Vegan Mozzarella Cheese (Ultimate Guide)

Cheese lovers, rejoice without the guilt! Welcome to the world of vegan mozzarella cheese, where dairy-free dreams meet creamy, melt-in-your-mouth reality. Discover which are the best brands to buy for plant-based pizza perfection!
post featured image Nurissh Vegan Mozzarella Shreds (Source: @nurissh_fr on Instagram)
A vegan cheese and basil pizza on a wooden pizza board on a green background, next to a green package of Nurissh plant-based mozzarella cheese. Nurissh Vegan Mozzarella Shreds (Source: @nurissh_fr on Instagram)
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Say cheese! But hold the dairy. If you’ve ever wondered if you can enjoy the gooey, melty, and utterly delicious world of mozzarella without a single cow getting involved, you’re in for a treat. Vegan mozzarella cheese is here to steal the spotlight and your taste buds.

From pizzas that sing with plant-based perfection to caprese salads that dance with cool creaminess, this dairy-free cheese delight is taking the culinary world by storm. Let us introduce you to the smoooth, stretchy, and oh-so-mouthwatering world of mozzarella cheese without the moo.

If you’re eager to start living the vegan cheese dream, keep reading!

Finished pizza rolls plated with fresh herbs.

What is Mozzarella Cheese?

Dairy mozzarella contains lactose and dairy proteins taken from cow’s milk. Vegan mozzarella is made from plants instead of dairy. It melts and stretches just like dairy mozzarella but uses ingredients like cashews, coconut oil, and/or vegetable starches as a base. The plant-based version has no cholesterol and does not rely on harming animals to produce. A definite plus!

Best Vegan Mozzarella Cheese Brands

When it comes to vegan cheese, there are some real stars on the plant-based scene. In this section, we’re spilling the beans on the coolest delicious dairy-free options on the market. These brands have the most melt-in-your-mouth appeal that really rivals traditional cheese.

Violife Vegan Mozzarella Shreds

The King of the Cheese brands! Not only does Violife have at least 14 different vegan cheese options, but they also have dairy-free cream cheese, dips, and spreads. You can choose between blocks, shreds, shaves, or slices to fit any favorite recipe. Violife mozzarella cheese is one of our favorites and melts beautifully!

Eight pretzel twists on a piece of parchment against a wooden floor along with Violife Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese.
100% Vegan Violife Mozzarella Shreds (Source: @violifeus on Instagram)

Miyoko’s Liquid Mozzarella and Vegan Mozzarella Balls

A delicious and dependable brand that sells both pourable and fresh block (smoked and classic) cashew mozzarella. Miyoko’s blends creamy cashew milk and coconut oil with tapioca starch into the most luscious cheese with a truly traditional taste. We love the new pourable consistency that’s perfect for pizza and classic casseroles.

A white and pink bottle of Miyoko's Creamery plant milk pourable mozzarella on a table with vegan pizza, plates and silverware, and rounds of vegan cheese on a white tabletop.
Pourable Plant Milk Miyoko’s Mozzarella (Source: @miyokoscreamery on Instagram)

This award-winning and allergen-friendly cheese brand has a new Cutting Board Cheese Collection, which includes mozzarella-style shreds. Daiya was the first brand to make vegan cheese mainstream, and has had great success with making super melty cheeses that are awesome in sandwiches and on pizza.

A white pouch of Daiya Vegan Mozzarella cheese shreds against an orange and white starburst background.
Cutting Board Collection Daiya Mozzarella Shreds (Source: @daiyafoods on Instagram)

Follow Your Heart

A popular vegan cheese brand that offers fine shreds and slices and also blocks of plant-based mozzarella as well. Since 1970, FYH has been easy to find in most grocery stores and makes dairy-free cheese enjoyable to both vegans and non-vegans alike. Follow Your Heart mozzarella is non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, Kosher, and a good source of calcium. An excellent choice for any dairy-free cheese lover!

A green and blue pouch of Follow Your Heart mozzarella cheese and a vegan meatball sub on a blue countertop.
Dairy-Free Mozzarella Cheese by Follow Your Heart (Source: @followyourheart on Instagram)

GOOD PLANeT Mozzarella

Good Planet Foods has a fast-growing selection of plant-based cheeses that are dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, kosher, and all vegan! Their Mozzarella-style plant-based cheese shreds are perfect on pizza, polenta pizza bites, meatball subs, bagel bites, and these fun kids pizza rolls.

A bag of vegan mozzarella cheese from Good Planet.

Nurishh

A newer plant-based cheese brand that has many exciting options for adding to pizzas, potatoes, appetizers, and other tasty meals. Nurishh offers both slices and shreds for their mozzarella cheese, but also cubes of cheddar and hot pepper and cream cheese, as well. Their cheeses are lactose and dairy-free, as well as a good source of calcium and vitamin B12.

A vegan cheese and basil pizza on a wooden pizza board on a green background, next to a green package of Nurissh plant-based mozzarella cheese.
Nurissh Vegan Mozzarella Shreds (Source: @nurissh_fr on Instagram)

Earthgrown

Aldi has gone out of their way to make a plant-based diet accessible to more people. It seems like every week they are coming up with new and exciting vegan foods, including dairy-free mozzarella cheese. Their shredded, dairy-free mozzarella alternative is a solid cheese choice for any recipe. Way to go, Aldi!

A dark green pouch of Earth Grown Dairy-Free Mozzarella cheese shreds by Aldi on a white background.
Dairy-Free Mozzarella Cheese Alternative from Aldi’s store brand, Earth Grown (Source: Aldi.us website)

Vitalite‘s Vegan Mozz

This plant-based brand offers both slices and shreds in its cheesy line-up. Vitalite’s products are gluten-free, soy-free, and Kosher with a coconut oil and potato starch base. If you’re searching for more vegan cheese, they also offer cheddar, cream cheese, and parmesan products as well. Temptingly tasty!

A green and blue pouch of Vitalite dairy-free mozzarella cheese shreds against a green and yellow background.
Vitalite Dairy-Free Plant-Based Mozzarella Shreds (Source: @vitaliteusa on Instagram)

Trader Joe’s Vegan Mozzarella Shreds

As plant-based food continues to rise in popularity, it’s no surprise to see Trader Joe’s jumping on the bandwagon! They have long been one of the most vegan-friendly grocery stores, and they now carry their own brand label of meltable vegan mozzarella shreds made from cashews.

Woman holding out a package of vegan mozzarella shreds from the grocery store Trader Joe's.

365 Whole Foods

If you’re a fan of the Whole Foods Market store brand, you’re going to be tickled that they also offer plant-based, mozzarella-style shreds and sticks. You can usually find them in the regular dairy section of any store. The main ingredients are coconut oil and two types of starches—potato and tapioca. The 365 brand melts wonderfully and offers a much more reasonable price than other brands.

A white pouch of Whole Foods Market 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella Style vegan cheese against a white background.
Whole Foods Market 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella (Source: 365 Whole Foods Market website)

Good & Gather (Target Brand)

If you’re a Target fan, you have probably glimpsed their plant-based mozz-style shreds in the grocery aisle. With a base of coconut oil and potato starch, the Target store brand is pretty much on par with even the more expensive brands. This dairy-free mozzarella is kosher, gluten-free, non-GMO, and excellent for vegan nachos, tacos, pizza, and chili. Great for a late night grab when you’re out shopping anyway.

A white and green pouch of Good & Gather Plant-Based, Non-Dairy Mozzarella Style Shreds against a white background.
Plant-Based, Non-Dairy Mozzarella Style Shreds by the Target Store Brand, Good & Gather (Source: Target Website)

Kids Vegan Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Vegan cheese sticks have steadily carved a niche for itself in the ever-expanding world of plant-based food options. What once was an exclusively dairy product, beloved by generations and fondly remembered as a nostalgic staple of many childhood lunchboxes, string cheese has been reimagined to cater to the growing vegan community.

Conscious parents are now able to provide a similar lunchbox-friendly experience for their children without compromising on their ethical or dietary choices. Pioneering brands like Miyoko’s and Daiya have stepped up to the challenge, crafting vegan string cheese alternatives that capture the essence and taste of the original. They don’t string, unfortunately, but they are a fun kids snack.

As the vegan movement gains momentum, it’s heartening to see familiar favorites evolve to accommodate changing consumer preferences, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their diet, can relive or create new cherished memories with such iconic snacks.

Dayia Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Woman holding up a package of Daiya's vegan mozzarella cheese sticks.

Miyoko’s Dairy-Free Cheddar Sticks

miyokos dairy free vegan cheddar string cheese sticks for kids snacks

FAQs About Vegan Mozz

Can I make vegan mozzarella cheese at home?

You sure can! Simply search for ‘vegan mozzarella recipe’ on Google to find a ton of delicious recipes. Our favorites are from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken, Nora Cooks, and Vegan Huggs.

Is vegan mozzarella a good source of protein?

Unfortunately, that’s the only downside with dairy-free mozzarella cheese. Unless the mozzarella is made from soy, there is usually only a little protein (or no protein) in each serving of vegan cheese.

How does the taste of vegan mozzarella compare to dairy mozzarella?

It depends on the particular brand or recipe, but they are very similar. Since dairy mozzarella cheese has a very mild, smooth, and slightly tangy flavor, it is very easily reproduced using plant-based ingredients like cashews, soy, or refined coconut, along with an acid like lemon juice.

Dairy-free mozzarella cheese isn’t just a tasty alternative; it’s proof that vegan cheese can be fun and fabulous. Say goodbye to the old cheese stereotypes and hello to a world of plant-based cheesy delights that won’t leave cows feeling blue. It’s time to dive into a dairy-free, cruelty-free, and utterly cheesy world that awaits you—it’s time to get your vegan mozza groove on!

More Delightful Dairy-Free Recipes to Try

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