Vegan Cheddar Cheese Spread

Smoked Almond Cheddar Spread – a vegan cheddar cheese spread that’s so simple to make. Just 5 ingredients and a food processor are needed to make this delicious smoky spread. Serve it with crackers, fresh pears, raw veggies, or on a sandwich.

“I could never give up cheese!” Next to “But where do you get your protein?” its what I hear the most from people with reservations about a plant based diet. I totally understand. I used to be a dairy fiend myself – cheese on everything, cheese in everything, cheese as a snack, a huge glass of milk with meals, yogurt for breakfast, cheese with wine at the end of the night.

Well, guess what? You can still have all that, but in a healthier way and without the saturated fat, cholesterol, indigestion, and inflammation. Julie Piatt’s new book, This Cheese is Nuts!, will show you how to create silky rich vegan cheeses at home that will impress even the most passionate cheese lovers. Make sure you read all the way to the bottom of the post for your chance to win your very own copy of Julie’s book.

Dairy Free

When I first made the decision to give up dairy, I was excited, but nervous. I knew I was doing the right thing for my body, but gosh, I really loved cheese. Thankfully, through the years, I’ve learned how to make my favorites dairy free so I don’t have to give up the flavor and textures that I loved so much growing up. We still enjoy Mac and Cheese, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Cream Cheese, Cheesecake, Ice Cream, Ranch Dressing, and even French Onion Dip and Queso!

This book has so many cheeses that I would have never thought possible to recreate at home. I’m so excited to add all the wonderful recipes to my repertoire.

This Cheese Is Nuts by Julie Piatt

You might know Julie from her other cookbook, The Plantpower Way, which she cowrote with her vegan endurance athlete husband, Rich Roll.

From easy cheese sauces and quick form cheeses to aged cheeses and even desserts, This Cheese Is Nuts! has everything you are looking for to satisfy those rich cheese cravings.

Let’s take a look inside –

Cheese Spreads & Sauces: Roasted Cashew Apple Spread; Classic Fondue: Ancho Chili Nacho Cheese

Quick “Form” Cheeses: Sharp Cheddar; Smoked Gouda; Cashew Truffle Parmesan

Aged & Multistep Cheeses: Cashew Brie; Macadamia Nut Herbed Goat Cheese; Gorgonzola, 3 Ways; Whipped Cashew Ricotta

Dishes: Beet Goat Cheese Salad; Almond Fettuccine Alfredo; N’Eggs Bennie w/ Hollandaise Sauce & Coconut Bacon

Desserts: Baked Almond Ricotta Strawberry Shortcake; Banana Cream Pie; Poached Figs w/ Meringue

Nut-Free Cheeses & Spreads: Quick Chickpea Cheesy Spread; White Bean Cheese; Faux-Quefort

Dairy-Free Staples: Créme Fraîche; Classic Sour Cream; Yogurt, 2 Ways; Buckwheat Crackers

Julie also covers the essential equipment and pantry staples you’ll need to easily make this collection of cheeses anytime you wish. There are a few unique ingredients that you probably don’t currently have in your pantry, like agar-agar, acidophilus, and Irish moss. They show up repeatedly in many of the recipes, so know if you buy these ingredients they definitely won’t go to waste. There are plenty of recipes in this book, however, that use your run of the mill pantry staples – like the vegan cheddar cheese spread I’m sharing below.

Vegan Cheddar Cheese Spread

I hope you love this vegan Smoked Almond Cheddar Spread as much as we do. If you try it, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it. Enjoy!

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway below to win your very own copy of This Cheese is Nuts! by Julie Piatt! Good luck!

Smoked Almond Cheddar Cheese from This Cheese Is Nuts

Smoked Almond Cheddar Spread - a vegan cheddar cheese spread that's so simple to make. Just 5 ingredients and a food processor are needed to make this delicious smoky spread. Serve it with crackers, fresh pears, raw veggies, or on a sandwich.

5 from 7 votes

Print Rate

Course: Appetizer, Dip/Spread, Snack

Cuisine: dairy free, egg free, gluten free, oil free, soy free, vegan

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 234kcal

Author: Jenn Sebestyen

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw almonds2 cups raw almonds
• 1/2-3/4 cup pimientos from a jar, plus 1/2-3/4 cup packing liquid1/2-3/4 cup pimientos from a jar, plus 1/2-3/4 cup packing liquid
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 3/4 tsp smoked sea salt1 3/4 tsp smoked sea salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

• Rinse the almonds well. Place them in water in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Drain the almonds. In the bowl of a food processor, lace the almonds, pimientos, nutritional yeast, salt, garlic powder, and 1/4 cup pimiento liquid. Process until the mixture is well incorporated.
• Remove the lid and test the cheese for texture and salt content. If you want a smoother spread, add more pimiento liquid in small increments and process again. Add more salt if needed.
• Serve with crackers and fresh pears.

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 764mg | Potassium: 272mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 16.5mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 2mg

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Veggie_Inspired or tag #VeggieInspired!

Alright guys, here it is – your chance to win your own copy of This Cheese Is Nuts! by Julie Piatt. If you want to assure yourself a copy, you can buy the book here.

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More Delicious Dairy Free Dips To Love:

Spicy Hummus

Spinach Artichoke Pesto

Sun Dried Tomato Spread