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Vegan Parmesan Cheese (made with cashews or hemp hearts)

Easy vegan parmesan cheese, made in minutes with cashews, sunflower seeds or hemp hearts. It is oil-free, gluten-free & delicious. It is a versatile option for topping pasta, soups, pizza, popcorn, salads, and so much more.
Bowl of DIY Vegan Parmesan Cheese

Easy & Delicious DIY Vegan Parmesan Cheese

This dairy-free parmesan cheese is so darn good. It’s easy to make, too. Give yourself about 2 minutes, tops, from start to finish.  Oh, it’s also all-around fabulous. Even die-hard cheese lovers will find it hard to resist!

It’s just that good.

Ingredients for Easy Vegan Parmesan Cheese

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.

You only need 4 ingredients and a few minutes to make it.

ingredients for vegan parmesan cheese

Nutritional yeast lends cheese-y flavor and onion powder delivers extra umami goodness.

Use Cashews, Sunflower Seeds, or Hemp Hearts

You can make the cheese with either raw cashews, raw sunflower seed kernels, or hemp hearts (shelled hemp seeds).

Sunflower seeds and hemp hearts are ideal options for anyone with tree nut allergies. They have a mild to neutral flavor (close to pine nuts) and also happen to be packed with nutrition. Use what works for you!

How to Make Easy Vegan Parmesan Cheese

Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.

Step One: Grind All of the Ingredients

Simply place all of the ingredients in a food processor or clean coffee grinder:

ingredients for vegan parmesan cheese in a food processor bowl

Blend until the mix resembles fine bread crumbs or almond meal.

food processor full of diy vegan parmesan cheese

That’s it! This magical topping is perfect for sprinkling on all kinds of foods, including pasta, casseroles, soups, popcorn, breads, pizza and whatever else you think needs a shake of yum.

Up close spoonful of DIY vegan Parmesan cheese

How to Store Easy Vegan Parmesan Cheese

IStore in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 weeks, the refrigerator for 2 months, or the freezer for up to 6 months.

However, it rarely lasts that long at our house :).

Happy eating!

Vegan parmesan cheese
Vegan Parmesan Cheese (nut-free option)

Vegan Parmesan Cheese (nut-free option)

Yield: 3/4 cup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Easy vegan parmesan cheese, made in minutes with cashews, sunflower seeds or hemp hearts. It is oil-free, gluten-free & delicious. It is a versatile option for topping pasta, soups, pizza, popcorn, salads, and so much more.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup raw cashews or sunflower seeds OR 2/3 cup hemp hearts
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt (more or less, as desired)

Instructions

  1. Place all of the ingredients in a small food processor or clean coffee grinder. Process until finely ground into what resembles fine bread crumbs or almond meal.
  2. Use as you would traditional Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 weeks, the refrigerator for 2 months, or the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1 tablespoon
Amount Per Serving Calories 51Total Fat 3.5gSaturated Fat 0.5gCholesterol 0mgSodium 48.5mgCarbohydrates 2.6gFiber 0.8gSugar 0.5gProtein 2g

Did you make this recipe?

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Cali

Thursday 14th of March 2024

Good day. Can I omit the nutritional yeast and is there anything to replace it with please?

Camilla

Friday 15th of March 2024

Hi Cali,

You could leave it out, but then it’s pretty much just nuts or seeds. That’s fine, though, as a tasty topping in place of Parmesan cheese. You could add some garlic powder and a little bit more onion powder for umami flavor.

AngelaKin

Wednesday 10th of August 2022

Both are my favorite Raw Cashews and Hemp seeds ❤

Camilla

Friday 2nd of September 2022

Yay! Hope that you enjoy, Angela.

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