Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese Alternative Recipe (2024)

This simple, beloved dairy-free Parmesan recipe is a grated-style cheese alternative that is perfect for sprinkling on salads and entrees, and even makes a delicious addition to breading and coatings. It was originally shared here on Go Dairy Free way back in 2006. Since then, I’ve made countless versions of it in my kitchen. So today, I’m giving this recipe post a big update, with more helpful tips and options.

Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese Alternative Recipe (1)

Make this Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese Alternative in Minutes!

This dairy-free parmesan substitute recipe is not only fast and easy, it’s also incredibly versatile. I’ve included several of my own tested options in the FAQs below. But don’t be afraid to play around with the base ingredients, ratios, and add-ins on your own!

Can I Use Different Nuts?

We’ve tested quite a few nuts in this basic dairy-free parmesan substitute, and several work well. In fact, you can use a single nut or a mix of nuts. It’s really a matter of taste. My two favorites are pine nuts or a 50/50 blend of walnuts and cashews. In the latter, the walnuts add a deep, savory quality that offsets the natural sweetness of the cashews. In general, almonds, cashews, walnuts, pine nuts, and macadamia nuts are great options for this recipe. They each have a consistency and taste that tends to meld well into cheesy flavors. And aside from the almonds, none of them need to be blanched or peeled!

Will Roasted Nuts Work?

I prefer raw nuts in this dairy-free parmesan substitute, but roasted will also work! The nutty taste will be a bit deeper, and possibly more pronounced.

I only have Salted Nuts, are Those Okay?

Yes, just omit the salt in the recipe during the initial blend. Once your mixture is “grated,” taste, and blend in salt to taste.

Do You Have a Nut-free Dairy-Free Parmesan Option?

Yes! In my flagship book,Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook, I share my dairy-free nut-free parmesan substitute, called “sunflower grated parma.” To make it, simply substitute sunflower seed kernels for the almonds in this recipe. I also like to increase the salt to 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons, to taste, because seeds have a stronger taste. You can also use part shelled hemp seeds (hemp hearts), if you like. Again, the seedy taste is more pronounced, but it’s still a nice garnish.

Can I Use Less Nutritional Yeast?

Yes! This is a very easy recipe to modify. I often use just 1/2 cup nutritional yeast to the 1 cup of nuts, but I also bump the salt up to 3/4 teaspoon. I like the salty aspect of cheese most! The nutritional yeast provides more of that cheesy umami. It’s actually used quite a bit in cheddar-style seasonings.

Is there a Substitute for the Nutritional Yeast?

Not in this particular recipe. There are only three ingredients, and the nutritional yeast is a key component for the cheesiness.

Are there Any Flavor Add Ins that You Recommend?

I thought you would never ask. Sometimes, I like to add a little onion powder and/or garlic powder to this recipe for more depth in flavor. I don’t have a specific amount, but would start with 1/4 teaspoon and see what you think! They will give this dairy-free parmesan a different, but delicious taste.

How Can I Make a Smaller Batch?

For small households, or if you don’t have any larger appliances, reduce the ingredients to 1/4 cup nuts, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Grind the ingredients together in a spice or coffee grinder.

Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese Alternative Recipe (2)

Special Diet Notes: Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, soy-free, plant-based, vegetarian, paleo, and might suit some keto diets. It is added sugar-free. See the post above for my nut-free option.

4.7 from 3 reviews

Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese Alternative

Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese Alternative Recipe (3)

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These parmesan style sprinkles add wonderful savory flavor to pastas, salads, breads, casseroles, and other entrees. See the post above for more options!

Author: Adapted from Joanne Stepaniak

Recipe type: Dairy Alternative

Cuisine: Italian

Serves: 16 servings (about 3 cups)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup nutritional yeast flakes
  • 1 cup almonds, preferably blanched (see note below)
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

Instructions

  1. If blanched and peeled your own almonds, pat the almonds dry to remove excess moisture.
  2. Place the almonds, nutritional yeast, and sea salt in your blender or food processor, and blend into a fine meal.
  3. Sprinkle it on your meal as a garnish, or use it in recipes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for optimal freshness, for up to 1 month. It can be frozen for longer.

Notes

Blanching Almonds: Soak raw unsalted almonds in boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain and let cools slightly. Rub the almonds between your fingers, and the skins should pop off easily.

Nutrition Information

Serving size:about 3 tablespoons Calories:50 Fat:3.2g Saturated fat:.2g Carbohydrates:2.6g Sugar:.3g Sodium:60mg Fiber:1.6g Protein:3.3g

For More Dairy-Free Recipes, Get Go Dairy Free!

Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese Alternative Recipe (4)

Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese Alternative Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a good non dairy substitute for Parmesan cheese? ›

This super simple dairy-free parmesan contains only 3 base ingredients, being cashews, nutritional yeast and salt. I've then added garlic or onion powder (both are great) and white pepper to the mix, which really rounds out the flavour giving a much more authentic cheesiness.

What Parmesan cheese is dairy free? ›

Parmigiano Reggiano does not contain lactose or galactose. Its absence is a natural consequence of the typical process used to obtain Parmigiano Reggiano, and it is the result of the long ageing process.

What can you substitute for Parmesan cheese in a recipe? ›

The Best Parmesan Cheese Substitutes – Dairy
  • Pecorino. Pecorino is very similar in style to parmesan but it's made from sheeps milk and had a sharper, more acidic flavour. ...
  • Halloumi. ...
  • Feta. ...
  • Goats Cheese. ...
  • Cheddar. ...
  • Ricotta Salata. ...
  • Gruyère Cheese. ...
  • Comté Cheese.

What is vegan Parmesan made of? ›

Vegan parmesan is made from a mixture of nuts and seeds, nutritional yeast, a couple pantry spices, salt, and pepper. I like to use a particular mixture of nuts and seeds, my favourite combination being: raw walnuts, sliced almonds, and hemp seeds.

What cheese is the best substitute for Parmesan? ›

Asiago cheese, especially aged Asiago, is a great melting cheese and makes a good Parmesan substitute for classic Italian-American dishes. It's got a nice bite and toasty woodsiness, and those flavors get sharper the longer Asiago ages. This cow's milk cheese is widely available and reasonably priced.

Can dairy-free people have Parmesan? ›

But here's the good news: there are some dairy foods that have very little or no lactose at all. Hard cheeses like cheddar and Parmesan, as well as matured cheeses like brie, camembert, and feta contain almost zero lactose because of how they're made.

Can you buy vegan Parmesan cheese? ›

- A vegan parmesan cheese alternative, packed with irresistible Italian flavours. Although they can't label it as traditional parmesan, they don't have to! It adds a cheesy flair to any dish and its tiny umami-packed grains will leave you craving more. For the finishing touch on your freshly baked pizza.

Can you buy vegan Parmesan? ›

GO VEGGIE Vegan Soy Free Parmesan Grated Topping

If you prefer soy-free vegan cheese, this one's for you. GO Veggie! #Dairyfree Grated Parmesan topping. It's like fairy dust for your picnic!

Do they make lactose free Parmesan cheese? ›

Enhance the flavour of your dishes with the hard, crumbly texture and fruity taste of Riviera lactose free parmesan.

How do you mimic the taste of Parmesan cheese? ›

Walnuts - a small percentage of vegan parmesan recipes use walnuts. They contain a lot of tannins, which produce an astringent chalky taste that mimics a good parmesan.

What is the Greek alternative to Parmesan cheese? ›

Kefalotyri. Kefalotyri is a Greek cheese that is very similar to Parmesan, and it's made with both sheep milk and cow milk. Kefalotyri has a sharp flavor with a hint of salt. The sharp flavor comes from being aged for three months, and it's quite possibly one of the most popular Greek cheeses.

What can I substitute for Parmesan cheese in meatballs? ›

I use imported Romano cheese for almost every recipe that calls for parmesan. Romano, to my taste, less salty and more flavorful than parmesan … and for the Italian-imported cheeses, the real bargain is the Romano.

Is there a vegan cheese that tastes like parmesan? ›

Violife Just Like Parmesan packs all the rich, nutty Parmesan flavor you love in a convenient block that is ready for you to grate with abandon. Pile high our Just Like Parmesan and never say “no” to grated parm again. Who knew 100% dairy-free and vegan could taste so good?

What are the ingredients in Daiya parmesan cheese? ›

Daiya Oat Cream Blend (Water, Oat Flour, Pea Protein, Cultures, Enzymes), Coconut Oil, Tapioca Starch, Expeller Pressed Safflower Oil, Corn Starch, Salt, Less than 2 Percent of: Konjac Flour, Yeast Extract, Dextrose, Tricalcium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Natural Flavors.

Are there any dairy-free cheeses? ›

Parmela Shreds

Most dairy-free cheeses are made from nuts. It works great with firm and creamy cheese, but how do you get a nut to melt? Parmela nailed it (don't ask us how). These cashew-based shreds not only taste like cheese, but they also melt perfectly.

What is a good non dairy cheese substitute? ›

Nut-Based Vegan Cheeses: Cashew, almond, and macadamia nut-based cheeses are common. They can be spreadable or used for grating and melting. Soy-Based Vegan Cheeses: Soy-based cheeses come in various forms, including slices, shreds, and blocks. They are often used as a direct substitute for dairy cheese in recipes.

Is there a non dairy substitute for cheese? ›

Work with tofu

Of all the things you need to know about tofu, the most relevant to our purposes here is that tofu is curdled soy milk. So, it makes perfect sense that it's a great dairy-free alternative to cheese. In fact, you might even call it the original vegan cheese.

What is a dairy intolerance substitute for cheese? ›

American cheese, cream cheese, and cottage cheese are also low in lactose. You can use hemp, rice, reduced lactose, lactose-free, or soy cheese in recipes to replace cheese. There is a wide variety of diary-free ice creams and frozen yogurts made from soy, rice, hemp, coconut, and lactose-free milks.

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