Easy Vegan Parmesan Cheese
Make this simple vegan Parmesan cheese recipe and sprinkle it over your favorite Italian recipes! This vegan Parm is made with hemp seeds, so it's nut free.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on September 5, 2024
I should put “Parmesan cheese” in big quotations here, because this vegan version is definitely not cheese. Yet, it tastes quite similar to the real deal! I’m loving this vegan Parmesan cheese recipe and I think you will, too.
This vegan Parm is great sprinkled over savory meals in lieu of real Parmesan. Whether you’re vegan, dairy free, avoiding animal rennet, looking to limit your consumption of animal products, or just plain curious—this recipe is for you.
I’m not the first person to come up with a vegan Parmesan cheese substitute. I’ve tried several recipes over the years, but none quite hit the mark. When I was wandering around Whole Foods the other day, I came across a vegan Parmesan blend in the refrigerated section. It used hemp seeds instead of raw cashews like I’ve used before. I was intrigued.
I didn’t buy that vegan Parm, but the idea stuck with me until I couldn’t ignore it any longer. Hemp seeds seemed like a great choice since they’re tender, nutty, nutritious, and nut free (a bonus for my friends with nut allergies). Hemp seeds are also tiny, which meant that I could simply stir the ingredients together instead of making a mess in my food processor.
So, I bought some hemp seeds on another grocery store run, and came home and started experimenting. Bingo! Meet the best vegan Parm I’ve ever had. You’ll only need five ingredients for this dairy-free wonder.
Vegan “Parmesan” Ingredients
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds have a slightly nutty flavor and tender chewy texture, which makes up for Parmesan’s similar qualities. Hemp seeds are very nutritious, offering polyunsaturated fat, protein, manganese, magnesium and more.
I bought my hemp seeds at Whole Foods in the supplement section, but they are less expensive on Amazon (affiliate link).
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast contributes cheese-like flavor and golden yellow coloring. Nutritional yeast is also loaded with B vitamins, which is why just 1 tablespoon of this vegan Parmesan accounts for roughly 50 percent of your daily suggested intake of vitamins B1, B2 and B6 (click the “nutrition information” label below the recipe for more exact details).
My favorite brand of nutritional yeast is Frontier Coop, for its superior flavor and small flake size. You can buy a big 1-pound bag of it inexpensively on Amazon. Another good store-bought option is Bragg’s. Do not mistakenly use brewer’s yeast here—they are not the same thing!
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder
These offer some extra flavor complexity that help make up for all the subtle flavors found in real Parmesan. Garlic and onion powder make this vegan Parm irresistible!
Salt
Real Parmesan cheese is quite salty, so salt is an essential ingredient for this vegan version! I used fine sea salt, but you can use regular table salt if that’s what you have.
Uses for Vegan Parmesan Cheese
You can sprinkle this vegan “Parmesan” with abandon all over your favorite Italian recipes, salads, cooked vegetables and more! Use it like you would use Parmesan (however, if you’re baking the recipe, you might want to reserve it for sprinkling until after it’s out of the oven for maximum flavor and presentation value).
You might also enjoy it in place of feta cheese, or any time you need some extra-savory flavor. Here are some ideas:
- Sprinkle vegan Parmesan over marinara sauce and pasta (for heartier options, check out my hearty spaghetti with lentils and marinara and vegan puttanesca with zucchini noodles).
- Omit the Parmesan cheese from basil pesto, then sprinkle vegan Parmesan on top of your pesto dish, to taste. It would be great on my double tomato pesto spaghetti recipe!
- Sprinkle it over roasted vegetables, like roasted broccoli or roasted cauliflower. You might also enjoy it over steamed or sautéed veggies.
- Take your vegan mac and cheese up a notch by topping it with a light sprinkle of vegan Parm.
- You might also enjoy it over homemade minestrone soup, or Italian chopped salad (in lieu of the provolone).
Please let me know how you like this vegan Parm in the comments! I’m excited to hear how you use it.
Easy Vegan Parmesan Cheese
Make this simple vegan Parmesan cheese recipe and sprinkle it over your favorite Italian recipes! This vegan Parm is made with hemp seeds, so it’s nut free. No food processor required—just stir together the ingredients and you’re done. Recipe yields about ¾ cup.
Ingredients
- ½ cup hemp seeds
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Simply stir together the ingredients in a bowl or jar until they are evenly dispersed. Taste, and add more salt for more intense flavor (I usually add another pinch or so). You’re done!
- Store this vegan Parmesan cheese in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Very tasty, I love this recipe because it is so simple and delicious.
On occasion I’ve added romaine lettuce when I don’t have enough fresh basil and roasted cashews to stretch the hemp hearts.
Tonight we are having your recipe pesto over spaghetti squash :)
So easy to make…took all of 3 minutes and worth every second! THX
Love this recipe! I now make it regularly, and we’ve stopped keeping grated Parmesan around because it’s so tasty and nutritious.
That’s great to hear, Lauren!
Hemp seeds are REALLY expensive, at least where I’m from. Any ideas for a substitution?
Sorry to disappoint. This is best as written.
They are reasonably priced at Costco (like other seeds)
Try cashews
I’m military and we’re not allowed to eat hemp… it’s there anything I can use in its place?
Hi Tina, I don’t have a great alternative without making it a different recipe. Sorry!
Yes, cashews or dried out chickpeas.
Hello! Just made this to top your Best Vegan Lasagna recipe. You’re right, it is the best I’ve ever had. Question: Does this keep well for later use?
See the end of the recipe. This will keep well!
I have a question about the hemp seeds. Do I need to crush them first? I made the recipe and enjoy the flavour but am not sure about the mouthfeel of the seeds.
Thank you
You’re welcome, Connie!
There is a difference between hemp seeds and hemp hearts! I bought hemp seeds, but when I looked at the link, i saw that it refers to hemp hearts. I will use my mortar and pestle to crack the seeds.
This recipe looks great! I can’t wait to try it! What kind of nutritional yeast do you use? I’ve had some before that tasted questionable. Thanks.
I like Frontier Co-op. I hope you try it!
This was a great and easy recipe! I modified it by using squash seeds I roasted from the acorn squash I used today to make a soup and a vegan Mac n cheese. This topping is going right on top of the vegan Mac n cheese!
Great stuff! Keep it handy because it’s good on everything. Avo toast this morning. Noodles and veggies last night. Rice and tofu tomorrow. I lost the link and recipe, but found it again after promising to make it for a friend. Thanks!
I’m glad you loved it, Jan! I appreciate your review.
Do you use hemp seeds or hemp hearts
The hemp hearts.
I have been diagnosed with Alpha Gal. No mammal at al can I eat. I use turkey, chicken, and seafood. I have missed having Parmesan cheese so much. This taste like the real thing. I can’t thank you enough. I just made a double batch
Can you used hemp hearts rather than seeds in this recipe?
Yes, they are one in the same.
Not really. I believe hemp hearts have been hulled. That being said, I am thrilled to find this recipe! My grandsons are both allergic to dairy protein. The youngest is allergic cashews and chick peas. We live out in the country between two small towns. I can whip this up in no time and no longer need to leave parmesan out of a recipe! Thanks so much!
I made it and used over pasta as well as popcorn. Shared some pop corn with it and made 2 converts, lol
I haven’t made the recipe yet, but I always come to your site Kate when I am looking for a vegan recipe.
May I say, you are an amazing cook.
Thank you for your great recipes.
Rita White
You’re welcome, Rita!
I normally don’t leave a comment but I have to say that this is my go to recipe for vegan parm. Sometimes I add more garlic powder or nutritional yeast and this recipe is spot on. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Geetha!
It is as delish, nutrish, and easy as everyone says it is! And it’s the closest thing to parmesan without being cheese. Hemp HEARTs (not seeds) at Costco are probably your most frugal option.
Thank you for the recipe, it is delicious and easy to make. I have used it several times. Could you please let me know if there is a substitute for the nutritional yeast in the recipe for someone that cannot take nutritional yeast.
I made this for the lasagna. Tried some of the leftover on air popped popcorn – best popcorn ever!
This is surprisingly delicious and indeed tastes cheesy with a pleasing bite! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Had a little trouble finding the hemp seed hearts in my rural location (will order next time), but it was absolutely worth it. I love the flavor, but love the texture even more. It is ridiculously easy to make. I will need to hide a stash for myself because my family is sprinkling it on everything now….