Vegan Cheesy Sprinkle (Dairy-Free Parmesan Seasoning)

This vegan cheesy sprinkle is a dairy-free parmesan seasoning made with simple ingredients. Perfect for pasta, salads, vegetables, and more. Easy to make in less than 20 minutes!

If the only prayer you say in your entire life is thank you, that would be enough. ~ Meister Eckhart

Fast to make and absolutely crazy good, this Vegan Cheesy Sprinkle (vegan parmesan) is the kind of pantry staple you'll find yourself reaching for again and again. It adds that rich, savory, umami "oomph" to everything from pasta dishes and salads to soups, roasted vegetables, and avocado toast.

Think of it as your go-to dairy-free parmesan cheese alternative-flavorful, satisfying, and endlessly versatile. Sprinkle it over just about anything for an instant upgrade, adding flavor and texture! We love our condiments here, and this is one of our favorite ways to finish off a recipe!

Completely delicious as-is, this blend is also easy to customize. Add dried herbs, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or shiitake mushroom powder for deeper, more savory flavor. Start here, then make it your own signature seasoning blend.

What Is Vegan Parmesan (Vegan Cheesy Sprinkle)?

Vegan parmesan-also known as vegan cheesy sprinkle or dairy-free parmesan seasoning-is a savory, umami-rich blend typically made from nuts, seeds, nutritional yeast, and spices. It's designed to mimic the salty, cheesy flavor of traditional Parmesan cheese without any dairy.

This homemade version is a simple pantry-friendly alternative to store-bought vegan cheese powders. It's naturally dairy-free, easy to make in minutes, and adds a bold, cheesy flavor boost to everyday meals.

Why you will love it!

• Completely dairy-free and plant-based
• Shelf-stable and perfect for meal prep
• Made with real, wholesome ingredients
• Customizable to your taste (herbs, spice, mushroom powder, etc.)

Vegan Cheesy Sprinkle Ingredients (Vegan Parmesan)

Walnuts (1 cup) - Provide a rich, nutty base and help create the crumbly, parmesan-like texture. You can also substitute hazelnuts, pine nuts, or Brazil nuts for a slightly different flavor profile.

Hemp seeds (1/2 cup) - Add a soft, creamy texture along with plant-based protein and healthy fats, helping create that signature "cheesy" feel.

Nutritional yeast (1/4 cup) - The key ingredient for that savory, cheesy flavor. It gives this vegan parmesan its classic umami richness.

Sea salt (1/2 teaspoon, or to taste) - Enhances all the flavors and brings everything together into a perfectly balanced seasoning blend.

Variations and Enhancements (Add any of the following)

• red pepper flakes.
• aleppo pepper flakes.
• dried rosemary.
• shiitake mushroom power.
• black pepper.
• smoked paprika.
• dulse flakes.
• dried orange or lemon peel.

How to make Vegan Cheesy Sprinkle

Pulse walnuts and hemp seeds in a food processor until fine crumbs form.

Toast in a skillet, stirring constantly along with the nutritional yeast.

Storage

Vegan Cheesy Sprinkle keeps for 2 months in an airtight container in the fridge, or for 1 month unrefrigerated. It is pantry stable, but the oils in the nuts can go rancid over time.

Serving Suggestions

Sprinkle it over pasta, roasted vegetables, soups, salads, popcorn, or avocado toast for an instant flavor upgrade.

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• Author: Tonia Schemmel | Feasting at Home
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 1/2 cups 1x
• Category: Condiment, spice
• Method: Toasted
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

Make this vegan parmesan cheese sprinkle for a dairy-free cheesy topping for pasta, salads, popcorn, and roasted vegetables. Easy seasoning blend. Easy to make in less than 20 minutes!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1/2x1x2x

• 1 cup walnuts (or sub hazelnuts, pinenuts, Brazilnuts)
• 1/2 cup hemp seeds (see notes)
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, adjust to taste

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Instructions

1. In a food processor pulse all ingredients until a uniform crumb is formed.
2. Dump mixture into a skillet, stirring constantly over medium low heat about 8-10 minutes or until it starts to smell toasty and looks lightly colored.

Store in an air tight container in the fridge.  Will keep fresh for 2 months.

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Notes

Substitutes for walnuts or hemp seeds:  Play around exchanging any combination of nuts and seeds,  keeping in mind that walnuts and hemp seeds have rich flavors, so substitutions like Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, cashews, sunflower seeds would all be good choices. Experiment!

Nutritional yeast substitutes: mushroom powder, white miso powder, dulse flakes, adding some sesame seeds also adds richness (Tip: grind a couple of tablespoons of sesame seeds in a spice grinder). You may need to play around with amounts, adding salt to taste only if needed.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
• Calories: 53
• Sugar: 0.2 g
• Sodium: 49.8 mg
• Fat: 4.8 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 1.2 g
• Fiber: 0.6 g
• Protein: 2.1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg