10 healthy substitutes for cream cheese that are vegan, oil-free, and easy to make. Use any of these delicious dairy-free alternatives to make spreads, dips, and fillings.
Cream cheese is a staple in almost every kitchen. There’s nothing like a warm toasty bagel slathered in all that creamy goodness. And, who doesn’t remember that delicious cream cheese frosting on mama’s carrot cake?
However, it’s also one of the most unhealthy things in the kitchen because of its high-fat content and animal protein. And, just in case you are wondering, low-fat cream cheese is not a healthier alternative.
If you are looking for a healthier option that ditches the dairy, you’re in luck. Because there’s not just one great alternative for a cream cheese substitute. There’s a ton! And, not only are they delicious, they contain numerous health benefits you could never find in regular cream cheese.
NOTE: Although these are considered completely WFPB and contain “healthy fats” they should still be consumed in moderation and not in abundance. However, some of these recipes do have a lower fat content than others.
Here are several of my favorite recipes. Shall we?
Table of Contents
Vegan Cashew Cream Cheese
This Easy Vegan Cream Cheese recipe is so easy and it’s made by blending some cashews, lemon juice, and a couple of spices. It’s savory, creamy, and tangy and best used as a spread or dip.
Hummus
Hummus is a super healthy option. It’s loaded with protein and uses tahini to get that smooth and creamy texture. You can add your favorite herbs and spices in order to satisfy your taste buds. Hummus can also be a good substitute for your favorite condiment in place of mayo or any other spread.
Tofu Sour Cream
Tofu sour cream is amazing and has an unbelievably smooth texture! This is one of our family’s favorite recipes and it’s so easy. It’s made with Extra Firm Silken Tofu and blended with lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and a little salt. Let it sit in the fridge overnight and it will firm up a bit.
Cashew Sour Cream
This cashew sour cream is tangy, rich, and has a super creamy texture! It’s much healthier than regular sour cream. Replace the lemon juice with an equal amount of maple syrup to create an amazing vegan heavy cream. Let this sit in the fridge for a couple hours after you make it and it will firm up quite a bit.
Vegan Tofu Ricotta Cheese
Vegan Tofu Ricotta has a similar texture to cottage cheese and gets its “cheesiness” from nutritional yeast. It’s perfect as a dip or making your favorite vegan lasagna. And, it couldn’t be easier to make. You simply toss all the ingredients into a food processor and blend.
Avocado
Avocado is a great substitute and has a very similar texture to cream cheese. Sprinkle with a little nutritional yeast, black salt, and lemon juice to create an incredibly delicious and creamy spread.
Strawberry Chia Jam (Fruit Spread)
If you like the sweeter spreads this Strawberry Chia Jam is perfect. You get major health benefits from the chia without losing any flavor. And, the best part? All you need are 3 ingredients: chia seeds, fruit, and a little maple syrup. Check it out!
Unsweetened Plain Yogurt (vegan)
You can buy plain unsweetened vegan yogurt at almost any grocery store. I don’t normally suggest buying products like this because they are usually very processed and contain loads of oil. But, there are a few that meet the WFPB criteria are usually made with soy, almond, or coconut milk. It’s great for making dips and spreads, but it’s also a great substitute for cream cheese when you want to make a frosting.
Almond Butter
Almond butter is a good alternative when you want something a little sweet and a little salty. It’s not only delicious, but it has less saturated fat and more protein than cream cheese.
Kite Hill Vegan Cream Cheese
Finally, if you don’t want to make anything Kite Hill Vegan Cream Cheese is one of the best substitutes you could ever find. I was surprised when I read the ingredients: almond cultures. You can use it where any recipe calls for regular cream cheese and no one would ever know it’s vegan. It’s perfect for savory dishes or sweet recipes like frostings or bagel spread. Click the link to find out more and purchase.
As you can see, it’s not that difficult to eat healthier and lose the dairy. So, if you’re looking for a WFPB dairy-free alternative to cream cheese, I think it’s safe to say you’ve found it. Enjoy!
PrintEasy Vegan Cream Cheese Recipe
This Easy Vegan Cream Cheese recipe is so simple to make and requires just 5 whole food ingredients. It’s savory, tangy, creamy, and insanely delicious!
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 2 mins.
- Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Dips & Spreads
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw cashews
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. salt or to taste
Instructions
- Soak cashews in hot water for 30 minutes or room temperature water for at least 1-2 hours.
- Drain cashews and add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until fairly smooth and creamy and a spread is formed. Stop occassionally to scrape down the sides.
- Enjoy right away or store in a glass jar and let chill in the fridge until ready to consume.
Notes
This specific vegan cream cheese recipe is not good for cooking. It’s purely a spread.
I have found that food processor is best for this specific recipe. It allows the cream cheese to have a little more texture, yet still, be fairly smooth. If you choose to use a blender just be surea an add a little water as you go to help the process. A blender will give you a much smoother texture similar to mayo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 Tbsp
- Calories: 101
- Sugar: 1.2 g
- Sodium: 147.9 mg
- Fat: 7.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.6 g
- Protein: 3.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Michele
I love this recipe! I used almonds due to an allergy, and I made it in my high speed blender so it would be extra smooth. So good!
Aliesha
Thank you for this recipe, and i also really appreciate the cream cheese substitutes you shared. Super – and realistic – tips! Thank you!
Shane Martin
Thank you, Aliesha!!!
Patranit
I really love tofu, never thought that it can be made sour cream, thanks for the recipe
Melissa
Shane, you’ve done it again… read my mind! I have bagels and was wondering what to put on them as I’m trying to avoid butter/oil and store bought processed products. These are great ideas and I can’t wait to try your home made cream cheese recipe. Thank you!! Your recipes are always amazing.
Shane Martin
Thank you, Melissa!
Shane Martin
The best vegan cream cheese and list I’ve seen.