This is an easy recipe for a creamy, flavorful vegan cheese ball with a kick! Spicy pumpkin seeds and creamy dairy free cheese make this the perfect allergy friendly recipe for a party.
When the holiday season arrives, it’s time to find some delicious appetizer recipes. If you’re trying to keep things simple, chips and salsa is easy, as is guacamole. And bonus, they’re both naturally allergy friendly!
But if you’re preparing for a holiday party, you want to make something a little bit more special. If you’re dairy free, you may be missing all the delicious holiday cheese. A cheese platter with crackers and fruit or a cheese ball just says holiday party, doesn’t it?
Well, good news, friends! You can still enjoy cheese and crackers with this recipe. This cheese ball is dairy free, gluten free, vegan, and nut free.
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Taste
This cheese ball tastes cheesy, and spicy, and yummy. It doesn’t taste like it’s dairy free, and you won’t miss out on the nuts, because the seeds add a nice crunch. In fact, I bet you could fool your friends with this…they won’t guess that it’s allergy friendly!
Ingredient Notes
- Dairy Free Cheese – This recipe uses two types of Daiya cheese – the cream cheese spread, and the block jalapeno Havarti cheese. When blended together, it makes a very creamy and tasty spread for crackers.
- Pumpkin Seeds – Somewhat Spicy SuperSeedz give this cheese ball a little kick, but if you want to change the flavor, you can use any flavor of SuperSeedz or even sunflower seeds if you prefer.
Finding a Dairy Free Cheese
- Take a look at what dairy free cheeses are at your local store.
- Start by reading labels. If you find one that looks safe for your needs, call the company to double check on the manufacturing process. Make sure it truly is safe for your allergies.
- Try the cheese at home! Remember, some cheeses will work better than others in different recipes. You may not like vegan cheese shreds cold in a salad, but they may be great melted in a quesadilla. Be patient, and willing to experiment. This guide to vegan cheese may help you as you experiment.
Step by Step Instructions
- Grind the pumpkin seeds in a food processor. Remove most of them, then add the vegan block cheese.
- Process until the cheese if finely chopped.
- Add the vegan cream cheese, vegan buttery spread, and the spices. Process until very smooth.
- Place the pumpkin seeds on a place, and place the cheese mixture on top. Form a ball, and roll until it is coated in the seeds. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
My gluten free crackers go perfectly with this cheese ball, although if you’re having a party you’ll want to make several batches of them. Or just serve this spread with a store-bought cracker that works for your allergy needs. You could also try these homemade oatmeal crackers – they’re always a crowd pleaser.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Recipe
Easy Vegan Cheese Ball.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons vegan buttery spread
- 7 ounces Daiya Jalapeno Havarti Cheese cut into cubes
- 8 ounces plain Daiya cream cheese
- ¾ cup Somewhat Spicy SuperSeedz or any seed of your choice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Place the spicy pumpkin seeds in a food processor and pulse until they are coarse crumbs. Remove all but two tablespoons of the seeds and put on a plate. Set aside.
- Add the cubes of Jalapeno Havarti cheese to the bowl of the food processor. Pulse until the cheese is pretty finely chopped.
- Add the Daiya cream cheese, vegan buttery spread, garlic powder, and cumin, and mix on high speed until smooth and combined.
- Scrape out the cheese mixture and place on the plate with the pumpkin seeds. Use your hands to form a ball and roll in the seeds until it is coated. Wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator.
- Chill for at least one hour before serving with crackers or cut up veggies.
Notes
Nutrition
Inspired by this recipe which I have made for past holidays (minus the nuts).
This post was originally published in December 2016. It has been updated with new information and tips.
Michele
Can this be made ahead of time and frozen?
Kelly Roenicke
I haven’t tried that, so I am not sure! The texture may change.
Laura Roybal Holman
This non-cheese ball tasted like real cheese! Served it to a bunch of discerning ladies and they couldn’t tell the difference, found it to be so tasty. Thanks so much for coming up with it and sharing. i love cheese so much and this made me giddy.
Kelly Roenicke
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that!
Kim Gordon
Where do you buy all these products
Kelly Roenicke
You can find them at Whole Foods or other health food stores.