# Baked Vegan Cheeses Waitrose's Breaded Vegan Baking Melts Have a Melting Coconut-Based Filling By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2020-08-07 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baked-vegan-cheese References: [veganfoodandliving](https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/waitrose-reveals-new-festive-vegan-products-launching-christmas/) [Waitrose](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coconut-spreadable-cheese) is already planning for the Christmas season and this year, plant-based consumers will be treated to new items like baked vegan cheese. The Breaded Vegan Baking Melts with Redcurrent Relish is described as being filled with a "[gooey, moreish, melting coconut-based vegan cheese](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boursin-plantbased)" and a crispy breadcrumb exterior. While many plant-based eaters miss out on the tradition of enjoying [festive baked brie](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cranberry-baked-cheese), this unique new holiday menu item from Waitrose has the potential to surprise and delight all consumers, whether they are in the habit of following a plant-based diet regularly or not. On Waitrose's vegan Christmas menu, consumers can also expect to see items like Moroccan-inspired Festive Filo Swirls filled with spiced vegetables, apricots and raisins. Image Credit: Waitrose ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.1/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 10% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Plant-based Cheese Alternatives:** The success of Waitrose's Baked Vegan Cheeses demonstrates a consumer trend towards plant-based cheese alternatives in both traditional and holiday menus. - **Innovative Vegan Holiday Offerings:** Waitrose's vegan Christmas menu is evidence of a trend towards innovation in meat-free holiday offerings that includes not only baked vegan cheese but also unusual and globally-inspired dishes. - **Coconut-based Products:** The melting coconut-based filling of the Breaded Vegan Baking Melts indicates a potential trend towards using coconut-based products as the base for vegan cheese substitutes. ### Where This Applies - **Plant-based Food Industry:** There is an opportunity for the plant-based food industry to develop more innovative and sophisticated cheese alternatives for the growing number of consumers seeking plant-based products, particularly during the holiday season. - **Holiday Food Catering:** Caterers have an opportunity to offer vegan and plant-based holiday menu options that are inventive, familiar and inclusive, reflecting the diversity of the market. - **Coconut Products Industry:** The makers of coconut-based products can seize on the popularity of coconut cheese substitutes as a new application of their products and diversify their product lines further into plant-based foods. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Bakeable Cheese Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baking-bert.md) - [Creamy Vegan Cheese Mimics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ilchester.md) - [Cooking-Ready Vegan Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-cheese-products.md) - [Camembert-Inspired Vegan Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/violife-le-rond-camembert-flavour.md) - [Oil-Based Vegan Cheese Cubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheese-cube.md) - [Vegan-Inclusive Festive Sweets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-festive-sweets.md) - [Soy-Free Vegan Soft Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/le-rond-camembert.md) - [Coconut-Based Spreadable Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coconut-spreadable-cheese.md) - [Festive Vegan-Friendly Food Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tesco-vegan-christmas-range.md)