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    Home » Dressings & Sauces

    Vegan Parmesan Cheese

    Published: Mar 29, 2023 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    Homemade vegan parmesan cheese is a great alternative to store-bought vegan cheese, and it’s excellent for sprinkling on pasta or other dishes where parmesan is required.

    It adds a savory flavor to your dishes, and you can make it easily with a few simple ingredients.

    vegan parmesan cheese
    On this page:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Questions
    • Make Ahead & Storage
    • More Vegan Cheese Recipes
    • Recipe

    Check out our best easy dinner recipe collection!

    The best thing about this vegan parmesan cheese recipe is that you can make it in about 10 minutes with four simple ingredients: nuts, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, and salt.

    Essentially, this is a nut blend, not a cheese, and is more similar to an Italian-inspired Dukkah than real parmesan.

    We call it that way to give you an idea of its use. You can sprinkle it on pasta, risotto, parmigiana, and other recipes you would typically use grated parmesan.

    You can even make all kinds of pestos with it, from basil pesto to zucchini pesto and arugula pesto.

    What it does well is adding texture and a pleasant savory and slightly cheesy flavor to your dishes; however, don’t expect it to melt because it won’t.

    Vegan parmesan on pasta

    Ingredients

    ingredients for vegan parmesan cheese

    Nuts

    You can make this with raw cashews, almonds, or walnuts.

    It’s best to buy raw and unsalted nuts and then toast them in the oven for a few minutes before blending them.

    If you are allergic to nuts, we have a nut-free vegan parmesan recipe in the variations chapter below.

    If you like, you can substitute raw sunflower seeds and pepitas for half of the nuts and add a couple of tablespoons of hemp seeds for extra healthy fats.

    Nutritional Yeast

    Nutritional yeast flakes add a slightly cheesy and umami flavor to this vegan parmesan cheese. You can add more or less nutritional yeast based on your preference.

    Nutritional yeast is NOT brewer’s yeast; it has NO leavening or proofing abilities. It’s made with inactive yeast and comes in yellowish-colored flakes or granules.

    You can find it in most supermarkets and food stores as it’s become a popular condiment among vegans and vegetarians. It contains b vitamins (especially if B12 fortified), and it’s a good source of protein with all nine amino acids.

    Soy sauce

    Soy sauce adds umami and saltiness to this plant-based parmesan cheese.

    For a soy-free recipe, you can replace soy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes; however, you’ll need to add more salt if you do so.

    To make the vegan parm gluten-free, you can substitute tamari sauce or coconut aminos for soy sauce.

    You can also add half a teaspoon of miso to add even more umami, but that’s optional.

    Sea salt

    We like adding a pinch of sea salt to our fake parmesan to make it taste more like real parmesan.

    Adjust salt based on your taste and dietary preferences. You can even keep the salt out if you are on a low-sodium diet.

    Garlic

    Garlic is optional. If you like adding a tangy and slightly sharp flavor to your vegan parmesan cheese, add one clove of fresh garlic.

    Substitute garlic powder or onion powder for fresh garlic.

    Equipment

    You’ll need a blender or a food processor to turn the nuts into a parmesan-like texture.

    Vegan parmesan with almonds

    Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 350°F or 180°C. Arrange the nuts on a baking sheet and bake them in the oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, moving them around the baking sheet halfway through cooking.

    cashew nuts in a baking tray

    Let the nuts cool down for 10 minutes, then add them to a food processor with salt and nutritional yeast.

    Pulse a few times to turn the nuts into coarse nut flour that looks like grated parmesan cheese.

    blended cashews in a food processor

    When you are happy with the texture, add soy sauce while blending.

    Taste and adjust for salt and ensure not to over-blend the nuts, or they might turn into cashew butter.

    blended cashews and soy sauce
    cashew

    Spread the parmesan on the baking sheet and let it dry at room temperature for 30 minutes before using it or storing it in a jar in the fridge.

    drying the parmesan on a baking sheet

    You can serve it on your favorite pasta dish.

    Vegan cheese on tomato pasta

    Variations

    Soy-free Vegan Parmesan

    If you are allergic to soy or have run out of soy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes are a great alternative to add umami. Use sun-dried tomatoes that are sold dry, not in oil.

    Sun-dried tomatoes are packed with flavor, and if you blend them with the nuts, you add that umami punch to your fake cheese.

    Add about 1 ounce (30 grams) of sun-dried tomatoes for every 2 cups of nuts (300 grams) of almonds.

    Note: your parmesan will be slightly red when you use sun-dried tomatoes.

    soy free vegan parmesan
    soy-free vegan parmesan

    Nut-free Vegan Parmesan

    We have a great alternative recipe for vegan parmesan cheese if you are allergic to nuts.

    Our nut-free fake parmesan is made with stale bread (or breadcrumbs) instead of nuts.

    This is an ancient Italian recipe used in the past by poorer farmers in the south of Italy that did not have access to expensive parmesan cheese from the north.

    They would make a mixture of stale breadcrumbs, herbs, and olive oil and sprinkle it on top of their orecchiette pasta recipe or eggplant parmigiana.

    To make it, stir together ¾ cup (120g) breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons (30g) extra virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon garlic powder or a minced garlic clove, ½ to 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.

    You can even add some grated lemon zest if you like.

    Bread-based parmesan recipe
    nut-free vegan parmesan

    Serving Suggestions

    Sprinkle this vegan parmesan on your favorite pasta, risotto, soup, salad, or roasted vegetables.

    Vegan parmesan on broccoli rabe

    Pasta

    • Pasta Pomodoro (canned pelati tomatoes, spaghetti, garlic, fresh basil, parsley, etc.)
    • Vegan mushroom pasta (portobello mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, garlic, parsley, etc.)
    • Homemade orecchiette (semola flour, water, broccoli rabe, red pepper flakes, etc.)
    • Lemon pasta (spaghetti, spinach, garlic, lemon, red pepper flakes, etc.)
    Lemon Pasta with parmesan

    Risotto

    • Mushroom risotto (arborio rice, onion, mushrooms, broth, butter, cheese, etc.)
    • Tomato risotto (canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, onion, parsley, butter, etc.)
    • Asparagus risotto (white wine, onion, asparagus, lemon, arborio rice, etc.)
    • Zucchini risotto (lemon, thyme, shallot, zucchini, butter, white wine, etc.)
    creamy mushroom risotto

    Salads

    • Sweet potato salad (canned lentils, roasted sweet potatoes, cumin, maple syrup, oil, etc.)
    • Roasted cauliflower salad (cauliflower, parsley, hazelnuts, lentils, lemon, tahini, etc.)
    • Eggplant salad (chickpeas, eggplant, zucchini, olives, bell pepper, tomato, lemon, etc.)
    • Caponata (canned tomatoes, eggplant, capers, olives, pine nuts, celery onions, etc.)
    lentil and cauliflower salad

    Soups

    • Tuscan soup (white beans, carrot, onion, curly kale, canned tomatoes, thyme, etc.)
    • Lentil soup (dried lentils, onion, carrot, celery, vegetable broth, canned tomato, etc.)
    • Potato leek soup (potato, leek, yogurt, onion, chives, thyme, vegetable broth, etc.)
    • Lentil vegetable soup (lentils, carrot, onion, celery, spinach, canned tomatoes, cumin, etc.)
    Lentil Vegetable Soup with hand

    Roasted vegetables

    • Roasted broccoli
    • Baked asparagus
    • Roasted cauliflower
    • Caramelized roasted fennel
    • Roasted zucchini with lemon
      Roasted Zucchini
    • Baked broccoli with lemon and garlic
      Roasted Broccoli
    • roasted cauliflower
      Roasted Cauliflower
    • Roasted fennel on white plate
      Roasted Fennel

    Questions

    Are almonds bad for you?

    No. Almonds and nuts, in general, are healthy foods.

    They should be consumed daily to increase longevity and overall health, and this vegan parmesan is a convenient way to increase your consumption of almonds. Learn more here.

    Do almonds make me fat?

    No. While almonds contain a good amount of calories, there is substantial evidence that consuming nuts helps you keep your weight in check. Learn more here.

    Is this recipe scalable?

    Yes. You can scale this recipe up or down, but always taste it and adjust for salt based on your preference.

    Why would you make this instead of buying vegan parmesan or real parmesan?

    Unless made artisanally by small producers, we think most vegan cheese fall under the ultra-processed food category, which means they are basically junk foods made with refined oil and starches.

    This vegan cheese recipe is made with wholesome ingredients and is much healthier than store-bought vegan cheese.

    Compared to authentic parmigiano, this recipe contains no animal products, is dairy-free, has no cholesterol, and is made with healthy nuts as the main ingredient.

    Make Ahead & Storage

    Make ahead: this is an excellent recipe to make ahead as it lasts for two weeks in the fridge.

    Refrigerator: to store it, spread the parmesan back on the baking sheet and let it dry at room temperature for 30 minutes before transferring it to a jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

    Freezer: transfer to a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 3 months.

    veagn parmesan in a jar

    More Vegan Cheese Recipes

    If you’re curious about trying other types of vegan cheese, take a peek at these homemade cheese recipes:

    • Vegan ricotta cheese: an easy 3-ingredient recipe to use just like regular ricotta.
    • White sauce - vegan bechamel: a creamy and cheesy sauce, perfect with savory crepes.
    • Vegan melted cheese: a reader favorite, great with pizza and flatbread.
    • Easy tofu cream cheese: a fun and easy appetizer that pairs with veggies of your choice.
    • Crisp focaccia with melted cheese: crunchy, cheesy, and luxurious, this focaccia is great for pizza nights and game nights.
    • Vegan cream cheese frosting: great on vegan lemon cake and vegan carrot cake.
    • tofu cream cheese on bread
      Tofu Cream Cheese
    • vegan ricotta cheese
      Vegan Ricotta Cheese
    • vegan cheese
      Vegan Cheese (5-Min Nut-Free Recipe)
    • vegan cream cheese frosting in a bowl
      Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    For many more side dishes ideas, check out our sides category page.

    Recipe

    vegan parmesan cheese

    Vegan Parmesan Cheese

    Author: Nico
    Homemade vegan parmesan cheese is a great alternative to store-bought vegan cheese, and it’s excellent for sprinkling on pasta or other dishes where parmesan is required.
    It adds a savory flavor to your sauces and dishes, and you can make it easily with a few simple ingredients.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 10 votes
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 7 minutes mins
    Total Time 12 minutes mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American Italian
    Servings 30 servings
    Calories 51 kcal

    Equipment

    • Food processor

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 cups raw cashews (sub almonds or walnuts)
    • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 clove garlic (optional)
    Keep screen on

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F or 180°C. Arrange 2 cups raw cashews (also almonds or walnuts) on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, moving them around the baking sheet halfway through cooking.
      They should be lightly toasted.
      cashew nuts in a baking tray
    • Let nuts cool down 10 minutes, then add them to a food processor with 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast and ½ teaspoon salt.
      Optionally, you can add 1 clove garlic (chopped).
      Pulse a few times to turn the nuts into coarse nut flour that looks like grated parmesan cheese.
      blended cashews in a food processor
    • When you are happy with the texture, add 2 tablespoons soy sauce while blending.
      Taste and adjust for salt and ensure not to over-blend the nuts, or they might turn into cashew butter.
      blended cashews and soy sauce
    • Spread the parmesan on the baking sheet and let it dry at room temperature for 30 minutes before using it or storing it in a jar in the fridge.
      drying the parmesan on a baking sheet
    • You can serve it on your favorite pasta dish.
      Vegan parmesan on pasta

    Video Recipe

    Vegan “Parmesan” with nuts

    Notes

    Nutritional information is an estimate for 1 serving of parmesan cheese out of 30 servings.
    VARIATIONS
    For a soy-free vegan parmesan cheese, or for a nut-free vegan parmesan cheese check out our variations chapter above.
    MAKE AHEAD & STORAGE
    Make ahead: this is an excellent recipe to make ahead as it lasts for two weeks in the fridge.
    Refrigerator: store in an airtight container like a jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
    Freezer: transfer to a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 3 months.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Parmesan Cheese
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    51
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    4
    g
    6
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    78
    mg
    2
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    3
    g
    1
    %
    Dietary Fiber
     
    0.5
    g
    2
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    2
    g
    4
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    0.01
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin B6
     
    0.04
    mg
    2
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.1
    mg
    0
    %
    Vitamin E
     
    0.1
    mg
    1
    %
    Vitamin K
     
    3
    µg
    3
    %
    Calcium
     
    4
    mg
    0
    %
    Folate
     
    3
    µg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    Manganese
     
    0.2
    mg
    10
    %
    Magnesium
     
    26
    mg
    7
    %
    Zinc
     
    1
    mg
    7
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?Leave us a comment below or find us on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    If you liked this vegan parmesan recipe, you might also enjoy the following:

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda

      December 06, 2022 at 7:50 am

      Hi..my cheeze turned out dark brown owing to the soy sauce..Still tastes good though..where did I go wrong?..Linda

      Reply
      • Louise

        December 09, 2022 at 5:51 am

        Hi Linda, thanks for your comment. I don't think you did anything wrong! The dark brown color could be caused by the almonds if they are still with peel or by adding a little too much soy sauce in relation to the number of almonds. Did you use peeled or unpeeled almonds? Let me know! Have a wonderful day. Cheers, Louise

        Reply
    2. Laura

      June 21, 2022 at 7:22 pm

      5 stars
      I discovered your website a few days ago on a whim searching for vegan mayo recipes and I’m so glad I did. I love how you explain all your recipes and that everything is simple and doable for a busy weeknight. I really like this Parmesan recipe more than the typical raw cashew recipe. Mine turned out a little crunchy and reminded me of a breadcrumb topping but I think it’s just my food processor. I was afraid to keep blending lest it turn into almond butter with soy sauce and nutritional yeast. 😂 Anyway, I thought it was delicious even crunchy and I would make it again. It had more flavor than the standard cashew recipes. Tonight we ate it over your rigatoni arrabiata which was also wonderful! I will leave you a review there too. I’m so so happy to have found your site, please keep up the amazing work!

      Reply
      • Nico

        June 21, 2022 at 8:47 pm

        Wow, Laura, so happy to have you here! Thanks so much for taking the time to write these thoughtful comments, they really made us smile. Fun fact: the first times we tried making this parmesan, we turned it into soy-nut butter (not the best, I can tell ya, haha!)

        Have a great day and warm thanks! Cheers, Nico

        Reply
    3. Diane

      April 15, 2022 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      I just discovered your site and am very anxious to begin trying your recipes. They look wonderful.

      Reply
      • Nico

        April 16, 2022 at 6:52 am

        Hi Diane, I'm delighted you feel like trying out some of our recipes! Welcome, we're very happy to have you here! Cheers, Nico

        Reply
        • Davida Insaidoo

          December 30, 2022 at 2:51 pm

          5 stars
          Hi I came across your website while looking for tasty vegan meals.The recipes look exciting. I tried the green pesto and it was grat with egg free pasta.
          Will try the other recipes.
          Thanks for sharing.
          Aba

          Reply
          • Louise

            December 30, 2022 at 3:34 pm

            Hi there, I'm delighted you liked the pesto, and the look of our recipes - thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
            Have a wonderful weekend. Kindest, Louise

            Reply
    4. John

      March 25, 2022 at 4:42 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Chef
      Just found your site, so will be delving in to it with gusto 👍
      Really great to see you do a nut free version. I'm fine but my nephew isn't 😕
      Which soy sauce are you using, light, dark 🤷

      Reply
      • Nico

        March 26, 2022 at 6:43 am

        Hi John, thanks so much for being here and for commenting! I use a dark soy sauce but with less salt, in this case. Cheers, Nico

        Reply
    5. Tatiana

      January 31, 2022 at 2:41 am

      5 stars
      Thank you, your suggestions are very useful! I am cooking for my sun who decided to go vegan, so I always get great inspiration from your videos!

      Reply
      • Chef Nico

        February 02, 2022 at 4:18 pm

        Thanks Tatiana, we are so happy you find the recipes and the videos useful 🙂

        Reply

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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

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