Nutritional Yeast Recipes

Learn how to make some amazing dinners featuring Nutritional Yeast Recipes. It may seem like a puzzling ingredient, but this post will explain what it is, why to use it, and how to use it in your delicious recipes!

A bowl is full of yellow nutritional yeast flakes.

I realize the phrase “nutritional yeast flakes” may sound strange. Simply hearing it can lead to a variety of questions, like...what is it? And how do I use it in a recipe? And WHY?

First, let me clarify, nutritional yeast is a natural ingredient that’s actually been around awhile. Because it has a nice cheesy flavor, vegans have been using it for years to add flavoring to their favorite recipes. It turns out nutritional yeast flakes are a great cheese substitute.

What is Nutritional Yeast?

Take a stroll through any respectable health food store and you’ll find nutritional yeast flakes, lovingly referred to as “Nooch”. You can find it as a product in containers. But it’s also usually found in the bulk section. Nooch is a universally popular ingredient for vegans and vegetarians. Why? Because it has a natural nutty, cheesy flavor.

But what is nutritional yeast! It’s a yeast that’s been cultivated on sugarcane or beet molasses. However, once it’s cultivated, the yeast is heated (deactivated), washed, and dried.

Maybe because it’s grown from things like sugarcane and molasses, it has a very pleasant, nutty, and even cheesy flavor to it. That flavor comes from glutamic acid that develops as it grows. Glutamic acid may sound scary, but it’s actually a naturally-occurring amino acid. You can find it in many fruits and vegetables too.

But don’t try to use this type of yeast to make bread! It’s not that kind of yeast. Because it’s been heated, the growing process stops. Live, growing yeast is what’s required to make bread rise.

A hand holds a wooden measuring spoon full of nutritional yeast flakes. It's hovering over a bowl full of more of the flakes.

Can you use other types of yeast in place of nutritional yeast?

There are lots of types of yeast out there, like baker’s yeast, brewer’s yeast, yeast extract, etc. However, none of these have the same flavor profile and should not be used in place of nutritional yeast flakes in your recipes.

Nutritional Yeast Benefits

Nutritional yeast flakes are more than just pretty, little yellow flakes with a tasty, cheesy flavor. In fact, they offer some benefits, too. In fact, some flakes are even fortified to boost their nutritional value. But even unfortified, it’s a great source of B vitamins, such as B12, thiamin, biotin, and folic acid.

Even though it grows off of sugar sources, but it’s sugar-free, making it a naturally low-sugar food. It’s also gluten-free and will add fiber, iron, and protein to your diet.

Are Nutritional Yeast Flakes Keto?

Nutritional yeast flakes are great for a low-carb, keto-focused diet. Here’s why. Two tablespoons of nutritional yeast flakes have 60 calories, 5 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of fiber. That’s a net 1 gram of carbs per two tablespoons.

Where to Buy Nutritional Yeast

You can find these cheesy flakes in the health food sections of most grocery stores. It’s also available at most health food stores in prepackaged containers and in bulk. You can also buy Nutritional Yeast Flakes (paid link) online.

How to use Nutritional Yeast

Thanks to its natural cheesy, savory flavor, you can use it in a variety of recipes. For some tasty ways to use it, try adding a tablespoon or two of the flakes to these:

However, As you will see from the recipes below, it can be used in a variety of recipes, adding rich flavor to everything it touches.

Nutritional Yeast Flakes vs Powder

You can buy nutritional yeast in both flaked and powdered forms. However, I prefer the flakes because they dissolve much more easily into a recipe.

I don’t have a favorite brand, although I oftentimes will buy Braggs. That’s usually all I can find at my local grocery store and it’s great! However, I prefer buying it in bulk at places like Sprouts so I can reduce the number of plastic containers I buy. Besides, it keeps great when stored properly.

A collage of photos shows different recipes and ingredients. The text reads: Tasty Nutritional Yeast Recipes.

Nutritional Yeast Recipes

Looking for recipes with nutritional yeast? You’ll love the variety of recipes that can benefit from a touch of the nooch! Here are some of my favorite recipes using nutritional yeast!

Vegan Popcorn

The is the best vegan popcorn recipe. It's butter-free, healthy, affordable, and OH so delicious!
Vegan Popcorn Recipe
The best DIY Microwave Popcorn with a recipe for Nooch Popcorn. It's butter-free, healthy, affordable, and OH so delicious!

Vegan Parmesan

Cashews are combined with delicious flavorings to create the perfect non-dairy Vegan Parmesan. Sprinkle this over your favorite Italian dishes, including pasta and pizza!
Vegan Parmesan Recipe
A hand holds a spoonful of cashew parmesan having over a glass jar full of it wit cashews behind it.

Vegan Green Bean Casserole

This amazing Vegan Green Bean Casserole is a gluten-free recipe made with fresh green beans that are simmered in a savory mushroom sauce. Of course, the casserole is topped with crispy pan-fried onions, too.
Vegan Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Looking down on a casserole dish full of green bean casserole.

Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese Casserole

Warm and creamy, this baked vegan Mac and Cheese Casserole will satisfy your comfort food cravings with healthy, savory deliciousness.
Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese Casserole Recipe
A hand reaches in and scoops out some vegan mac and cheese casserole from the dish.

Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup

This creamy vegan broccoli cheese soup is a healthy soup cleverly disguised as comfort food. It's delicious all the way to the sourdough croutons.
Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
A bowl of vegan broccoli soup has croutons on top.

Tofu Scrambled Eggs

This super easy, healthy tofu scrambled eggs recipe can be ready with less than 10 ingredients and about 10 minutes. Serve it over toast, on salads, or even as a meat substitute in casseroles.
Tofu Scrambled Eggs Recipe
A piece of toast with a pat of melty vegan margarine sits behind a serving of tofu scramble.

Vegan Scalloped Potatoes

Creamy and cheesy vegan scalloped potatoes made with layers of tender potatoes, savory sauce, and melty vegan cheese. A comforting and satisfying dish for any occasion.
Vegan Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
A hand holds a wooden spatula full of cheesy potatoes.

Homemade Vegan Gravy

Your holiday dinners, including Thanksgiving dinner, are not complete without this easy vegan gravy recipe. I pulled out all the stops to make the easiest gravy full of the best flavors!
Homemade Vegan Gravy Recipe
Vegan gravy is poured over a big plate of mashed potatoes.

Vegan Garlic Toast

This vegan garlic bread recipe creates the perfect crispy toast with tender, buttery middle infused garlic and salt.
Vegan Garlic Toast Recipe
A close-up of toasted vegan garlic bread on a cutting board.

Vegan Jalapeño Poppers

These baked vegan jalapeño poppers create a perfect appetizer with a crispy crust, tender peppers, and cheesy filling. Serve this treat for parties or for snacks.
Vegan Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
A closeup of vegan baked jalapeño poppers on a paper.

Vegan creme brûlée is much easier to make than the traditional recipe because it does not involve eggs. However, it can lack a little richness in flavor. That’s why I love adding some nutritional yeast flakes to mine.

No-Bake Crème Brûlée

Take your dessert to another level with this indulgent no-bake vegan Crème Brûlée recipe. Any recipe that requires a blow torch is fine with me and that crispy sugar topping makes it all worthwhile!
No-Bake Crème Brûlée Recipe
A close up of creme brûlée in white serving dishes with raspberries on top and a bowl of raspberries beside them.

The lemon curd in these vegan lemon bars is made a bit better with the addition of nutritional yeast. It adds both flavor and even a little bit of color as well.

Vegan Lemon Bars

These Vegan Lemon Bars are a delicious, healthy, egg-free treat for the whole family to enjoy!
Vegan Lemon Bars Recipe
A stack of several lemon bars with two lemons behind it.

That’s it! Hope you loved learning more about nutritional yeast and seeing some of my favorite nutritional yeast recipes!

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