Cooking Tips

How much Daiya should I use?

It’s important to use the optimum amounts of Daiya for best performance. You don’t typically need as much Daiya as you would dairy cheese, especially when making dishes like pizza, casseroles or sauces. If you’re new to our products, check out our recipes page for ideas about how much Daiya you should use.

How much Daiya should I use on my homemade pizza?

How do I melt Daiya?

For best results when using as a topping, such as the top layer of a lasagna, add Daiya in the last 5 – 10 minutes (depending on temperature). This will yield smooth melting properties without excessive browning. Our shreds sometimes may not look melted because they hold their shape better than melted dairy cheese. If you want to double check, you can run a fork or knife through the shreds.

How can I use Daiya Shreds?

The shreds are designed for melting, which makes them great for use on pizza, in casseroles and sauces. For recipe ideas using Daiya Shreds, be sure to check out the recipes section on our website.

Recommended recipes for Shreds:
Cheezy Loaded Sweet Potato Skins
Sheet Pan Veggie Nachos
Tofu and Veggie Scramble

How can I use the Daiya Blocks?

Unlike the shreds, the blocks were designed to be eaten cold or melted. You can use the blocks just as you would use dairy cheese: cube it, slice it or shred it.

Recommended recipes for Blocks:
Baked Mac & Cheeze
Sweet Potato & Kale Salad with Havarti Cheese
Pasta Primavera

How can I use the Daiya Slices?

Like the blocks, the slices can be eaten cold or melted and can be used in the same way as dairy cheese. They are perfect for jazzing up a sandwich or for melting on cheeseburgers.

Recommended recipes for Slices:
Cheezy Vegan Breakfast Sandwich
Grilled Cheeze Roll-ups
Apple, Arugula and Daiya Smoked Gouda Flatbread

How should I use the Daiya Cream Cheese Style Spreads?

You can use the Cream Cheese Spreads just as you would use a dairy cream cheese. On a bagel, in appetizers or dips, or your favorite cheesecake recipe.  The possibilities are endless!

Recommended recipes for Cream Cheeze:

Carrot Cake with a Creamy Vanilla Frosting

Vegan Herb & Roasted Garlic Potato Salad

Where can I find recipe ideas on how to use Daiya?

For recipe ideas, be sure to check out the recipes section of our website. You can also become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or Instagram for recipe ideas.

Daiya Pizza Troubleshooting Tips

The crust is burnt…

Because each oven cooks differently, it’s important to keep an eye on the pizza the first time baking it in your oven. If you find that the edges begin to burn before the rest of the pizza crisps up, we recommend lowering the baking temperature by 50 degrees F.  When lowering the temperature, you may need to leave it in the oven a few minutes longer to ensure that the crust is crispy.

The crust is soggy…

When baking a Daiya pizza, it is important to place it on a pizza stone or pan that is already hot. If you still find that the crust isn’t crispy enough, we recommend cooking the pizza for a longer period of time. If cooking longer, you may need to lower the temperature by 50 degrees F to prevent the edges from burning.

The outer edges are burnt, but the middle isn’t cooked enough…

If you find that the edges of the pizza are burning before the rest of the crust is cooked enough, you’ll need to lower the oven temperature and bake the pizza longer. We recommend starting by lowering the oven temperature by 50 degrees F and baking 5-10 minutes longer. Due to temperature variability with different ovens, we recommend checking the pizza regularly to prevent it from burning.

How to prepare Daiya Grilling Cheeze

Pan-Frying Instructions: 

1. Pre-heat non-stick pan on medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes or until hot 
2. Add 1 tsp. of EVOO or oil of choice (incl. cooking spray) to the non-stick pan and let heat up for 1-2 minutes – the oil should be hot before placing grilling cheeze on! 
3. While the non-stick pan and oil are heating, cut the grilling cheeze block into your preferred shape – we recommend 1″ cubes or 0.5″ thick slices 
4. Generously brush or toss each side of your grilling cheeze portions with EVOO or preferred oil of choice, about 1 tsp. or until fully coated 
5. Place grilling cheeze portions onto hot non-stick pan, turn down to medium heat and let sit for approx. 5 min – do not flip or move! – to allow for the grilling cheeze to develop a crispy, golden-brown crust.  
6. After approx. 5 min, flip cheeze portions and allow another 5 min for crust to form on other side.  
7. Once the cheeze is fried to your liking and the golden-brown crust looks irresistible, you are ready to serve and savor your cheeze! 

We hope you enjoy this one-of-a-kind cheeze experience. Don’t forget to tag us @daiyafoods to show off your crave-worthy culinary creations! 

Note: For best results, we recommend using a non-stick frying pan. Cook times may vary depending on the size of the grilling cheeze portion, stovetop make/model, and desired level of crispiness and browning.  

BBQ Grilling Instructions: 

1. Brush BBQ grates with EVOO or oil of choice (or spray generously with cooking oil) 
2. Pre-heat BBQ to approx. 450°F 
3. While BBQ is heating up, cut the grilling cheeze block into your preferred shape – we highly recommend 0.5″ thick slices 
4. Generously brush or toss each side of your grilling cheeze portions with EVOO or preferred oil of choice, about 1 tsp. or until fully coated 
5. Place grilling cheeze portions onto BBQ and close the BBQ lid 
6. Grill cheeze for 4-5 minutes – do not flip or move! – to allow for a crust to form and slightly char 
7. After 4-5 minutes, flip grilling cheeze portions and grill for another 4-5 minutes to allow for golden-brown, slightly charred crust to form on other side 
8. After approx. 5 min, flip cheeze portions and allow another 5 min for crust to form on other side 
9. Once cheeze is grilled to your liking and the golden-brown crust looks irresistible, you are ready to serve and savor your cheeze! 

We hope you enjoy this one-of-a-kind cheeze experience. Don’t forget to tag us @daiyafoods to show off your crave-worthy culinary creations! 

Note: Cook times may vary depending on the size of the grilling cheeze portion, BBQ make/model, and desired level of crispiness and browning.  

BBQ Grilling Instructions: 

1. Pre-heat air fryer to 390°F 
2. While air fryer is heating up, cut the grilling cheeze block into your preferred shape – we recommend 1″ cubes or 0.5″ thick slices 
3. Generously brush or toss each side of your grilling cheeze portions with EVOO or preferred oil of choice, about 1 tsp. or until fully coated 
4. Mist air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with oil, about 0.5 tsp.  
5. Place grilling cheeze in basket and air fry for 12-15 minutes or until cheeze is crispy on all sides, turning once halfway through 
6. Once the cheeze is fried to your liking and the crust is crispy to the touch, you are ready to serve and savor your cheeze! 

We hope you enjoy this one-of-a-kind cheeze experience. Don’t forget to tag us @daiyafoods to show off your crave-worthy culinary creations! 

Note: Cook times may vary depending on the size of the grilling cheeze portion, air fryer make/model, and desired level of crispiness and browning.  

Deep-Frying Instructions: 

1. Combine 1 tbsp 3 tbsp ground flax and water in a small bowl and whisk thoroughly 
2. Let the mixture rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes, until it’s somewhat “gloppy” or congealed.
3. Cut the grilling cheeze block into your preferred shape – we recommend 1″ cubes or 0.5″ thick slices 
4. Coat grilling cheeze portions in flour, dip in vegan egg/egg wash mixture, and roll in gluten-free breadcrumbs (we recommended Panko) 
5. Batter again – dip in vegan egg mixture, roll in more gluten- Panko breadcrumbs 
6. Place fully coated portions of grilling cheeze into freezer until solid 
7. Heat oil of choice to approx. 375°F in deep fryer or pot  
8. Remove fully coated grilling cheeze from freezer and fry for approx. 5 minutes or until irresistibly golden-brown and crispy. Pro tip: we love dipping our fried grilling cheeze bites/sticks in marinara sauce! Remove from heat. Serve, savor and repeat.  

We hope you enjoy this one-of-a-kind cheeze experience. Don’t forget to tag us @daiyafoods to show off your crave-worthy culinary creations! 

Note: Cook times may vary depending on the size of the grilling cheeze portion, frying method used, and on desired level of crispiness and browning.