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Have you tried Tofu Mozzarella cheese yet? It’s a vegan cheese substitute that is both nut-free and oil-free. This stretchy and versatile cheese can be made quickly with only 7 ingredients in 10 minutes. It’s perfect for melting over your favorite dishes and will make them even more delicious.
Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just curious about plant-based alternatives, this recipe promises a melty, gooey, and downright irresistible cheese experience. I love my vegan mozzarella cheese made with cashews. However, it is nice to have alternatives for different diet needs, or sometimes it’s easier to do a quick melty cheese with tofu that is always in my fridge.
I have recently been using tofu in creamy dips, cheeses, and sauces, and I love it!
This vegan tofu mozzarella cheese sidesteps common allergens. It’s entirely free from nuts, dairy, and gluten, making it a safe and inclusive choice. Everyone can enjoy the cheesy goodness without worry!
And if you are allergic to soy, you can try my cashew-based cheese here.
I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as I do!
WHY TOFU?
Tofu, a beloved staple of vegan cuisine, is rich in 🌱protein and a fantastic source of calcium and iron. It’s also incredibly versatile, able to take on flavors and textures that make it a perfect base for this Mozzarella Cheese.
Plus, it’s free from common allergens like dairy, nuts, and gluten, making it an excellent option for almost everyone.
HOW TO PREPARE THIS TOFU MOZZARELLA CHEESE
(Please read the printable recipe card below for detailed ingredients, measurements, steps, and notes).
This recipe is super easy to prepare and easy to find whole food plant-based ingredients.
First, blend the drained firm tofu with water, tapioca starch, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. Adjust the seasoning to taste after blending.
Then, cook the mixture in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens and becomes stretchy, resembling melted mozzarella cheese.
That’s a high-level summary; now, let’s explore kitchen tools, the required ingredients, and the steps with helpful pictures if needed.
USEFUL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
Here’s a list of essential kitchen tools needed to prepare the recipe:
- A High-Speed Blender or a bullet blender to achieve that smooth, creamy consistency without any lumps.
- A Medium Saucepan for cooking the cheese mixture to the perfect texture.
- A Spatula or Whisk for continuous stirring, ensuring even cooking and a beautifully stretchy result.
Now, let’s review the list of ingredients and potential substitutions in some cases.
INGREDIENTS NOTES
Here is a list of everything you will need to prepare this delicious cheese:
- Firm Tofu: Base for creamy texture and protein. The firmness of the tofu significantly affects the final texture of your mozzarella. Firm tofu is recommended for its balance of creaminess and structure. Extra-firm tofu can also be used for denser cheese, while silken tofu might make the cheese too soft and runny (like a sauce).
- Water: Blends ingredients and adjusts consistency. Substitution: You could also use Unsweetened plant-based milk.
- Tapioca Starch: This ingredient is responsible for your vegan mozzarella’s stretchiness and gooey texture. It’s important to note that the unique texture provided by tapioca starch cannot be replicated by other starches. While arrowroot or cornstarch can be used to give the cheese thickness, they won’t offer the same stretchiness and gooeyness as tapioca starch.
- Nutritional Yeast: Adds cheesy, nutty flavor. Substitution: Miso paste and mustard (flavor will change).
- Lemon Juice: Provides acidity and tangy flavor. Substitution: Apple cider vinegar.
- Salt: enhances flavors. If you can’t have salt, skip it or use a little of coconut aminos.
- Garlic Powder (Optional): Adds depth with a garlic undertone. Substitution: Fresh minced garlic or garlic salt (adjust the salt content).
- Onion Powder: Adds complexity to flavor.
DIRECTIONS WITH PICTURES
To prepare these Tofu Mozzarella Cheese, follow these steps:
Blend Ingredients: Combine crumbled tofu, water, tapioca starch, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, garlic, and onion powder in a blender until smooth; scrape sides if needed.
Season to Taste: After blending, sample the mixture and adjust with extra salt, lemon juice, or nutritional yeast as desired.
Cook and Thicken the Mixture: Move the blended mix into a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent sticking, until it thickens into a stretchy, cheese-like consistency within 5-10 minutes.
Serve and enjoy: Use the freshly made vegan mozzarella to enhance pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, or any dish craving a cheesy touch.
WHAT WILL YOU LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE?
- It’s incredibly easy to Make. With straightforward steps and standard kitchen tools, even beginners can quickly whip up this vegan mozzarella.
- Nutritiously Packed: Leveraging the power of tofu, this recipe is rich in protein and contains no nuts, making it a healthful choice for many diets lower in fat.
- Allergen-Friendly: Free from common allergens like dairy, nuts, and gluten, it’s perfect for those with dietary restrictions or food sensitivities. And if you are allergic to soy, you can try my cashew-based cheese here.
- Versatile in Use: Whether you’re topping pizzas, enhancing pasta, or adding a cheesy twist to sandwiches, this mozzarella is suitable for various dishes.
- Stretchy and Creamy Texture: Thanks to tapioca starch, it achieves that sought-after gooey, stretchy quality of traditional mozzarella, delighting everyone.
- Wholesome Ingredients: Made from whole foods, this recipe is as clean as it gets, offering a guilt-free way to enjoy the creamy goodness of cheese.
- Economical: Skip the pricey store-bought vegan cheeses by making a more affordable, yet equally delicious, version at home.
Let’s prepare this vegan mozzarella cheese!
OTHER POPULAR VEGAN CHEESE RECIPES
PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD
EASY TOFU MOZZARELLA CHEESE (Vegan, Nut-Free, Oil-Free)
Ingredients
- 1 block firm tofu (about 16 oz, drained)
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup tapioca starch (for stretchiness)
- 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast (for a cheesy flavor)
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Blend Ingredients: Crumble the drained tofu into a blender. Add water, tapioca starch, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth. If your blender struggles to blend the tofu smoothly, stop and scrape down the sides a few times.
- Season to Taste: Give your vegan mozzarella a taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Consider adding a bit more salt, lemon juice, or nutritional yeast, depending on your preference.
- Cook the Mixture: Transfer the blended mixture to a medium saucepan and cook it over medium heat. Stir the mixture continuously with a spatula or whisk to prevent it from sticking to the bottom and to ensure even cooking.
- Thicken the Mozzarella: As you stir, the mixture will begin to thicken and start to look stretchy, resembling the consistency of melted mozzarella cheese. This process should take about 5 to 10 minutes. Keep stirring to maintain a smooth consistency.
- Serve: Your tofu-based vegan liquid mozzarella is now ready to be used! It's perfect for adding a creamy, cheesy topping to pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, or any dish where you'd enjoy a melty cheese texture.
Notes
- Store any unused vegan mozzarella in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 5 days. Before using it again, you may need to gently reheat it as it can firm up in the fridge.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended as it can alter the texture, making it less smooth and stretchy once thawed.
- Blending: Ensure the mixture is perfectly smooth to avoid a gritty texture. High-speed blenders work best for achieving a creamy consistency.
- Cooking Time: The cooking time might vary depending on the heat and the pan used. Watch the mixture transition from liquid to a gooey, stretchy texture, indicating it’s ready.
- Tofu Texture: The firmness of the tofu significantly affects the final texture of your mozzarella. Firm tofu is recommended for its balance of creaminess and structure. Extra-firm tofu can also be used for denser cheese, while silken tofu might make the cheese too soft and runny (like a sauce).
- Tapioca Starch: This ingredient is crucial for the stretchy quality of the mozzarella. Substituting it with another starch may result in a different texture.
WAYS TO ENJOY THIS TOFU MOZZARELLA CHEESE
This vegan mozzarella cheese is a delight to make and a versatile addition to a wide array of dishes. Here are some scrumptious ways to enjoy it:
- Pizza Topping: Drizzle it over your favorite vegan pizza before baking for a gooey, melty experience that rivals any traditional pizza. Find a Whole Wheat Pizza crust recipe here!
- Pasta Enhancer: Stir it into hot pasta for a creamy, luxurious sauce, or dollop it on top of lasagna layers before baking for a cheesy crust.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Spread it between slices of bread with your choice of fillings, and grill to perfection for a comforting, melty sandwich.
- Stuffed Veggies: Use it as a filling for stuffed bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini boats, adding depth and creaminess to these baked delights.
- Savory Breakfasts: Swirl it into scrambled tofu, layer it in a breakfast casserole, or spread it on a toasted bagel for a cheesy start.
DID YOU MAKE THIS EASY TOFU MOZZARELLA CHEESE?
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