Cheese powder, sometimes called cheese dust, is a versatile ingredient used to add cheesy flavor to various foods and dishes. It is made by dehydrating cheese into a fine powder that can be conveniently stored and used in cooking and baking.
If you’ve ever made boxed macaroni and cheese, you’re familiar with the magical cheese powder that gives the noodles their distinctly cheesy flavor. But cheese powder isn’t just for mac and cheese - it can be used to boost cheesy flavor in all kinds of recipes.
A Brief History of Cheese Powder
The origins of cheese powder can be traced back to World War II efforts to provide lightweight, non-perishable food to soldiers. George Sanders, a USDA dairy scientist, developed a process in 1943 to dehydrate cheese into a shelf-stable powder form that retained flavor. This allowed cheese to be conveniently transported without refrigeration and prevented spoilage.
Since then, cheese powder has become a widely used ingredient in commercial food production and home cooking. The fine, orange powder is most recognizable from boxed mac and cheese mixes, but it lends its tangy flavor to snacks, seasonings, sauces and more.
How is Cheese Powder Made?
Cheese powder starts with fresh cheese that is milled, shredded or grated into small pieces. The cheese is then melted into a liquid, usually with added salt or emulsifying agents to help it blend smoothly.
The liquid cheese is forced through spray drying nozzles into a hot chamber. The heat instantly evaporates moisture from the sprayed droplets, leaving behind fine particles of dried cheese powder.
Spray drying concentrates flavor compounds while removing water content. This allows the cheese powder to be shelf-stable for over a year without refrigeration. Some key benefits of cheese powder:
- Long shelf life
- No need for refrigeration
- Lightweight and portable
- Adds convenience for food manufacturing
- Boosts cheese flavor intensity
The basic production method allows manufacturers to customize ingredients and drying conditions to create specialized varieties of cheese powders.
Key Takeaway: Cheese powder is made by melting cheese into a liquid, then spraying it into hot air to instantly dry into a concentrated, flavorful powder.
Cheese Powder Varieties
While cheddar is the most popular type, cheese powder comes in an array of flavors:
- Cheddar - Sharp, tangy orange powder
- Nacho cheese - Mild cheddar with spices
- Parmesan - Nutty and salty flavor
- Swiss - Sweet, nutty profile
- Blue cheese - Bold and pungent
- Goat cheese - Tart, tangy white powder
- American cheese - Mild and creamy
- Mixed blends - Combinations of cheese varieties
The ingredients vary between cheese powder products. Some contain 100% real cheese while others mix in vegetable oils, milk proteins and emulsifiers. Check the ingredients list to know exactly what you’re getting - high quality cheese powders only show cheese on the label.
Uses for Cheese Powder
The applications for cheese powder are almost endless thanks to its versatility:
Boost Flavor
A little cheese powder goes a long way to increase the perception of “cheesiness” in recipes. Sprinkle it into:
- Mac and cheese
- Soups
- Sauces
- Eggs
- Popcorn
- Casseroles
- Salad dressings
Coatings and Breading
Bread and fry foods with a cheesy accent. Toss cheese powder into:
- Breading for chicken, fish or veggies
- Cracker and pretzel coatings
- Baked snack mixes
Seasonings and Snack Dust
Cheese powder makes a tasty addition to spice rubs, rim salts and dusts for coating snacks. Mix it into:
- Chips
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- French fries
- Crackers
Baking
Bake cheesy flavor into all kinds of goods. Add cheese powder to:
- Dinner rolls
- Biscuits
- Scones
- Bread doughs
Convenience Foods
Cheese powder allows products to deliver bold cheese flavor without real cheese. It’s used prevalently in packaged foods like:
- Boxed dinner mixes
- Ramen noodles
- Snack mixes
- Microwave meals
- Shelf-stable pastas
Homemade Cheese Powder Recipe
You can easily make your own cheese powder at home with just two ingredients:
Ingredients:
- Shredded cheese
- Food dehydrator (or low temp oven)
Instructions:
- Shred cheese into thin wisps, about 1/8 inch thick
- Spread shreds in a single layer on dehydrator trays
- Dehydrate at 115°F for 6-8 hours, until completely dry
- Transfer dried cheese to a blender and pulse to a fine powder
- Store powder in an airtight container for up to 1 year
Adjust the cheese variety, shred thickness and drying time to customize texture and flavor intensity. Now you can create your own custom cheese powder blends!
Buying High Quality Cheese Powder
When purchasing cheese powder, read labels closely to understand the true ingredients. High quality cheese powders list actual cheese, like cheddar or parmesan, as the first ingredient. Avoid products with a long list of stabilizers, emulsifiers and anti-caking compounds.
Seeking out organic and non-GMO verified cheese powders ensures the dairy source is higher welfare without hormones or routine antibiotics. Brands focused on quality ingredients often offer various cheese powder varieties so you can pick your favorite profiles.
Key Takeaway: Check the label when buying cheese powder - high quality products list real cheese as the first ingredient without additives or artificial flavors.
FAQs
How is cheese powder different from grated Parmesan?
Grated hard cheeses like Parmesan contain their original moisture content. Cheese powder has had all moisture removed to extend shelf life. The dehydration process also intensifies and concentrates the cheese flavors.
Does cheese powder require refrigeration?
Dehydrated cheese powder is completely shelf-stable. An unopened container lasts over a year at room temperature away from heat, light and moisture. Refrigeration can extend shelf life after opening.
What’s the difference between cheese powder and cheese flavor?
Cheese powders contain actual dehydrated cheese as the main ingredient. “Natural cheese flavor” contains no cheese at all - it is a lab-created flavor approximation aiming to mimic real cheese taste.
Is there a substitute for cheese powder?
No direct substitute perfectly mimics the intense flavor, convenience and shelf life of cheese powder. Grated hard cheeses like Parmesan come closest, but they have far shorter shelf life after opening. Soup and sauce mixes are often used in place of powder in recipes.
Can you make homemade mac and cheese with cheese powder?
Yes! Many boxed mac and cheese recipes can be adapted at home by combining cheese powder with milk, butter and cooked pasta. Adjust quantities based on preferences for creamy, gooey or extra-cheesy noodles.
Conclusion
Cheese powder is no longer just the stuff of fluorescent orange convenience foods.
High quality cheese powders made from dehydrated real cheese offer home cooks a convenient way to infuse recipes with the delightful complexity of cheese flavors.