Formula updates are a frequent occurrence with Daiya, but this one is a little bigger than usual. Every aspect of dairy-free Daiya Mac & Cheese has undergone some sort of transition. For starters, it’s now called “Mac & Cheese” instead of Deluxe “Mac & Cheeze.” They also come in flavors like Cheddar, instead of “Cheddar-Style.” These are small but very bold moves for non-dairy branding. They’re also sourcing different gluten-free noodles and have completely reformulated the sauce with a new oat based recipe. We have full details on the ingredient changes below.
Daiya Oat Mac & Cheese replaces their Deluxe Mac & Cheeze Recipes
It isn’t mentioned on the package, but the old Deluxe boxes contained a brown rice pasta, while the new versions have pasta made from a brown and white rice blend. As for the sauce, they’ve added oat flour, but removed all of the following ingredients: canola oil, potato protein, titanium dioxide, and the vitamin B12 fortification. This is an important note for vegans, since Daiya Mac & Cheese may no longer be a notable source of vitamin B12. Here’s a quick guide to the ingredients and baseline nutrition facts.
Cheddar (made with Oat)
Ingredients: rice pasta (white rice, brown rice), filtered water, coconut oil, expeller pressed safflower oil, oat flour, tapioca starch, less than 2% of: salt, pea protein, cane sugar, annatto (for color), onion, yeast extract, tricalcium phosphate, gum arabic, xanthan gum, lactic acid, natural flavors.
Nutrition (per 1/3 package; about 1 cup cooked): 290 calories, 8g fat, 580mg sodium, 50g carbs, 1g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 5g protein.*
Alfredo (made with Oat)
Ingredients: filtered water, coconut oil, expeller pressed safflower oil, oat flour, tapioca starch, less than 2% of: salt, pea protein, cane sugar, onion, garlic, black pepper, parsley, tricalcium phosphate, gum arabic, xanthan gum, lactic acid, natural flavors.
Nutrition (per 1/3 package; about 1 cup cooked): 290 calories, 8g fat, 580mg sodium, 50g carbs, 1g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 5g protein.*
Other Flavors of Daiya Mac & Cheese (with Oat Milk)
Four Cheese with Herbs is reportedly returning with the new Daiya Mac & Cheese line, but there is no word yet on if any other flavors will make the transition.
More Facts on Daiya Mac & Cheese (with Oat Milk)
- Price: $4.99 per 10.6-ounce package
- Availability: Daiya Mac & Cheese is sold at Target, Walmart, and many other mainstream and natural grocers in the U.S. and Canada.
- Certifications: Daiya Mac & Cheese is Non-GMO Verified.
- Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Daiya Mac & Cheese is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.*
- For More Product Information: Visit the Daiya website at daiyafoods.com.
*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed “safe” for every individual’s needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.
The aftertaste is disgusting
It may melt better, but the taste suffered….a lot. The new oat milk cheeses taste like you’re wringing out a dishtowel you’ve used to sop up week old mop water. And it coats your tongue. Not pleasant. I don’t like to waste food, but I don’t think this is food. I had to throw out a cheddar block. I’m trying to pawn off 3 bags of shredded mozzarella style on passing strangers. So far, no takers. It’s reminiscent of vegan cheese from 30 years ago….tastes like it might BE the same cheese from 30 years ago.
They doubled the salt for the oat version
I have an old box and a new (oat) box side by side, and the sodium went from 530mg per serving to 980mg. I didn’t notice until I ate it and it was the saltiest thing I’ve ever tasted, even worse than some canned soups. What’s the reason for this? Way to ruin a great thing.
Tastes like wax!
I was very disappointed with the waxy taste of the cheese. If I had wanted to eat wax, I would have bought a candle. Unfortunately, we misplaced the receipt and ended up losing the $20.00, a first for us as we’ve never had to return your cheese before.
While I understand that as an individual buyer of just four blocks per week, our contribution may seem minor to you, but I have been a customer for years without encountering any issues. The cheese has always had a great taste. I suffer from severe migraines triggered by dairy consumption, so this was a real find for me.
NOW… IT just sucks. I will be searching for another brand like MIYOKOS
The cheese tastes and wax now, and it’s an inferior product compared to what it used to be.
Sadly the changes made recently have caused the flavor to diminish considerably and what used to be a trusted company now just seems to be disregarding their customer base entirely. Not only does the cheese now taste like wax, the oat and corn, which are commonly known to cause issues for those with gluten allergies has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Daiya does not care, or understand the very people who’ve come to rely on their products.
There's a reason why oatmilk comes in last in blind taste tests
I graduated MIT with a degree in biology and am currently an NSF scholar in UCSF’s Biomedical sciences program earning my PhD.
There’s a reason why oatmilk comes in dead last behind other plant-based milks in blind taste tests: it’s because oats, nutritionally, chemically, and compositionally, do not have what it takes to mimic the creamy, smooth, savory thing that is dairy.
The idea that people ever really wanted oat milk is a product of inception: companies want oatmilk because it is a vehicle which them to further atomize and customize food products: “oatmilk” is really “oat components” plus “oil” and “protein source”. It’s about funneling in cheap ingredients and enabling the food more processed so it is, resultantly, more customizable.
Anyway, while I do not have a medical intolerance to oats, I did my own blind taste test and can tell you with assurance that I have an intolerance to Daiya’s new oatified formulations.
I'm so upset they're including oats
As someone with intolerance to oats, the fact they’re including oats in all their products now means that I’m losing a staple food. I really looked forward to eating daiya products pretty much every day and I’m having to replace them with inferior or less exciting foods that require more work to enjoy. I really want their previous no-oat recipe to make a comeback.
Daiya Recipe Change Makes Food Inedible
Daiya changed their cheddar-style shreds recipe to have oats and corn. Neither of which I can have since my family has corn and gluten allergies. I’m beyond baffled why they would decide to change this. I’m very upset because my family and I rely on Daiya due to our restrictive diets. I’ve bought Daiya ever week for the last 8 years, but I guess now I can’t.
Oats and sugar?!
I am really upset that Daiya changed its recipe for the cheese shreds!! A large percentage of people who are sensitive to wheat are also sensitive to oats! And you added dextrose? We also do not need the added sugar, I cannot process sugars properly. What is your company thinking? I LOVED all your products before, please go back to the proper recipe you had before! I am taking this package of the new cheddar shreds back to the store!
Disappointed!
My family will no longer find this an option! My son is allergic to wheat, dairy egg, nuts treenuts, fish and shellfish, sesame barley and yes OATs. This is so disappointing considering the list of limitations on safe foods option
Donot change the formula, your cut out whole demographic of your main customers
Donot take away my family option Marconi & cheese by adding oats.
We are dairy free & gluten free, eggs free & no oats allowed due entire family allergies.
We are Daiya family we use many of your products on regular basis not just Marconi & cheese. Your sandwich slices , cheese shreds, sauce packets, your cheesecakes.
& By add oats you are cutting out a large demographic of your products consumers families.
Uptil now
Your Macaroni & cheese has been a staple our house for years.
At least 1 once week or more.
3 boxes a night to feed whole family as meal.
It is the get home late activitys can throw something together quick.
Just cook & throw in can chili or vegetables or meatballs, tuna, vegan meat crumbles(we not vegan but do eat vegan meats when on sale) .
& your product also saved my college kid the year dorm & food halls closed was stuck in dorm during snow storm.
Had boxe of your mac n cheese in e emergency food supply & was able cook your Mac n cheese in microwave.
But if changing to only oat formula
We are now out of luck.
& we also used your sauce packets on everything too so kids would eat things donot like.
grits, vegetable , use for nachos etc.
Your shreds in casseroles, tacos, even our vegan morning eggs.
& cheese slice use almost daily.
Please don’t add oats to your products.
For family can’t eat oats & have diet restrictions you have been brandname we loved, have counted on & trusted. Their are no good alternatives out there for us so please donot make changes making your products un-usable for us.