Kamil Perry
Dairy-free mozzarella cheese is a suitable option for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant. It is made from various plant-based ingredients, such as cashews, coconut, chickpeas, rice starch, and almonds. These cheeses aim to replicate the taste, texture, and melt of traditional mozzarella cheese while being free from dairy, soy, gluten, lactose, nuts, and artificial preservatives. Some popular brands offering dairy-free mozzarella include Violife, Follow Your Heart, Miyoko's Creamery, Daiya Foods, and Trader Joe's. These cheeses can be used in a variety of dishes, such as pizza, lasagna, Caprese salad, and bruschetta, providing a tasty and healthy alternative to dairy-based mozzarella.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Vegan, dairy-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, preservative-free, cholesterol-free |
| Texture | Gooey, sticky, stretchy, smooth, creamy, waxy, gluey, slimy, mushy |
| Taste | Cheddar-like, tangy, nutty, salty, buttery, sour cream-like |
| Smell | Weird, strong |
| Appearance | Shredded, liquid, melted, pourable, shredded, fresh blocks |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container or jar for up to 5-6 days |
| Use | Pizza, Caprese salad, pasta, quesadillas, salads, antipasto platter |
| Brands | Violife, Follow Your Heart, Miokos, Daiya, Whole Foods 365, Trader Joe's, Miyoko's Creamery, Moocho, Chao, Mykonos |
Explore related products
Cashew-based mozzarella
To make cashew-based mozzarella, cashews are soaked in hot water for 5 minutes to an hour, or even overnight, and then drained. The soaked cashews are then blended with the other ingredients until a smooth mixture is formed. This mixture is then poured into a saucepan and heated over medium heat. As the mixture cooks, it begins to clump together and form a stretchy, gooey, cheesy mass—just like regular mozzarella!
Gluten-Free Market Pantry Cheese: Is It Safe?
You may want to see also
Mozzarella shreds
Dairy-free mozzarella cheese is typically made from plants and is a healthier alternative to classic dairy milk cheese. It is lactose-free, gluten-free, and cholesterol-free. Some popular options for dairy-free mozzarella shreds include:
Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds
Violife's mozzarella shreds are 100% dairy-free and vegan. They are free from soy, gluten, lactose, nuts, and artificial preservatives. The shreds are perfect for pizza and pasta as they melt well.
Miyoko's Creamery
Miyoko's Creamery offers a pourable vegan mozzarella that can be poured directly onto pizza. It is made from cashew sauce and has a smooth and creamy texture. While it is popular with vegans and the dairy-free community, some people may not prefer its flavour.
Daiya Foods
Daiya offers dairy-free mozzarella-style shreds that can be used alone on a sourdough base or mixed with a looser cheese for flavour. The shreds have a nutty, buttery taste and look like low-mozzarella shreds. However, when cooked, the texture becomes gluey. Daiya has also launched a new formula made from oat milk, which has an improved melt and flavour.
Trader Joe's Cashew-Based Mozzarella
This option received a rating of 3/5. It is not very creamy and has a strange flavour and a unique smell.
Whole Foods 365 Brand
This mozzarella received a rating of 3/5. It does not melt well and is not creamy, but it has a good taste.
In addition to these options, there are other dairy-free mozzarella alternatives made from various bases, such as chickpeas, rice starch, and cashews.
Gluten-Free Diet: Is Pub Cheese Safe to Eat?
You may want to see also
Melting and texture
Dairy-free mozzarella cheese alternatives have improved and become more readily available in recent years. There are several options to choose from, including cashew cheese, chickpea cheese, rice starch cheese, and coconut-free options.
When it comes to melting and texture, some dairy-free mozzarella alternatives perform better than others. For example, Violife's Just Like Mozzarella Shreds is a popular option that melts great on pizza and pasta. It is free from dairy, soy, gluten, lactose, nuts, and artificial preservatives, making it a versatile option for various dietary restrictions. The texture of Violife's shreds has been crafted to mimic that of traditional mozzarella, providing that signature melty pull.
Another option is Miyoko's Creamery Vegan Pizza Mozzarella, which offers a unique pourable consistency. While some users appreciate its smooth and creamy texture, others find that it needs to be consumed while melting, as its plastic consistency can be off-putting when solidified. Miyoko's liquid mozzarella performs well in terms of melting and texture, especially when used on pizza.
Daiya Foods' updated oat milk formula also receives positive reviews for its melting capabilities and texture. It is considered a decent option for taste, texture, and melt, and is widely accessible. However, some users find that the cooked texture of Daiya's mozzarella-style shreds becomes gluey, which is less than ideal.
Trader Joe's cashew-based mozzarella receives mixed reviews. While it is not very creamy, it is favoured by some for its taste. On the other hand, it has a strange flavour and a unique smell that may be off-putting to some.
Whole Foods 365 brand mozzarella also receives criticism for its melting capabilities, as it does not change shape when heated. However, it is noted to have a good taste.
Ultimately, the melting and texture preferences for dairy-free mozzarella alternatives vary among individuals. While some prefer a gooey, sticky texture, others may find it too weird or inconsistent. The melting and texture characteristics of these alternatives can be influenced by their ingredients, preparation methods, and storage conditions, so it is essential to follow instructions and experiment with different options to find the most suitable choice.
Gluten-Free Diets: Is Stilton Cheese Safe to Eat?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Taste tests
Dairy-free mozzarella cheese has grown in popularity, and there are now several options available on the market. Many of these products are made from plants and are vegan-friendly.
Violife
Violife's Just Like Mozzarella Shreds are a popular option. They are dairy-free, vegan, and free from soy, gluten, lactose, nuts, and artificial preservatives. They are also kosher and non-GMO. Violife's shreds melt well and have a good flavor. One reviewer notes that the cheese has a "weird smell in the bag," but this doesn't affect the taste. Overall, Violife received a rating of 4.5/5.
Follow Your Heart
Follow Your Heart's dairy-free mozzarella received a rating of 4.5/5. One reviewer notes that it wasn't loved at first, but after giving it a second chance, it became a family favorite. The reviewer's son, who doesn't usually enjoy dairy-free pizza, agreed that it tasted "normal."
Miyoko's Creamery
Miyoko's Creamery offers a unique pourable vegan mozzarella. While some reviewers praise the product, others find the delivery method off-putting. Miyoko's pourable mozzarella received a rating of 4/5.
Daiya Foods
Daiya Foods offers a dairy-free mozzarella made with oat milk. This product received positive reviews for its improved melt, flavor, and accessibility. The new formula received a rating of 3.8/5.
Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's offers a cashew-based mozzarella, which received mixed reviews. Some found the flavor strange, while others liked the taste. This product received a rating of 3/5.
Whole Foods 365
Whole Foods 365 brand dairy-free mozzarella received a rating of 3/5. Reviewers noted that it had a terrible melt and was not creamy, but it had a good taste.
Homemade Cashew Mozzarella
Some people opt to make their own dairy-free mozzarella at home using cashews as a base. This option is cholesterol-free, oil-free, and gluten-free. Reviewers praise the taste, saying that it's "absolutely delicious" and that they "won't believe it's vegan."
Kraft Singles: Gluten-Free American Cheese?
You may want to see also
Lactose-free
Dairy-free mozzarella cheese is typically made from plants and is a healthier alternative to classic dairy milk cheese. It is lactose-free and made from a variety of bases, including cashews, coconut, almonds, and oats.
Whole Foods 365 brand also offers a lactose-free mozzarella that is Whole30 compatible, although it reportedly does not melt well and has a poor texture. Miyoko's Creamery offers a unique pourable lactose-free mozzarella made from cashews, which some reviewers rave about, while others find the delivery method off-putting. Daiya Foods offers a lactose-free mozzarella with an improved formula made from oat milk, which has better melt and flavour than their previous version.
In addition to these store-bought options, you can also make your own lactose-free mozzarella at home. One recipe calls for blending cashews with water, lemon juice, tapioca, nutritional yeast, and salt. The mixture is then boiled to form a sticky, stretchy ball of cheese, which can be shaped into large balls or small bocconcini bites and set in an ice bath. This homemade option is oil-free, gluten-free, and absolutely delicious, according to reviewers.
Wingstop's Cheese Sauce: Gluten-Free?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are several dairy-free alternatives to mozzarella cheese available, including those made from cashews, almonds, chickpeas, rice starch, and oats. Popular brands include Violife, Follow Your Heart, Daiya, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods 365, So Delicious, and Miokos.
Dairy-free mozzarella cheese can be purchased at various retailers, including Winco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's. Some brands, such as Violife, also offer a store locator on their website to help you find a local retailer.
The taste of dairy-free mozzarella cheeses can vary depending on the brand and the base ingredient used. Some people may find that dairy-free options have a stronger or milder flavor than traditional mozzarella cheese. It is worth trying a few different options to find the one that suits your taste preferences.
Yes, goat and sheep dairy products do not contain lactose, so you may be able to find mozzarella made from goat or sheep milk as a lactose-friendly alternative.
