Randy Chandler
Vegan pizza cheese is made from a variety of nuts, including cashews, almonds, and macadamias, or white beans for those with nut allergies. It can also be made from soy and vegetable oils, such as coconut oil, and a thickening agent, such as tapioca starch or arrowroot powder. Nutritional yeast is often added to give it a cheesy flavour. The result is a cheese that is very similar in taste, texture, and appearance to mozzarella.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cashews, white beans, almonds, macadamia nuts, vegetable oils (e.g. coconut oil), tapioca starch, arrowroot powder, yeast, salt, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, water, lemon juice |
| Texture | Stretchy, creamy, oozy |
| Taste | Creamy, delicious, cheesy |
| Health | A healthy alternative to non-vegan cheese, containing healthy fats but no cholesterol or rennet |
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What You'll Learn
Vegan pizza cheese is often made with cashews
To make vegan pizza cheese with cashews, you will need to soak raw cashews overnight (unless you have a high-speed blender). You will then need to blend the cashews with yeast, salt, tapioca, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is full of vitamin B12 and tastes cheesy, while garlic adds a savoury component to the cheese.
Some recipes also include lemon juice, which provides a little acidity to enhance the flavour of the ingredients. Other ingredients that can be added to vegan pizza cheese include vegetable oils, such as coconut oil, and a thickening agent, such as tapioca starch or arrowroot powder.
Vegan pizza cheese made with cashews is said to be very close to mozzarella in taste, texture, and appearance. It is also a healthy alternative to store-bought vegan cheese.
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Or macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are a popular choice for making vegan pizza cheese. They are blended with yeast, salt, tapioca, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast to create a stretchy, melty cheese that is similar to mozzarella in taste, texture, and appearance. This type of vegan cheese is a healthy alternative to store-bought vegan cheese, as it is oil-free and contains no cholesterol, rennet, or other gross ingredients found in cheese made from cow's milk.
Macadamia nuts are a good source of healthy fats, which contribute to the creamy texture and rich flavour of the cheese. They are also a good source of plant-based protein, which helps to create a satisfying and filling cheese experience.
When making vegan pizza cheese with macadamia nuts, it is important to soak the nuts overnight to soften them and create a creamy texture. This step can be skipped if you have a high-speed blender. The nuts are then blended with the other ingredients to create a smooth and stretchy cheese sauce that can be spread evenly over the pizza dough.
Macadamia nuts have a unique flavour that pairs well with other ingredients commonly found on pizzas, such as tomatoes, basil, and garlic. The nutty flavour of the cheese also complements the savoury and acidic notes of the pizza sauce and toppings. This type of vegan pizza cheese is a delicious and satisfying option for those following a plant-based diet or simply looking for a healthier alternative to traditional cheese.
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Or white beans
Vegan pizza cheese can be made from white beans. This is a great option for people with nut allergies, as it is free from cashews, almonds and macadamias, which are commonly used in vegan cheese.
To make vegan pizza cheese from white beans, you will need to soak the beans overnight. This will help to soften them and make them easier to blend. You can then blend the beans with other ingredients to create a creamy, cheesy sauce.
Some other ingredients you might like to include in your white bean pizza cheese are nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice and water. Nutritional yeast is full of vitamin B12 and has a naturally cheesy flavour. Garlic adds a savoury note to the cheese, while lemon juice provides a little acidity to enhance the flavour of the other ingredients. Water can be added to thin the mixture to your desired consistency.
You can also add other ingredients to change the flavour and texture of your white bean pizza cheese. For example, you could add apple cider vinegar, salt and tapioca to give the cheese a stretchy, mozzarella-like texture. Tapioca is a key ingredient in many vegan cheese recipes, as it gives the cheese its stretchiness.
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It can also be made with tapioca starch
Tapioca starch is a key ingredient in vegan pizza cheese, giving it its characteristic stretchiness. It can be made by blending softened cashews, yeast, salt, tapioca, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast. This recipe takes only 15 minutes to make and is a great alternative to store-bought vegan cheese.
Tapioca starch is a thickening agent, similar to arrowroot powder and cornstarch. It is made from the cassava root, which is native to South America and the Caribbean. Tapioca starch is often used in vegan cheese because it helps to create a stretchy, melty texture that is similar to traditional mozzarella.
When making vegan pizza cheese with tapioca starch, it is important to use softened cashews. This can be done by soaking raw cashews overnight, or by using a high-speed blender to soften them. The cashews provide a creamy texture and a whole foods option for making vegan cheese.
In addition to tapioca starch, other ingredients commonly used in vegan pizza cheese include nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, and water. Nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavour and is a good source of vitamin B12. Garlic adds a savoury component, while lemon juice enhances the flavour of the other ingredients. Water is used to thin the ingredients and create a smooth, creamy texture.
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Or arrowroot powder
Store-bought vegan mozzarella cheeses are generally made from soy, cashews, or macadamia nuts, vegetable oils, such as coconut oil, and a thickening agent, such as tapioca starch or arrowroot powder. Arrowroot powder is made from arrowroot vegetables. It is made into a powder and used as a thickener similar to tapioca starch or cornstarch. Arrowroot powder is a key ingredient in vegan cheese, giving it its stretchiness.
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Frequently asked questions
Vegan pizza cheese is typically made from cashews, almonds, or macadamia nuts. It can also be made from white beans for those with nut allergies.
Tapioca starch or arrowroot powder are used to give vegan pizza cheese its stretchiness.
Other ingredients include nutritional yeast, salt, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and lemon juice.
