This vegan cheddar-style almond spread is creamy, smoky, and incredibly easy to make. With only five ingredients and a food processor, you can create a delicious dairy-free spread perfect for crackers, fresh pears, raw vegetables, or sandwiches.
One of the most common reactions to adopting a plant-based diet is, “I could never give up cheese!” That, along with questions about protein, is what I hear most from people curious but hesitant about going dairy-free.
I get it. I used to love dairy: cheese on practically everything, milk with meals, yogurt for breakfast, and cheese with wine in the evenings.
But you don’t have to lose those flavors and textures to eat healthier. Dairy-free alternatives can deliver the same creamy, satisfying experience without the saturated fat, cholesterol, or digestive issues that some people face with dairy.
Julie Piatt’s book This Cheese Is Nuts! demonstrates how to make rich, silky vegan cheeses at home that please even devoted cheese lovers. The recipes range from quick spreads to more involved aged cheeses, and many use pantry staples you may already have.
When I first stopped eating dairy I was excited but anxious — I really loved cheese. Over time I learned to recreate my favorite comfort foods without dairy, preserving the flavors and textures I missed.
We still enjoy plant-based versions of classics like mac and cheese, broccoli cheese soup, cream cheese, cheesecakes, ice cream, ranch dressing, French onion dip, and queso. Many of those recipes rely on ingredients and techniques similar to the simple almond cheddar spread here.
This Cheese Is Nuts by Julie Piatt
You may recognize Julie from The Plantpower Way, which she coauthored. This Cheese Is Nuts covers a wide variety of dairy-free cheeses, from quick sauces and simple spreads to multi-step aged cheeses and dessert applications.
The book includes recipes such as:
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 variations; Whipped Cashew Ricotta
Dishes: Beet Goat Cheese Salad; Almond Fettuccine Alfredo; Vegan eggs Benedict with hollandaise and coconut bacon
Desserts: Baked Almond Ricotta Strawberry Shortcake; Banana Cream Pie; Poached Figs with meringue
Nut-Free Options: Chickpea cheesy spread; White bean cheese; Faux-Quefort
Dairy-Free Staples: Crème fraîche alternatives; Classic sour cream; Yogurt; Buckwheat crackers
Julie also explains equipment, techniques, and pantry ingredients used across recipes. Some items, like agar-agar, acidophilus, or Irish moss, might be new to your pantry, but they’re used in multiple recipes and will be useful over time. Many recipes, including the almond cheddar spread below, rely on everyday pantry staples.
More vegan dips and spreads
- Pumpkin Seed Pesto
- Vegan Cream Cheese
- Perfect Oil-Free Hummus
- Smoky Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Dip
- Sun-Dried Tomato Spread
- Vegan Ricotta Spread
I hope you enjoy this recipe. If you try it, please rate it and leave a comment with your feedback. For more easy family-friendly plant-based recipes, consider checking out The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook.
Don’t forget to pick up your own copy of This Cheese Is Nuts! by Julie Piatt if you want to explore more dairy-free cheese techniques and recipes.
Smoked Almond Cheddar Cheese from This Cheese Is Nuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw almonds
- ½–3/4 cup pimientos from a jar, plus ½–3/4 cup packing liquid
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 ¾ teaspoon smoked sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
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Rinse the almonds well. Place them in a bowl, cover with water, and refrigerate overnight to soften.
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Drain the almonds. In a food processor, combine the almonds, pimientos, nutritional yeast, smoked sea salt, garlic powder, and ¼ cup of the pimiento liquid. Process until well blended.
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Taste and check the texture. For a smoother spread, add more pimiento liquid in small amounts and process again. Adjust salt if needed.
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Serve with crackers, fresh pears, or vegetables.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online tools and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data if needed.