Rye Free Dairy Free Cashew Cheese Ball

Total time2 hr 20 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time0 min

This creamy, crowd-pleasing appetizer proves that a showstopping cheese ball doesn't need a single drop of dairy to earn its place on the table. Soaked raw cashews are blended with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and warm spices until the mixture is impossibly smooth and rich — the kind of thing guests will reach for again and again before asking what's in it. A hit of smoked paprika gives the base a subtle depth, while the rolling coat of finely chopped pecans, fresh chives, and parsley adds crunch, color, and a little herby brightness to every bite. The whole thing is naturally grain-free from start to finish, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap out any components — the ingredient list is clean and straightforward. It does require a little patience between the cashew soak and the chilling time, but the hands-on effort is minimal and the payoff is a beautiful, sliceable centerpiece. Serve it alongside crackers or sliced vegetables and watch it disappear faster than you'd expect from something this simple to pull together.

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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
Bob's Red Mill Large Flake Nutritional Yeast, 5 oz KAL Nutritional Yeast Flakes KAL Imported Nutritional Yeast Fine Flakes NOW Nutritional Yeast Flakes 10 Ounce (284 g) Flakes Frontier Co-Op Nutritional Yeast Mini Flakes - 1 lb
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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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