If you haven’t yet tried akawi cheese, you’re in for a treat! It is a delicious type of cheese that originates from the Middle East and is used in a large number of traditional dishes.
This cheese is characterized by its mild, salty flavor and firm texture. It can be made from either sheep’s or cow’s milk.
If you can’t get your hands on akawi cheese, there are many different options available that you can use as a substitute. In this article, we have compiled a list of the top 6 substitutes for this cheese. Let’s dive in!
Top 6 Alternatives To Akawi Cheese
If you love Akawi cheese, you’re bound to want to find a good substitute. As this cheese originates from the Middle East, it can be difficult to find in certain stores. Over time, it has become increasingly difficult to find.
However, there are a large number of delicious substitutes that you can use in place of akawi cheese. Let’s take a look at them!
1. Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella is a great substitute for Akawi cheese. The consistency of mozzarella is very similar to that of akawi cheese as it is smooth, dense, and stretchy!
Mozzarella also melts very well, so it is a great substitute if you are using cheese in a recipe that needs to be melted. As akawi cheese also melts well, this makes mozzarella a great replacement for this cheese.
Both of these cheeses have a very mild taste and they are very light cheeses, which is another reason why mozzarella works very well as a replacement for this cheese.
The flavor of these two kinds of cheese is where they differ slightly. Mozzarella is much less salty than akawi cheese, so if you want to recreate the flavor you should add a sprinkling of salt to the mozzarella.
2. Queso Blanco Cheese
Queso Blanco is a delicious type of cheese that works very well as a substitute for akawi. It has a similar mild taste and a crumbly texture.
There are some differences between these two kinds of cheese, however, and you should bear this in mind when you are considering this as a substitute. While queso blanco cheese is fairly sweet, akawi cheese is much sharper.
Queso Blanco won’t give your dishes the same tangy flavor as akawi cheese does. For this reason, you may find that you need to add some additional seasoning to your dishes to mimic the flavor.
You should also bear in mind that if your recipe requires melted cheese, queso blanco doesn’t melt in the same way as akawi cheese. In this case, it may be better to choose a different cheese on the list.
3. Paneer
Paneer is a delicious cheese that originates from India. It is a fresh cheese, which is why it works so well as a substitute for akawi cheese.
Paneer, like akawi cheese, is sweet and mild. It has a firm and crumbly texture which will work well in lots of dishes where akawi cheese is recommended.
However, this cheese doesn’t melt in the same way as akawi cheese, so you may want to use a different cheese if you’re hoping to melt it.
Aside from this, paneer is very versatile. It can be used in lots of different ways. This is a great cheese to add to your repertoire, and not just as a replacement for akawi cheese!
This is a very delicious cheese to be able to use in lots of different dishes!
4. Halloumi
Halloumi is another delicious cheese that can be used as a replacement for akawi cheese! It is originally from Cyprus. It is a firm, white cheese that is very rich and creamy.
Halloumi is similar to akawi cheese because it has a salty taste. It is sourer than some of the other cheeses on this list, making it more similar to akawi in this way.
As this cheese is mild, it is a great choice for those who do not like the taste of stronger cheeses.
This is an excellent substitute for akawi cheese, especially in dishes where the cheese will be cooked as halloumi that is not cooked can have quite a rubbery texture.
5. Feta
Feta cheese is a very versatile cheese that is full of flavor. It can be used in lots of different dishes, and it works very well as a replacement for akawi cheese.
Feta is creamy and it is quite tangy, making it a very good component for lots of meals. Feta is most commonly used in Middle Eastern recipes, but it is available in most grocery stores.
There are a few differences between these cheeses. Akawi cheese is less salty than feta, and it is also milder in flavor. Using feta in its place will mean that there are a few different flavors in the recipe, but it will still work very well.
It is fairly easy to substitute akawi cheese with feta, as you will need to use the same amount of feta to replace the akawi.
6. Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta is another great alternative to akawi cheese. This cheese is mild in flavor, and it can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Similarly to akawi cheese, ricotta does not overpower the dish that it is used in, instead complimenting the existing flavors.
There are a few differences between the two kinds of cheese. When you are substituting ricotta cheese with akawi, you should bear in mind that akawi cheese is much saltier.
You may want to add some salt to the recipes if you want to replicate the flavor.
As well as this, ricotta is very moist cheese in comparison. This means that you may have to reduce the amount of water in the recipe to prevent it from becoming runny.
Ricotta is a great substitute for akawi cheese in lots of ways, and with some slight variations to your recipe, your dishes will be equally as delicious.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! If you’re trying to follow a recipe that contains akawi cheese, but you can’t find any in the grocery store, many great alternatives can work just as well!
In this article, you have learned all about these great substitutes so you should now have an idea of what cheese to look for to replace akawi!
Some of these substitutes work better in certain meals than others, so ensure that you make your choice wisely!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Akawi Cheese?
Akawi cheese is a delicious cheese that originates from the Middle East. It has a very strong and tangy flavor and the texture of the cheese is slightly crumbly. ‘
This cheese is often used in traditional dishes such as kibbeh and fatayer. It can be sliced and served on its own, or as a snack.
Where Does Akawi Cheese Get Its Name?
Akawi cheese gets its name from the city of Acre which is in Israel. While you may not be able to source this cheese everywhere, you will be able to get it from most Middle Eastern markets.
What Is The Best Substitute For Akawi Cheese?
The best substitute for akawi cheese is mozzarella. This cheese is very similar in both flavor and texture to akawi cheese. However, there are lots of other cheeses that will work just as well as substitute cheese.
You should choose your cheese very carefully because certain cheeses will suit certain dishes more than others.
This will also depend on your taste preferences, as some of the cheeses on this list have a lot more flavor than others.
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
