Vegan Pepper Jack Cheese
In today’s post, we’re diving into the world of vegan cheese-making with a recipe for Pepper Jack Cheese. This dairy-free alternative is packed with bold flavors and creamy textures, making it the perfect addition to sandwiches, crackers, or any dish that calls for a touch of cheesy goodness. This Vegan Pepper Jack Cheese is now part of my vegan cheese collection, which also includes: Vegan Mozzarella, vegan cheddar cheese, vegan sweet cream cheese and vegan herbed cheese. Join us as we explore the ingredients and techniques behind this fiery creation.
Ingredients for the Vegan Pepper Jack Cheese
The Cheese Base:
- Raw Cashews: Cashews serve as the base for our vegan cheese, providing a creamy texture and rich flavor. Boiling them softens the cashews, making them easier to blend into a smooth consistency.
- Soy Milk: Unsweetened and unflavored soy milk adds additional creaminess to the cheese while also contributing to its protein content. It helps to achieve the desired texture and consistency without overpowering the other flavors.
- Refined Coconut Oil: Coconut oil lends a subtle coconut flavor and helps solidify the cheese when chilled. Its high fat content provides richness and mouthfeel, mimicking the qualities of traditional dairy-based cheese.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds acidity and tanginess to the cheese, balancing the flavors and enhancing its overall complexity. It also helps to activate the agar agar powder, ensuring proper setting of the cheese.
- Tahini: Tahini contributes to the creamy texture of the cheese while also imparting a nutty flavor profile. It adds depth and richness to the cheese, complementing the other ingredients beautifully.
- Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor and enhances the umami notes of the cheese. It is a staple ingredient in vegan cheese-making, adding depth and complexity to the final product.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These aromatic spices add savory undertones to the cheese, enhancing its flavor profile and adding depth. They help to create a well-rounded and balanced cheese with layers of complexity.
- Salt and Cayenne Pepper: Salt brings out the flavors of the other ingredients and helps to balance the overall taste of the cheese. Cayenne pepper adds a subtle heat and a hint of spice, giving the cheese its signature Pepper Jack flavor.
- Tapioca Starch: Tapioca starch acts as a thickening agent, helping to bind the ingredients together and create a smooth, creamy texture. It also contributes to the stretchiness and meltability of the cheese when heated.
- Agar Agar Powder: Agar agar powder is a vegan-friendly alternative to gelatin and helps to set the cheese into a firm, sliceable block. When dissolved in water and heated, it forms a gel-like substance that gives the cheese its structure and consistency.
The Garnish:
- Jalapeno Pepper: Sliced jalapeno peppers add a pop of color and a spicy kick to the cheese, reminiscent of traditional Pepper Jack cheese. They provide a vibrant contrast to the creamy texture of the spicy vegan cheese.
- Baby Red Bell Pepper: Diced baby red bell peppers contribute sweetness and crunch to the cheese, balancing the heat from the jalapeno peppers. They add visual appeal and texture to the finished product.
The method to make our Vegan Pepper Jack cheese:
To make our plant-based pepper jack cheese, we just need to follow a few simple steps:
Begin by boiling the raw cashews in water for about 5 minutes to soften them. Drain and set aside.
In a blender, combine the softened cashews, soy milk, refined coconut oil, lemon juice, tahini, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
In a small saucepan, dissolve the agar agar powder in water over low heat, stirring constantly until completely dissolved.
Once the agar agar mixture is smooth, pour it into the blender with the cashew mixture. Blend again until everything is well combined.
Then add the cashew mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it begins to thicken. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
Once the mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat and fold in the diced jalapeno pepper and red bell peppers.
Pour the cheese mixture into a ramekin container or mold of your choice. Smooth out the top with a spatula. then transfer it to the refrigerator to set for at least 4 hours, or until firm.
Once the cheese has set, carefully remove it from the mold and slice or shred it as desired.
Serve your homemade vegan pepper jack cheese on sandwiches, crackers, or alongside your favorite dishes. Enjoy the creamy texture and spicy flavor of this dairy-free cheese alternative! Store in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days.
Watch the Detailed Recipe Video on YouTube
Vegan Pepper Jack Cheese
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Raw Cashews boiled for 5 min to soften
- 1/2 Cup Soy Milk unsweetened and unflavored
- 3 Tbsp Refined Coconut Oil
- 3 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 Tbsp Tahini
- 3 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/4 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 3 Tbsp Tapioca Starch
- 1 Cup Water
- 3 Tbsp Agar Agar Powder
- 1 jalapeno pepper,
- 3 baby bell pepper
Instructions
- Begin by boiling the raw cashews in water for about 5 minutes to soften them. Drain and set aside.
- In a blender, combine the softened cashews, soy milk, refined coconut oil, lemon juice, tahini, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- In a small saucepan, dissolve the agar agar powder in water over low heat, stirring constantly until completely dissolved.
- Once the agar agar mixture is smooth, pour it into the blender with the cashew mixture. Blend again until everything is well combined.
- Then add the cashew mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it begins to thicken. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat and fold in the diced jalapeno pepper and red bell peppers.
- Pour the cheese mixture into a ramekin container or mold of your choice. Smooth out the top with a spatula. then transfer it to the refrigerator to set for at least 4 hours, or until firm.
- Once the cheese has set, carefully remove it from the mold and slice or shred it as desired.
- Serve your homemade vegan pepper jack cheese on sandwiches, crackers, or alongside your favorite dishes. Enjoy the creamy texture and spicy flavor of this dairy-free cheese alternative!
