Healthy Cashew Nacho Cheese (It’s Dairy-Free!)
The best Restaurant-Worthy Smokey Appetizer that’s Party Sized!
This flavorful, healthy nacho cheese recipe is worthy of any Tex-Mex restaurant or fiesta! It’s a much healthier version of the standard dairy cheese variety; this one is delicious and good for you for guilt-free enjoyment!
Meet Your New Favorite Healthy Nacho Cheese Appetizer Recipe!
This flavorful, knock-your-socks-off, healthy nacho cheese recipe is worthy of any Tex-Mex restaurant or fiesta! Plus, it's a much healthier version of the salt- and fat-laden dairy or fake ingredient cheeses that can wreak havoc on health.
Cheese was the last holdout for me back in 2015 when I began my plant-based journey. And many of my clients struggle with the same thing — the addictive lure of cheese! After learning how dairy cheese can affect health and wellness, I aimed to give it up. It’s possible to make your own plant-based cheese recipes AND have BOTH the satisfaction of taste AND good health at the same time!
For Better Health, Change Your Food Choices
So many people struggle with health issues, low energy, poor mood, constipation, allergies, unexplained aches and more, but what they don't realize is that dairy cheese could be part of what's holding them back.
If you're wanting to shift away from dairy products, you aren't alone. The shift toward plant-based living is exploding. Sales of plant-based cheeses have jumped over 40% or more in recent years. It’s easier than ever to make the change.
A Health Coach's Big Tip: Swap Your Cheese Choice
Instead of just taking something away (dairy cheese), swap it for an alternative that satisfies (like this recipe below!). That way, you don't feel deprived, but instead you'll feel empowered for better health!
My recipe for Restaurant-Worthy Smokey Cashew Nacho Cheese is my go-to answer for get-togethers, game watching parties, and family celebrations. It’s always a hit!
The Science Behind This savory appetizer
This healthy nacho cheese use nuts as its base, which provide healthy fats, plant-based protein, and fiber. Be careful though! Nuts are a higher calorie food, so enjoy in moderation if weight loss is your goal.
Protein: Stimulates the hormones that tell your brain you are full. Protein is used for cellular repair and muscle maintenance. The nuts in this recipe provide a good amount of plant protein!
Fiber: Slows down the absorption of sugars, preventing the "spike and crash" that leads to more cravings. This recipe is packed with fiber (which ONLY comes from plants)!
Healthy Fats: Provide a slow-burning fuel source that keeps your brain sharp for hours. The healthy fats in the cashews are a far better choice than the saturated fats found in standard dairy cheeses.
B12: The nutritional yeast flakes in this recipe give it the cheesy flavor profile. Surprisingly, nutritional yeast provides a little boost of protein, but it’s better known for the B12 that it contributes. Plant-based eaters need to supplement B12, and be sure to get it from food sources like nutritional yeast. Vitamin B12 is essential for making and repairing DNA, producing healthy red blood cells, and ensuring the normal functioning of the nervous system. It also plays an important part of food conversion to energy.
Satisfy Your Snack & Cheese Cravings
This dairy-free cheese is perfect to enjoy as a dip with baked tortilla chips, or even better on top of a baked potato, taco salad or paired with any Mexican-style meal.
Here’s a fun story
When my daughter was in college, she invited her “posse'“ group of friends over to watch the game on TV. She made this recipe and didn’t tell anyone what the ingredients are. To everyone’s surprise, especially the guys in the room, they found out it was 100% plant-based! And that was AFTER they devoured the ENTIRE bowl of nacho cheese! Now, my daughter gets requests to make it again and again!
Beyond The Plate: A Certified Health Coach's Perspective
As a National Board Certified Health Coach, I often coach womenin midlife who feel like they have to "white-knuckle" their way through cravings. I'm here to tell you that willpower isn't the problem; the nutrient density of your food is.
If you don’t know what’s in your food and how its nutrition (or lack thereof) helps or hurts your health, it can be a real challenge to eat for youthful aging. But with an advocate on your side, presenting information that’s relevant, effective and tailored to your needs, you’ll get out of the fog, and into clarity and results. And like I say around here, that’s “living a second youththat’s better than the first!”
Fats and Healthy Aging
One of the most exciting benefits of this recipe is the low saturated fat benefit from the cashews instead of dairy products. Saturated fat is not our friend. We need fats, but people in general get far too many omega-6 fats than the beneficial omega-3 fats. By reducing unhealthy fats, you are providing protection for your arteries, veins and capillaries to function optimally. This means better cognitive brain function, smoother movement and balance, faster reaction time, and glowing skin.
It’s important to maintain the freedom of independent living, smooth mobility and good brain function. Eating food made with ingredients that help the body instead of harm the body is the best way to set yourself up for a longer, well-lived, healthy life.
Breaking the Cheese addiction
The Standard American Diet (SAD) is rife with cheese. It seems to be in every fast food meal, pizza crust, pasta dish or mile-high burger. Cheese is one of the most dense foods of saturated fat, salt and cassein, the milk protein that may be linked to some forms of cancer. The properties in cheese behave in the gut-brain connection much like illicit drugs such as opioids and heroine! That’s why we CRAVE cheese! And why it’s often the last hold-out for people when making changes to food choices.
Why Cashew Cheese Is Healthier
Cashews are loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, magnesium, zinc, and plant protein. Nutritional yeast adds B vitamins and a cheesy flavor without any dairy. This recipe is free of saturated animal fats, lactose, casein, and hormones found in dairy cheese.
If you don’t know how food works in the body, it’s hard to know what to choose to be your healthiest self. And that’s why I’m highlighting that today. So you can make informed choices and thrive.
Remember: Addiction is real. Breaking a cheese craving can be hard. Take small steps at a time and keep going. You’ll soon be ahead of the game and living healthier and loving your food that loves you back! Too hard and want help? Reach out today!
Easy Recipe Variations
Pepper Swap: Try using jalapeños, habaneros or any of your favorite Latin-style pepper.
Add Color: Garnish this nacho cheese with dried parsley flakes and smoked paprika to add interest and color.
Seed Power: Add some hemp seeds (also known as hemp hearts) to add an additional set of beneficial nutrients. Add about ¼-½c of hemp seeds when blending (you may want to reduce the cashews a little if adding hemp seeds).
Take More Control of Your Health with Dairy-Free Nacho Cheese
You don't have to settle for having gut cramps, feeling tired, or being controlled by dairy cheese cravings. By choosing whole, plant-based ingredients, you are taking a stand for your health and your future. This recipe for a Healthy Dairy-Free Nacho Cheese is an easy, delicious way to take care of your daily and long-term health without giving up the joy of food!
Be sure to check out other blog articles too! There, I share more recipes and helpful lifestyle topics too!
Live well, my friend. Live well.
To your health,
Melissa
xoxo
RECIPE
〰️
RECIPE 〰️
Savory Mexican-Styled Cheesy Flavor
This is an easy-to-make recipe that satisfies any cheese craving! Made with cashews, it’s dairy-free and offers many nutritional benefits.
Restaurant-Worthy Smokey Cashew Nacho Cheese
by: Melissa Furman, NBC-HWC (melissafurman.com & secondyouthwellness.com)
Prep Time: 35 minutes | Cook Time: 5 minutes | Servings: About 6 | Calories: about 155 cal
Equipment Needed (with resources links)
Mixing bowl like this high quality set
High-speed blender - like my favorite blender brand, Vitamix
Saucepan (like the one in this set - it’s the exact kind I use at home!)
Silicon spatula (or “spoonula” from this set)
Storage container (like these that I have at home)
Ingredients (with resources links)
1c raw cashews (soaked in very hot water for 30 minutes, then drained)
3/4c fresh water
2T fresh lemon juice (real juice from concentrate like this one)
1t minced garlic (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)
1T cornstarch
1/2t smoked paprika
1/2t cumin powder
1/4t turmeric (for color & added antioxidants)
1/2t salt (or to taste)
Optional: ¼t chipotle powder for extra smokiness
Optional: 1T salsa (like this one - it’s the ONLY one we buy, it’s THAT good!) or diced jalapeno for heat
Instructions
Soak raw cashews in very hot water for 30 minutes. Drain well.
Add soaked cashews and all remaining ingredients to a high-speed blender.
Blend on high for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth and creamy.
Pour mixture into a small saucepan over medium heat.
Stir constantly as the sauce heats and thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Use a silicon spatula to help scrape the sauce off the sides and bottom for even cooking.
Reduce heat to low and serve warm in a bowl.
Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Stir in peppers or salsa if using. Garnish with parsley flakes and paprika if desired.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with tortilla chips, raw veggies, or whole grain crackers
Pour over baked potatoes or steamed broccoli
Use as a dip for soft pretzels
Drizzle over nachos with black beans, corn, and salsa
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water, stirring to restore creamy consistency.
