Peanut Free Dairy Free Cashew Cheese Ball
Party appetizers don't get more impressive than a creamy, herb-crusted cheese ball that happens to be completely dairy free. Soaked raw cashews are the secret here — blended long enough with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar, they transform into something genuinely rich and tangy that even dedicated cheese lovers will reach for twice. A touch of smoked paprika and garlic powder round out the flavor so it tastes complex and savory, not like a compromise. After chilling, the ball gets rolled in a coating of finely chopped pecans, fresh chives, and parsley, giving every slice a satisfying crunch and a pop of color. For anyone navigating peanut concerns at a gathering, this is a crowd-pleasing centerpiece that relies entirely on tree nuts and pantry staples — no hidden ingredients to second-guess. It holds up beautifully in the fridge for up to three days, so you can make it ahead and spend party day actually enjoying yourself. Serve it with crackers or sliced vegetables and watch it disappear.
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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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