Homemade Cheese Powder (Using Cheddar Slices)
No Additives! Make Delicious Homemade Cheese Powder Instead of Artificial Cheese Powder
Do you have a lot of cheddar cheese slices that aren’t getting used up? Today, I’m sharing how to make a versatile homemade cheese powder using those slices, perfect for both baking and everyday cooking. While it may not have the intense color and aroma of commercial artificial cheese powder, this homemade version lets you fully enjoy the natural cheese flavor without worrying about additives or artificial colors. It’s fantastic sprinkled over salads, pasta, or stir-fries, much like you would use Parmesan cheese powder. I’ll soon be sharing a recipe for butter cookies made with this cheese powder, so stay tuned! Let’s create this wonderfully versatile cheese powder together!
Ingredients
- Cheddar cheese slices, as needed (approx. 3 packs, 4cm thick)
- Cornstarch, 2-3 tsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the cheddar cheese slices into pieces suitable for drying. I cut each slice into 9 equal parts. Arrange the cheese pieces on your dehydrator trays, ensuring they don’t overlap. I didn’t weigh the cheese, but I used about three 4cm thick packs.
Step 2
Dehydrate at 113-131°F (45-55°C) for about 10 hours. Drying times can vary depending on your dehydrator. The cheese should be hard enough to crumble easily when touched. Properly dried cheese might feel slightly oily. To remove excess oil, line a large tray with paper towels, place the dried cheese on top, cover with another paper towel, and then place a heavy object (like a pot or books) on top for 3-4 hours. This will help absorb the oil onto the paper towels.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to grind the oil-removed dried cheese into a fine powder using a blender or food processor. Here’s a helpful tip: add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch each time you grind the cheese. This prevents the cheese from clumping or sticking to the blades due to its oil content, ensuring a much finer powder. I have a small blender, so I ground the cheese in three batches, adding cornstarch to each. Store the finished cheese powder in an airtight container and keep it in the freezer for long-term freshness. Your delicious homemade cheese powder is ready!
