Vegan Parmesan (Best Dairy-Free Brands and Recipe)

Discover the best dairy-free vegan parmesan brands and learn how to make your own vegan parm using simple pantry item ingredients!
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A container of homemade vegan parmesan cheese.
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Searching for the best dairy-free vegan parmesan options to use on pasta, risotto, soups, salad, potatoes, veggies, and beyond? This vegan cheese guide explores brands of vegan parmesan available in stores, along with a simple and delicious recipe for creating your own homemade version. From cashew-based to crumbly or shreddable parmesan, there is a wide variety of plant-based parmesan options to choose from.

Vegan parmesan has become an essential topping ingredient for pizza, appetizers, bread, and more for very good reasons. Is there anything as quick and satisfying for dinner as a simple pasta dish with a sprinkle of savory and umami-rich vegan parmesan? Just a touch adds so much flavor and pizzaz!

Violife vegan parmesan chesse wedge block at the Natural Products Expo West.

Vegan Parmesan Brands

Most mainstream grocery stores carry at least one brand of dairy-free parmesan. Keep an eye out for these solid brand choices that create their own version of vegan parm.

Violife Just Like Parmesan

We love grabbing our cheesegraters and grating this parmesan alternative over pasta dishes and salads. We’re also guilty of eating a small hunk of this dairy-based delight when prepping a meal. Made with a blend of potato and rice starches and coconut oil, this vegan cheese is also perfect enough for using on vegan cheeseboards!

A hand holding a block of Violife brand vegan parmesan cheese.

Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Parmesan

We love FYH cheeses! This shredded cheese alternative is not only dairy-free, but also soy-free, gluten-free, and casein-free. Try this on salads for an extra dash of saltiness and texture, or use it to top off soups or bread on a chilly day.

Follow Your Heart brand dairy-free parmesan shreds.
Photo credit: Follow Your Heart

Go Veggie Plant-Based Parmesan

Made from non-GMO ingredients, Go Veggie brand plant-based parm is a good source of calcium and vitamin A, and is lower in fat than other brands. This powdery-textured grated topping is just like that stuff we used to sprinkle from a similarly-looking container in our pre-vegan days!

A container of Go Veggie brand plant-based grated parmesan.
Photo credit: Go Veggie

Panacheeza

One of the newest brands to hit the scene, Panacheeza is made from simply recognizable healthy ingredients, but somehow tastes wildly similar to dairy parmesan. This is definitely and brand worth trying!

Holding up a full red shaker container of Panacheeza brand vegan parmesan cheese.

Parma! Vegan Parmesan

This parmesan topping is made with wholesome ingredients like nutritional yeast, walnuts, salt, and sunflower, hemp, and pumpkin seeds. Besides being a healthy choice, Parma! also offers a variety of flavors. Choose from chipotle cayenne, better than bacon, original, basil garlic, and more.

A hand holding a container of Parma! brand vegan parmesan cheese.
Photo credit: Parma!

Rio Good’s Parmesano Vegano

This addictively good parmesan is made with very simple ingredients: cashew flour, Brazil nuts, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and lactic acid. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and delicious on everything from pasta to pizza to popcorn.

A package of Rio Good brand vegan parmesan called Parmesano Vegano.

Pimp My Salad Plant-Based Parm Cheez

This Australian-based plant-based parmesan offers two wholesome bases: cashews and hemp. Chocked with vitamins, minerals, and omega-3s, this tasty topping is great not only as a parmesan alternative but also adds some bling to most savory dishes!

A clear and yellow plastic container of Pimp My Salad cashew vegan parmesan with a white cap next to a white bowl of cashews on a blue background.
Pimp My Salad Cashew Vegan Parmesan (Source: @pimp.my.salad on Instagram)

Gopal’s Rawmesan Parmesan Cheese Alternative

Made with organic seeds and nuts, this healthy plant-based parmesan is raw, sprouted, and gluten-free. In addition to the original flavor, there is also a herb and spice variety. Sprinkle over anything for a rich kick of flavor, like popcorn, tofu scrambles, and more.

A container of Gopal's Rawmesan nut-based parmesan topping.
Photo credit: Gopal’s Healthfoods

Uprise Foods Nooch It! Cashew Grated Cheeze

Made with fair-trade cashews, this vegan parmesan is also gluten-free and non-GMO. Nutritional yeast, garlic, powder, hemp seeds, and brown rice powder are used to make this super cheesy topping. Use in on potatoes, veggies, risotto, and warm bread for an extra boost of flavor and nutrition!

Nooch It! brand vegan parmesan cheese.
Photo credit: Uprise Foods

Country Life Vegan Parmesan

Made with a blend of cashew flour, nutritional yeast, and spices, this vegan parm is great for sprinkling over any dish that loves a little cheesy kick. Plus, it’s organic and non-GMO!

Country Life Foods brand vegan parmesan.
Photo credit: Country Life Foods

Vegaliano Vegan Parmesan Aged Classic Gondino

This plant-based block of cheese is touted as “the first authentic Italian vegan parmesan” and is made with a blend of chickpea flour and coconut oil. This gluten- and nut-free hard cheese wheel is perfect for grating and using in Italian dishes like pasta, pizza, risotto, and bread.

Vegaliano brand vegan parmesan cheese.
Photo credit: Vegaliano

365 Whole Foods Market Vegan Parmesan Shreds

If you love the convenience of shredded vegan parmesan, this umami-rich version from Whole Foods is a great choice. These sturdy shreds add a nice texture to pasta, pizza, salads, and risotto. Made with a blend of potato starch and coconut oil, this parm alternative mimics the taste and texture of dairy-based parm very well!

A container of 365 Whole Foods Market brand plant-based, parmesan-style cheese.
Photo credit: Whole Foods Market

Nutritional Yeast Sprinkle as Parmesan

Ok, we know nutritional yeast (or “nooch”) isn’t technically parmsean, but we’re putting it on the list for good reason. It’s a great source of plant-based protein and vitamin B12, and a great choice for those looking for a health-conscious version of vegan parm. Sprinkle this on popcorn, tofu scrambles, roasted veggies, and more.

A bag and container of Bragg nutritional yeast.
Photo credit: Bragg

Vegan Recipes Using Vegan Parmesan

As you can see, plant-based parmesan can be used in many dishes and can even be used for crackers and vegan cheeseboards. For more ways to use this excellent vegan alternative, check out some of our dips and pasta dishes that use it!

  • For your next get-together, game day, or potluck, this Vegan Artichoke Dip recipe is a great way to use plant-based parm! It’s perfectly rich and cheesy.
  • This Plant-Based Carbonara recipe calls for four tablespoons of vegan parm, but an extra sprinkle at the end adds a nice boost of richness and texture.
  • Making this Super-Easy Vegetable Pasta is perfect for weeknight dinners. Adding a cashew-based topping or vegan shreds adds the perfect touch when serving!
  • Homemade Italian Pasta Sauce is key to enjoying a cozy pasta meal. Adding vegan parm right before serving adds a savory contrast to the bright and acidic flavors.

Homemade Vegan Parmesan Recipe

While many plant-based parmesan brands use a blend of flours and oils to create cheese, others use a blend of seeds and nuts to create a different, but equally satisfying result.

By using a blend of cashews, flaxseeds, and spices, we can create our own vegan parmesan in about five minutes! This recipe can show you how easy it is to create your own homemade parmesan using ingredients you may already have inside your pantry.

Key Recipe Ingredients

Raw cashews: These are plump, creamy-textured nuts harvested from the base of cashew apples. With their mild buttery taste, they lend a rich creaminess to this recipe that mimics cheese.

Nutritional yeast: This flavorful, flaky seasoning is prized for its umami-rich profile. It adds a savory depth and cheesy flavor that is essential for vegan parmesan.

Salt: Adding a bit of salt helps add brightness to the buttery and rich tones of the cashews, flaxseed, and nutritional yeast.

Garlic powder: Made from finely ground dehydrated garlic cloves, this seasoning infuses this vegan parm with a complex, savory note.

Smoked paprika: This spice is derived from dried red peppers that have been smoked and ground. Its distinctive smoky and slightly sweet flavor lends a nice complexity to this vegan cheese topping.

Onion powder: This finely powdered seasoning is made from dehydrated onions. Its concentrated onion flavor and aroma adds a brightness to this recipe.

Golden flaxseed meal: This finely ground, golden-hued ingredient derived from flaxseeds is optional to include, but it’s a great source of Omega-3s and and you can’t even taste it when added to this parmesan recipe.

Ingredients for vegan parmesan with labels.

This recipe couldn’t be any easier! Once you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, add them to a food processor.

Pulse about 10 times to create a crumbly texture.

Homemade vegan parmesan cheese, stored in a glass container.

Store the vegan parmesan in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep it handy so you can sprinkle over popcorn, bread, tofu scrambles, pasta, bread, soups, and veggies! If you loved this plant-based spice recipe, you must give this Homemade Chipotle Seasoning a try.

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Vegan Parmesan

Author: Michelle Cehn | World of Vegan
5 from 8 votes
This simple, quick, delicious vegan parmesan recipe is a staple in any plant-based home! It's cheesy, umami-rich, healthy, and absolutely perfect sprinkled over pasta, soups, salad, potatoes, veggies, and more.
A container of homemade vegan parmesan cheese.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 5 -6 servings (about 1½ cups)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • ¼ cup golden flaxseed meal, or grind golden roasted flaxseeds in coffee grinder — or if you don’t have ground flax, you can use more cashews instead
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • teaspoon smoked paprika
  • teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  • In a food processor, add the cashews, golden flax meal, nutritional yeast, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder. Process and pulse around 10 times until you have a crumbly consistency that’s mostly powdery with some little chunks.
  • Place in a sealed container or parmesan shaker and store on the counter at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 588mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 31IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 3mg
Course — Condiment
Cuisine — American, Italian
Love this Recipe? Leave a Rating!And follow @Vegan on Instagram for more.
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5 from 8 votes

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Recipe Rating




8 comments
  1. 5 stars
    This recipe really surprised me. I tried it with uncertainty but my whole family is now obsessed! It’s great on pasta, veggies, and anything savory. YUM. Definitely give it a try. We have a shaker of this in our kitchen constantly now!

  2. 5 stars
    Wow I really need to try this!

  3. Andrea White says:

    5 stars
    Looks like the perfect seasoning!

  4. 5 stars
    I’m so excited to share my recipe with everyone! I literally use this on pretty much every food I eat during the day, except my smoothie – lol. It’s so delicious on potatoes, salad, burritos, in wraps or tacos, and just as a sprinkly topping for mac & cheese, pasta or pizza. YUMMY! Hope you love it as much as I do!

  5. Beatriz Buono-Core says:

    5 stars
    I love this! So light and easy to make 🙂

  6. 5 stars
    I always have this vegan parm ready and made in my house, it’s SO good on pasta…and so many other things too!

  7. 5 stars
    Such a simple and useful recipe! Thanks so much for sharing this.

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