Cheesy but Dairy-Free Stromboli
Dairy Free Stromboli
Pizza, bar food, and game day treats can sometimes be a minefield for anyone who does not or cannot eat dairy.
Even homemade versions can struggle because dairy-free cheese substitutes can vary in taste and texture.
Stromboli is a great option for your game-day feast. Invented in Philadelphia but certainly inspired by Italian classics (even named after an Italian island, for more, read here), it's a flexible pizza- style dough wrapped like a cinnamon roll around fillings such as meats and cheeses.
I hypothesized that this stromboli would be relatively easy to make, and that the package of Daiya cheese slices waiting for me in my fridge would add delicious meltiness to the stromboli.
Method
Recipe source:
Note: This recipe makes enough for two strombolis. The link includes tips on freezing the second stromboli dough if you make the full recipe. I made just half, enough for one stromboli.
Dairy-Free Ingredients:
Instead of cheese, I used Daiya Dairy-Free Cheddar Slices.
My go-to marinara sauce is the Trader Joe's Tomato Basil Sauce.
Procedure Notes and Tips:
First, I proofed my yeast, and then combined it with the dry ingredients and olive oil. I used a combination of all purpose and bread flour.
At first I found the dough to be even stickier than described in the recipe, so I added a little more. After the recommended brief kneading in the mixer, I kneaded the rest by hand using the folding technique described in the recipe. Then, I let the dough rest for the one and only rise.
After the full 90 minute rise, the dough finally appeared doubled. Then, I stretched it out to slightly smaller than the size of a half-sheet tray.
Instead of deli meats, I made this version pizza- style. I spread out a thin layer of marinara sauce, topped with some browned ground beef. Finally, I laid on slices of the Daiya dairy free cheddar slices.
Unfortunately, my hands were too full with rolling to take pictures. I did find the slices a little difficult to roll- but breaking them apart a little more and rolling very carefully did the trick.
Once rolled, cut slits in the roll. I actually did not use the egg wash to seal the dough, and found it held perfectly well. I did add it just before baking, with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
Results
After baking and a few minutes of rest out of the oven, this dairy-free stromboli was devoured in just two days by two people. And our team won.
In case that fact and the pictures below are not enough to convince you, this stromboli was fantastic. The overall stromboli was perfectly proportioned- the dough was not too thick, and except for the ends, the filling to dough ratio was well-balanced. The cheese melted surprisingly well.
Discussion
However you slice it, this dairy-free stromboli was delicious and allergen-friendly.
Luckily, if you watch your favorite games at home, you have the ability to make and share your own delicious treats. A stromboli offers the opportunity to customize a delicious main dish with your preferred choices of meats and dairy-free cheeses.
Dairy-free cheeses have a tall order of mimicking the taste and texture of cheese as is and when cooked. In this instance, the Daiya dairy-free cheddar slices took a little creativity to roll, but it melted beautifully and tasted great in combination with the delicious dough, marinara, and meat.
Future directions will certainly include different filling combinations, and also explore the applications of Daiya and other dairy-free cheeses.