This vegan Parmesan cheese recipe is incredibly easy to make with just 5 ingredients! It's the perfect cheesy, salty, and savory topping to sprinkle on all your favorite vegan dishes, from pasta and pizza to soups and salads.

vegan parmesan cheese with cashews on the side

There are loads of recipes for vegan Parmesan out there, with most vegan bloggers having their own version. This vegan parmesan cheese recipe is the one I like best and practically the only way I'm making it these days.

You only need five ingredients to make vegan Parmesan, and the quantities indicated in this recipe result in a savory, slightly salty and nutty topping for your dishes that's quite close to the real thing.

I've been buying dairy free Parmesan cheese for years, with the one from Violife being my favorite. But while that's a really good product in terms of taste, there's nothing better than making your own with simple ingredients and free from additives.

Why you'll love this vegan Parmesan cheese

All you need to make it is a food processor and 5 simple ingredients.
It's so much tastier than shop-bought plant-based Parmesan.
It keeps well in the fridge for a month so you can always have some on hand to sprinkle on your favorite dishes!

vegan parmesan cheese in a glass container

What goes into vegan Parmesan

Cashews - You'll need raw, unsalted cashew nuts for this vegan parmesan recipe. Alternatively, you can use blanched almonds or a mix of cashew nuts and almonds.

Nutritional yeast - This is what gives the vegan Parmesan its yellow coloring and cheese-like flavor. Nutritional yeast is also packed with vitamin B12 and great for giving all your vegan dishes an umami boost.

Garlic and onion powder - This mix adds extra depth of flavor to your vegan Parmesan cheese. You can use just one of them if you prefer.

Salt - Real Parmesan is quite salty, so we'll add a bit of salt to the mix. Feel free to adjust to your taste.

How to make vegan Parmesan cheese

Fit the bowl of a food processor with the "S" blade (typically the standard blade) and add the raw cashew nuts, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.

Pulse until you have a fine meal that has roughly the texture of sand. Make sure you don't overblend, as you will end up with a paste.

vegan parmesan cheese making instructions

Transfer the vegan Parmesan cheese to a sealable jar. It will keep well in the fridge for a month.

What to do with vegan Parmesan cheese?

Vegan Parmesan cheese is incredibly versatile! Here are some delicious ideas on how to use it:

Classic combos:

Pasta: The obvious choice! Sprinkle some homemade vegan cheese generously over any pasta dish, from simple spaghetti with marinara to creamy vegan alfredo or lasagna.
Pizza: Add a cheesy touch to your favorite vegan pizza creations.
Salads: Boost the flavor of salads with a sprinkle of vegan parm, especially Caesar salads.

Think beyond pasta & pizza:

Soup: Finish off creamy soups like this tomato gnocchi soup or minestrone with a touch of vegan parm.
Roasted veggies: Sprinkle over roasted vegetables like broccoli, eggplant, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts.
Popcorn: Take movie night to the next level with a popcorn and vegan parm combo.
Avocado toast: Elevate your avocado toast with a sprinkle of parmesan and a drizzle of balsamic.
Dips: Top your favorite hummus or other dips with vegan cashew parmesan.

plant based topping with cashews on the side

Variations

This recipe is a great base - try different nuts, herbs, or a touch of lemon zest to make it your own!

Swap some of the raw cashews for sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds - toast them for extra flavor!
Add a generous pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Boost the fiber content with some hemp seeds.
Other great ideas include pine nuts, blanched almonds and sesame seeds.
To make this vegan Parmesan nut-free, mix dried breadcrumbs with nutritional yeast, a bit of olive oil, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

Recipe notes and tips

Toasting your nuts or seeds before blending makes a HUGE flavor difference!
Experiment with the blending time - a quick pulse will keep it crumbly for sprinkling, while longer blending makes it finer for sauces.
Leave some nut pieces a bit bigger for a bit of extra crunch.

Leftovers and storage

Store your vegan parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and flavorful.
It will keep well in the fridge for up to a month - don't forget to label it with the date!

If you liked this vegan Parmesan cheese recipe, sprinkle some on:

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