This amazing vegan feta cheese has a wonderful firm texture and authentic tangy flavor that will leave you craving more! Made from a base of tofu and refined coconut oil, and thickened with agar powder, this creamy cheese is perfect crumbled over salads, veggie gyros, in spanakopita, and SO much more!
This vegan feta is a dream come true! Chunk this up and crumble it over a chopped salad with greek olives, pepperoncini peppers, a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice, and a sprinkle of salt…. and swoon! Plus it’s easy to make, healthy, nut free, and gluten free!! So let’s get started!
How to make vegan feta:
Drain water-packed tofu and add to blender with onion and garlic powder, lemon juice and vinegar, olive oil, melted refined coconut oil, agar powder, and water (Photo #1). Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the blender if needed.
Add dried basil and oregano, and pulse the blender once or twice (Photo #2).
Pour cheese mixture into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it begins to bubble/simmer (Photo #3). Continue to cook while stirring for another minute or two, then remove from heat and pour into your selected mold/heat-safe dish (Photo #4).
Let cheese cool at room temp until steaming stops, then place dish into the refrigerator until chilled and firm, at least 2-3 hours. Use a butter knife to loosen hold on the edges of the dish. Using the butter knife as a wedge, flip the cheese out and cut, break, or crumble it as desired!
Store cheese in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Important ingredients:
Refined coconut oil – it is important that you use ‘refined’ coconut oil to avoid the coconut flavor. This oil solidifies at cooler temperatures, helping give the cheese a firm, yet rich and creamy texture.
Agar powder – agar powder lends an extra firmness to this vegan feta. However, don’t confuse with agar flakes which are much less potent. One tablespoon of agar flakes = 1 tsp agar powder.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – there’s just a bit of this in the recipe, and if you don’t have it you can sub with regular olive oil, but I have to tell you that the richer flavor of the ‘extra’ virgin olive oil, really improves the ultimate flavor of the cheese!
What mold should I use?
Almost any heat safe dish that holds about three cups will work fine. I have several small glass pyrex style dishes that are my go-to options. My favorite size for this cheese is 6 x 10 inches or so allowing the cheese to cool in a thinner 1/2 inch slab.
Other Favorite Vegan Cheese Recipes:
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Best Vegan Feta Cheese
Ingredients
Blend until smooth:
- 14 oz firm water packed tofu drained
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup refined coconut oil melted
- 2 Tbsp agar powder
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp white vinegar
Add and pulse blender to mix:
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Drain water-packed tofu and add to blender with onion and garlic powder, salt, lemon juice and vinegar, olive oil, melted refined coconut oil, agar powder, and water. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the blender if needed.
- Add dried basil and oregano, and pulse the blender once or twice.
- Pour cheese mixture into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it begins to bubble/simmer. Continue to cook while stirring for another minute or two, then remove from heat and pour into your selected mold/heat-safe dish.
- Let cheese cool at room temp until steaming stops, then place dish into the refrigerator until chilled and firm, at least 2-3 hours. Use a butter knife to loosen hold on the edges of the dish. Using the butter knife as a wedge, flip the cheese out and cut, break, or crumble it as desired!Â
- Store cheese in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Is there an alternative to coconut oil? I am allergic, but would really love to try this!
You could try it with a neutral oil and just a bit more agar powder. Coconut oil does firm up at cooler temps, so that makes it great for this recipe, but I think a little extra agar powder would probably make up for that!
Does it work the same to sub the agar flakes (with the amount noted)? I couldn’t find agar powder.