Vegan Parmesan
Your classic cashew and nutritional yeast base, boosted with a few clever additions for extra plant protein and iron — still sprinkle-perfect on pasta, risotto, soups and roasted veg.
Equipment
- Dry frying pan (for toasting)
- Food processor or electric spice grinder
- Airtight jar
Ingredients
- 80 g raw cashews
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp hemp seeds hulled / hemp hearts
- 1.5 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp ground almonds
- 0.3 tsp garlic powder
- 0.1 tsp salt — optional for ages 12 months+ only (leave out for babies under 12 months)
Instructions
- Add the sesame seeds to a dry pan over medium heat and toast for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until lightly golden and fragrant. Let cool completely before blending. Add the sesame seeds to a dry pan over medium heat and toast for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until lightly golden and fragrant. Let cool completely before blending.
- Blend everything: Add the cashews, nutritional yeast, hemp seeds, cooled sesame, ground almonds, garlic powder and optional salt to a food processor or electric grinder. Pulse in short bursts — about 8–10 pulses — until you get a fine, crumbly, breadcrumb-like texture. Don't over-blend or it turns to paste!
- Taste and adjust: Add a touch more nutritional yeast for cheesiness or garlic powder for depth. Pulse once or twice more if needed.
- Store: Transfer to an airtight jar. Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 weeks, or the freezer for up to 3 months. Sprinkle straight from frozen — it doesn't clump!
Notes
Hemp seeds blend in invisibly, adding complete protein, iron and omega-3s — virtually undetectable in flavour.
Toasted sesame adds a subtle nuttiness that genuinely enhances the parmesan flavour.
Ground almonds add healthy fats and a slight richness without changing the texture.
The key to texture: pulse, don't blend. A food processor or grinder beats a high-speed blender, which turns it greasy. Stop as soon as it looks like fine breadcrumbs.
For pasta: stir it through warm pasta rather than leaving it on top — it melts slightly into the sauce so your toddler gets every bit.
Toasted sesame adds a subtle nuttiness that genuinely enhances the parmesan flavour.
Ground almonds add healthy fats and a slight richness without changing the texture.
The key to texture: pulse, don't blend. A food processor or grinder beats a high-speed blender, which turns it greasy. Stop as soon as it looks like fine breadcrumbs.
For pasta: stir it through warm pasta rather than leaving it on top — it melts slightly into the sauce so your toddler gets every bit.
Nutrition
Calories: 55kcalCarbohydrates: 2.8gProtein: 2.5gFat: 4.3gFiber: 0.6gSugar: 0.4gCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.8mg
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