Name: Smoky Vegan Cheddar Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup raw cashews (, soaked in hot water for 15-20 minutes); 1/2 cup non-dairy yogurt (, unsweetened); 1/3 cup soy milk (, unsweetened); 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice (, fresh-squeezed (I used 4)); 2 tablespoons coconut oil (, refined); 2 tablespoons jarred pimientos; 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (, more to taste ); 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast; 1 1/2 tablespoons tapioca flour/starch; 1 teaspoon sea salt (, more to taste); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 3/4 teaspoon granulated garlic; 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper ((*optional)); 1/3 cup water; 2 1/2 teaspoons agar agar powder

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Smoky, sharp, and sliceable - this Vegan Cheddar Cheese is a great choice for entertaining or everyday snacking.

Now that the holidays are getting closer, I'm thinking of all things festive - comforting food, cozy drinks, sweet treats, and everything CHEESY! This Smoky Vegan Cheddar Cheese fits the bill and will be on our table all season long.

It's delicious on its own, in a sandwich, or on a snack board with crackers, olives, fruit, and Vegan Pepperoni. It's perfect for midnight snacking or impressing house guests!

The base of this recipe is very similar to my Vegan Mozzarella Cheese. It's made with cashews, non-dairy yogurt, and soy milk. This trio gives this vegan cheese an ultra-creamy texture and a subtle tangy flavor.

To make the cheese firm and sliceable, I used Agar Agar Powder. It gels up slightly and creates the perfect texture. You can make this recipe without the agar agar powder (and added water) and it will still be delicious, but it will be more of a soft spread.

For the sharp cheesy flavor, I used nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar. Then I amped up the flavor with smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, jarred pimientos, garlic, and onion. It's mouth-watering good!

If you are interested in more cheese recipes. I highly recommend Miyoko’s Artisan Vegan Cheese cookbook. You’ll find an array of vegan cheese recipes from soft, creamy to sliceable, and totally tasty.

How to Make Vegan Cheddar Cheese

(full ingredient amounts in recipe card below)

To get started, lightly grease a round 2-Cup Glass Container or something similar and set it aside. You’ll need to soften the cashews first. To do this, boil water in a small pot and remove from heat. Add cashews and cover for 15-20 minutes until they’re softened.

Drain cashews and discard soaking water. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend on high until smooth and set aside.

Now add the water to a medium pot over medium heat. Whisk in the agar agar powder until dissolved. The agar will thicken and start to appear gel-like after 2-3 minutes.

Tips:

To prep ahead, pre-soften your cashews by placing them in cool water for 4-6 hours (or overnight in the fridge).
If you don't have a high-speed blender, the cashews might not completely break down and this could result in a gritty texture. You can try soaking the cashews longer for 12 hours or more.
Make sure to use refined coconut oil to avoid a subtle coconut taste.

When the agar agar gels up, pour in the blended cheese mixture. Stir together well using a silicone spatula or spoon. Cook until the vegan cheese slightly thickens up, about 2-3 minutes. Stir often so it doesn’t stick or burn. Remove from heat.

Pour evenly into your prepared container. Let it cool at room temperature for 25-30 minutes before placing it in the fridge. Cover and Chill for 4-6 hours. (*I put a paper towel between the cover and the cheese to help absorb condensation).

To remove vegan cheddar cheese, turn the container upside down onto a small plate. Give it a few taps. The cheese will slowly slide out on the plate. If it doesn't come out, you can gently use a butter knife to release the edges.

So easy, right? Enjoy!

Want more cheesy goodness?

I’d love to hear from you

If you make this Vegan Cheddar Cheese, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it.

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