Easy Vegan Parmesan Sprinkle

Name: Easy Vegan Parmesan Sprinkle
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup raw cashews; ¼ cup hemp heart seeds; 3 tbsp nutritional yeast; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 pinch of smoked paprika (optional, for a subtle depth and smokiness)

Nutty, Savoury & Simple

This easy vegan Parmesan sprinkle is cheesy, nutty, and full of flavour—no dairy, gluten or oil needed. Made in 5 minutes with wholesome ingredients like cashews, hemp seeds and nutritional yeast, it’s a healthy plant-based topping for pasta, salads, soups and more.

Prep

3 mins

Blend

2 mins

Total

5 mins

Serves

8 people

Ingredients:

¼ cup raw cashews
¼ cup hemp heart seeds
3 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
A pinch of smoked paprika (optional, for a subtle depth and smokiness)

Instructions step by step:

Step 1 – Add Your Ingredients

Measure all the ingredients and pop them into a blender or food processor. Don’t forget the pinch of smoked paprika for that subtle depth of flavour.

Step 2 – Blend & Taste

Pulse a few times until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Be careful not to over-blend—you want a crumbly texture, not a paste!
Give it a taste and adjust to your liking. Want it saltier or cheesier? Add a pinch of salt or a bit more nutritional yeast.

Step 3 – Enjoy or Store

Use straight away over pasta, salads, roasted veggies, or soups.
Store the rest in a clean, dry glass jar with a lid. It’ll stay fresh in a cool, dry place (or fridge) for up to 2 weeks.

About this recipe:

Let’s be real—some meals just need that little savoury something to take them over the top. That’s where this Homemade Easy Vegan Parmesan Sprinkle comes in! It’s nutty, cheesy, a little garlicky, and absolutely packed with flavour and goodness thanks to cashews, hemp seeds, and nutritional yeast.

This healthy vegan cheese alternative is completely plant-based, gluten-free, oil-free, and ready in just 5 minutes—no fancy ingredients or equipment needed. I always keep a jar in my pantry, and I sprinkle it on everything from pasta and risotto to roasted vegetables, avocado toast, salads, soups—you name it!

Looking for a nut-free option? Just swap the cashews for sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds—still delicious, still full of flavour.

How to Use It

Sprinkle over pasta, risotto or grain bowls
Add a savoury kick to soups and salads
Try it on avocado toast or roasted veg
Stir into popcorn for a cheesy twist

About these Ingredients:

Cashews: Their naturally buttery flavour mimics the creamy texture of traditional Parmesan, while blending into a fine, crumbly texture. You can substitute by sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

Hemp Seeds: Packed with protein, omega-3s and essential minerals, hemp seeds add a lovely nuttiness and make this sprinkle extra nourishing.

Nutritional yeast: This cheesy umami magic is a plant-based pantry hero gives that signature cheesy flavour and a punch of umami depth.

Garlic and onion powders:
These two simple seasonings layer bring savoury depth in a rich, aromatic base that makes the sprinkle so versatile.

Black pepper: A little kick of heat lifts all the flavours and adds a lovely contrast to the richness of the nuts and seeds.

Smoked paprika: Just a pinch gives a hint of smokiness and adds subtle warmth that takes it to the next level—without overpowering the cheese-like flavour.