Best Vegan Powdered Cheese Recipe for Creamy, Easy Meals

Cheese is a universal comfort food, but for those who follow a vegan lifestyle or have dairy allergies, finding a truly delicious substitute can be a challenge. Enter the world of vegan powdered cheese—a pantry staple that’s budget-friendly, shelf-stable, and incredibly versatile.

Whether you crave cheesy popcorn, quick mac and cheese, or that savory sprinkle over veggies, this recipe delivers all the nostalgic flavor without any animal products.

In this blog post, I’ll guide you through making the best vegan powdered cheese recipe at home. The blend is nutty, tangy, and perfectly savory, with real depth and creaminess thanks to clever plant-based ingredients.

Best of all, you control what goes in—no hidden additives or mystery flavors. Ready to level up your vegan cheese game?

Let’s get mixing!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Deliciously Cheesy Flavor: Nutritional yeast, spices, and a hint of tang combine for a robust, authentic cheese taste.
• Allergy-Friendly: 100% dairy-free, nut-free (with options), and gluten-free.
• Easy to Make: Takes less than 10 minutes. Just blend and store!
• Budget Conscious: Uses pantry staples, saving you money over store-bought vegan cheese powders.
• Multi-Purpose: Sprinkle on popcorn, pasta, roasted veggies, or transform into a creamy sauce instantly.
• Long Shelf Life: Keep it in a jar for weeks—no refrigeration needed.
• Customizable: Adjust the flavor profile to your liking with simple swaps and additions.

Ingredients

• 1 cup nutritional yeast flakes
• 1/2 cup raw cashews (or sunflower seeds for nut-free)
• 1/4 cup tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp lactic acid powder or citric acid (optional for tang)

Equipment

• High-speed blender (Vitamix, Blendtec, or similar)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Airtight glass jar or container for storage
• Mixing bowl (optional for combining after blending)
• Small funnel (helps get the powder into your jar)

Instructions

1. Prep Your Ingredients:

   Measure out all ingredients. If using sunflower seeds instead of cashews, ensure they are raw and unsalted.

   If your blender isn’t high-powered, consider soaking cashews in hot water for 30 minutes, then drying thoroughly before blending to avoid clumping.

2. Add to Blender:

   Place nutritional yeast, cashews (or seeds), tapioca starch, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, turmeric, smoked paprika, salt, and lactic acid/citric acid (if using) into the blender.

3. Blend Until Powdery:

   Blend on high for 30-60 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Continue until the mixture is a fine, uniform powder.

   Be careful not to over-blend, or the nuts/seeds may turn into a paste.

4. Check Consistency:

   Pinch a bit of powder between your fingers. It should feel dry and gritty, not clumpy.

   If needed, pulse a few more times.

5. Transfer and Store:

   Use a funnel to pour the blended powder into a clean, airtight glass jar. Store in a cool, dark place.

   The powder will last up to 3 months.

6. To Make Cheese Sauce:

   Whisk 1/4 cup of powder with 1 cup of water or plant milk in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly until thickened (2-4 minutes).

   Taste and adjust salt as needed.

7. Enjoy!

   Sprinkle on popcorn, pasta, veggies, or use the sauce over nachos, baked potatoes, or steamed broccoli.

Tips & Variations

• Nut-Free Version: Swap raw cashews for raw, unsalted sunflower seeds or hulled hemp seeds for a similar creamy texture.
• Extra Tangy: Add more lactic acid powder or a squeeze of lemon juice when mixing into a sauce.
• Spicy Cheese Powder: Stir in 1/2 tsp cayenne or chipotle powder for a kick.
• Herb-Infused Cheese: Add 1 tsp dried chives or parsley for an herby note.
• Umami Boost: A dash of white miso powder or finely ground dried mushrooms deepens flavor.
• Storage: Always use a dry spoon and close the jar tightly to keep powder fresh and prevent clumping.

• “For the boldest flavor, toast your cashews or seeds lightly before blending—just be sure they cool completely first.”

Nutrition Facts

*If your nutritional yeast is fortified.

Serving Suggestions

• Classic Vegan Mac & Cheese: Whisk the powder with plant milk for a creamy sauce and toss with cooked macaroni. For more flavor inspiration, check out our Community Q Mac And Cheese Recipe.
• Cheesy Popcorn: Toss freshly popped corn with melted vegan butter or oil, then sprinkle with your cheese powder for a movie-night snack.
• Broccoli or Cauliflower: Steam your favorite veggies and sprinkle generously with cheese powder or drizzle with prepared sauce.
• Baked Potatoes: Mix powder with a bit of non-dairy milk and pour over baked potatoes and chives.
• Sprinkle on Pizza or Pasta: Use as a topping on vegan pizza, pasta bakes, or lasagna for an extra cheesy finish.
• Cheese Crackers: Add to cracker dough for a punchy, cheesy flavor—try our Cheese Penny Recipe for inspiration (swap in the vegan powder!).
• Loaded Nachos: Drizzle cheese sauce over tortilla chips, beans, jalapeños, and salsa for the ultimate vegan nachos.
• Soups & Stews: Stir a spoonful into vegan chili or creamy soups for umami depth. If you love hearty soup, try our Costco Vegan Mushroom Stew Recipe.

Conclusion

This vegan powdered cheese recipe is a game-changer for home cooks who want fast, healthy, and delicious cheesy flavor at their fingertips. With minimal effort, you’ll have a plant-based staple that outshines any store-bought mix.

The magic lies in the blend of nutritional yeast, spices, and a creamy base—resulting in a powder that’s as versatile as it is flavorful.

Whether you’re new to vegan cooking or a seasoned plant-based pro, this cheese powder belongs in your pantry. Sprinkle it, stir it, or turn it into sauce—every meal becomes a little more comforting and a lot more delicious.

Don’t forget to explore other creative vegan recipes on the blog, from cozy stews to inventive snacks. Happy cooking, and may your kitchen always be filled with cheesy joy—vegan style!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Best Vegan Powdered Cheese”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A savory, cheesy vegan powdered cheese perfect for sprinkling on popcorn, pasta, or veggies. Easy to make and stores well for weeks.”, “prepTime”: “PT10M”, “cookTime”: “PT0M”, “totalTime”: “PT10M”, “recipeYield”: “12 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup raw cashews”, “1/3 cup nutritional yeast”, “1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt”, “1 teaspoon garlic powder”, “1 teaspoon onion powder”, “1 teaspoon smoked paprika”, “1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric”, “1/4 teaspoon white pepper”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Blend until a fine, powdery texture forms.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Transfer to an airtight container for storage.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “55”, “proteinContent”: “2g”, “fatContent”: “4g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “3g”}}