Randy Chandler
Nacho cheese is a processed cheese product with a distinct flavour and texture. It is often used as a topping for nachos, hence the name. While it is made from cheese, it is not considered a real cheese variety. Nacho cheese does not have a technical definition, and each company that produces it has a different recipe. As a result, some nacho cheese products may contain dairy, while others may be dairy-free. For those with dairy intolerances or allergies, there are several dairy-free nacho cheese alternatives available, such as those offered by Daiya, Kite Hill, Wayfare, and Good Foods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dairy-free nacho cheese alternatives | Kite Hill, Wayfare, Good Foods, Daiya, Trader Joe's |
| Dairy-free ingredients | Nut and veggie base, green chilies, jalapeño peppers, cauliflower |
| Allergen-free | Milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame |
| Preparation | Ready-to-eat, pourable, can be heated |
| Taste | Spicy, salty, sweet |
| Texture | Creamy |
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What You'll Learn
Nacho cheese alternatives
While nacho cheese is made from cheese, it is not considered a "real cheese" as it has no technical definition. Each company that makes nacho cheese products uses a different recipe. If you are looking for dairy-free nacho cheese alternatives, there are several options available.
Daiya Cheese Sauce
Daiya's "nacho cheese" alternative comes in three shelf-stable pouches, easily covering a platter of nachos. It is pourable straight from the pouch, and heating is optional. Daiya's product is gluten-free, soy-free, and does not contain top allergens. However, some people may not tolerate it well due to the pea protein content.
Credo
Credo uses nuts and vegetables to craft natural dips with a creamier and smoother texture than other natural brands. They offer a Spicy Queso dip and a Mild Nacho flavor.
Good Foods
Good Foods offers dairy-free queso or nacho-inspired dips and sauces. Their products are crafted from nuts and vegetables, achieving a smooth texture.
Kite Hill
Kite Hill offers dairy-free queso or nacho-inspired dips and sauces.
Homemade Nacho Cheese
You can also make your own nacho cheese at home. One recipe includes boiled potatoes and carrots with nutritional yeast and oil, blended at high speed, and then mixed with salsa.
These alternatives provide options for those seeking dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, or soy-free choices while still enjoying the taste of nacho cheese.
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Dairy-free cheese recipes
Nacho cheese is not a real type of cheese, but rather a product made from cheese. It is typically used as a topping for tortilla chips, and other Mexican food. There are many dairy-free alternatives to nacho cheese available, as well as recipes to make your own.
If you want to make your own dairy-free cheese, there are several recipes available online. Here are some examples:
- Boil potatoes and carrots (sweet potatoes are preferred) and throw them into a blender with a little bit of the water used for boiling. Add nutritional yeast, cashews, and seasonings of your choice. You can also add dairy-free milk, such as oat or cashew milk.
- Soak cashews and blend them with seasonings to flavor. Wrap the mixture in cheesecloth to absorb the liquid, and then chill it. This recipe requires some planning, as it involves soaking cashews and chilling the cheese. However, the prep is simple and quick.
- Boil potatoes and carrots with brewer's yeast and oil, then blend them in a high-speed blender. Add salsa and blend again. A high-speed blender is essential to achieving the right texture.
- One person suggests substituting 1/3 of the cashews in a cashew-based cheese spread with soy natto, which dials up the cheesiness.
Dairy-Free Cheese Products
There are also several dairy-free cheese products available on the market, such as:
- Daiya's "nacho cheese" alternative, which comes in three shelf-stable pouches. It is pourable right from the pouch and can be heated or enjoyed cold.
- Kite Hill, Wayfare, and Good Foods also offer dairy-free queso or nacho-inspired dips and sauces.
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Dairy-free cheese brands
While nacho cheese is made from cheese, it is not a real kind of cheese. There is no technical definition for nacho cheese, and each company that makes a nacho cheese product has a different recipe.
If you are looking for dairy-free cheese brands, there are several options available. Here are some popular brands and their products:
Daiya
Daiya is a major brand in the dairy-free cheese scene. They offer a "nacho cheese" alternative that comes in three shelf-stable pouches. It is pourable right from the pouch, and heating is optional. Daiya cheese does a good job of replicating cheesiness, but some find that it lacks freshness due to its long shelf life.
Go Veggie
Go Veggie offers a range of dairy-free cheese products, including cheddar-style shreds made with modified potato starch. However, some reviewers find that it lacks the taste and spreadability of regular cheese.
Tofutti
Tofutti is known for its vegan cream cheese, but they also offer dairy-free American cheese slices made with palm oil, maltodextrin, and tofu. Some reviewers note that these slices do not melt well and have little flavour.
Babybel
Babybel, the brand known for its snacking cheeses in little red wax discs, released a plant-based version in 2022. These snacks are made with modified food starch, coconut oil, and calcium citrate, and are designed for snacking rather than melting.
Field Roast Chao Slices
These dairy-free cheese slices are available at Fresh Thyme and have a unique flavour that doesn't taste like any dairy cheese.
Violife
Violife offers a range of dairy-free cheese products, including smoked gouda rounds, smoked provolone slices, and mozzarella-style cheeze sticks. Their products can be enjoyed hot or cold, and coupons are often available.
Follow Your Heart
Follow Your Heart offers dairy-free feta cheese and slices that melt perfectly, making them ideal for sandwiches and mac and cheese.
Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's offers a variety of dairy-free cheese options, including shredded parmesan, feta, and cream cheeses.
Other brands worth mentioning include Boursin, which offers a dairy-free cheese that resembles Boursin in flavour and spreadability, and Credo, which offers an oat milk-based queso.
When choosing a dairy-free cheese, it's important to consider your preferences for taste, texture, and intended use. Some cheeses may be better for melting, while others are designed for snacking or spreading. Additionally, some products may contain allergens like soy, so always check the ingredients.
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Dairy-free cheese reviews
Nacho cheese is not a real kind of cheese, and there is no technical definition for it. However, it is made from cheese, and there are many dairy-free cheese options available.
Dairy-free cheese is traditionally made from plant-based ingredients meant to mimic the colour, flavour, and texture of dairy cheese. Ingredients vary based on the brand, with some vegan cheeses based on a blend of oils and starches and others created from plant-based milk like cashew, coconut, or oat milk.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese proved to be the hardest vegan cheese to nail, with comments like “gummy,” “impossible to spread,” “sour,” and “chemically." However, the best option out of seven sampled is made primarily of water, oil, and soy milk powder. It has a beige colour, creamy texture, and mild, slightly sweet flavour.
Slices
These slices are made with coconut and fermented tofu. They impressed the vegan cheese taste-testers with their soft and creamy texture and mild, slightly sweet flavour.
Shreds
So Delicious Dairy-Free Shreds are a popular option for plant-based cheese shreds.
Blocks
Violife's dairy-free wedge is a must-have for anyone who misses the fresh sprinkle of parmesan on pasta. It is gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free, and has a crumbly texture that feels like the real deal.
Queso
Cashew Queso from Siete is a great option for those who love nacho cheese for their tortilla chips. The cashews make it incredibly creamy, while nutritional yeast adds a delicious cheese-like flavour without the dairy.
Other popular dairy-free queso options include:
- Daiya cheese sauce
- Good Foods Plant Based Queso Style Dip
- Forager Queso Fresco
- Credo Cashew Queso
- Chao Plant-Based Queso
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Dairy-free cheese ingredients
Nacho cheese is not a real type of cheese, and it has no technical definition. Each company that makes a nacho cheese product has a different recipe. For example, Doritos uses cheddar and Romano cheeses, while Old El Paso uses cheddar and blue cheeses.
There are many dairy-free cheese options available, including some that are specifically designed to taste like nacho cheese. Some popular brands include Daiya, Kite Hill, Wayfare, and Good Foods. These products often use ingredients like potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, cashews, nutritional yeast, onion powder, salt, olive oil, and water. For example, Daiya's "nacho cheese" alternative comes in three shelf-stable pouches that can easily cover a platter of nachos. It's pourable right from the pouch, and heating is optional.
Some people prefer to make their own dairy-free cheese at home. One recipe includes boiled potatoes and carrots with brewer's yeast and oil, blended in a high-speed blender, and then mixed with salsa. Another recipe uses Yukon Gold and sweet potatoes, garlic, cashews, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, onion powder, salt, olive oil, and water. This recipe can be made spicy by adding chipotle pepper or pickled jalapeños, or smoky by adding smoked paprika.
It's important to note that some people may have adverse reactions to dairy-free cheese products, such as those containing pea protein. Additionally, while these products are dairy-free by ingredients, there is always a risk of cross-contamination with allergens.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several dairy-free nacho cheese options available. Some popular brands include Daiya, Kite Hill, Wayfare, and Good Foods. These products are made without dairy ingredients and are safe for those with dairy allergies or intolerances.
Dairy-free nacho cheese is typically made from a variety of ingredients, depending on the brand. Some common ingredients include vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and chilies, as well as plant-based proteins like pea protein or cashew.
Dairy-free nacho cheese can be purchased at various retailers, including Walmart, Kroger, and Sprouts. Some brands may also offer online purchasing and delivery. It's always a good idea to check the websites of specific brands for the most up-to-date information on availability and locations.
Yes, there are several recipes available online for making dairy-free nacho cheese at home. Some common ingredients used in these recipes include potatoes, carrots, nutritional yeast, and plant-based milk. Seasonings like cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and jalapenos can also be added to taste.
