The 12 Best Vegan Cheeses, No Matter Your Dairy-Free Mood

All of Kite Hill's vegan cheeses — which are of the soft-cheese variety — are delicious. Its ricotta is probably my favorite, though. Whether it's crumbled on a salad or put on a pizza, this almond-based cheese is indistinguishable from dairy ricotta. (Important side note: Kite Hill yogurts are amazing!)

I asked all my coworkers/professional vegans at Mercy For Animals to name their favorite cheese, and Field Roast Chao Slices got the most love overall. The coconut-based Tomato Cayenne is flavored with fermented tofu and bell peppers, giving it a complex bite. It's perfect for melting on a grilled-cheese sandwich or even eating straight out of the fridge.

I'm a fan of nutritional yeast on my pasta these days, but when I'm craving an exact replica of Parmesan, I go for Go Veggie Vegan Parmesan, which you can easily find at Whole Foods and plenty of other locations. Serve it to your friends, and don't tell them until afterwards it isn't dairy Parm. I guarantee they'll be fooled.

Seriously, every cheese by Miyoko's Kitchen is so damn good that it's impossible to pick just one. This variety wins my heart for its complex aged flavor and party-ready presentation — but really, you can't go wrong. Miyoko's is the gold standard in vegan cheese, and you can find its products at more and more mainstream grocery stores like Whole Foods, (the brand's amazing butter is also at Trader Joe's). Its new line of cream cheeses is also launching soon, so look out for those as well.

Sometimes you just need a quesadilla, and when that's the case, I'd suggest these Shreds by Follow Your Heart. They're pretty widely available, but if you can't find them, look out for SoDelicious or Daiya Shreds, both of which are close runners-up.

I'm not sure why it's so much easier to replicate soft cheeses, but Heidi Ho Ne Chèvre is a cashew-based dream. Find it at Whole Foods and other vegan-friendly markets. I like the Black Lava flavor best for added smoky, cultured tang.

You'll only find this brand in specialty markets or online, but man is this nutmilk cheese delicious. If you ever come across it, in any flavor, Punk Rawk Labs vegan cheese is worth the price of admission.

Another specialty brand that's getting increasingly mainstream, Treeline Cheeses are all delicious and cashew-based. Cracked Pepper and Herb-Garlic are my favorites, but you truly can't miss.

This coconut oil and cashew-based vegan mozzarella is simply amazing. Put it on a pizza or in an eggplant Parmesan and prepare to be stunned.

Violife is big in Europe, but like many things big in Europe, it's starting to make its way here. This Parmesan's flavor is aged and on point, and you can grate it just like any other cheese.

Sometimes you just want that American-style sharp cheese flavor, in which case I'd recommend Follow Your Heart American Slices for your grilled cheese.

When you need some cream cheese for your bagel, Kite Hill's Jalapeño flavor is my absolute favorite (though Chive comes in a close second).