You read that correctly. Daiya’s culinary innovators have been hard at work creating a plethora of deliciously dairy free new options for us. I’ve already got my cooking mitts on preview samples of the first ones rolling out: New & Improved Slices including a brand New American flavor (hitting shelves around May). And boy did I put these to the test. I landed on sharing an inside out grilled cheese bagel recipe with you, but we sampled them so many ways.
This post is sponsored by Daiya Foods to celebrate the release of their new & improved slices. Nonetheless, it only includes facts, honest opinions, and a convenience grilled cheese bagel recipe from my own kitchen.
What’s Will Be New with Daiya Slices
Daiya slices have been reformulated for a better flavor and texture, whether enjoyed hot or cold, straight from the pack. They also removed the titanium dioxide and carrageenan, and swapped in coconut oil and potato protein (yes, no palm oil and no pea protein!).
Like all Daiya products, the Slices are plant-based and allergy-friendly. They’re made free of dairy, soy, and gluten, and are technically tree nut-free, but with that “contains coconut” disclaimer due to the FDA’s faux pas. They also have a surprisingly big dose of calcium, with 15% of the RDA per slice!
They’ve also “rounded out” the slices with new convenient re-sealable packages that have a smaller footprint, but the same amount of product within. The new packages won’t have the extra paper dividers within either, so you should hopefully be able to spot them easily!
Chilling Out with Daiya Slices
The full line-up of Daiya Slices includes Cheddar Style, Swiss Style, Provolone Style, and the brand new American Style that I mentioned. I tasted them each straight up and was immediately impressed by the flavors. They really do taste true to their namesakes!
The cold texture was firm and pleasant with a softer and more “melty” consistency in the American Style. I liked the milder Provolone Style best, followed by the relatively mellow American Style. But for those of you who like more depth, the Cheddar Style and Swiss Style definitely deliver.
And that perfect round shape made me eagerly purchase some wholesome bagels. I’ve had a bagel sandwich craving for months, and this really hit the spot.
Melting Over Daiya Slices
As we all know, the true test of any dairy-free cheese alternative comes with the melt. Daiya Slices made PHENOMENAL grilled cheese sandwiches. I couldn’t resist trialing them in an inside out grilled cheese bagel (recipe below), too. The thick, cheesy towers were filled with ooey gooey, melty goodness. I mixed and matched the flavors for even more dairy-free excitement. I am easily entertained.
The round shape of the new and improved Daiya Slices also begged to be used on English muffins. They’re bigger than English muffins, so they drape perfectly over the sides when melted. I made English muffin pizzas and melts with whatever sauce and topping options I had on hand. It was SUCH a convenient and tasty lunch.
More New Products from Daiya Foods
The following deliciously dairy free goods will also be rolling out in stores in the months ahead.
Daiya Cream Cheese Style Spread (Improved + New Flavor!)
This popular product has been reformulated to be richer, creamier, smoother & more spreadable. Plus, they’re adding a brand new Garden Vegetable flavor!
Daiya Greek Yogurt Alternative (New Flavors!)
They’re going back to basics. New Plain and Vanilla flavors will be added to their fruity line-up of thick and rich Greek-Style dairy-free yogurts. They each pack in 6 to 9 grams of plant-based protein, among other nutritious goodness.
Daiya Cheeze Sauce
No need to keep stealing the package from the Daiya Cheezy Mac for other recipes. In response to their top new product request, Daiya is bottling their Deluxe Cheddar and Deluxe Alfredo cheeze sauces!
Daiya Cheezecake (New Flavor!)
As if four flavors wasn’t enough. For the holidays, you’ll also be able to get a fifth flavor, new Pumpkin Spice Cheezecake! We’re expecting their perfectly sweet, rich and creamy bite paired with comforting pumpkin and hints of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. But make sure to pick one (or two) up the second you see them, as it will be a limited seasonal flavor.
Daiya Premium Cutting Board Collection Shreds
Don’t worry, their Original Shreds won’t be disappearing. But they’ve added a new line that has a more dairy-like flavor and texture, but with the same amazing melt and stretch. They’ll be available in Cheddar Style, Mozzarella Style and Pepperjack Style. They aren’t due out until June, but I did get a sneak peek of them and we were impressed! These nachos were such a reminiscent indulgence.
Where to Find these Daiya Products
Daiya’s deliciously dairy-free foods can be found in more than 22,000 grocery stores across the US and Canada, including Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. Daiya is now available in Sweden, Australia, Iceland, Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Hong Kong, Dominican Republic and New Zealand, too.
However, select products, like the American Slices, are available in the U.S. only. Luckily this inside out grilled cheese bagel recipe is good with any of the Daiya Slices. My picture shows a slice each of the American Style and the Provolone Style, but the Cheddar and Swiss are also fantastic and provide bolder flavor.
The Daiya Slices will retail for $4.99 and the new American flavor will be available starting in May 2017. The other products mentioned will rapidly start rolling out in April, with the Pumpkin Cheezecake as the grand finale in fall.
See the Daiya Foods website to find out where to buy their products: daiyafoods.com.
Special Diet Notes: Inside Out Everything Grilled Cheese Bagel
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, optionally gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, optionally soy-free, optionally vegan, and vegetarian.
- 1 bagel (whole grain or gluten-free)
- Mayonnaise (regular or vegan) or dairy-free buttery spread
- 2 slices dairy-free cheese slices (I use Daiya Slices)
- Everything Topping (see note)
- Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise or buttery spread on the cut sides of your bagel.
- Place one half, cut side down, on a plate. Top with one slice of dairy-free cheese alternative. Sprinkle with everything seasoning. Top with the second slice of dairy-free cheese alternative, and sprinkle with more everything seasoning. Top with the second bagel half, cut side up.
- Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Carefully slide the inside-out bagel into the pan. Place a pan lid, smaller than the skillet, over the bagel. This will help weigh the bagel down and cook the cheese alternative in the middle.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned. Uncover, carefully flip, cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, or until browned. Remove to a plate and devour.
Holy Solutions: I use somewhat "chubby" bagels with smallish center holes. If you're using a bagel with a wide hole, you can punch a little cheese alternative out of the middle or add another delicious layer, like roasted bell pepper between the bagel half and the cheese alternative.
53 Comments
I didn’t realize how many great options were out there. This is perfect for my daughter who has to avoid dairy!
I’m excited to try the new products as well as the new and improved slices! I love their shreds, but the slices taste a little funny to me, so I’m hoping I like the new version. I haven’t eaten dairy in 16 years, but I still miss swiss cheese!
The slices are going to be VERY different from before, so definitely worth another trial if you weren’t a fan before.
I love that they’re doing slices now. I really like Daiya’s “cheese” products. They taste so good.
I am not ususally a fan of dairy free cheese, but I tried Daiya at a conference and was really impressed. If these are even better, I look forward to trying them next time I’m at the store!
I think you’ll be impressed Amanda!
I just tried their new cheese slices at Expo West this past weekend. Super good. Love your idea about an inside out bagel.
My go-to cheese for grilled cheese!
Then you’ll have to try out the new American flavor Rebecca – it’s made for grilled cheese!
Oh my gosh, this looks so good! Turning the bagel inside-out is such a great idea. It looks so toasty! I love Daiya cheddar slices the best.
So do these new ones have a different flavor then the other ones. I hope so because my son does not like the taste of dayia cheese at all I’ve done all of them he won’t even touch them.
Amber, the Cutting Board Shreds (all flavors) and American Slices are brand new, so they are different in taste. And the three reformulated Slice flavors have been reformulated for better taste and texture, too!
daiya was a major lifesaver for me when I first gave up dairy! I still like their pizzas when I want a treat!
We have the Cheddar flavor and it does have pea protein in it. So your information that they removed it completely is incorrect. While pea protein is not the main source of protein any longer the varieties still do contain it. I noticed one post that a person is allergic to legumes including peas so this would be detrimental to her. These cheeses are wonderful esp for grilled cheese. MUCH better than the previous versions. Thank you.
Sharon, please read my post, this is about the New & Improved Slices and the NEW Cutting Board Shreds that are coming out. They are all rolling out in the months ahead. This is an announcement of what is coming, not a review of the ones currently on the shelves.
curious if this revamp adds bamboo fiber to the cheese like their pizza now has
I do not see bamboo fiber in the ingredient PDF’s I received, but you’ll need to check the packaging for confirmation once they’re out!
Yay! I did a happy dance!! Finally a top-8-free cheese with no PEA protein! And no carrageenan in the slices! This will make cooking for my family so much easier. And opens so many more options for my son. I am beyond excited! You said the American slices will roll out in May; when should we expect to see the other slices change over?
Happy for you and your son, and I think you’ll like them Bethany! I’m assuming that the new slice formula for the other flavors will roll out around the same time. Of course, there will be prior inventory to go through, too. I’d start checking the packages in May for the updated formula. It should say something like “new & improved” and have the different ingredients. It appears the new Cutting Board Shreds are made without pea protein too!
Thanks for posting this, Alisa. I have not liked the few Daiya products I have tried, but I’ll give these a whirl. I also recently bought one of your dairy free yogurt recommendations, but have not tried it yet. I so appreciate your trialing these products for your dairy-free followers!
So happy that I can help Robin. Feel free to leave your feedback on my yogurt review, too. I always encourage other thoughts on the products!
All these recipes look amazing! Glad there are so many options out there for those who are dairy-free.
Yes, and this brand is SO much easier to find than most.
Where does the potato protein fall in the ingredient list? Nightshade issues here,..
It’s fifth on the ingredient list, so not a lot. After filtered water, coconut oil, potato starch, and tapioca starch. It’s just potato protein – is the protein usually problematic for those with nightshade issues? I was reading up a bit, but it seems unclear.
I’m interested to try these! I was never a fan of Daiya before so excited to taste the improvement 🙂
Definitely worth another go Maria!
Hi! I’m super allergic to dairy, soy, and legumes (including peas), and am super excited about the prospect of a dairy-free cheese that uses potato protein as the binder. Do you know if they will only make these new products with the potato instead of pea protein? Also, do you know which products will have this ingredient switch specifically? Any help you can offer would be appreciated! Thanks!
Hi Katie, from what I’ve seen, it looks like the new & improved Daiya slices (replacing the old ones) use potato protein, not pea protein (all four flavors) and the brand new Cutting Board Shreds (not replacing their regular shreds line) appear to use just potato protein and not pea protein. It looks like the cream cheese alternative will still have pea protein.
I’m excited to try the new and improved, BUT did you like them before? Because I did not, so I’m wondering if the flavor changed enough. I hope so!!
Honestly Jenn, I wasn’t a fan of the slices before. I think these are greatly improved.
It’s great that there are so many options for someone who is dairy free.
That’s one tasty looking grilled cheese sandwich! Clever idea turning the bagel inside out to get a flat surface.
YAY!! I am so excited that they will be packaging their cheeze sauce separately!
Your sandwich is so cute. I love using mayo for grilled sandwiches.
I know that one is going to be a HUGE hit. I’ve seen so many requests for it. Thank you! I did find the mayo so easy to spread (buttery spread you have to lay on a little thicker since it isn’t as thin), and it worked like a dream.