Parmesan cheese powder is a handy staple to keep in your pantry. It adds a savory, nutty, and salty flavor to dishes, similar to grated Parmesan cheese. But unlike grated Parmesan, the powdered version is shelf-stable and easy to sprinkle onto all kinds of foods. Here’s a quick look at how to use Parmesan cheese powder.
Add flavor to pasta
One of the most popular uses for Parmesan cheese powder is to sprinkle it onto pasta. The powder nicely coats the noodles and clings to the sauce. Just toss it into your pasta right before serving. Use it in place of grated Parmesan or in addition to it. It’s great with spaghetti, fettuccine Alfredo, mac and cheese, lasagna, and more.
Sprinkle on pizza
Pizza and Parmesan cheese are a match made in heaven. Parmesan powder is an easy way to add cheesy flavor to pizza without needing to grate cheese. Simply sprinkle it onto pizza crust before adding sauce and toppings. You can also sprinkle it over melted mozzarella or on top of the cooked pizza. The powder will melt into the cheese and add a nice savory punch.
Use in salads
Salads are another place where Parmesan powder shines. Sprinkle it onto green salads, pasta salads, potato salads, and more. It will add a salty, nutty flavor to balance and enhance the other ingredients. Parmesan powder blends especially well with Caesar salad, pairing perfectly with the creamy dressing, lettuce, and croutons.
Season vegetables
Roasting vegetables? Toss them with a little Parmesan powder first. It will form a flavorful crust on veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, Brussels sprouts, and more. You can also sprinkle Parmesan powder onto cooked vegetables for an instant flavor boost. It’s delicious on steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes, roasted squash, and other sides.
Enhance eggs
Eggs get an umami flavor punch when cooked with Parmesan powder. Whisk a teaspoon or two into scrambled eggs or egg casseroles. You can also sprinkle it onto fried or poached eggs. Parmesan powder is especially good in dishes like frittatas, omelets, and quiches where the egg flavor really shines.
Coat meat and fish
Use Parmesan powder as a crust or coating for proteins. Sprinkle it onto chicken breasts, pork chops, fish fillets, and more before pan-frying or baking. The Parmesan will form a delicious, golden crust. You can also use it to add flavor to ground meat. Mix a tablespoon or two into meatloaf, meatballs, burgers, or other minced meat mixtures.
Make crispy popcorn topping
Here’s a fun way to use Parmesan powder – sprinkle it onto freshly popped popcorn! The Parmesan will melt and create deliciously crispy clusters on the popcorn. Use it in place of or in addition to regular popcorn toppings like butter and salt. Parmesan popcorn is guaranteed to be a hit at your next movie night.
Stir into dips and spreads
Mix Parmesan powder into dips, spreads, and sauces for an instant flavor upgrade. It’s fantastic stirred into artichoke dip, hummus, pizza sauce, marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, and pesto. The savory nuttiness of the Parmesan really elevates these dishes. Use about 1-2 tablespoons per cup of dip or sauce.
Bake it into breads and crackers
When added to bread or cracker dough, Parmesan powder adds a tasty punch. Knead a few tablespoons into pizza dough, breadsticks, biscuits, scones, or savory crackers. As the baked goods cook, the Parmesan adds a delicious depth of flavor. You can also sprinkle Parmesan powder onto bread dough before baking to coat the top crust.
Coat snacks
For an easy cheesy snack or appetizer, coat bite-sized foods with Parmesan powder. Toss it with snack mixes, nuts, crackers, pretzels, and chips. You can also sprinkle it onto potato skins, tater tots, jalapeno poppers, stuffed mushrooms, and other finger foods before baking. The Parmesan forms a mouthwatering crust.
Make Parmesan bowls
Use Parmesan powder to make edible baking cups or bowls. Press the powder into greased muffin tins or ramekins, then bake until golden and crispy. Allow to cool completely before gently removing the Parmesan bowls. Fill them with dips, sauces, salads, or other foods.
Add to breadcrumbs
Mix Parmesan powder into plain breadcrumbs to make them more flavorful. Use the Parmesan breadcrumbs to coat meats, fish, vegetables, and more before frying or baking. You can store leftover Parmesan breadcrumbs in the fridge for weeks. They’re also great sprinkled onto casseroles or pasta bakes for extra crunch.
Whip up cheese sauce
Make an easy cheese sauce by whisking Parmesan powder into melted butter. Slowly whisk in milk until you reach the desired consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Use this quick Parmesan sauce on veggies, pasta, chicken, or wherever you need a flavor boost.
Blend into dips and spreads
Mix Parmesan powder into softened cream cheese or sour cream for an instant flavor upgrade. Use it to make dips for snacking or spreads for sandwiches and wraps. A little Parmesan powder also adds a savory, salty accent to guacamole, salsa, bean dips, and more.
Sprinkle on soups
Parmesan powder is a great finishing touch for soups. Simply ladle hot soup into bowls and sprinkle a little Parmesan powder on top. It’s especially tasty on tomato soup, French onion soup, broccoli cheese soup, potato soup, and vegetable noodle soup.
Use in pasta salads
Pasta salads are taken to the next level with the addition of Parmesan powder. Toss it with cooked pasta, chopped vegetables, and vinaigrette dressing. Or sprinkle it on top of pasta salad right before serving. Either way, the Parmesan adds its signature flavor to complement the other ingredients.
Make cheesy popcorn
For a quick snack, sprinkle Parmesan cheese powder onto freshly popped popcorn. The Parmesan adds a blast of salty, cheesy flavor as it melts over the hot popcorn. Use Parmesan powder in place of or in addition to regular popcorn toppings like butter and salt.
Coat French fries
Drive-thru fries can’t compare to homemade fries coated in Parmesan cheese powder. Toss hot fried potatoes with a little melted butter, then sprinkle on the Parmesan powder. The cheese will coat the fries in an irresistible cheesy crust. Parmesan-coated fries are perfect on their own or paired with fry dips.
Season grilled cheese
Up your grilled cheese game by sprinkling Parmesan powder onto the bread before adding the cheese slices. As the sandwich cooks, the Parmesan forms a crisp, savory crust. You can also dip the finished sandwich into additional Parmesan powder for extra flavor.
Bake into keto-friendly recipes
Since it’s low in carbs, Parmesan cheese powder is ideal for low-carb and keto recipes. Mix it into fathead pizza dough, keto bread, cauliflower crusts, and other grain-free baked goods. The Parmesan adds rich flavor to otherwise bland keto ingredients.
Make cheesy crackers
Homemade crackers get a flavor boost from Parmesan powder. Simply stir a few tablespoons into your favorite cracker dough recipe before rolling and slicing. As the crackers bake, the Parmesan creates a delicious crisp topping. These savory crackers pair perfectly with soups and dips.
Replace breadcrumbs
For a more flavorful coating, use Parmesan powder instead of plain breadcrumbs when frying foods. Dip meat, fish, vegetables, and more into beaten egg, then press into Parmesan powder to coat. Fry until golden brown for maximum crunch and cheesiness.
Conclusion
Parmesan cheese powder is endlessly versatile in the kitchen. Its salty, nutty umami flavor complements and enhances a wide variety of dishes. Keep it on hand to sprinkle onto pastas, pizzas, salads, soups, snacks, and more. Get creative with Parmesan powder to take your cooking to the next level!