Cheese is a dairy product, and with time, people have started following vegan diets. This means that they cannot consume regular cheese and end up making vegan cheese. The vegan cheese is often infused with cashews to improve the flavor. That’s because the cashews have a creamy and smooth texture that makes a great addition to cheese. In addition, it has a mild sweet flavor, which actually tastes well in vegan cheese. However, many people don’t like cashews and don’t want such flavor tones in the vegan cheese, which is why we are listing down some substitutes for you!
Substitutes For Cashews In Vegan Cheese
- Pine Nuts
To begin with, this is the first substitute that you can try, as pine nuts are closely related to cashews. This similarity can be seen in the texture and appearance, which is why they can be used to improve the flavor and texture of vegan cheese. Pine nuts have a slightly sweet flavor, which is why they taste well in cheese. However, you need to remember that pine nuts have a nuttier flavor as compared to cashews, which can result in a bold flavor in the cheese. In addition to vegan cheese, pine nuts can also replace cashews in drinks and desserts. On top of everything, pine nuts have a long shelf life when they are stored well, so just invest in an airtight jar.
- Pine & Zucchini Combination
We have already mentioned that pine nuts have a nutty flavor and aroma when compared to cashews, which is why many people don’t like the bold flavor of pine nuts in the cheese. However, to compensate for the bold flavor of pine nuts, you should mix them with zucchini as it’s a great way of balancing the flavors. What we like about the pine nuts and zucchini combo is that it has a buttery texture, which makes it a perfect addition to cheese. In addition, you can use this combination for desserts and drinks.
- Almonds
One of the easiest to find and most convenient to use alternatives is almonds which make a strong statement when used in the preparation of vegan cheese. The almonds can replace cashews in every possible recipe, including vegan cheese. In addition, you can use almonds in desserts as well as savory recipes. Similarly, you can use almond flour in place of cashew flour if you want to bake non-dairy bread or gluten-free cookies. Many people think that almonds’ flavor is lighter when compared to cashews, but turning almonds into flour or paste will release the flavors, resulting in a strong flavor.
- Walnuts
This is another alternative for cashews that can be used in vegan cheese, as walnuts have a smooth and buttery texture with higher fat content. The walnuts have a mild flavor as well as a rough texture, which means the texture of your cheese might be altered. In addition, you can use walnuts as a replacement for dessert toppings and drinks. As far as the texture is concerned, walnuts have a buttery texture and a mild flavor, which makes a perfect base. Also, walnuts have an abundance of minerals and vitamins.
- Silken Tofu
To be honest, using silken tofu in the preparation of vegan cheese might be different, but you can follow the correct preparation techniques to mix them. You can follow the 1:1 substitution ratio to replace cashews in vegan cheese, but it’s recommended that you add silken tofu at the end of the cheese preparation process to ensure proper mixing.
- Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts have a higher fat content, which is why they can substitute the creaminess of cashews. In addition to vegan cheese, hazelnuts can be added to improve the creaminess of desserts and ice cream. These nuts have a mild and sweet flavor, which lends a great flavor to the cheese. Even more, hazelnuts have an exceptional nutritional profile (it has a higher protein content).
- Sunflower Seeds
Last but not least, you can also use sunflower seeds. This is a perfect choice for people who are looking for a nut-free option. These seeds have a crunchy texture as well as a butter flavor, which makes them a great addition to vegan cheese. For this purpose, it’s recommended that you smash the sunflower seeds and mix them with a bit of oil to prepare the cheese.