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    Salted Plains » Recipes » Appetizers & Snacks

    Vegan Cheese Ball

    Published: Dec 29, 2021 · Modified: Mar 31, 2022 by Tessa · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Vegan Cheese Ball recipe is an easy plant-based appetizer made with cashew cream and dairy-free cream cheese. Gluten-free.

    Appetizers don't have to have dairy to be fun. And delicious.

    If you are skeptical, then you must try this recipe. This dairy-free cheese ball made with homemade ranch seasoning is perfect for parties, gatherings, and everthing in-between.

    cheese in tea towel

    Dairy-Free Cheese Ball Ingredients

    An easy cheese ball coated in pecans actually requires very few ingredients. Here are the major items and dried herbs and spices you'll need:

    • Dairy-free cream cheese
    • Raw cashews
    • Olive oil
    • Raw pecans
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Dried dill, chives, and parsley
    vegan cheese ball with crackers

    How to Make a Cheese Ball

    So you might be wondering, how exactly do you make a vegan cheese ball? Follow these steps to learn how:

    1. Place cashews in a bowl and cover with hot water to soak for 10 minutes.
    2. Drain cashews and transfer to the bowl of a food processor.
    3. Add cream cheese, olive oil, water and processor until combined.
    4. Sprinkle in herbs and spices and process again until integrated.
    5. Place a tea towel in a medium bowl.
    6. Transfer cheese mixture into tea towel, gather corners, and twist to close.
    7. Chill cheese in freezer for one hour.
    8. Place pecan pieces on a medium plate.
    9. Take cheese ball, form into a smoother circle and press into pecans.
    10. Store cheese ball in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
    cheese ball coated with pecans

    What to Serve with a Cheese Ball

    Once your easy cheese ball is ready, it's time to think about what foods to serve with it. Here are some ideas to get you started:

    • Gluten-free crackers
    • Gluten-free pretzels
    • Apple slices
    • Celery and carrot sticks
    • Gluten-free flatbread
    cheese ball with crackers

    Want more dairy-free nibbles and starters recipes? My cold spinach dip is easy and completely vegan.

    Also, check out these stuffed cabbage rolls and the links below!

    More Gluten-Free Appetizers

    Vegan Queso Blanco Dip

    Cheesy Chex Mix

    Curried Roasted Almonds

    Dairy-Free Jalapeño Poppers

    Spicy Mango Guacamole

    Vegan Cheese Ball

    This Vegan Cheese Ball recipe is an easy plant-based appetizer made with cashew cream and dairy-free cream cheese. Gluten-free.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Chilling Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 121kcal
    Author: Tessa

    Equipment

    • Food Processor
    • Silicone Spatula
    • Glass Mixing Bowl
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Dry Measuring Cups

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup raw cashews
    • 8 ounces dairy-free cream cheese
    • 3 teaspoons olive oil
    • 3 teaspoons water
    • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoons dried dill
    • 1 ½ teaspoons dried chives
    • 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½-3/4 cup raw pecans chopped into small pieces

    Instructions

    • Place cashews in a medium bowl and cover with hot water. Soak for 10 minutes.
    • Drain cashews and transfer to the bowl of a food processor. Wipe medium bowl clean that held soaking cashews and set aside.
    • Add cream cheese, olive oil, and water to cashews in food processor. Process until smooth, stopping when needed to wipe down sides with a spatula.
    • Add in nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, chives, parsley, salt and pepper and process again until cheese mixture is completely integrated.
    • Place a tea towel in the medium bowl. Transfer cheese mixture into the middle of the tea towel, gather corners together, and twist to close. Chill cheese in bowl in the freezer for one hour. Alternatively, chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
    • Place pecan pieces on a medium plate. Take cheese ball out of tea towel, form into a smoother ball and press into pecans until the ball is completely coated.
    • Store cheese ball in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve cheese ball with crackers, crudites, or pretzels.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 121kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 324IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SaltedPlains or tag #saltedplains!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah

      February 27, 2022 at 8:49 pm

      5 stars
      Great idea for parties and entertaining.

      Reply
      • Tessa

        March 02, 2022 at 12:18 pm

        Definitely meant for sharing! :)

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tessa! I create gluten-free, real food recipes that are approachable and delicious.

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