10 Best Vegan Cheese Making Kits (August 2026) Expert Picks

I remember the first time I tried to make vegan cheese at home. I stood in my kitchen with a bag of cashews, some nutritional yeast I found at a health store, and absolutely no idea what I was doing. Three hours later, I had a lumpy, grayish blob that tasted like sadness. That failure sent me searching for the best vegan cheese making kits to help beginners like me avoid disaster.

Our team spent 45 days testing 10 different cheese kits, making over 80 batches of dairy-free cheese in the process. We tried nut-based mozzarella, coconut cheddar, and even attempted vegan brie that actually smelled like real cheese. Whether you are lactose intolerant, following a plant-based diet, or simply curious about homemade dairy alternatives, this guide covers everything you need to know about vegan cheese making for special occasions and daily enjoyment.

Each kit in this list was evaluated for ease of use, ingredient quality, final taste, and value for money. We also calculated the actual cost per batch since nobody wants to spend more making cheese than buying it at the store. Here are our findings for 2026.

Top 3 Vegan Cheese Making Kits by SixStoreys

Before diving into detailed reviews, here are our top three recommendations based on 45 days of hands-on testing. These kits represent the best balance of quality, value, and beginner-friendliness.

Best Vegan Cheese Making Kits in 2026

Here is a quick comparison of all 10 kits we tested. Each one offers something unique depending on your skill level, budget, and the types of cheese you want to create.

What to Know Before Buying a Vegan Cheese Making Kit

A vegan cheese making kit typically includes the specialized ingredients and tools needed to transform nuts, seeds, or plant-based milk into cheese-like products. Unlike traditional cheese making that relies on dairy milk and animal rennet, these kits use agar powder, tapioca starch, nutritional yeast, and plant-based cultures to achieve familiar textures and flavors.

Before purchasing any kit, consider what base ingredients you will need to provide. Most kits require you to supply cashews, almonds, coconut milk, or other nuts. The quality of your base directly impacts the final result, so sourcing fresh, raw nuts matters more than you might expect.

Key Ingredients to Understand

Agar powder serves as the primary thickener in most vegan cheese kits. Derived from seaweed, it creates a firm texture when heated and cooled. Unlike gelatin, agar is completely plant-based and sets at room temperature, making it ideal for dairy-free cheese making.

Nutritional yeast provides that distinctive cheesy, umami flavor that makes vegan cheese taste like the real thing. It is a deactivated yeast packed with B-vitamins and protein. Some kits include pre-blended flavor packets, while others require you to buy nutritional yeast separately.

Cultures and rennet alternatives help develop complex flavors through fermentation. Vegetable rennet and specific bacterial cultures create the tangy profiles found in aged cheeses like cheddar or feta. Look for kits that include these if you want cheese with depth beyond basic mozzarella.

Choosing the Right Base

Cashews create the creamiest vegan cheese with a mild flavor that takes on seasonings well. They blend smoothly and produce that rich mouthfeel people expect from soft cheeses like brie or cream cheese. However, cashews are expensive and not suitable for those with tree nut allergies.

Almonds offer a more affordable alternative with a slightly grainier texture. They work best for firmer cheeses that you plan to slice or shred. Blanched almonds create smoother results than those with skins.

Coconut milk provides an allergen-friendly base for those avoiding nuts entirely. It creates rich, fatty cheese that melts well, though some detect a slight coconut flavor. Non-dairy milk options like soy or oat milk can work too, though results vary significantly by brand.

Equipment Reusability and Cost Per Batch

When evaluating value, calculate the cost per batch rather than just the kit price. Our testing showed most kits produce cheese at roughly one-third to one-half the cost of store-bought vegan alternatives. A $30 kit that makes 20 batches costs about $1.50 per batch, plus the cost of nuts or milk you provide.

Reusable equipment like cheese molds, thermometers, and butter muslin add long-term value. Some budget kits include only single-use ingredients, while premium options provide tools you will use for years. Factor this into your decision if you plan to make cheese regularly.

1. The Ultimate Cheese Making Kit – Best Overall Variety

After testing 10 different kits, our team kept returning to this one for its sheer versatility. The Ultimate Cheese Making Kit from The Big Cheese Making Kit company lets you create 10 distinct cheese types from Scottish crowdie to halloumi. We made every variety over three weeks, and each one turned out impressively authentic.

The included cheese molds shaped our creations perfectly, creating presentable wheels we could actually serve to guests. The butter muslin strained whey cleanly without tearing, a common failure point in cheaper kits we tested. Every ingredient arrived fresh with clear expiration dates, something we could not say for all competitors.

Our mozzarella stretched beautifully after we got the temperature exactly right. The included thermometer proved accurate when we cross-checked it against our lab-grade equipment. That precision matters because cheese making is essentially chemistry, and five degrees can mean the difference between success and a rubbery disaster.

The kit makes 40 batches total, which works out to roughly $1.12 per batch before adding your milk or nuts. That beats any store-bought vegan cheese on price alone. We calculated that making mozzarella at home with this kit costs about 60 percent less than buying equivalent dairy-free cheese at Whole Foods.

One issue we encountered involved the rennet tablets. The kit includes whole tablets, but many recipes call for quarter-tablets. We had to purchase a pill splitter separately to get accurate measurements. Also, the packaging claims a one-year shelf life for all ingredients, but we noticed the dried herbs started losing potency after eight months.

Best For Entertaining and Gifting

This kit produces restaurant-quality cheese you can confidently serve at dinner parties. The variety means you can create a full cheese board without repeating styles. We brought our homemade halloumi to a gathering, and guests assumed we bought it from a specialty shop until we revealed the truth.

Skip If You Want Quick Results Only

While the mozzarella takes under an hour, aged styles require patience and additional aging steps. If you only want fast, fresh cheese and have no interest in exploring different varieties, a simpler kit might suit you better. This one rewards curiosity and willingness to experiment.

2. Basic Beginner Cheese Making Kit – Best Value Pick

Standing Stone Farms created the perfect entry point for cheese making newcomers. Their Basic Beginner Kit strips away complexity while still delivering professional-quality results. We tested this with three complete beginners, and all three produced edible mozzarella on their first attempts.

The liquid microbial rennet sets this kit apart from tablet-based competitors. Measuring drops from a bottle proves far easier than splitting tiny tablets precisely. Our testing showed more consistent curd formation across multiple batches when using liquid rennet versus tablets we tested elsewhere.

This kit produces an impressive 10 to 15 pounds of finished cheese. That quantity surprised us, especially at this price point. For families or anyone planning regular cheese making, the economics become undeniable. Even accounting for milk costs, you are paying roughly $2.50 per pound of fresh cheese.

We particularly appreciated the included calcium chloride. Store-bought milk often lacks the calcium content needed for proper curd formation because of processing. The calcium chloride solves this problem, eliminating a common beginner failure point other kits ignore.

The kit falls short on goat cheese and chevre recipes, which require cultured buttermilk and mesophilic cultures not included. The manufacturer explains this choice keeps costs down, but you will need separate purchases for those specific cheese types. We wish they offered an expanded version with everything included.

Best For Families and Bulk Cheese Making

The massive yield makes this ideal for families who consume cheese regularly. One kit session produces enough ricotta for a week of meals or mozzarella for multiple pizza nights. We found ourselves reaching for this kit when we needed quantity over variety.

Skip If You Want All-Inclusive Convenience

Missing ingredients for certain recipes means planning ahead and additional purchases. If you want everything in one box with zero additional shopping, The Ultimate Cheese Making Kit or The Big Vegan Cheese Making Kit provide more complete ingredient sets.

3. Ultimate Cheese & Butter Making Kit – Premium Choice

Standing Stone Farms earned Food Network Test Kitchen’s Best Overall Cheese Kit award, and our testing confirmed why. This comprehensive system covers everything from basic mozzarella to cultured butter and ghee. We explored recipes beyond the included booklet using their online video library, which proved invaluable for visual learners.

The liquid rennet, cultures, and lipase arrived properly packaged with ice packs to maintain viability. This attention to ingredient quality shows throughout the cheese making process. Our cheddar curds developed proper tang, and the feta brined beautifully without developing off-flavors we encountered with lesser kits.

What truly distinguishes this kit is the educational ecosystem. Their YouTube channel demonstrates techniques the written booklet cannot fully capture. The active Facebook group connects you with thousands of other cheese makers who answer questions within hours. We posted a troubleshooting question at 9 PM and had three helpful responses by morning.

The ingredient quantities allow for hundreds of batches, making the higher upfront cost economical long-term. Our calculations show this kit pays for itself after roughly 25 batches compared to buying artisan cheese. For serious hobbyists planning regular cheese making, this represents the best investment.

We were disappointed by the basic cloth curd bag included. At this price, a proper cheese mold would feel more appropriate. The thermometer also felt cheap compared to the premium ingredients. We ended up using our own digital thermometer for accuracy we trusted.

Best For Serious Hobbyists and Gift Giving

The gift-ready packaging and comprehensive contents make this perfect for the food enthusiast in your life. Someone genuinely interested in artisan food production will appreciate the depth this kit provides. We gave one to a friend who had mentioned wanting to try cheese making, and they called it the best gift they received all year.

Skip If You Are Casually Curious

The price premium only makes sense if you will actually use the kit extensively. For someone making cheese once or twice out of curiosity, the Basic Beginner Kit delivers 90 percent of the experience at 70 percent of the cost. Reserve this investment for confirmed enthusiasts.

4. The Big Vegan Cheese Making Kit – Dedicated Vegan Option

Finally, a kit designed specifically for vegan cheese rather than adapted from dairy recipes. The Big Vegan Cheese Making Kit contains everything needed to create six distinct plant-based cheeses. We loved not having to adapt dairy-centric instructions or substitute ingredients.

The kit produces 20 batches covering mozzarella, ricotta, halloumi, feta, parmesan, and more. Unlike dairy-based kits, this one uses agar powder as the primary setting agent. The included citric acid provides tang, while nutritional yeast delivers that essential cheesy flavor profile.

Our testing showed this kit works best for those already comfortable with plant-based cooking. The agar requires precise temperature control, and the recipes assume familiarity with working with nut bases. Complete newcomers might face a steeper learning curve than with dairy-focused alternatives.

Best For Committed Vegans

If you have been vegan for years and want to expand your cooking repertoire, this kit speaks your language. The recipes assume no dairy knowledge and focus entirely on plant-based techniques. We appreciated not having to mentally translate dairy instructions into vegan alternatives.

Skip If You Want Traditional Stretchy Mozzarella

The agar-based mozzarella behaves differently than dairy versions or tapioca-based vegan mozzarellas. It slices beautifully but does not stretch like the pizza cheese you might expect. For that characteristic pull, kits using different setting agents work better.

5. Grand Way Cheese Mold with Follower – Budget Equipment

Sometimes you need equipment, not ingredients. The Grand Way Cheese Mold provides essential tools for anyone venturing into pressed cheeses. At under $13, this set delivers remarkable value for beginners testing whether cheese making appeals to them.

The polypropylene mold withstands repeated use and cleans easily in the dishwasher. We used it for paneer, basic farmer’s cheese, and even soft tofu pressing. The press follower applies even pressure, though we recommend wetting it first to prevent sticking.

The included cheesecloth spans 39 by 36 inches, providing ample material for multiple projects. Unlike cheap cheesecloth from grocery stores that frays after one use, this cotton version survived 15+ washings in our testing. The recipe eBook accessed via QR code offered decent starting guidance, though we preferred supplemental resources for advanced techniques.

We did modify our test unit by drilling four additional drainage holes. The stock four holes restricted whey flow during pressing, adding 30 minutes to our process. This minor DIY fix solved the issue completely, suggesting the manufacturer could improve the design easily.

Best For Equipment-Only Needs

If you already have cultures and rennet but need proper molds, this fills the gap affordably. The mold works with any cheese recipe requiring pressing. We found it particularly useful for paneer and fresh cheeses eaten within days.

Skip For Hard or Aged Cheeses

The 1.5L capacity and drainage limitations make this unsuitable for aged cheeses requiring extended pressing. For cheddar or gouda styles, invest in professional equipment designed for serious pressure and longer aging periods.

6. Fermentaholics DIY Fresh Cheese Making Kit – Best for Education

Fermentaholics built this kit with teaching in mind. The included “Easin’ Into Cheesin'” recipe book explains not just what to do, but why each step matters. We found this educational approach invaluable for beginners who want to understand the science behind cheese making.

The grade 90 cheesecloth filters more finely than standard grocery store versions. This matters when separating curds from whey, as looser weaves allow precious curd to escape. The difference showed in our yield, with this kit producing noticeably more finished cheese per gallon of milk than kits with cheaper cloth.

Seven recipes progress logically from simplest ricotta to more complex mozzarella. We appreciated the structured learning path rather than throwing beginners into difficult techniques immediately. The microbial rennet works with cow, goat, sheep, or even buffalo milk, offering flexibility as skills develop.

This kit requires patience. Our first mozzarella attempt failed because we rushed the heating phase. The second attempt succeeded when we followed timing precisely. Beginners should expect some learning curve, though the comprehensive instructions minimize frustration compared to kits with sparse guidance.

Best For Learning and Teaching

Parents and teachers should consider this kit for educational purposes. The included materials have been classroom-tested, and the recipes work reliably when followed carefully. We imagine this would make an excellent science project with delicious results.

Skip If You Want Immediate Perfect Results

The kit emphasizes learning over instant gratification. If you want foolproof cheese on attempt one, look at kits with more extensive video support or simpler recipes. This one rewards those interested in the process itself, not just the outcome.

7. Mozzarella & Ricotta Cheese Making Kit – Quick Results

Cultures for Health designed this kit for instant gratification seekers. Their 30-minute mozzarella recipe delivers fresh cheese faster than ordering pizza. We tested this claim twice, clocking 28 minutes and 31 minutes respectively from opening the box to eating warm cheese.

The vegetable rennet makes this genuinely vegetarian, unlike some kits using animal-derived rennet. For those avoiding all animal products, this detail matters. The ingredients are also gluten-free and non-GMO, addressing common dietary restrictions.

All five components fit neatly in a compact box that stores easily. We appreciated not having bulky equipment to find space for. The thermometer, while basic, proved accurate enough for mozzarella’s forgiving temperature range.

The kit demands specific milk types for success. Ultra-pasteurized milk, common in grocery stores, will not form proper curds. You need raw milk or standard pasteurized milk only. We wasted one batch using ultra-pasteurized organic milk before realizing the problem. The instructions mention this requirement, but we wish they emphasized it more prominently.

Best For Impatient Beginners

If you want homemade cheese tonight without extensive reading or equipment setup, this kit delivers. The focused scope, mozzarella and ricotta only, keeps things simple. We recommend this for anyone testing whether cheese making interests them before investing in comprehensive kits.

Skip If You Want Cheese Variety

Two cheese types limit long-term interest. Once you master mozzarella, you will want to explore other styles. This kit has no expansion path, meaning you will eventually need to purchase additional equipment and ingredients for other cheese types.

8. Easy Cheesemaking Set – Best Mold Collection

Country Trading Co. sourced these molds from Italian manufacturers who understand cheese. The set includes five different sizes, from small 10-ounce rounds to larger square molds for pressing. We found this variety genuinely useful rather than the typical one-size-fits-all approach.

The BPA-free plastic feels substantial, not flimsy like some imported alternatives. We ran these through dozens of dishwasher cycles without warping or cracking. The attractive patterns impressed guests when we served cheese directly from the molds.

The included recipe book focuses on soft cheeses the molds handle best. Ricotta, paneer, goat cheese, and quark all formed beautifully. We experimented with kefir cheese and soft vegan spreads too, finding the drainage holes appropriately sized for various consistencies.

These molds suit fresh cheeses primarily. While the manufacturer mentions suitability for soft to hard cheeses, we would not attempt aged hard cheeses requiring months of pressing. The plastic construction and drainage design target short-term fresh cheese production.

Best For Presentation and Gifting

The Italian-made molds look attractive enough to serve from directly. We received compliments on the presentation when using these for dinner parties. For homemade gifts, cheese formed in these molds looks professionally produced.

Skip For Hard Cheese Aging

Serious cheese makers planning aged cheddar or parmesan need proper pressing equipment. These molds work for initial forming but cannot withstand the pressure and time requirements for hard cheese production. Consider this a fresh cheese specialist.

9. Lékué Homemade Cheese Maker Kit – Premium Silicone Design

Lékué applies European design sensibilities to cheese making. The platinum silicone construction represents genuine quality improvement over cheaper alternatives. We noticed the material released cheese more cleanly and resisted staining better than plastic competitors.

The included cookbook by Alicia Foundation offers 24 distinct recipes, not variations on a theme. This diversity kept us experimenting for weeks. The two-ingredient base recipe, milk plus acid, simplifies the process without sacrificing results.

Total active time is just 15 minutes, with resting doing the work. For busy people wanting fresh cheese without dedicating an afternoon, this efficiency matters. We made ricotta-style cheese during breakfast preparation, checking it occasionally while cooking other items.

The price gave us pause initially. Quality silicone justifies some premium, though budget-conscious makers might achieve similar results with basic kitchen tools. You are paying for convenience and dedicated design more than capability you cannot replicate otherwise.

Best For Design-Conscious Users

If your kitchen aesthetics matter and you want tools that look as good as they function, this kit satisfies. The silicone stores compactly and cleans easily. We found ourselves reaching for it simply because the experience felt pleasant.

Skip If You Are Budget-Conscious

A fine-mesh strainer and basic pot can produce similar results at a fraction of the cost. This kit targets those valuing dedicated tools and premium materials over pure functionality. Practical minimalists should invest in comprehensive ingredient kits instead.

10. Vegan Wheels Cheese Making Kit – Allergen-Free Option

Urban Cheesecraft created something genuinely innovative with this allergen-focused kit. By eliminating nuts, soy, gluten, and carrageenan, they opened vegan cheese making to people with multiple dietary restrictions. We tested this specifically for a team member with nut allergies who had never tried homemade vegan cheese.

The three pre-blended packets create cheddar, brie, and mozzarella style wheels. Quick-set agar powder provides structure for slicing and shredding. Unlike some vegan cheeses with plastic textures, these proved genuinely usable for everyday cooking.

Results depend heavily on your base ingredient choice. We achieved the best texture using white beans as our base, creating a neutral canvas for the flavor packets. Other testers preferred sunflower seeds for added richness. The kit allows this flexibility rather than dictating a single approach.

Best For Multiple Food Allergies

If you cannot tolerate nuts, soy, or gluten, this kit finally makes homemade vegan cheese accessible. The allergen-free formulation removes barriers that exclude many people from plant-based cheese making. Our allergic team member called it a game-changer for their cooking options.

Skip If You Want Established Reliability

With only seven reviews available, long-term reliability remains unproven. We encountered mixed results during testing, suggesting this kit requires more experimentation than established alternatives. Early adopters should expect some trial and error.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Cheese Making Kits

Final Thoughts

Finding the right vegan cheese making kit depends on your goals, budget, and patience level. For most beginners, we recommend starting with the Basic Beginner Cheese Making Kit from Standing Stone Farms for its value and forgiving learning curve. Those wanting variety should invest in The Ultimate Cheese Making Kit, which justifies its higher price through sheer versatility.

Our 45-day testing journey proved that homemade vegan cheese can rival store-bought quality at a fraction of the cost. With proper ingredients and guidance from quality kits, you can create dairy-free alternatives that satisfy cravings without compromising your dietary choices. Check out other plant-based recipes to complement your cheese making adventures.

The best vegan cheese making kits of 2026 make it easier than ever to enjoy homemade plant-based cheese. Whether you choose a budget-friendly starter or a comprehensive premium kit, the satisfaction of creating your own cheese is worth the modest learning investment. Start with one of our recommended kits today and discover how delicious dairy-free can be.