Bushra Griffith
Whether you're vegan, lactose intolerant, or just looking for a healthier option, there are plenty of alternatives to cheese for pizza. Some options include using a smaller quantity of full-fat cheese, vegan cheese, or no cheese at all. For those who are feeling adventurous, there are also a number of recipes for homemade cheese replacements, such as cashew cheese, hummus, or mayonnaise. If you're looking for a substitute that melts like cheese, some vegan cheese alternatives now melt similarly to regular cheese, and some even manage to replicate its taste.
Replacements for cheese on pizza
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegan cheese | Some melt like cheese, some taste like cheese, but few do both |
| Ricotta | Technically a cheese, but doesn't have the texture or taste of cheese |
| Egg | Whisked with a bit of salt and black pepper |
| No cheese | Focus on other toppings |
| Low-calorie cheese | Velveeta shreds |
| Dairy-free cheese | Vegusto No Muh Piquant, Greenvie Smoked Cheddar, Biocheese Haloumi style cheese, Cashew cheese, Homemade Mild Cheddar Alternative |
| Mayonnaise | Dollops around the edges of the pizza |
| Grated carrot and/or zucchini | Sprinkled with nutritional yeast |
| Hummus | Works as a spread |
| Sweet potato | Make a creamy sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Vegan cheese substitutes
There are several vegan cheese substitutes available in the market or that can be made at home.
One of the most popular substitutes for traditional cream cheese is cashew cream cheese. It is a creamy, luxurious spread that can easily replace its dairy counterpart. To make this, blend soaked cashews with lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and a pinch of salt. You can also use a cashew cream sauce in pastas, as a sour cream substitute, or to top your homemade vegan pizza.
Another option is to use store-bought vegan cream cheese, which can be found at most grocery and health food stores. This cheese tastes just like traditional cream cheese without the dairy, gluten, or cholesterol.
If you're looking for a more savory option, hummus and tahini can be excellent cheese replacers. They are creamy and savory and can be used as dips, spreads, or ingredients in recipes.
For those who want a melted cheese option, Daiya cheese is a popular vegan and gluten-free option that can be found in most grocery stores. It melts well and can be used on pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.
Additionally, some creative alternatives to cheese on pizza include using avocado, sweet potato, or eggplant dips and spreads. These options provide a creamy texture and can be seasoned to taste.
Finally, for those who don't mind a non-vegan option, eggs whisked with salt and pepper can be used as a substitute for cheese on pizza, providing a unique twist.
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Dairy-free cheese alternatives
Cashew Cheese
One of the easiest and tastiest options for a dairy-free cheese alternative is cashew cheese. It can be made by soaking two cups of cashews overnight, then draining and rinsing them. Next, blend them with water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and garlic salt. This mixture can be used as a spread or dip for crackers or vegetable sticks. It can also be dolloped on pizza, providing a creamy texture.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise can be used as a substitute for cheese on pizza. It can be spread around the edges of the pizza, pairing well with toppings like mushrooms and onions. It provides a different flavour and texture compared to cheese but can be a tasty alternative.
Vegan Cheese
There are many vegan cheese alternatives available on the market that melt and taste similar to regular cheese. Some products include Vegusto No Muh Piquant, Biocheese Halloumi-style cheese, and Greenvie Smoked Cheddar. These alternatives can be sliced or sprinkled on pizzas, providing a cheese-like texture and flavour.
Hummus
Hummus is a surprising alternative to cheese and can be used as a spread or topping on pizza. It provides a different flavour profile but can be a tasty and creamy option. It is also a good substitute for glueing toppings to the pizza base.
Sweet Potato Sauce
For those looking for a cheese sauce alternative, a creamy sweet potato sauce is a delicious option. It can be made by boiling and blending a medium sweet potato with carrots, onions, vegetable broth, white beans, and nutritional yeast flakes. This sauce is perfect for those who want a dairy-free, creamy, and cheesy flavour.
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Low-calorie cheese options
If you're looking for a low-calorie cheese option for your pizza, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can opt for reduced-fat or low-fat cheese varieties, such as low-fat mozzarella. These cheeses have a similar taste and melting properties to their full-fat counterparts but with fewer calories. You can also explore fat-free cheese options, but these may not have the same flavour or melting capabilities as regular cheese.
Another strategy is to use a combination of full-fat and fat-free cheese to strike a balance between taste and calorie content. Alternatively, you can simply reduce the overall amount of cheese on your pizza and focus more on other toppings. This approach can still result in a tasty pizza without sacrificing your calorie goals.
Some specific low-calorie cheese options to consider for your pizza include:
- Parmesan: With only 20 calories per tablespoon, Parmesan is a great option to enhance the flavour of your pizza. It's also high in protein, which helps you stay satisfied longer.
- Part-skim mozzarella: This variety of mozzarella has 70 calories per slice and is a good source of protein and calcium. It's a versatile option that can be used on pizzas or enjoyed as a snack.
- Camembert: With 85 calories per ounce, Camembert offers a similar soft texture to Brie but with a slightly stronger flavour. Its rich flavour allows you to use smaller portions, helping to reduce your calorie intake.
In addition to these cheese options, you can also boost the flavour of your pizza with low-calorie toppings like vegetables, lean proteins, and herbs. For example, onions, spinach, mushrooms, olives, fresh basil, and chicken breast are tasty, low-calorie additions that can make your pizza more nutritious and satisfying.
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Using other toppings to replace cheese
If you are looking for a replacement for cheese on your pizza, there are several options to choose from. Firstly, if you are happy to use a small amount of cheese, you could opt for a full-fat variety but use less of it, or cut it with a fat-free cheese. Alternatively, you could use a smaller quantity of a high-flavour cheese, such as Parmesan, sharp Provolone, or Manchego. These options will still give you that cheesy taste, but with less of the calories.
If you are looking for a dairy-free option, there are several vegan cheese substitutes on the market that melt like cheese, and some that even taste like cheese. You could try Vegusto No Muh Piquant, Biocheese Halloumi-style, or Greenvie Smoked Cheddar. These can be sprinkled on your pizza, just like regular cheese.
For a more natural option, you could try making your own cashew cheese. This is an easy and tasty option, and you can find several recipes online. Simply soak the cashews, then blend them with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and garlic salt. This option is great if you want a dollop of cheese on your pizza, or as a spread.
If you are happy to move away from cheese altogether, there are some creative alternatives. You could try grating carrot or zucchini and sprinkling it over your pizza, along with some nutritional yeast, for a colourful and pretty effect. Or, you could try a few dollops of mayonnaise around the edges of your pizza, which goes well with mushroom and onion toppings. Hummus is another option, which can be spread over your pizza base, or used in place of cheese in a quesadilla or panini.
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Homemade cheese replacements
There are several homemade cheese replacements that can be used on pizza. Firstly, cashew cheese is a popular option, as it is easy to make and can be used as a spread or dolloped on top of the pizza. To make it, soak two cups of cashews overnight, then drain, rinse, and blend with water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and garlic salt. Another option is to make your own cream cheese by blending whole milk, lemon juice, and salt. If you are looking for a dairy-free option, you can try making a creamy sweet potato sauce by boiling and blending sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, vegetable broth, white beans, and nutritional yeast flakes.
In addition to these recipes, there are some other creative substitutions for cheese on pizza. One idea is to use mayonnaise, which can be drizzled around the edges of the pizza and pairs well with mushroom and onion toppings. Grated carrot or zucchini can also be sprinkled on top of the pizza, adding colour and extra vegetables. For those who eat eggs, whisking an egg with salt and pepper can create a topping similar to an egg pizza. Finally, while not a homemade option, some store-bought vegan cheese substitutes melt and taste like regular cheese, providing a simple alternative to homemade cheese replacements.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many good replacements for cheese on pizza. If you are looking for a vegan alternative, Kite Hill Ricotta cheese is made with almond milk and has the same taste and texture as regular cheese. You can also make your own cashew cheese at home, which can be used as a spread or sauce for your pizza.
Teese cheddar vegan cheese is a great option for pizza as it becomes gooey when heated. You can also buy Vegusto No Muh Piquant or Mild, which are also good substitutes.
You can make your own cashew cheese at home, following recipes from Glenys or Hayley. You can also use mayonnaise, although this will alter the flavor.
You can use pesto, zucchini cheese, or Daiya cheese, which melts like regular cheese.
You can grate carrots or zucchini and sprinkle them over the pizza with some nutritional yeast to add color and extra vegetables. You can also use whisked egg with some salt and black pepper, although this will alter the flavor.
