Easy Vegan Faux Parmesan

If you are lactose intolerant, follow a whole food plant – based diet, or embrace veganism, this recipe is perfect for you. While it doesn’t taste just like Parmesan cheese, it does offer a delightful cheesy flavor that enhances a variety of dishes. Whether you’re sprinkling it over your favorite pasta dish, a pan of lasagna, a baked potato, roasted or steamed vegetables, a Caesar Salad or a warm bowl of soup, this faux parmesan adds that extra touch of deliciousness.

I have experimented with several faux Parmesan versions, and this latest rendition has quickly become a favorite.

Store the faux Parmesan in the refrigerator. I like to use a mason jar with a lid. It is easy to dispense from, and can go right on the table so everyone can sprinkle it on their food.

This is a simple, easy recipe that adds so much flavor to pasta dishes, baked potatoes, steamed or roasted vegetables, and soups.

The Vitamix Immersion Blender with the food processor attachment is a fabulous addition to my kitchen. The blender is my go to for blending soups and sauces directly in the Instant pot or pot on the stove. The mini food processor with a three point blade, handles all of my small jobs that are too small for a full size food processor. It makes quick and easy work of this recipe as well as making small batches of chopped nuts, date paste, chopping onions and so much more.

Almonds

In this version I am using almonds as the base. However, you can easily substitute them with cashews, walnuts, or Brazil nuts. If you are looking to reduce calorie density and lower the fat content, rolled oats are a great alternative. But keep in mind, since you’re are only using a small sprinkle to garnish your dish, the additional fat from the nuts contributes significantly to the rich flavor and overall satisfaction of the recipe.

Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds are another key ingredient in this mix. They add a pleasant mouthfeel with their chewy texture and subtle nutty flavor. Plus, they’re an excellent source of healthy fats and protein, making this faux Parmesan not only tasty but also nutritious. You could sub rolled oats to lower the calorie density.

Nutritional Yeast

For that signature cheesy flavor, I like to use the Well Your World brand of nutritional yeast, but you can opt for your favorite brand. It does have a slightly cheesy flavor and contributes to the overall flavor of the recipe, which by the way, our grand children call it “sprinkle.”

For 10% savings on the featured spices in Tami’s latest recipes (Italian Herbs, Milled Garlic Powder, and Sel-acious), use coupon code: “notebook” when you use our Affiliate Link Coupon code valid through September 30, 2024.

Salt Substitute

If you are avoiding salt, I highly recommend the Sel-acious from Local Spicery . It’s the best salt substitute I’ve tried offering a taste that’s remarkably close to the real thing. For those who prefer regular salt, start with 1/4 teaspoon, taste and adjust accordingly to your personal preference. Traditional Parmesan is quite salty, so a touch of salt or a good salt substitute really makes this recipe stand out.

Garlic Powder

I add just a hint of garlic powder to this recipe. If you are not a fan feel free to leave it out, but if you love it, go ahead and increase the amount to suit your taste. The garlic adds a subtle depth of flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. My favorite garlic powder is from Local Spicery.

Easy Vegan Faux Parmesan

Tami Kramer Nutmeg Notebook

Whether you're sprinkling it over your favorite pasta dish, a pan of lasagna, a baked potato, roasted or steamed vegetables, a Caesar Salad or a warm bowl of soup, this faux parmesan adds that extra touch of deliciousness.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course condiment, Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 12

Equipment

• Food Processor

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3/4 cup blanched almonds, or cashews, Brazil nuts or rolled oats
• 1/4 cup Hemp seeds
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt or salt substitute – adjust to taste

Instructions

 

• Place all ingredients in a mini food processor and process until ground into a crumbly texture, being careful to not over process or you will end up with a paste. You want it to be granular.
• Store in a glass container in the refrigerator.
• It should keep 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator.

Keyword almonds, faux parmesan, garlic powder, hemp seeds, Nutritional yeast, sel – acious

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

We invite you to explore our online courses designed to support your journey toward a healthy, whole-food, plant-based lifestyle.

Use code nutmeg30 to save 30% on any of our courses or Cooking For Company ebook.

Batch Cooking with Tami: Discover the essential What, When, Where, Why, and How of batch cooking. This course includes instructional videos, and over 50 delicious recipes that you can prepare in advance, making it easier to maintain your healthy eating habits. Learn how to work smarter not harder in the kitchen.

The Beautiful Chopped Salad Course: Tami teaches you how to batch prep salads for the entire week. This video course covers various chopping techniques, provides recipes for mouthwatering oil-free dressings, crunchy toppings, salsas, and all the details you need to create satisfying, filling salads you’ll eagerly anticipate. The downloadable PDF is full of recipes to help you create amazing salads.

Cooking for Company: Enjoy 10 carefully curated, plant-based menus that are tried and tested in Tami’s kitchen. These are the menus she uses when cooking for family and friends. With over 50 recipes, full-color photos, and detailed instructions, this ebook will make plant-based entertaining a breeze.

We are proud to be Holland Bowl Mill Affiliates. The 15 inch Holland Bowl Mill Cherry fruit bowl has a permanent place in our kitchen – it’s both beautiful and useful. The heart shaped bowl, in particular makes me happy – I love everything heart shaped! We use our 15 inch Beechwood & cherry bowl (one for each of us) to chop our salads every day. incorporating a salad for one meal every day since 2013, has helped me lose weight, maintain my healthy weight and improve my overall health. I continue to eat a salad for one meal a day but now it’s a Big Beautiful Chopped salad and it helps me stay slim and trim! For tips on adding chopped salads to your daily menu check out the Chopped Salad Blog Post plus find out how you can get a free mezzaluna knife with your Holland Bowl salad bowl order when you use our Holland Bowl affiliate link as well as free engraving and free shipping.