Bushra Griffith
Vegan cheese is becoming increasingly popular as veganism continues to grow. However, one of the challenges of vegan cheese is that it doesn't always melt in the same way as dairy cheese. This is mainly because vegan cheese doesn't contain casein, a milk protein that gives dairy cheese its melting, stretching, and bubbling properties. While some vegan cheeses don't melt well, there are a number of brands that stand out for their meltability, such as Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda, Violife, and MozzaRisella. There are also specific cooking techniques that can help vegan cheese melt more effectively, such as shredding it finely, using low heat, and covering dishes with foil while baking. As the demand for vegan cheese grows, companies are working on creating milk proteins in labs to improve the melting capabilities of vegan cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melting ability | Most vegan cheese melts, but not all. Some brands are better than others. |
| Taste | Vegan cheese is getting closer to the taste of dairy cheese, but it's not there yet. |
| Texture | Vegan cheese doesn't have the same texture as dairy cheese when melted, but methods are being explored to improve this. |
| Best brands for melting | Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda, Violife, MozzaRisella, Field Roast Vegan Chao slices, Applewood Smoky Cheese Alternative |
| Best cooking methods | Stovetop stirring, oven baking with foil, microwaving, grilling, melting in a pan |
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What You'll Learn
The best vegan cheeses for melting
While vegan cheese has come a long way, it is still hard to replicate the stretch, melt, and flavor of dairy cheese. However, some vegan cheeses melt better than others.
One of the highest-rated vegan cheeses for melting is Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda, which scored 9.8 out of 10 in a vegan cheese discovery app. It is perfect for homemade pizzas or grilled cheese sandwiches. Another good option for grilled cheese is Daiya, which has the lowest amount of sodium (170 mg per slice) and also contains added Vitamin B12 and calcium. The omnivores in the taste test group believed that Daiya cheese could be served to a mixed crowd of vegans and meat-eaters, and everyone would enjoy it.
Violife is another good option for grilled cheese. Miyokos Creamery's Mozzarella, a cashew cheese, also melts amazingly in grilled cheese.
When melting vegan cheese, it is recommended to cook it at a lower temperature than regular cheese and keep a close eye on it.
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How to melt vegan cheese
Melting vegan cheese can be a little tricky due to the absence of casein, a milk protein that contributes to the melting, stretching, and bubbling properties of dairy cheese. However, with the right techniques and products, you can achieve that perfect melt. Here are some tips on how to melt vegan cheese:
Choosing the Right Cheese
Select a vegan cheese known for its excellent melting qualities. Some recommended brands include Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda, Violife (especially their Epic Mature Cheddar Flavour and shredded varieties), Applewood Smoky Cheese Alternative, and MozzaRisella. These cheeses are often praised for their meltability and work well in dishes like grilled cheese sandwiches and pizzas.
Grate or Shred the Cheese
Finely grate or shred the vegan cheese yourself instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses may contain starches that hinder melting. By grating it yourself, you increase the surface area, allowing the cheese to melt more easily and evenly.
Add Some Oil or Plant-Based Milk
When melting vegan cheese, consider adding a small amount of oil, such as canola oil, to the mix. This can help lower the melting point and promote melting. Alternatively, you can add a splash of plant-based milk to create a cheese sauce that melts more smoothly.
Temperature Control
Understanding temperature is crucial when melting vegan cheese. Unlike dairy cheese, vegan cheese requires lower temperatures and careful monitoring to prevent burning. Experiment with different temperature settings on your stovetop or oven to find the ideal range for your specific cheese.
Cooking Techniques
Explore various cooking techniques to find the best method for melting your vegan cheese. This can include stovetop stirring, oven baking with foil, or cautious microwaving. Each technique will impact the melting process, so it's worth trying out different approaches.
Steam
If you're struggling to melt your vegan cheese, consider using steam. Create a makeshift steamer by adding a tablespoon of water to a pan with a tight lid. The steam will help soften and melt the cheese, making it ideal for dishes like burritos or enchiladas.
Experiment with Recipes
Vegan cheese melting is also about discovering new favourite recipes. Try melting vegan cheese on pizzas, nachos, grilled cheese sandwiches, or even as a topping for homemade chips. Experimenting with different dishes will help you master the art of melting vegan cheese and create delicious, cheesy meals.
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Melting vegan cheese on toast
Once you've selected your cheese, you can prepare your toast. If you're using a toaster, simply toast your bread to your desired level and then transfer it to a plate. If you prefer your toast warm, you can cover it with a cloth or foil to retain the heat while you prepare the cheese. If you're using a grill or oven, you may want to toast your bread after adding the cheese, so the heat can help melt it.
To melt the cheese, there are a few methods you can use. You can place the cheese on the toast and put it under a grill, ensuring the heat is not too high to avoid burning. Alternatively, you can use an oven or toaster oven by placing the cheese-topped toast on a baking tray and baking it at a low temperature, around 100-120 degrees Celsius. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. For a glossier, stretchier melt, you can cover the toast with foil while baking. If you're short on time, a microwave can also do the trick, but be cautious as microwaves can sometimes cause uneven melting.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can try melting the cheese in a pan on the stovetop first and then pouring it over your toast. This method works well if you're making an open-faced cheese sandwich or if you want to add other toppings to your cheesy toast. Just be sure to use a low heat and keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
With these tips in mind, you can experiment with melting vegan cheese on toast and find the method that works best for you. Enjoy the creamy, dreamy, stretchy goodness of melted vegan cheese!
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Melting vegan cheese in the oven
When melting vegan cheese on pizzas, it is suggested to bake the pizza at a high temperature of around 430°F/220°C or 450°F/232°C. At this temperature, vegan cheese will melt smoothly and evenly. You can also turn on the broiler element to "low" for 2-3 minutes while the pizza is baking to improve the melting. If you're looking for a cheese that melts well on pizza, Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda, Violife, and MozzaRisella are all excellent choices.
For casseroles, melting vegan cheese can be a bit tricky as the oven temperature for casseroles, typically around 350°F/175°C, is not quite hot enough to melt vegan cheese evenly. To achieve the best melt, bake the casserole for 90% of the total bake time, then remove it from the oven and drizzle melted cheese on top. Return the casserole to the oven for the final 5-10 minutes of baking. This technique ensures that the cheese melts evenly without burning or drying out.
In addition to pizzas and casseroles, melting vegan cheese in the oven can also be done for nachos. Set your oven to a low temperature of around 100-120°C, and grate the vegan cheese as finely as possible over the nachos. This will allow the cheese to melt easily and spread evenly. You can also experiment with melting the cheese in a pan on low heat and then pouring it over the nachos.
It's important to note that not all vegan cheeses are created equal when it comes to melting. Some brands that stand out for their meltability include Violife, Follow Your Heart, MozzaRisella, and Miyokos Creamery. When melting vegan cheese in the oven, it's also crucial to use a lower heat than you would for dairy cheese and keep a close eye on it to avoid overcooking.
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Vegan cheese that doesn't melt well
While vegan cheese does melt, it is common for some varieties to not melt as well as others or take a long time to melt. The Whole Foods house brand vegan cheddar, for instance, has been known to not melt well.
The texture of vegan cheese is often the issue, with the casein protein in dairy cheese giving it a wonderful, creamy, stretchy texture when melted. However, some vegan cheeses do melt well. The Follow Your Heart brand, for example, has been known to melt well, with its Smoked Gouda alternative scoring 9.8 out of 10 for how well it melts. This cheese is perfect for homemade pizzas or grilled cheese sandwiches. The Applewood Smoky Cheese Alternative is another good melter, receiving a 9.8 out of 10 rating in 2019.
Violife is another brand that melts well, with its Epic Mature Cheddar Flavour being one of the best-rated vegan cheeses for melting. It is a good option for those who like a stronger-tasting cheddar. The brand also works well in quesadillas and grilled cheese. Tesco's Jalapeno and Chilli vegan cheese, supplied by Sheese, is another good melter, receiving a 9 out of 10 rating.
Some general tips for melting vegan cheese include grating it as finely as possible and melting it at a lower temperature than dairy cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, most vegan cheese melts, although there are some that don't melt or don't melt well.
There are several ways to melt vegan cheese, including stovetop stirring, oven baking with foil, and microwaving. Grilling and steaming are also options.
Vegan cheese should be cooked at a lower temperature than dairy cheese. For an oven, this could be around 100-120 degrees Celsius.
Pre-shredded vegan cheese often contains starches to prevent the shreds from sticking together, which can make it harder to melt. Shredding block cheese yourself is generally better for melting.
Some highly rated melting vegan cheeses include Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda, Violife Epic Mature Cheddar Flavour, Applewood Smoky Cheese Alternative, and MozzaRisella.
