Frederic Melton
Vegan cheese has come a long way, and there are now many options for those who are vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply looking for a healthier alternative to dairy cheese. In this article, we will be discussing the best vegan cheeses for pizza. We will be looking at factors such as taste, texture, meltability, and stretchiness to determine which vegan cheese is the best for this popular Italian dish. So, whether you're a vegan pizza enthusiast or just curious about plant-based alternatives, read on to find out more about the best vegan cheese for pizza.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Mozzarella |
| Cheese Base | Cashew, Oil, Starch, Almond, Chickpea, Soy, Nut, Gluten |
| Cheese Form | Shredded, Block, Pourable |
| Cheese Brands | Miyoko's, Daiya, Follow Your Heart, Whole Foods 365, Violife, Open Nature, Trader Joe's, So Delicious, Babybel, Ooni, Libretto, Vegcheese, Chao, Parmela Creamery |
| Taste | Mild, Cardboard-y, Pungent, Sweet, Creamy, Slimy, Rich |
| Texture | Wetter, Dense, Light, Stretchy, Smooth, Mushy |
| Melting | Melts well, Does not melt |
| Availability | Target, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Winco, Walmart, Good Rebel Vegan, Local Stores |
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What You'll Learn
Miyoko's Creamery Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella
Miyokos Creamery Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella is a vegan alternative to traditional mozzarella di bufalo. It is crafted from organic cultured cashew milk using traditional creamery methods. Cashews are milled into creamy plant milk, which is then cultured and crafted into mozzarella. It is soft, silky, and has a creamy texture and a springy bounce. It has a mild, slightly sweet taste and can be enjoyed warm and melty or fresh from the fridge.
Miyokos Creamery Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella has a wetter consistency than most other vegan pizza cheeses and comes as a shrink-wrapped square instead of the typical non-dairy shreds. It has a more dense texture than other vegan cheeses, but it has zero stretch. It has a mild cheesy flavour that harmonizes well with the sauce and bread of a pizza.
Miyokos Creamery Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella can be purchased on Amazon.com in an 8 oz. pack. It has received positive reviews, with customers praising the flavour and texture, saying that it tastes and looks like fresh mozzarella. However, some customers have noted that it does not melt as well as other vegan cheeses.
Miyokos Creamery is a Northern California-headquartered plant-based dairy company that has created a pourable vegan mozzarella in addition to its classic mozzarella.
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Trader Joe's Almond-based Mozzarella
The product is labelled as an "Almond Mozzarella Style Shreds", which has caused some confusion among consumers as it contains milk. While it is not a vegan product, it is a good option for those who are lactose intolerant. It has a similar texture and taste to regular cheese, with a slight nuttiness. It is also lower in carbs and sodium compared to other vegan cheese brands.
Some reviews mention that the product is a little chalky and less chewy than regular cheese, but overall, it is a good alternative for those who are looking for a dairy-free option. It melts well and can be added to pizzas, salads, or soups.
Trader Joe's also offers a vegan version of their mozzarella-style shreds, which is made from cashews and is completely dairy-free. This product has received mixed reviews, with some people loving the taste and texture, while others find it a little chalky. It is a good option for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant and looking for a shredded mozzarella alternative.
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Whole Foods 365 Dairy-Free Mozzarella
Dairy-free cheese has come a long way, and there are now many options for those who are vegan, lactose intolerant, or just looking for a healthier alternative to regular cheese. Whole Foods 365 Dairy-Free Mozzarella is one such option that has garnered positive reviews from customers.
However, one drawback of the Whole Foods 365 Dairy-Free Mozzarella is its tendency to mould quickly. One customer review mentions that the cheese moulded before the "best buy" date, suggesting that it should be used up quickly and checked for mould before consumption. Despite this, the cheese has earned praise for its quality and affordability, with one customer stating that it is a "must-try" at its price point.
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Violife Dairy-Free Mozzarella
Violife's Dairy-Free Mozzarella is a vegan alternative to traditional mozzarella cheese. It is crafted to offer the same flavour, texture, and meltability as conventional mozzarella cheese, making it a great option for those who are vegan or have dairy allergies. Violife's Dairy-Free Mozzarella has a mild, creamy, and salty flavour and comes in a convenient pre-shredded format. It is perfect for melting on top of pizza or using in baked pasta dishes, stuffed mushrooms, and more.
Violife's Dairy-Free Mozzarella is produced without any animal products, yet it has the same delicious taste as traditional mozzarella. The plant-based product offers an irresistible flavour and texture, making it easy to create dairy-free meals that your customers will love. Violife's products are a great way to appeal to health- and eco-conscious customers, as they are made with healthy lifestyles and environmental harmony in mind.
Violife's Dairy-Free Mozzarella is a versatile product that can be used in a variety of dishes. As a vegan alternative to mozzarella, it can be melted on top of pizza, stuffed into crispy quesadillas, or layered over lasagna for a savoury, dairy-free option. It can also be used in baked pasta dishes, such as eggplant parmesan, or to make cheesy garlic bread. The shreds melt smoothly and have a solid, cheesy flavour, making them a great choice for vegan pizzas.
Violife's Dairy-Free Mozzarella is also free of most major food allergens, so you can serve it with confidence. It offers an easy way to swap out dairy in your recipes without compromising on taste and texture. With Violife's Dairy-Free Mozzarella, you can create satisfying, savoury options that are sure to satisfy both vegans and cheese lovers alike!
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Homemade Vegan Mozzarella
Vegan mozzarella has come a long way, and it is now quite good. You can make your own homemade vegan mozzarella with a few simple ingredients. The recipe below uses tapioca starch, which is the key to making the cheese stretchy, instead of just thickened.
Ingredients:
- 50 g silken tofu
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon agave syrup
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
- 5 tablespoons tapioca starch
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 90 ml vegetable oil
- 300 ml water
Method:
First, soak your cashews in hot water for 5 minutes (or up to an hour). Then, place all the ingredients in the cup of a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Alternatively, you can blend with an immersion blender or food processor until smooth.
Add the mixture to a small saucepan and stir constantly over medium heat. After a few minutes, it will start to get clumpy. Keep stirring, and it will magically turn into smooth, stretchy vegan mozzarella!
Tips:
- For perfect results, grill/broil or bake your cheese before serving. This will improve the texture and flavour, and you'll get to see it melt and brown.
- You can also try adding a spoon of dijon mustard and a drop of truffle oil for a more interesting flavour.
- If you want to make your mozzarella more stretchy, you can add tapioca flour or kappa carrageenan.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, and you can easily replace the soy-based tofu with your favourite soy-free plant milk.
Storage:
Your homemade vegan mozzarella will keep for a good few months in the freezer and can be grated easily over pizza and pasta.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many options for vegan cheese to use on pizza. Some popular brands include Violife, Follow Your Heart, and Daiya. However, some people prefer to make their own vegan cheese, with recipes including cashews, nutritional yeast, and tapioca starch.
Vegan cheese can be purchased from most major supermarkets, including Whole Foods, Target, and Sprouts. It can also be bought from local stores, such as Good Rebel Vegan in Toronto, or online at websites like Amazon.
To ensure your vegan cheese melts on your pizza, it is recommended that you bake your pizzas at a high temperature. One source suggests that an oven temperature of 550°F (290°C) for 7 minutes will allow your vegan cheese to pass the "melt test".
