What gives this vegan cheddar sauce its creamy texture?

The sauce achieves its creaminess from a blend of roasted yellow potatoes, carrots, and cashews, enhanced by ground chia seeds and water.

How do I achieve the cheesy flavor in this plant-based sauce?

The cheddar-like flavor comes from nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, dried onion flakes, garlic powder, and turmeric, combined with the savory notes of roasted vegetables.

Can I prepare this Creamy Chia Cheddar Sauce ahead of time?

Yes, this sauce can be stored in a container in the refrigerator for about one week, and it will firm up slightly as it cools.

Is it necessary to soak the cashews before blending?

Yes, the recipe specifies using raw cashew pieces that have been soaked for a few hours and then drained, which helps achieve a smoother consistency.

What are the best ways to serve this Creamy Chia Cheddar Sauce?

This sauce is perfect for dipping immediately after blending, and its consistency makes it versatile for drizzling over nachos, pasta, or steamed vegetables.

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Creamy Chia Cheddar Sauce
[Vegan]

AO By: Annie Oliverio

Author Bio

Annie Oliverio's recipes are all plant-based, and many are free of oil and refined products... Read More

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A vibrant, creamy orange-yellow vegan cheddar sauce in a small white bowl, garnished with a sprinkle of ground black pepper, ready for dipping.

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Discover more recipes with these ingredients

Creamy Chia Cheddar Sauce [Vegan]

Dairy Free

Vegan

The recipe for chia cheddar sauce is proof that you don’t need soy to make a yummy vegan cheese sauce — all you need is plants. It’s made from a combination of potatoes, carrots, bell pepper, cashews, nutritional yeast, and spices. Chia seeds help give it a smooth, velvety texture... Read More

Ingredients You Need for Creamy Chia Cheddar Sauce [Vegan]

2 medium-sized yellow potatoes, peeled and cut into small chunks
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into small chunks
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into chunks
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon olive oil or water as needed
A sprinkle of ground black pepper
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup raw cashew pieces, soaked for a few hours and drained
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon chia seeds, ground
1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds, ground
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried onion flakes
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
A dash of cayenne pepper
A dash of sea salt

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How to Prepare Creamy Chia Cheddar Sauce [Vegan]

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Pour the oil into a 9x9-inch baking pan and add the potatoes, carrot, bell pepper, garlic cloves, and pepper, and toss to coat. Bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until veggies are soft and beginning to brown. Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.
Grind the chia seeds and mustard seeds in the spice grinder. In a high-speed blender, add the water, cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, chia and mustard seeds, spices, and salt. Scrape in the roasted vegetables and process the mixture until very smooth. Add water a little at a time to keep the mixture moving. You will need to scrape down the sides a few times during blending.
When the cheese is very smooth, scrape it into container for storage in the refrigerator — or use immediately (it will be the perfect temperature for dipping). This cheese will last for about 1 week and will firm up slightly as it cools.

Nutritional Information

Note: The information shown is based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.