Honey Free Dairy Free Cashew Cheese Ball
This crowd-pleasing appetizer proves that a showstopping cheese ball doesn't need a single drop of dairy — or honey — to earn its place at the center of the table. Soaked raw cashews are the secret weapon here: blended long enough with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of smoked paprika, they transform into something genuinely rich, tangy, and creamy. The garlic and onion powder round out the flavor so well that guests who aren't avoiding anything in particular will be reaching for seconds before they realize what they're eating. After a chill in the fridge to firm up, the ball gets rolled in a fragrant mix of finely chopped pecans, chives, and parsley — giving every slice a satisfying crunch and a pop of fresh herb flavor. It's the kind of recipe that looks like you spent hours on it, but the food processor does most of the heavy lifting. Serve it with crackers or sliced vegetables and watch it disappear faster than you'd expect.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
For the cheese ball
- 2 cups raw cashews, soaked in cold water for at least 2 hours, then drained
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- 2–3 tbsp water, as needed
For the coating
- ¾ cup pecans, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
For serving
- crackers or sliced vegetables, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Soak the cashews in enough cold water to cover by 2 inches for at least 2 hours (or up to overnight), then drain and rinse well.
- 2
Add the drained cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and smoked paprika to a food processor. Process for 3–4 minutes, scraping down the sides every minute, until the mixture is very smooth and creamy with no visible cashew pieces. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed to help the mixture blend — it should be thick enough to hold a shape, not pourable.
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