How Much Cashew Nut to Substitute for Cheddar Cheese
Works for baking, raw cold, and sauteing. Cashew Nut brings a noticeably different flavor than Cheddar Cheese.
How much cashew nut equals one cup of shredded cheddar?
Use 3/4 cup cashew butter per cup shredded cheddar.
Health notes
Compared with Cheddar Cheese, Cashew Nut has: more calories (553 vs 403 per 100g in Cheddar Cheese), more fat (43.9g vs 33.3g per 100g in Cheddar Cheese), less saturated fat (7.8g vs 18.9g per 100g in Cheddar Cheese), less protein (18.2g vs 22.9g per 100g in Cheddar Cheese), and more carbs (30.2g vs 3.4g per 100g in Cheddar Cheese).
Using cashew nut as a cheddar cheese substitute in baking
3/4 cup per cup cheddar in savory breads; dense crumb.
Other cooking methods
- Raw Cold
3/4 cup per cup in dips; chill to thicken.
- Sauteing
3/4 cup per cup in sauces; stir over low heat.
- Slow Cook
Use 1/2 cup grated cheddar per cup cashews in savory bakes. Melts into sauce but lacks cashew's dairy-free appeal.
Methods to avoid (4)
- Drinks
Not recommended. Cheese does not blend into smooth beverages the way cashew milk does.
- Frying
Not recommended: cashew cream spatters in hot oil.
- Grilling
Not recommended: won't bubble like real cheese.
- Steaming
Not recommended: sauce stays thin under steam.
FAQ
- How much cashew nut equals one cup of shredded cheddar?
Use 3/4 cup cashew butter per cup shredded cheddar.
- Can I substitute cashew nut for Cheddar Cheese in baking?
Yes. 3/4 cup per cup cheddar in savory breads; dense crumb. Not recommended. Cheese does not blend into smooth beverages the way cashew milk does.
- How much cashew nut to use as a cheddar cheese substitute?
Add nutritional yeast and lemon for sharper cheese notes.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Cashew Nut for Cheddar Cheese?
Cashew nut brings a noticeably different flavor than cheddar cheese.
- How does texture change when substituting Cashew Nut for Cheddar Cheese?
Cashew nut smooth, creamy melt without cheddar stretch or oil separation.
- What else should I know about substituting Cashew Nut for Cheddar Cheese?
For mac and cheese, dips, and gratins. Expect creamy, nutty sauce with less sharp melt and stretch. Skip pizza topping and recipes needing cheddar strings. Blend soaked cashews with nutritional yeast and lemon for cheese flavor. Season aggressively with salt. Taste as you go and adjust salt or sweetener before serving.
- What still works when substituting Cashew Nut for Cheddar Cheese?
Cashew nut still works as a binder, emulsifier, fat carrier, and texture modifier.
- What won't work when substituting Cashew Nut for Cheddar Cheese?
Cashew nut won't work as a flavor enhancer and umami source.
- How well does Cashew Nut match Cheddar Cheese?
Cashew nut is good on structure, okay on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Cashew Nut for Cheddar Cheese?
Cashew nut is higher in calories and fat, is slightly lower in protein, and has about x2 fewer sat. fat.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Cashew Nut for Cheddar Cheese?
The flavor shifts toward more sweet, less acidic, less bitter, less pungent, and less umami notes.