Finding the right vegan pizza cheese can be tricky, but we’ve compared five popular options based on taste, texture, meltability, and ingredients. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Miyoko's Liquid Mozzarella: Liquid format that melts evenly with great stretch. Made from cashew milk. $4.99 for 16oz.
- Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Shreds: Traditional shredded cheese with good melt and mild flavor. Coconut oil-based. $5.50 for 8oz.
- Violife Just Like Mozzarella: Allergen-friendly with a creamy taste but minimal stretch. $5.69 for 227g.
- So Delicious Mozzarella Style: Affordable but struggles to melt properly. Mild flavor. $5-$6 for 7.1oz.
- 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella: Budget-friendly with bold flavor, but inconsistent melting. $3.99 for 227g.
Quick Comparison
| Brand | Taste (1-10) | Meltability (1-10) | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miyoko's Liquid | 8 | 9 | $4.99 | Authentic pizza texture |
| Follow Your Heart | 7 | 7 | $5.50 | Easy application |
| Violife | 8 | 8 | $5.69-$5.99 | Dietary restrictions |
| So Delicious | 7 | 8 | $5-$6 | Stretchy texture |
| 365 Plant-Based | 6 | 8.5 | $3.99 | Budget-conscious buyers |
Each cheese has its strengths and weaknesses, so your choice depends on your budget, dietary needs, and pizza preferences. If you want the best melt, Miyoko’s Liquid Mozzarella is the top pick. For affordability, 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella is worth considering.
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1. Miyoko's Liquid Pizza Mozzarella
Miyoko's introduced its liquid mozzarella in 2021, offering a fresh take on vegan cheese. What sets it apart is how well it melts. The liquid form spreads evenly, avoiding cold spots and delivering that bubbling, stretchy texture you'd expect from traditional mozzarella - without the rubbery feel some vegan cheeses have.
This cheese is crafted with organic cultured cashew milk, sunflower oil, and tapioca starch, resulting in a flavor that enhances pizza toppings rather than overpowering them. While some might notice a slight grittiness, its melted texture is impressively close to the real deal. It works well across different pizza styles, whether you're making a thin crust or a deep dish, which makes it a solid choice for pizza enthusiasts.
To get the best results, use about ¼ cup for a 10-inch pizza. At $4.99 for a 16oz bottle (around six servings), it’s priced competitively compared to other high-end vegan cheeses. The bottle design is practical, letting you pour just the amount you need, which helps reduce waste. While its liquid format may take some getting used to, the payoff in performance makes it worth the adjustment.
However, there’s an allergen note to keep in mind. Unlike many vegan cheeses, Miyoko's avoids coconut oil, but it does contain cashews, so it’s not suitable for those with nut allergies.
Miyoko's shines with its melting ability and clean ingredient list, but how does it stack up against more traditional shredded options like Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Shreds?
2. Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Shreds
Follow Your Heart, a trailblazer in vegan food since 1970, offers its Mozzarella Shreds for $5.50 per 8 oz bag - perfect for crafting vegan pizzas at home.
The key highlight of these shreds is how well they melt. Under high heat, they turn into a creamy, stretchy layer that closely resembles traditional dairy mozzarella. Their mild, slightly sweet taste pairs well with a variety of pizza toppings, letting the other flavors shine without overpowering them.
Unlike liquid cheese alternatives, these shreds come in a familiar format that’s easy to handle. This makes spreading them evenly across your pizza a breeze, ensuring consistent melting. That said, some users feel the processed nature of the product might not appeal to those looking for more natural options.
For the best results, sprinkle a generous amount of these shreds on your pizza about 10 minutes before it’s finished baking. This timing helps the cheese melt perfectly, staying stretchy without over-browning. However, the coconut oil base, which contributes to its excellent meltability, might not work for those avoiding coconut-based products.
Follow Your Heart has carved out a reputation for bringing quality dairy-free cheeses to the table. While Miyoko's offers a liquid alternative, these shreds stick to a more traditional format, catering to those who prefer the ease and familiarity of pre-shredded cheese.
While these shreds deliver on texture and convenience, how does Violife's version stack up when it comes to flavor and versatility? Let’s find out.
3. Violife Just Like Mozzarella
Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds, made in Greece, is a dairy-free option that’s free from common allergens and enriched with Vitamin B12. It’s priced between $5.69 and $5.99 for a 227g package. Unlike Follow Your Heart, which leans heavily on coconut flavors, Violife has a mild and creamy taste that appeals to both vegans and non-vegans. That said, some people might notice a slight artificial aftertaste.
When it comes to melting, Violife takes a little patience. It needs about 25 minutes in the oven to achieve the best results. The shreds melt into a smooth, moist layer without burning or turning into liquid, but they don’t quite mimic the quick-melting properties of traditional dairy mozzarella. The stretch factor is minimal, so instead of getting that stringy cheese pull, the texture leans more toward a cheese sauce.
Nutritionally, it’s on the higher-calorie side, with 80 calories and 7g of fat per serving. However, its clean ingredient list - free of soy, gluten, nuts, and preservatives - makes it a great option for those with dietary restrictions. Beyond pizza, it works well in salads and sandwiches, thanks to its pleasant flavor when eaten raw.
While Violife shines with its creamy taste and allergen-friendly ingredients, its melting and stretch performance could use some improvement. Next, let’s see how So Delicious addresses these challenges.
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4. So Delicious Mozzarella Style
So Delicious Mozzarella Style shreds come from a brand with nearly three decades of experience in dairy-free products. You can find it at major stores like Target, and it’s often easier on the wallet compared to other vegan cheese options. Packaged in 7.1oz bags, it’s a convenient choice for anyone trying out plant-based pizza toppings.
That said, this cheese has some clear drawbacks. Despite being made with coconut oil, it doesn’t melt well. Even under heat, it tends to stay firm and doesn’t achieve the gooey texture that many look for in a mozzarella substitute. Compared to Violife, which melts more smoothly, So Delicious falls short in this department.
Flavor-wise, it’s mild and blends easily with other pizza toppings, but it might not have the depth or richness that some expect from a mozzarella alternative. There’s also a faint sweetness, likely from the fermented sugar used as a preservative, which becomes more noticeable in simpler dishes. It pairs best with bold toppings that can balance its subtle flavor and help offset its texture issues.
Reviews from users are mixed. Its mild taste makes it versatile for different pizza combinations, but the lack of proper melting and its firm texture can be a letdown for those looking for a closer match to real mozzarella. Still, its affordability and availability make it a good starting point for those new to vegan cheese. More seasoned plant-based eaters, however, might lean toward higher-end options.
While So Delicious is easy to find and budget-friendly, its melting and texture could use some work. Next, let’s see how 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella stacks up in comparison.
5. 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella
Whole Foods' 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella, introduced in late 2023, is a wallet-friendly choice priced at $3.99 for a 227g package. It's a palm oil-free option with a simpler ingredient list compared to many other vegan cheeses, though it still includes some processed ingredients.
When it comes to melting, the results are hit or miss. Sometimes it blends into the sauce rather than forming a distinct cheesy layer. It scores a 3/10 for stretch but an 8.5/10 for overall melting. Once melted, it takes on a gooey texture that mixes with the pizza sauce rather than standing out on its own.
The flavor is bold and noticeably artificial - it's the strongest-tasting cheese among those tested. This intense flavor works best with bold toppings that can balance out its unique taste.
At just $0.49 per 28g, it's one of the most affordable vegan cheese options available. Plus, being stocked at Whole Foods makes it easy to find for frequent vegan pizza nights. Nutritionally, it has 310mg of sodium and 80 calories per 28g serving, so you might want to consider lighter toppings to offset these numbers.
While 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella stands out for its price and accessibility, its performance shows a mix of pros and cons, making it an interesting option in the vegan cheese market.
Pros and Cons of Each Cheese
When it comes to vegan pizza cheese, every option brings something different to the table, catering to various pizza-making needs and preferences.
Miyoko's Liquid Pizza Mozzarella is a standout choice thanks to its liquid format, priced at $6 per bottle at Walmart. This format is perfect for several medium pizzas and makes the process super straightforward - just pour and bake. That said, some users feel the suggested ¼ cup per 10" pizza doesn’t provide enough coverage.
Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Shreds are widely available and easy to use. However, the melting quality can be inconsistent, ranging from slightly clumpy to smooth, depending on how it’s cooked.
Violife Just Like Mozzarella is known for its great melting ability and mild taste, which pairs well with a variety of toppings. While it performs well, its price ($6-7 per package) reflects its allergen-free recipe and dependable results.
So Delicious Mozzarella Style delivers solid stretch and melting properties, making it a good pick for classic pizza styles. The downside? It can turn gummy if exposed to high heat for too long.
365 Plant-Based Mozzarella is a budget-friendly option at $3.99 per package. While affordable, it falls short in flavor and can melt unevenly, which might not work for everyone.
| Brand | Taste (1-10) | Meltability (1-10) | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miyoko's Liquid | 8 | 9 | $6/bottle | Authentic pizza texture |
| Follow Your Heart | 7 | 7 | $5-6/pkg | Easy application |
| Violife | 8 | 8 | $6-7/pkg | Traditional pizza style |
| So Delicious | 7 | 8 | $5-6/pkg | Stretchy texture |
| 365 Plant-Based | 6 | 8.5 | $3.99/pkg | Budget-conscious buyers |
This table breaks down the key features of each brand, helping you decide which cheese fits your needs. If you’re after something innovative and easy to use, Miyoko's Liquid Pizza Mozzarella is a great pick. On the other hand, if you’re watching your budget, 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella might be the way to go. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your taste preferences, texture expectations, and budget.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to vegan pizza cheese alternatives, each option brings something different to the table, depending on your needs and preferences. Miyoko's Liquid Pizza Mozzarella, introduced in 2021, is a standout for its ease of use and impressive ability to replicate the texture of traditional mozzarella. Its liquid format delivers excellent melt and stretch, making it a top pick for many.
If you're watching your budget, 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella is a practical choice, though its melting consistency can vary. For those looking for a reliable option for special occasions or catering to mixed dietary preferences, Violife Just Like Mozzarella offers dependable results.
The vegan cheese market continues to evolve, offering options for a range of dietary needs. If you have a nut allergy, Follow Your Heart or Violife might be your best bet, while those avoiding soy can turn to Miyoko's or 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella.
Your final choice will depend on what you prioritize. Whether you're crafting a Neapolitan-style pizza (where Miyoko's liquid cheese excels) or need something tailored to specific dietary restrictions, there's a vegan cheese out there to elevate your pizza-making game.
