Bushra Griffith
Almond cheese is a vegan cheese substitute that is easy to make and can be used in a variety of ways. It is made with raw almonds, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and water. The process involves soaking and blending the ingredients, and then straining and refrigerating the mixture to achieve a firmer texture. Almond cheese has a creamy, slightly tangy flavor and can be spread on toast, sandwiches, or crackers, used as a dip, or stuffed into ravioli or layered in lasagna. While it doesn't taste exactly like cheese, it is a tasty alternative for those who don't eat dairy. For those seeking substitutes for almond cheese, there are a few options to consider, including cashew cheese and other nut-based alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Raw almonds, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, water, crushed nuts, almond flour, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, sea salt, onion powder, turmeric, plant milk, dill, paprika, thyme, oregano, black, white and cayenne peppers |
| Preparation | Soak the almonds in cold water for 24 hours, drain and rinse, blend with other ingredients, bake |
| Texture | Creamy, slightly tangy, rich, smooth, thick, textured |
| Taste | Does not taste like cheese |
| Use | Spread on toast, sandwiches, crackers, charcuterie boards, stuffing for ravioli, layered in lasagna, sprinkled on pasta, salads, pizza |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to two weeks, store in an airtight container |
| Time | Preparation time is 5 minutes, baking time is 30-40 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Almond cheese ingredients
Almond cheese is a vegan substitute for dairy cheese. It is made using a few simple ingredients and can be made in minutes. The basic ingredients for almond cheese are:
- Blanched Almonds or Almond Flour: Blanched almonds are almonds that have been briefly boiled to remove their skins. The almond flour used should be finely ground for a smoother cheese. Almond flour can be substituted with another finely ground nut- or seed-based flour, such as hazelnut, pecan, cashew, or coconut flour.
- Water: Water is used to moisten the almond flour and achieve the desired consistency.
- Acid: Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar is added for acidity and tang, similar to dairy cheese.
- Oil: Refined coconut oil is used to hold the cheese together when refrigerated. Other oils such as olive oil or sunflower oil can also be used.
- Salt: Fine sea salt or kosher salt is added for flavour.
Additionally, almond cheese can be flavoured with nutritional yeast, garlic, onion powder, herbs, and spices. For a creamier and softer cheese, cashews can be added in place of some almonds.
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Almond cheese recipes
Almond cheese is a great substitute for dairy cheese, especially for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan. It can be used as a spread, crumbled on salads, stuffed in sandwiches, or even as a topping for pizzas and pasta.
Basic Almond Cheese
This 4-ingredient recipe for vegan Basic Almond Cheese is simple and easy to make. It can be enjoyed as is or crumbled on salads, pasta, or pizza. The recipe is adapted from the Vegetarian Times recipe and has a creamy texture and tangy taste.
Ingredients:
- 160g or 5.5 oz unroasted, blanched almonds, soaked for 6 hours or more
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Salt
- Water
Directions:
- Soak the almonds in water for 6 hours or overnight.
- Drain and put the almonds into a blender with the remaining ingredients.
- Blend on high until the almonds become as smooth as possible.
- Depending on your blender, this may take a few minutes.
- You can also add minced herbs like parsley, dill, rosemary, or thyme for extra flavor.
Creamy Vegan Almond Cheese
This almond cheese recipe is creamy, versatile, and spreadable. It blends up quickly and can be used in a variety of ways, such as on toast, in ravioli, or as a dip.
Ingredients:
- Soaked almonds
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Salt
- Water
- Lemon juice
Directions:
- Place the soaked almonds, olive oil, garlic, salt, and water in a blender or food processor.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as you go.
- Add more water if needed.
- Add lemon juice and blend again.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- For a thicker cheese, start with less water and add more as needed.
Garlic Herb Vegan Almond Cheese Spread
This almond cheese spread is bursting with flavor and is very versatile. It can be used as a dip, spread on crackers or sandwiches, or as a topping for veggies.
Ingredients:
- Raw almonds
- Water
- Lemon juice
- Nutritional yeast
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Chopped herbs (such as parsley, chives, or dill)
Directions:
- Soak the raw almonds in water for 24 hours.
- Drain and rinse the almonds.
- Place the soaked almonds and the remaining ingredients (except for the chopped herbs) into a high-speed blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Empty the mixture into a bowl and add the chopped herbs.
- Mix until everything is combined.
- Refrigerate for a few hours to develop the flavor.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Almond cheese is a delicious and healthy alternative to dairy cheese, and with these recipes, you can easily make it at home. Enjoy experimenting with the different flavors and textures to find your favorite!
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Almond cheese preparation
Almond cheese is a great substitute for dairy cheese, offering a creamy, slightly tangy, and flavourful experience. It can be used in a variety of ways, such as on charcuterie boards, stuffed into ravioli, layered in lasagna, or simply spread on toast or sandwiches.
Ingredients:
- Raw almonds (blanched or unblanched)
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil or refined coconut oil
- Salt
- Water
- Optional: crushed nuts of your choice for coating the cheese
Preparation:
- Soak the blanched almonds in cold water for 24 hours. If using unblanched almonds, you can briefly boil them to remove the skins for a smoother texture and lighter colour.
- Drain and rinse the almonds.
- Place the almonds in a food processor or high-powered blender.
- Add lemon juice, olive oil or coconut oil, salt, and water to the blender.
- Blend the mixture until smooth, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a double-layered cheesecloth lining a colander. Gather the cheesecloth around the mixture and secure it with a rubber band or string.
- Gently squeeze the bundle to remove excess liquid.
- Place the bundle in the refrigerator overnight over a bowl or plate to catch any remaining liquid.
- Carefully remove the cheesecloth from the almond "cheese." The cheese will have a cookie dough-like consistency and can be eaten immediately as a spread.
- For a firmer cheese, shape the mixture into a round, about 3/4-inch thick, and refrigerate for 12 hours.
- Bake the cheese at 300°F for 30 to 40 minutes. The top will be dry and slightly firm, while the inside remains creamy.
- For added flavour, season the cheese with fresh garlic, herbs, or spices. You can also drizzle olive oil and fresh herbs over the baked cheese.
- The almond cheese will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Alternatively, you can prepare almond cheese using almond flour, which is a quicker method that does not require soaking or grinding almonds.
Ingredients:
- Blanched almond flour
- Water
- Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- Refined coconut oil
- Nutritional yeast
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Dried herbs (optional)
Preparation:
- Heat water, coconut oil, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, garlic powder, and dried herbs (if desired) in a saucepan until it begins to boil.
- Turn off the heat and add the almond flour, stirring well until a stiff dough forms.
- Place the dough in a small bowl or form it into a ball and wrap it in parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours to set.
- Optionally, roll the cheese ball in crushed nuts of your choice after it has set.
- This almond cheese can be used as a spread or grated over dishes.
Almond cheese is a versatile and tasty alternative to dairy cheese, offering a range of preparation methods to suit different preferences and time constraints.
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Almond cheese substitutes
Almond cheese is a vegan substitute for cheese that can be used in a variety of ways, including as a spread, crumbled on salads, pasta, or pizza, or melted on a sandwich. It is made with simple ingredients and can be made in just a few minutes.
To make almond cheese, raw almonds are soaked in cold water for 24 hours and then blended with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and water. The mixture is then strained through a cheesecloth and refrigerated overnight to set. The final product is a creamy, slightly tangy, and rich cheese that can be flavoured with fresh herbs, spices, or nutritional yeast.
For those who do not have access to a food processor or blender, almond flour can be used instead of almonds. This flour is made by blanching and grinding almonds into a fine powder. Water is then added to moisten the flour and achieve the correct consistency. Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar is added for acidity, and refined coconut oil is used to hold the cheese together when refrigerated. This method can be used to make a soft spreadable cheese or a firmer cheese that can be grated, similar to Parmesan.
Some variations to the recipe include substituting cashews for some or all of the almonds, which will result in a creamier, softer cheese. Additionally, different herbs and spices can be added to create unique flavours, such as a spicy cheese made with paprika, garlic, thyme, oregano, and pepper.
Almond cheese is a versatile and tasty substitute for those who do not consume dairy or are looking for a healthier option. It can be easily made at home with minimal ingredients and equipment, making it a convenient and inexpensive choice.
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Almond cheese reviews
Almond cheese is a great substitute for dairy cheese, especially for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan. It is made with raw almonds, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and water. The cheese can be made at home or bought from specialty stores. Here are some reviews of almond cheese:
Lisanatti Foods' Almond Cheddar Shreds
Lisanatti Foods offers almond cheddar shreds that are a tasty and healthy vegetarian cheese substitute. Reviews for this product are generally positive, with one customer saying that they have been buying the product for over 10 years and that it is the best "veggie cheese" on the market. Another customer praised the company's customer service and the high quality of their products. Lisanatti's almond cheese is also available on Amazon, where customers have praised its low-calorie content and great taste.
Cheese Brothers' Swiss Almond Cheese Spread
Cheese Brothers offers a Swiss almond cheese spread that is described as having a creamy texture and nutty flavor. This spread is an artisan cheese produced in Wisconsin and can be paired with crackers, honey, and cured meats. Reviews for this product are positive, with customers praising the flavor and fast delivery.
Nush Natural Almond Vegan Cheese Spread
Nush Natural offers an almond cheese spread that is thick, creamy, and can be enjoyed on its own or mixed into hot dishes. The cheese has a white, creamy appearance and a slightly salty, nutty, and milky smell. Reviews for this product are positive, with one customer saying that it is "thoroughly recommended".
Homemade Almond Cheese
Some people also choose to make their own almond cheese at home. A popular recipe from Lands & Flavors uses only four ingredients and can be enjoyed as-is or crumbled on salads, pasta, or pizza. Reviews for this recipe are positive, with one person saying that the "cheese" looks and tastes just like regular cheese. Another person asked if almond pulp could be used in the recipe instead of whole almonds, to which the recipe creator responded that it would work but the end product might be less creamy and more grainy.
Overall, almond cheese is a well-received alternative to dairy cheese, with positive reviews across various products and recipes.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no single best substitute for almond cheese, as the best option depends on individual preferences and dietary restrictions. However, some popular alternatives include cashew cheese, other nut-based cheeses, and seed-based cheeses.
Almond cheese can be used in a variety of recipes, such as stuffed ravioli, layered lasagna, and sandwiches. It can also be served on a charcuterie board with vegetables and toasted bread or used as a dip for veggies and crackers.
Almond cheese can be purchased at select health food stores and specialty grocers. It may also be available at certain big-box stores, like Costco.
To make almond cheese at home, you will need raw almonds, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and water. The process involves soaking and blending the almonds, and then straining and refrigerating the mixture to form a solid "cheese." This basic recipe can be modified with additional ingredients, such as nutritional yeast, herbs, and spices, to create different flavors and textures.
