Ackee is sometimes called cheese fruit. Here we explore the possibility of creating a vegan “cheese powder” by dehydrating the ackee to intensify the cheesy flavor.

How to dry ackee

Though it’s on my wishlist, I don’t currently own a dehydrator. To dry the ackee therefore, I used my oven on the lowest setting it would go. If your oven has a lightbulb you’re one up on me. Instead of trying to get the lowest setting you can dry overnight. All you have to do is leave the light on and the lightbulb should generate enough heat to do the trick.

I should also note that I’m drying canned ackees, therefore I opted to make a puree. For some studies I’ve read, the freshly harvested arils have been: washed, dried whole, then processed into flour.

How to make dehydrate purees

If you have a dehydrator, follow the instructions for dehydrating purees. Ackee is naturally high in fat so it will be necessary to blot the puree once it begins to dry. The recommended temperature for dehydrating is 135F and most ovens don’t go this low. Nevertheless, you can use your oven to dehydrate the ackee. 

First line two rimmed 13 by 18” pans with parchment paper. Spread the puree evenly between both pans in as thin and even layer as you can manage.

Option 1: If your oven has a light in it, simply leave the trays overnight with the light on and that should create sufficient warmth to dry the ackees out. You will notice that there is quite a bit of oil on the tray once the ackees start to dry out. Simply blot this away with some paper towel

Option 2: Place the trays in the oven and turn it as low as it will go. Let the ackees dry with the oven on on low for about 3 hours then turn it off and leave it to continue to dry out. If the oven becomes cold before the ackee has dried out completely, turn it on low again for a few hours then switch off and leave as before. You will notice that there is quite a bit of oil on the tray once the ackees start to dry out. Simply blot this away with some paper towel. As you can see in the photo below there is oil on the parchment.

dehydrated ackee for vegan cheese powder

How to make vegan cheese powder

In the shot above I gathered together the pureed ackees in the center of the tray. Because it was done in the oven while trying to hack a low temperature, mine has more color than would be expected if this was done in the dehydrator. To make cheese powder the dehydrated ackees can be pulverized and used like nutritional yeast. I would recommend keeping it in the freezer.

The dehydrated ackee powder can be used to make vegan chili cheese popcorn:

vegan chili cheese popcorn

How to make vegan cheese crumbles

To add texture and kick things up a notch; adding the ackee powder to ground nuts such as almonds, cashews or macadamias creates interesting texture. And is great for sprinkling on top of fresh baked pizzas and flatbreads.

What do you think? As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. If you make this or any of the recipes from this site. Be sure to snap a pic then #amazingackee and @amazingackee so I can see your posts across social media.

Until next time, thanks for stopping by 😊

dehydrated ackee for vegan cheese powder

Ackee “Cheese” Powder & Crumble

Chantal
Ackees are sometimes called cheese fruit due to their cheesy flavour. When dehydrated that flavour intensifies. Here the dehydrated ackee is combined with almonds to create a “cheese crumble” that can be used as a topping for texture
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients:
  • 2 cups parboiled Ackee pureed

If making crumble:

  • 3/4 cup Slivered almonds
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder optional
  • 1/4 tsp Salt optional (note that canned ackees usually have salt so if using dehydrated canned ackees it will not be necessary to use salt)

Instructions
 

  • If you have a dehydrator, follow the instructions for dehydrating purees. Ackee is naturally high in fat so it will be necessary to blot the puree once it begins to dry. The recommended temperature for dehydrating is 135F and most ovens don’t go this low. Nevertheless, you can use your oven to dehydrate the ackee.
  • First line two rimmed 13 by 18” pans with parchment paper. Spread the puree evenly between both pans in as thin and even layer as you can manage.
  • Option 1: If your oven has a light in it, simply leave the trays overnight with the light on and that should create sufficient warmth to dry the ackees out. You will notice that there is quite a bit of oil on the tray once the ackees start to dry out. Simply blot this away with some paper towel
  • Option 2: Place the trays in the oven and turn it as low as it will go. Let the ackees dry with the oven on on low for about 3 hours then turn it off and leave it to continue to dry out. If the oven becomes cold before the ackee has dried out completely, turn it on low again for a few hours then switch off and leave as before. You will notice that there is quite a bit of oil on the tray once the ackees start to dry out. Simply blot this away with some paper towel
  • To make the crumble: pulse the slivered almonds till they are sandy, add the dehydrated ackee, garlic and salt and pulse a few more times till well combined.
  • If not using right away store in an airtight container in the freezer.