skeptic was hooked. Even my dairy loving husband love it. Since my first try, I’ve tweaked the recipe with a variety of nuts, and found that the combination of brazil nuts and pepitas provide great texture and a nice neutral flavor. I also add a little cayenne and black pepper to keep things interesting.
Sprinkle this delicious “cheese” on everything – salads, roasted veggies, as a taco topping! Stay tuned for future recipes, where I show you how I use this in my recipes.
This hits all the notes for paleo, keto, gluten free and dairy free eaters. It is a no-no for Whole 30 as it is SWYPO.
VEGAN PARMESAN “CHEESE” | paleo, vegan
With 5 ingredients (plus salt & pepper) and 5 minutes, you can make this super delicious vegan parmesan cheese. Cheese loving, non-vegans will also love this cheese!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: condiment
Ingredients
½ c brazil nuts, chopped coarsely
½ c pepitas
¼ c nutritional yeast
1 tsp garlic granules
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp black pepper
¾ tsp sea salt
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a food processor.
Pulse 5-6 times until you get a grated parmesan texture. Note: do not overprocess, or you will end up with nut butter
Transfer to a jar with a lid to store.
Keywords: cheese, vegan, parmesan
Yum! This would add so much flavor to a salad. Looking forward to trying the recipe.
even though I don’t have a dairy sensitivity, I look for ways to cut back on it. This looks like a great alternative.
This is such a great Parmesan substitute! I like the ingredients and that it’s Whole 30 compliant. Do pepitas taste exactly the same as pumpkin seeds? Thanks!
Thank you! I’m dairy sensitive and this recipe was a godsend! Pepitas are pumpkins seeds. The mild flavor of pepitas are wonderful and lets the “cheezy”-ness of the nutritional yeast shine.
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I have yet to try nutritional yeast everyone raves about it on popcorn. Must try your recipe soon as I am looking for cheese substitutes for a recipe.
This vegan alternative sounds delicious, I’ve already printed out the recipe so I can make it this afternoon. Dairy free options for traditional fare is something I love to make.
It’s been hot over here too! And I try so many possible ways to stay away from my oven. Not easy but this parmesan cheese is so easy and looks good! I’m glad you mention about nutritional yeast because I’ve been learning to incorporate that.
This sounds so savory and nutty. I’ve got to try it!
It’s very cheesy and the nut flavor is actually pretty mild. I hope you enjoy making it!
I just love the seeds in this that flavor must really enhance this cheese how awesome to put on a pizza thanks for posting!
this is a great topper for pizza! I love sprinkling it over roasted veggies. I really does taste like cheese!
Making vegan parm is such an awesome idea! I’m always looking for great vegan alternatives to things I use every day!
It tastes good and is easy to make, so win-win! Enjoy!
Oh I am so glad I stumbled upon this recipe..just what I wanted!
So glad to be of help! 😉 I hope you like it!
This is such an interesting recipe. I’ve never made anything like it and it’s right up my husband’s alley. In fact he just bought a bag of nutritional yeast. 🙂
I hope your husband will enjoy. My cheese loving husband loves this!
I never knew you could do anything like this! I’m seriously impressed. Parmesan is one of my favorites! I have a vegan friend who would love it.
I was the biggest vegan cheese skeptic – now a total convert. Your vegan friend will love it!