This is the BEST Vegan Nacho Cheese that you’ve ever tried. Ready in just 10 minutes. Completely plant based, nut free and contains no carrots or potatoes.
Before going vegan, chips and salsa and chips and nacho cheese were my go-tos for parties, late night snacks, and more. Obviously chips and salsa is still a go, but man oh man I missed nacho cheese. Thus, vegan nacho cheese was a must make creation.
However, I had tried making with potatoes and carrots. I had tried making with raw cashews. And no matter what variations of those I tried, it was just meh.
Someone recommended that I tried Wayfare’s nacho cheese and instantly I was taken back to that perfect nacho cheese and chips combo. It was absolutely delicious.
I took a peek at the ingredients and the main ingredients were butter beans. Intrigued, I had to try to recreate something amazing.
The result….the best vegan nacho cheese if I do say so myself.
Now you can make it at home, easily, whenever you want and know exactly what the ingredients are that goes into the recipe.
This is so easy to make! Just 10 minutes total time. And can be completely Top 8 Allergen Free.
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What are the ingredients needed for dairy free nacho cheese?
This isn’t a small list of ingredients; however, most of them are spices, so don’t freak out!
- Butter beans
- Nutritional yeast
- Diced Jalapeños
- Lemon juice
- Vegan butter
- Oat flour
- Dairy Free milk
- Salt
- Cayenne Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Cumin
- Turmeric
How to you make vegan nacho cheese?
We recommended making your vegan nacho cheese in a high powered blender. You literally pour all the ingredients into your blender and then blend for 5 minutes. The result is a creamy vegan nacho cheese that is already warmed.
Can I use all-purpose flour for this vegan nacho cheese?
We have tested this recipe with oat flour and almond flour. You could use other gluten free flours like chickpea also.
However, if you use all-purpose flour, we recommend that you make in a skillet instead of in a blender or food processor so that the flour actually gets cooked and you eliminate the risk of salmonella.
Do I have to use a blender?
While we think a blender is the easiest and fastest way to make this dairy free nacho cheese recipe, it isn’t the only way to make it.
You could also use a food processor by adding all the ingredients together and blending until smooth and thickened.
Another alternative would be to make on the stovetop using a skillet. In order to do this, you would first need blend or mash the beans in some way to make as smooth as possible. Then, melt the butter over medium heat and then add your flour. If you are use all-purpose flour, this is the method you want to use.
Whisk together the flour and butter. Then, pour in your milk and stir together. Finally add the remaining ingredients and let cook over medium low until thickened and well combined.
What type of beans are best?
We love butter beans for this vegan nacho cheese recipe. However, any type of white bean would work – such as Great Northern or cannellini beans.
Can I make this Top 8 Allergy Friendly Nacho Cheese?
Make sure that you are using a soy free dairy free butter like Earth Balance soy free in the red tub. In addition, make sure that you are using a Top 8 Free milk like oat, flax, or hemp. To be honest, we prefer using oat.
Can I prep this ahead?
Yes! You can prep this recipe ahead of time. It heats back up well in the microwave by warming at 30 second intervals.
Alternative preparation method with Rotel – canned diced tomatoes and chilis:
One other note is that you could skip the diced jalapeños alone and do a can of drained Rotel or generic canned diced tomatoes and chilis instead. You are only swapping that so proceed with the rest of the ingredients.
What are ways that I can use dairy free nacho cheese?
Obviously you can just spoon it into your mouth, but you also could use tortilla chips. Some other ideas for how to use this vegan nacho cheese are:
- Instant Pot Vegan Tex Mex Rice
- On top of your Dairy Free Nachos
- Vegan Taco Casserole instead of the shredded cheese
- As a sauce on the best vegan black bean burger
- Vegan Chorizo Burrito Bowls
- Make tacos with our Walnut Taco Meat or Sweet Potato and Black Bean tacos
- Mix in or on top over our Jackfruit and Black Bean Enchiladas
- Make Cheese Dogs with our Homemade Vegan Hot Dog Recipe
- Perfectly on top of our Mexican Stuffed Peppers
Pin this vegan nacho cheese for later:
Vegan Nacho Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 15oz can Butter Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 4oz can diced jalapenos (see notes for spice level)
- 1 cup unsweetened dairy free milk
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- ¼ cup vegan butter
- 2 tablespoon oat flour
- ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into a high powered blender. *See notes if you do not have a blender.
- Blend for 5 minutes or until a thickened, creamy, well-combined sauce.
- Serve warm.
- Top with diced tomatoes and/or jalapenos to serve
- Store leftovers in an air tight container for up to 7 days.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Let’s see your creations!
Share to Instagram and tag us @makeitdairyfree so we can see and share it!
Susie
After trying Kroger’s Simple Truth plant-based nacho cheese dip (good but overpriced, imo) and reading the ingredient label, I knew some genius person had to have come up with an economical equivalent recipe – and here you were! I made the roux with AP flour on the stovetop then added the blended beans and other ingredients to the skillet. I want to try this as tamale and enchilada filling.
LarishaBernard
So glad you enjoyed it!
Cynthia
This was a pleasant surprise. Tastes way better than some other I tried to make. I really like it! Only thing is I forgot to buy a fresh bag of tortilla chips!
LarishaBernard
Glad you enjoyed it! Would love to hear how you’d improve to give it 5 stars
Ally
Can you use Arrowroot flour instead of the oat flour?
LarishaBernard
No we wouldn’t recommend that
Emily
AWESOME!!!!! We love this sauce and have used it multiple times now. We’ve used it to make crunch wraps and a cheesy/sausage/rotel dip. It’s always a big hit. You guys are the best!
LarishaBernard
So glad that you are enjoying it so much
Jamila
It truly doesn’t make sense how good this and I can’t tell you how many times I have made this! Lol it’s actually kind of addictive in taste in my opinion! Which is funny because cheese has addictive properties to it. Great job guys! If you haven’t made this yet…you should!
LarishaBernard
haha, we totally understand! So glad you’re enjoying it
Jessica
This queso truly lives up to all your promises! I was blown away!! I’ve tried cashew sauce, potato & carrot cheese sauce and everything in between… this is IT y’all! Don’t fool with other recipes! I’ve been plant based for years and I’ve patiently encouraged my husband who has been diagnosed with heart disease and high cholesterol to make the switch. I’ve tried for years (YEARS!) and this queso recipe made him a believer. Can’t wait to explore more of your recipes with him!
Thank you so much!
LarishaBernard
wow, what an amazing compliment. Thank you so much for sharing
Kevin R
Great. Skipped the jalapeños for Rotel. Blended half of the can and stirred in the remainder.
LarishaBernard
Yum! Glad you enjoyed
Camille D
Hi Bernard’s!
I tried this recipe tonight because I have been wanting nachos. I was really nervous about it because I have never tried to make my own nacho cheese sauce and in the past, nutritional yeast is not so good to me. But I bought Braggs this time instead of traders Verizon. And it was awesome! My non vegan family loved it. I used cannelini beans, almond milk and almond flour. The consistency was on point. Thank you so much!
Camille
Sorry forgot to rate it.🤦🏽♀️
LarishaBernard
HAHA thank you
LarishaBernard
So glad to hear that you found a recipe you love!
Janet
The best nacho cheese recipe, the ingredients and measurements are on point. We use it to make nachos, we also used it on a Mac n cheese and over baked potatoes. Very delicious.
LarishaBernard
So glad you are finding it so useful!
Diana W
This is so yummy. I have made the ones with potatoes and carrots and they do have their merit, are yummy, and oil free. But there was always an umami flavor a little missing with them. This brings it back and is so fast and easy to make.. Truly has become my “go to” recipe now! I used only half the jalapeños you called for, but then added about 4 oz of roast red peppers to it to. It will be great for wraps and things. DELICIOUS!!
LarishaBernard
yum! So glad that you are enjoying it!
Bailey
To call this nacho cheese is an understatement. This is one of the best vegan dips I’ve ever had. Thank you for sharing!!
LarishaBernard
So glad that you enjoy it