Pregnancy Friendly Dairy Free Cashew Cheese Ball
Creamy, tangy, and packed with satisfying richness, this cashew-based cheese ball is the kind of crowd-pleasing appetizer that disappears fast at any gathering. During pregnancy, navigating traditional cheese boards can feel tricky, but this plant-based version sidesteps those concerns entirely while delivering serious flavor. Soaking the raw cashews until soft is the secret to that ultra-smooth, spreadable texture — blended with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and a touch of smoked paprika, it genuinely tastes like something you'd find at a fancy charcuterie spread. The pecan, chive, and parsley coating adds a gorgeous herby crunch on the outside that makes every bite interesting. It firms up beautifully in the fridge, so you can make it ahead and have it ready to go when guests arrive or snack cravings hit. Serve it alongside crackers or fresh-cut vegetables for a wholesome, satisfying spread that feels indulgent without any of the worry.
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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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