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? ›

But, this vegan feta has the same savory tanginess of traditional feta (and lots of herby Greek flavor) but without any of the dairy! It's surprisingly simple to make, packed with protein thanks to tofu, can be served in small cubes or crumbled, and will stay good in the fridge for a week.

What is vegan 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 a non dairy substitute for feta cheese? ›

Violife Just Like Feta Block is crafted using coconut oil and other plant-based ingredients, but does not contain any lactose, nuts, and preservatives. The only limit dairy-free eaters face is their culinary imaginations.

Does Trader Joe's vegan feta melt? ›

It doesn't have a weird aftertaste. It melts well. It's amazing.

Will vegan cheese ever taste like real cheese? ›

It's important to understand that vegan cheese, being made with different ingredients, typically does not taste exactly like traditional dairy cheese. However, it does replicate some of the flavors and textures that you might remember from dairy cheese and tastes great in its own right.

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.

Is vegan feta healthy? ›

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.

Can vegans eat hummus? ›

Hummus is a vegan staple that allows you to have some versatility in your diet. It's an immensely popular food amongst vegans so you may have found a new favourite yourself. It's available in a wide range of flavours and is very versatile in the kitchen so you can experiment with it if you wish to.

Can you buy vegan feta? ›

A plant based alternative to Feta. Perfect tossed in a greek salad alongside olives, red onion and tomatoes. Keep refrigerated under 5 degrees.

Is there a dairy free feta? ›

Most of the TikTok videos use traditional feta, which is predominantly made from sheep's milk, but it is possible to buy (or make) a dairy-free version, too. In fact, demand for vegan feta cheese is also rising, notes Jocelyn Robertson, who works as director of brand marketing for plant-based brand Daiya.

Does Aldi have vegan feta? ›

Aldi Launches Huge Vegan Cheese Range – Including Feta And Camembert.

Does vegan feta taste good? ›

Creamy, crumbly, tangy, salty, and oh-so-delicious! This vegan feta recipe tastes just like traditional feta (except even better). Enjoy this feta cheese smeared on crusty bread, use it to make a Greek salad, melt it into pasta, or crumble it onto roasted potatoes or tomatoes.

Why is my feta rubbery? ›

There are two possible causes for rubbery cheese;

This can happen when an excess amount of rennet is used. We suggest you use a bit less rennet next time. It can also happen if cheese is overworked or overcooked, and all the butterfat is removed from the product.

Is vegan feta 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.

Does fat free feta cheese taste different? ›

Odyssey® Fat Free Feta still has that great traditional feta cheese taste but with has less calories, for those looking for a healthier cheese option.

Does all feta taste the same? ›

She explained that French feta, made of 100% sheep's milk, is the least salty of the three. Bulgarian may be made of sheep and/or goat, while Greek feta will be primarily sheep's milk and sometimes up to 30% goat's milk ― both are a little saltier than French.

Does lactose free feta taste different? ›

Our new lactose free Feta cheese has a mild, fresh and creamy taste that is just as delicious as our other Feta cheeses! Pasteurized milk, pasteurized cream, modified milk ingredients, sea salt, bacterial culture, calcium chloride, microbial enzyme.

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