Kamil Perry
Vegan cheese is a great alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or have adopted a plant-based diet. However, it does not contain casein, a milk protein that contributes to the melting, stretching, and bubbling properties of dairy cheese. This means that there are some tricks to getting vegan cheese to melt. For example, when melting vegan cheese in an oven, it is important to ensure the oven temperature is high enough, as the cheese can dry out and fail to melt if the temperature is too low. Microwaving the cheese before moving it to the oven can also help to jump-start the melting process. Covering the cheese while baking can also help to achieve a glossier melt.
Characteristics and their values to melt vegan cheese in the oven:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 430°F/220°C for pizza |
| 350°F/175°C for casseroles | |
| Use foil | Yes |
| Use sauce | Yes, for pizza |
| Use oil | Yes, for pizza |
| Use steam | Yes, for enchiladas |
| Use microwave | Yes, for 20 seconds |
| Use pre-melted cheese | Yes, for casseroles |
| Use cheese slices | Yes, for grilled sandwiches |
| Use cheese shreds | Yes, for sauces |
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What You'll Learn
Use the microwave first
Using the microwave first is a great way to jump-start the melting process for vegan cheese. This method is especially useful if you're aiming for a gooey, stretchy melt that resembles dairy cheese. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Prepare the Vegan Cheese
Start by selecting the right type of vegan cheese. Some brands are known for their excellent melting qualities. For instance, Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda is a great choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, while Violife offers a range of shredded vegan cheeses that melt smoothly. It's also recommended to shred the cheese block yourself at home, as pre-shredded cheeses may contain starches that hinder melting. Finely shredding the vegan cheese can enhance its melting properties, resulting in a texture closer to melted dairy cheese.
Microwave the Vegan Cheese
Place your finely shredded vegan cheese in a microwave-safe bowl. If you're using the cheese for a dish like pizza, you can add some ingredients first. For example, Vevan recommends stacking on the ingredients, such as pizza toppings, before microwaving. You can also add a little sauce or oil to the cheese to aid in melting.
Microwave the bowl on high power for 20 to 30 seconds. Then, remove it from the microwave and give it a good stir. Continue heating in short bursts of 15 to 20 seconds, stirring after each interval, until the cheese is mostly melted and smooth.
Finish in the Oven or on the Stovetop
Once you've achieved a mostly smooth melt in the microwave, you can transfer your dish to the oven or stovetop to finish melting and browning the cheese. This two-step approach ensures that your vegan cheese melts evenly and effectively.
For example, if you're making a grilled cheese sandwich, you can brush the bread with butter and toast it golden brown in a skillet after microwaving the cheese. Alternatively, if you're making pizza, you can scatter the melted cheese over your pie and return it to the oven to finish melting.
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Avoid pre-shredded cheese
When it comes to melting vegan cheese in the oven, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the best results. One important consideration is to avoid using pre-shredded vegan cheese. While the convenience of pre-shredded cheese is tempting, it's important to know that it might not yield the desired melted consistency.
Pre-shredded vegan cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents or other additives to prevent the shreds from clumping together in the packaging. These additives can affect the melting properties of the cheese, making it less likely to melt smoothly and evenly. The shreds may also be drier due to the processing and packaging methods, which can further hinder their melting ability.
Additionally, the quality and freshness of pre-shredded cheese can be questionable. The shreds may have been sitting on store shelves or in warehouses for an extended period, losing flavour and texture along the way. The ingredients used in pre-shredded cheese may also be of a lower grade, which can impact the overall taste and melt factor.
By opting for a block of vegan cheese and shredding it yourself, you have more control over the quality and freshness of the product. Freshly shredded cheese is more likely to melt properly and retain its flavour. It's worth the extra effort to ensure your oven-baked vegan cheese dishes turn out delicious and satisfying.
Furthermore, shredding your own cheese allows for customisation. You can choose the type of vegan cheese you prefer, whether it's a creamy mozzarella-style or a sharp cheddar-style, and shred it to your desired thickness. This flexibility ensures that your melted cheese creation aligns perfectly with your taste preferences and culinary vision. So, take the extra step to shred your own cheese—your taste buds will thank you!
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Use oil or sauce
Using oil or sauce is an effective way to melt vegan cheese in the oven. It is worth noting that vegan cheese does not contain casein, a milk protein that contributes to the melting properties of dairy cheese, so it behaves differently.
To melt vegan cheese in the oven, you can add a small amount of sauce or oil on top of the cheese. This can be done by drizzling the sauce or oil over the cheese or spreading it with a brush. You can also try spraying oil over the cheese using a special oil spray bottle. This method works well for pizza, as the oil or sauce helps to create a gooey, melted texture.
Another way to use oil to melt vegan cheese is to heat oil in a pan or skillet and then add the cheese. This method works well for sandwiches, as you can add the cheese to the sandwich before heating it in the pan, allowing the cheese to melt inside the sandwich. You can also add other ingredients, such as onions, to the pan to saute before adding the cheese.
If you are using a frying pan, you can add a spoonful or two of water to the side of the pan and cover it with a lid to create steam. This method works well for dishes like burritos, as the steam helps to melt the cheese without drying it out.
You can also melt vegan cheese by combining it with oil and other ingredients to create a cheese sauce. This method involves mixing the cheese with ingredients like nutritional yeast flakes, lemon juice, coconut milk, coconut oil, and tapioca flour to create a creamy and elastic sauce. You can adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding more liquid, and it can be used as a dip or drizzled over dishes like nachos or pizzas.
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Steam the cheese
Steam is an effective way to melt vegan cheese, especially commercial varieties without kappa carrageenan, a seaweed extract powder that helps vegan cheese melt at high temperatures. Here are some tips to achieve a perfect melt using steam:
Use a Steamer
If you have a steamer, you can place your vegan cheese in a heat-proof dish and steam it. Covering the dish with a lid will help trap the steam and ensure even melting.
Create a Steam Bath
If you don't have a steamer, you can create a steam bath by bringing a pot of water to a boil on the stove. Place a heat-proof dish with your vegan cheese in it on top of the pot, ensuring the water is simmering and creating steam. Again, cover the dish with a lid to trap the steam for even melting.
Steam on the Stovetop
Another option is to use a stovetop method. Place a frying pan on the stove and add a small amount of water, just enough to create steam. Place your dish of vegan cheese in the pan, cover with a lid, and let the steam melt the cheese. This method is especially useful if you're cooking other ingredients along with the cheese, such as in a stir-fry or skillet meal.
Use a Microwave
The microwave can also be used to steam-melt vegan cheese. Place the cheese in a microwave-safe bowl, add a small amount of water, and cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plate. Microwave in short intervals, stirring between each interval, until the cheese is melted.
Tips for Optimal Melting
For the best results when steaming vegan cheese, it's recommended to shred or grate the cheese finely rather than using pre-shredded varieties, as this improves melting properties. Additionally, using less cheese can help, as a little goes a long way, and excessive amounts can overwhelm the dish. Finally, covering the cheese while steaming can help trap the heat and moisture, promoting even melting.
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Use foil
Using foil is an effective way to melt vegan cheese in the oven. This technique is particularly useful for dishes like lasagna, pizza, or grilled cheese sandwiches, where you want the cheese to melt evenly and achieve that gooey, stretchy consistency.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use foil to melt vegan cheese in the oven:
- Preheat your oven to the appropriate temperature for your dish. The temperature will vary depending on what you're cooking. For example, if you're making a pizza, you'll want to heat the oven to around 430°F/220°C.
- Prepare your dish as you normally would, adding any desired toppings or fillings.
- Shred or slice the vegan cheese of your choice. Finely shredding the cheese can improve its melting properties. You can also use pre-shredded or sliced cheese, but avoid using excessive amounts as this can impede melting.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil. This step is crucial, as it helps trap heat and create a steaming effect, promoting even melting.
- Place the covered dish in the preheated oven.
- Bake for an appropriate amount of time, which will depend on your recipe. For casseroles, for example, you would bake it without the cheese for most of the cook time, adding the cheese for the final 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the foil for the last few minutes of baking to allow the cheese to brown slightly and achieve a crispy texture, if desired.
Using foil in the oven is a simple and effective way to ensure your vegan cheese melts evenly and achieves the desired consistency. Remember to adjust cooking times and temperatures according to your specific recipe and oven settings.
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Frequently asked questions
Place your casserole dish in the oven and bake it without the cheese for 90% of the bake time. For the last 5 to 10 minutes, remove the dish from the oven, drizzle the top with pre-melted cheese, and return it to the oven. This technique ensures that the cheese melts without burning or drying out.
The oven temperature should be high, around 430°F/220°C. This temperature is ideal for pizzas, as it allows the vegan cheese to melt nicely. For casseroles, a temperature of 350°F/175°C is usually too low to melt vegan cheese effectively.
Some vegan cheese brands are known for their meltability, such as Violife and Follow Your Heart. Shredding the cheese finely and avoiding pre-shredded types can also improve melting. Additionally, covering the dish while baking can help achieve a glossier melt with a better cheese pull.
Vegan cheese shreds work well when added to sauces, but they require vigorous whisking to melt properly. You can also melt shreds in the microwave by combining them with vegetable broth and nutritional yeast in a microwave-safe bowl.
