Almond Feta (Baked) | Dairy-free & Vegan Feta Recipe (2024)

By Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan 27 Comments

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Quick post today because I’m overdue on sharing a new recipe. I’ve been teasing this almond feta for a few weeks now after posting about it on Instagram, and I finally had the chance to make the recipe again and confirm its awesomeness.

Almond Feta (Baked) | Dairy-free & Vegan Feta Recipe (1)

So what exactly is almond feta? It’s a vegan cheese analogue that’s great in cold applications like salads, tartines, or just straight-up snacking! I think you’ll absolutely love the garlicky, lemony, rich flavor.

I make my almond feta using a few main steps:

  1. Soak raw almonds in hot water to loosen and remove the skins (don’t throw those skins away! Roast them in the oven for a delicious, healthy, crispy snack)
  2. Blend the almonds into a smooth pulp along with garlic, shallot, and a few other flavorful ingredients (and plenty of salt); and strain some of the excess liquid from the blended mixture
  3. Bake the almond feta until solid; let cool, slice into cubes, and enjoy!

So yes, it’s a tiny bit labor-intensive removing the skins from the almonds. I’ve seen recipes that call for almond flour instead in order to bypass this step, but frugality won for me this time around. Plus, even though it takes a little while to do it, it’s very fun and easy popping off the almond skins. My recipe is different from other almond feta recipes mainly because it calls for nondairy yogurt. As I learned with my cashew cream cheese, nondairy yogurt is essential for me to feel like a vegan cheese analogue has an authentic flavor that resembles dairy versions.

Almond Feta (Baked) | Dairy-free & Vegan Feta Recipe (2)

Give this almond feta a try and let me know how you like it! And tweak the recipe to your own taste, too. Change the seasoning or acidity; bake it longer for a drier almond feta that will crumble beautifully; or bake it shorter for a very creamy result. Make it your own 🙂

Almond Feta (Baked) | Dairy-free & Vegan Feta Recipe (3)

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5 from 4 votes

Baked Almond Feta

Creamy, tangy, salty, savory baked almond feta, made by blending almonds with seasonings and baking until firm and crisp. Vegan, dairy-free recipe.

Course basics, sides, snacks

Cuisine gluten-free, soy-free, sugar-free, vegan, vegetarian

Keyword almond feta

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings 2 cups

Calories 109kcal

Author Yup, it's Vegan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw almonds
  • 1 shallot peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp plain unsweetened nondairy yogurt (or substitute with 1 tb. additional lemon juice)
  • 3 tbsp freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • 3/4 tsp salt (or to taste)

Instructions

  • Put the raw almonds in a bowl and cover them with very hot water. Let them sit for 2 hours.

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, and ready an oven-safe ceramic or glass dish and parchment paper (I used a 5-inch glass dish).

  • Drain the almonds and remove the skins. The skins should pop right off of most of the almonds if you do the entire 2 hours of soaking. Be sure to save them as you can roast them for a crispy snack or add them to smoothies, etc.

  • Add the almonds to a blender along with the shallots, garlic, yogurt, lemon juice, and salt. Add only as much filtered water as needed to blend (I had to use around 1/2 cup). Blend, stopping to stir and scrape the sides as needed, until a thick, smooth paste is formed.

  • Pour the mixture into cheesecloth and GENTLY squeeze out the excess liquid. You don't want to remove all of it (which you would do if you were making almond milk) - just enough so that the pulp clumps together but is still moist. Alternately, you can let it drain (without squeezing) out of the cheesecloth overnight in the refrigerator.

  • Transfer the pulp into the parchment paper-lined baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes, then use a toothpick or sharp knife to poke some holes in the surface to allow the heat to better penetrate the middle.

  • Return to the oven and bake for approximately 20 more minutes, or until the top of the almond feta is browning and slightly cracking.

  • Let the almond feta cool before slicing. Use it in salads, sandwiches, and more! Once cooled, store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.

Notes

For a better texture, you can also add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, but I happen to really love the oil-free version and I know that many of you avoid oil, so I am presenting that version of the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 3mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Almond Feta (Baked) | Dairy-free & Vegan Feta Recipe (4)

Adapted from Maple Spice and Yes I Am Vegan.

Almond Feta (Baked) | Dairy-free & Vegan Feta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does vegan feta taste the same? ›

It's always nice and light, but it without any feta, it lacks the same salty, briny, tangy bite that a classic Greek salad has. But, this vegan feta has the same savory tanginess of traditional feta (and lots of herby Greek flavor) but without any of the dairy!

How do you use Violife feta cheese? ›

Sprinkle it over fresh Greek salads for that tangy and salty kick, crumble it into savory pastries for a burst of Mediterranean flavours, or simply enjoy it on a slice of crusty bread for a delightful snack. With Violife Feta Style, you can explore the endless possibilities of Greek cuisine in a plant-based way.

What is dairy free feta made of? ›

Most vegan feta recipes are made using tofu, which has always left me disappointed. I made this recipe using a cashew cream base seasoned with olive brine, vinegar, lemon juice, and savory seasonings. The key ingredient, agar agar powder, is the secret to this tangy feta holding its shape and texture.

What is the best vegan cheese in the world? ›

North America
  1. #1 Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella. Miyoko's Creamery.
  2. #2 Creamy Original Chao Slices. Field Roast.
  3. #3 Boursin dairy free Garlic and Herbs. Boursin.
  4. #4 Just Like Mozzarella Shreds. Violife.
  5. #5 Dairy-Free Parmesan Shredded. Follow Your Heart.

What cheese is healthier than feta? ›

Goat cheese is milder in flavor than feta, but also tends to be lower in calories as well as fat.” Depending on how it's processed, goat cheese can also pack probiotics, which are microorganisms that can aid digestion. Fresh mozzarella, “tends to be one of the lowest in calories and sodium,” McGrane says.

Is vegan feta good for you? ›

Is vegan cheese healthy? In terms of health, vegan cheese is generally considered better for you than dairy cheese as it's lower in saturated fat and often has added vitamin B12, which contributes to a healthy nervous system.

Why does my feta taste weird? ›

If your feta tastes overly piquant, bitter, rancid, or otherwise unbalanced, it's past its prime.

Will vegan cheese ever taste like real cheese? ›

Keep in mind that all brands are different, so if you try one brand you don't like, don't give up on the rest. Vegan cheesemakers are coming up with new processes all the time that are making these cheeses taste even more like the traditional stuff.

Does Violife vegan feta melt? ›

I made this with the vegan feta from Violife, which melted wonderfully into a bubbling, creamy delight.

Is Violife feta good? ›

Creamy, rich, feta-taste. Am addicted honestly. I'm happy I found this since I went to vegan diet just 4 months and never thought I would ever eat Feta cheese. It tastes amazingly close to Feta, it is creamier and not crumbly like dairy based feta cheese I was used to, but taste is amazing.

Why is feta cheese not vegan? ›

The answer here is a pretty straightforward no. As feta cheese is made from the milk of sheep and sometimes goats it isn't suitable for anyone on a fully plant-based diet. Vegans will not only abstain from eating meat, but also all animal products or other foods that are made with the use of byproducts too.

Can you eat feta if you are dairy free? ›

With lactose intolerance, you can still eat cheese, but choose carefully. Hard, aged cheeses like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddars are lower in lactose. Other low-lactose cheese options include cottage cheese or feta cheese made from goat or sheep's milk.

Is tofu considered vegan? ›

If you're starting your journey into a plant-based diet or if you're looking for a good meat substitute, tofu is completely vegan friendly. Tofu products are actually a staple soy-based part of a vegetarian and vegan diet. Tofu is vegetarian because it is derived from soy proteins.

Is vegan feta cheese any good? ›

Vegan feta tastes and looks like the real deal—salty, savory, creamy, and crumbly. But vegan cheeses are even yummier than dairy because no animal is harmed in their creation—compassion always tastes better! Feta is traditionally made of sheep's milk.

What brand of feta cheese is vegan? ›

This Violife Just Like Feta Vegan Cheese is very reminiscent of feta cheese flavor-wise, although the texture isn't quite as crumbly as the feta I used to be familiar with. This Violife feta has a creamy smooth texture and an amazing versatile flavor so it can be used in a variety of dishes.

Does dairy free feta taste good? ›

It's crumbly at first but it does end up creamy textured once you eat it or even press it too hard. But it's very tasty! Since I have a dairy, free diet, I have not been able to eat feta. This product is excellent.

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