Nutritional Yeast Nooch Info & 11 Recipes: Kale Chips, PB Cups, Dips, Dressings, Toppings, Mac-n-Cheeze, Cheezy Nut Pates

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This Post is about Nooch.  

I am frequently asked about it, what it tastes like, and for recipes using Nooch.  This post will give you some info and Nooch Recipes.  Enjoy!

Nutritional Yeast = Nooch

Container of Nutritional Yeast Flakes

Inside container of Nutritional Yeast

What is It?
From a Foods Alive email I received:

– Vegans and vegetarians have used Nutritional Yeast for years as a source of vitamin B-12.  Health seekers who strive to eat primarily a whole foods diet use nutritional yeast because it
tastes good with certain foods and adds extra nutrients to their diet.  Nutritional yeast contains 18 amino acids (forming the complete protein) and 15 minerals.– Nutritional Yeast is grown on a mixture of cane and beet molasses. B-vitamins are added during the process to provide the yeast with the nutrients it needs to grow.  When harvested, the yeast is washed, pasteurized, and dried before it is ready for market.

Unlike baking yeast, nutritional yeast is grown solely for its nutritional value. It should not be confused with brewer’s yeast, a by-product of breweries and distilleries. Nutritional yeast is a low-fat, low-sodium, kosher, non-GMO food that contains no added sugars or preservatives.

What Does It Taste Like?
It’s a cheezy-tasting, slightly salty tasting, similar to the saltiness level in cheese.  There’s a little “grit” or texture to it, but when blended with liquids (oils, water, agave, or food processed with vegetables), or whisked, it “smooths” out the texture.

Nutritional Yeast Container
Yeast inside container

What Are the Nutritional Stats?

Holy Protein (9 g in 3 Tbsp, and 80 calories) & B-Vitamins, Batman!

Nutrition Facts on container
Close up of Nutrition Facts
Nutrion Label on back of yeast container

10 Recipes!!!
I present you with Some of my Favorite Nooch Recipes:

1. Kale Chips
Since the above linked recipe, I have cleaned up the recipe instructions and pictures, and here is my new go-to raw vegan kale chip recipe.

Averie’s Raw Vegan Kale Chips Recipe for 1 Bunch of Kale
1 c cashews (soaked for a few hours)
1 Medium Red Pepper
Juice of half a lemon (2 Tbsp)
1/4 c Nooch (Nutritional Yeast) or more if you’re a fan of nooch.  I use 1/3c++
1 Tsp Salt (or to taste)
Optional 1/2 Tsp Agave or 1/2 of a medjool date

Wash the kale & remove tough stalks, de-seed the red pepper, drain off your soaked cashews

Ingredients to make Raw Vegan Kale Chips 

Put all the Ingredients into a Vita-Mix or Food Processor & Blend everything together

Nutritional Yeast container on counter top
Nutrition Facts on container
Open container of Nutritional Yeast
Side view of ingredients in blender
 
Ingredients for coating of Raw Vegan Kale Chips in blender
Blended up coating

Apply the coating to the kale

Pouring coating over kale
Coating and kale being stirred together

Put on Dehydrator Screens and Dehydrate until done, flipping once after a couple hours.  
Or, Bake In a 300F Oven for 20 Minutes, Flipping, and Then Baking Another 10 Minutes or so.    
You can also bake in a 200F oven with the door ajar.  It will take longer but the results will be closer to that of a dehydrator.

Raw Vegan Kale Chips on dehydrator trays
Close up of Raw Vegan Kale Chips on tray
Close up of one raw Kale Chip on dehydrator tray

Watch the Kale Chips very closely because if you think broccoli stench is bad, burnt kale is very naassssty. Everyone’s Oven Temps and Desired Kale Chip Crispiness Level differs, so plan on babysitting your oven for about 45 minutes in totalBut I promise, totally worth it!

Dehydrate (or bake) til Crispy-n-Crunchy

Finished Raw Vegan Kale Chips on tray
Hand holding one Kale Chip

Look at the cheezy, noochey, cashew-ey goodness just stuck on the kale leaf like price stickers stuck to the bottom of your new dishes.

Raw Vegan Kale Chip showing coating
They’re like little Trees of Noochey Goodness
Close u pot hand holding Raw Vegan Kale Chips
Hand holding up one Kale Chip
Close up of pile of Raw Vegan Kale Chips
Get a load of that vegan cheezy action baked right in

Store any extras (won’t be a problem!) in a sealed container. 

Raw Vegan Kale Chips in clear container

I Love these things….

Kale chip on dehydrator tray

…And Skylar begs me for kale chips!

Young girl grinning ear to ear
Young girl eating a plate of Kale Chips

2. high Raw Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
Start with Nooch & PB 
The nooch is optional, but it gives that little hint of savory or saltiness to the peanut butter very similar to a Reese’s PB Cup.  If you don’t have nooch, you can still make these and they will “turn out” just fine.

 Nutritional Yeast and Peanut Butter in bowl

Add Chocolate, and voila, you’ve got Raw Vegan Peanut Butter CupsIn about 10 Minutes!

One split Raw Vegan Peanut Butter Cup
Close up of filling in PB Cup
Stacked Raw Vegan Peanut Butter Cup

3. Popcorn with Nooch

Popcorn with nutritional yeast

Directions:
Use 2 Tbsp Organic Popcorn kernels, place in a brown paper bag, microwave for 90 seconds.  And after popping, I spray the popcorn with cooking and/or coconut oil spray and douse liberally with: 
Nooch
cinnamon
NuNaturals Stevia 
Maca
Chocolate (or carob) Chips

I found these items at Whole Foods that I’ve been dousing all over my popcorn but I recommend online shopping to save money!  iherb.com use code AVE630 to save $5 on your order

 Coconut Spray Oil
Container of Nutritional Yeast
Bag of Maca Powder
 Popcorn’s Ready in 90 Seconds!
 
Nutritional Yeast Popcorn
 Close up of Nutritional Yeast Popcorn
Sawdust Maca Powder Sprinkled
A few kernels of popped popcorn
Nooch Close Up = Vegan Cheezy Goodness
Close up of coated popcorn

Chocolate Chips Added!

Popcorn with chocolate chips

4. Raw Vegan Spinach Dip
This is a raw, dairy-free, creamed spinach dip sure to delight all.  It is loaded with spinach and has a delicious creamy taste. Serve with flax crackers or cut veggies. You may just be tempted to make it a meal!  Click for Picture & Recipe Source
and Click for Another Source

Creamed Spinach Dip

 

 
Ingredients: 
10oz of Fresh, Organic Spinach
1/2 Organic Red Onion
1.5 cups organic, unpasteurized almonds (soaked and dehydrated)
0.5 cups organic, really raw cashews (soaked and dehydrated)
0.25 cups of organic, cold-pressed olive oil
1.5 cups water
1/3 cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 TBSP Nutritional Flakes
4 garlic cloves
2 tsp sea salt
Optional: 1 tsp of psyllim husk (increases thickness of dip)
Preparation: 
Chop spinach and red onion and place in mixing bowl.
Put remaining ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
Combine blender contents in bowl and mix.
Chill for 1-2 hours to increase the dips thickness.
Garnish with chopped red bell pepper for color.

 

5. One Pot Gluten Free Vegan Mac-N-Cheese with Nooch.   This will keep you warm in your tummy without having to use any Kraft Easy Mac!

One Pot Vegan Mac and Cheese

6. Sprinkle Nooch on top of raw, steamed, or sauteed veggies.  
Add other spices such as paprika, cumin, ginger, onion, garlic, S & P, etc. to suit your tastes.

Shown: Zucchini wedges and cauliflower with Nooch, Paprika, and Pepper.
Zucchini wedges and cauliflower with Nutritional Yeast, Paprika, and Peppe

7. Raw Cheddar Dipping Sauce for Veggies or as a Salad Dressing

Raw Cheddar Dipping Sauce for Veggies
Dip all your raw veggies in this!  Or Pour over cooked veggies as a “cheezy cheddar alfredo sauce”.   Or thin out with oil and use as a cheezy salad dressing.

This Recipe is Similar to My Kale Chip Coating from Above but what follows is an alternate version I found

Ingredients: 
1 cup raw cashews, sunflower seeds or almonds
½ large red bell pepper
¼ cup water
2 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon tahini
1½ teaspoon sea salt
1 clove garlic
2 teaspoon onion powder (or a small slice of onion or 1 Tbsp of green onion)
Preparation: 
Blend all ingredients until creamy. Add more water if it is too thick.
And Enjoy the Dip!!!  Or use it as a salad dressing if you combine it with a little oil such as flax, hemp, or olive oil to Thin it Out A Bit.
Ingredients for Kale Chip Coating in blender
Blended up Kale Chip Coating

8. Here’s my other Salad Dressing Recipe Using Nooch:
 Averie’s Cheezy Hemp Salad Dressing Recipe

9. Add 2 Tbsp of Nooch to my Sweet & Tangy Chicken-Less Salad

Sweet & Tangy Chicken-Less Salad on romaine leavesThe Nooch will add a slightly cheeze-infused flavor to the Sweet-n-Tangy Chicken-Less Salad and will complement & balance the slight sweetness of the O.J. & Agave in This Recipe

Close up of Sweet & Tangy Chicken-Less Salad

10.  Add 2 Tbsp Nooch to My Sweet-n-Nutty Un-Chicky Salad Recipe

Sweet-n-Nutty Un-Chicky Salad in container
Close up of Sweet-n-Nutty Un-Chicky Salad


Serve the Sweet-n-Nutty Un-Chicky Salad with Nooch over a Bed of Greens.  Dulse Flakes for added savory flavor work wonderfully with nooch.

Sweet-n-Nutty Un-Chicky Salad over salad

11. Averie’s Raw Vegan Cheezy Spread (Recipe Also Appears in This Post)
1 c raw cashews (soaked for a few hours)
3-4 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast (nooch).  More if you like things really cheezy flavored like I do!
2-3 Tbsp Lemon Juice

Salt & Pepper to Taste
Optional other spices added to taste: garlic, onions, cumin, etc.
Yields: Approx 1 cup of Vegan Cheezy Spread

Container of Nutritional Yeast
Nutrition Facts for Yeast
Inside container of yeast

Soaking my nuts (TWSS!)

Cashews soaking in water

Blend everything together in your Vita or Food Processor or Magic Bullet, and enjoy!

12.
“Spicy Doritos” Cheezy Dip with Raw Veggies

"Spicy Doritos" Cheezy Dip in clear container
Close up of "Spicy Doritos" Cheezy Dip

 

Two red bell peppers
Head of broccoli

13. Cheezy Vegetable Bake

Cheezy Vegetable Bake on plate

 

Cheezy Vegetable Bake on foil lined pan

Plated Cheezy Vegetable Bake

 

I hope those Recipes Using Nooch have inspired you to try it!


You’re saying this looks great, I’m going to try it!  But Where do I find it?
You can find it at Whole Foods or other health food stores (Trader Joe’s and most regular grocery stores Do Not Carry It)

Or, Order it From iherb.com.  Here’s the Now Brand, and Here’s the Brand I Use called KAL.

***Use code AVE630 at check out to save $5 off your order from iherb.com***

Questions
1. Do You Use Nooch?  Does This Post Make You Want to Try It?  Did Any of the Recipes Inspire You or Catch Your Eye?

2. If You’re a Nooch User, what’s your favorite recipe or way to use it?  Links welcome in the comments.  I would love to see your favorites and ways you’re using it! 

3. Are there any other ingredients that you see tossed around in the ‘sphere that you are a bit clueless about and want some more info about or recipe suggestions using those ingredients because you’re intrigued but have no idea where to begin?  
Maca, Mesquite, Lucama, Coconut Oil, Cocao Butter, Tahini, Agave, Yacon Syrup, come to mind, but what else do you need help with?  Maybe I can do another post like this one discussing other ingredients/recipes that are a bit of a mystery to you!

4. What’s something that you’ve tried lately (probably because of the blogosphere) that you wouldn’t ordinarily have tried?  Or what have you started loving and incorporating into your diet because you were inspired to try it and now you’re so glad you did and can’t believe you lived without it for so long?
For me, maca, nooch, coconut oil are three staples that a year ago were not, at all.

 

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

Comments

  1. Wow. Looking so delicious. Thanks for giving the recipe. All these sounds yummy. I can’t wait to try the last one.  will definitely try this. Thanks for all the recipes.

    1. I found your kale chips recipe a long Time ago, (maybe a decade? Eep!) And it has been the basis of many batches of kale chips! I usually roast the red pepper with jalapeño peppers and add those for a kick. Recently I re-found your site so i could recommend the Recipe to a friend, and am excited to try more of your recipes! (Helloo PB cups, YUM!) Glad your blog continues to be successful!

  2. I just learned about nutritional yeast and I can’t wait to try some of these recipes on your site. I’m so excited I found you! Quick question: regarding the Kale Chip recipe–you said an alternative is to cook at 200 degrees with door ajar. How long do you suggest at a low heat. I’ve made kale chips before and it was a disaster because I couldn’t get the crispy effect and ended up burning them. Agggg. Maybe cooking at 200 for longer will be better for me. Thank you!

    1. It could take 1 to 3 hours. It’s SO Variable depending on your oven, the chips, etc. You do have to flip them and babysit, and they’re never going to be like a Lay’s potato chip all crunchy & crisp, but it’s a start :)