For one thing so easy, dairy-free cream cheese has change into a behemoth of a subject. Some choose a layer so skinny it’s virtually translucent whereas others choose a two-to-one ratio of bagel to cream cheese. Then there are the flavors—plain, every little thing, chive, lox, cinnamon raisin (don’t @ us for that final one—it exists, even in case you don’t prefer it). Whether or not looking for the very best dairy-free cream cheese for bagels or for desserts, use this information to navigate by way of the swirly, luscious wonders of a vegan schmear.
What’s dairy-free cream cheese?
To make clear, after we check with “dairy-free cream cheese,” we’re additionally referring to vegan cream cheese. We’ve but to come back throughout a dairy-free cream cheese that wasn’t vegan, largely on account of the truth that different animal components sometimes usually are not used to make the essential schmear. Packaged cream cheese is manufactured from pasteurized entire milk, salt, carob bean gum (a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier), and cheese cultures. Most home made vegan cream cheese recipes substitute the cultures for an acid, similar to lemon juice, to curdle the dairy-free base.
Daiya
To make a vegan model of a standard cow milk-dependent product, just a few further components are wanted. Totally different corporations depend on totally different meals and methods to achieve that thick texture and mildly tart style. Tofutti, for instance, makes use of soy, an oil mix, and non-dairy lactic acid; more moderen vegan cream cheese innovators similar to Miyoko’s Creamery depend on cashews, coconut cream, and vegan cultures. Someday, it would even be comprised of precision fermentation, an rising approach that’s slowly making its approach into the vegan meals area. Solely time will inform.
There’s a seemingly infinite variety of methods to make it, however the basic rule of thumb is the emulsification of fats, liquid, salt, and cultures, typically with the addition of a stabilizer.
Is dairy-free cream cheese wholesome?
Whereas the components for dairy-free cream cheese differ, the vitamin label throughout manufacturers seems to be comparable. Vegan or not, cream cheese is calorically-dense and excessive in fats, and “wholesome” is a relative time period. As a result of it doesn’t use cow’s milk, it doesn’t include trans fats and tends to be decrease in saturated fats than an animal-based schmear. An excessive amount of saturated fats is related to increased ranges of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also referred to as “unhealthy” ldl cholesterol. Excessive LDL ranges can enhance the danger of coronary heart illness, in accordance with the American Coronary heart Affiliation.
The healthfulness of vegan cream cheese varies from model to model. If saturated fats is a priority, maintain an eye fixed out for coconut oil-based vegan cream cheeses. Coconut oil is about 90 p.c saturated fats.
If you happen to’re searching for one which’s on the better-for-you facet, keep away from the dairy-free varieties comprised of oil and follow those comprised of entire meals components like nuts, seeds, and even beans. That’s to not say that oil-based vegan cream cheeses are unhealthy for you. Oil could be a wholesome a part of your weight loss program when consumed carefully.
One of the best dairy-free cream cheese manufacturers
Beneath are our prime picks for vegan cream cheeses whether or not you’re utilizing them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert.
Kite Hill
1 Kite Hill
An outlier within the vegan cream cheese market, Kite Hill makes use of almond milk as a base for its many creamy spreads. It’s barely thinner than different manufacturers, however what it could lack in thickness it makes up for in taste. Choices embody plain, chive, every little thing, and backyard veggie.
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Miyoko’s Creamery
2 Miyoko’s Creamery
Searching for one thing with minimal components? Miyoko’s is a strong selection. Made solely with cashews, coconut cream, salt, and cultures, these things is as unprocessed as you will get within the schmear division. It’s tremendous thick and velvety and is available in 5 flavors: basic plain, every little thing, Savory Scallion, Fish-Free Lox, and cinnamon raisin.
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3 Tofutti
From the makers of the novelty ice cream, this old-school vegan model’s Higher Than Cream Cheese lives as much as its title. Whereas newer manufacturers might have acquired extra hype, this schmear is completely serviceable in baked items and by itself. You will discover it in most grocers and it tends to be probably the most inexpensive choice as nicely.
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Dealer Joe’s
4 Dealer Joe’s
The grocery store is nicely on its approach to providing a vegan choice for each product it sells. Labeled as Vegan Cream Cheese Different, this plain unfold is one other win for all plant-based Dealer Joe’s consumers. Professional tip: combine in just a few shakes of Dealer Joe’s Every thing Bagel Seasoning to make this schmear a bit extra attention-grabbing.
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Daiya
5 Daiya
Title a dairy product, and this long-standing vegan firm possible makes it. The model not too long ago reformulated its inaugural cream cheese to enhance its wealthy style and silky texture. Among the many 4 flavors, our favourite is the Roasted Garlic & Herbs. Additionally, in case you have been questioning, it’s pronounced Day-ah.
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Violife
6 Violife
Excellent for baked items like vegan cheesecake and cream cheese swirled brownies, Violife’s Simply Like Cream Cheese is a comparatively new product beneath this non-dairy meals model’s title. If you happen to’re searching for the very best vegan cheesecake recipe, maintain studying for our prime choose.
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Easy Reality
7Kroger Easy Reality
Kroger’s Easy Reality Natural Plant-Primarily based Cream Cheese Different is simply one of many 50-plus new vegan merchandise the name-brand line launched within the fall of 2020. When a significant grocery store invests in non-dairy cream cheese, the “pattern” is right here to remain.
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Go Veggie
8 Go Veggie
Have you ever ever bought a bath of non-dairy cream cheese solely to understand you picked up the Chive & Garlic taste simply earlier than making your vegan cream cheese frosting? Yep, we’ve been there. Go Veggie affords each Chives & Garlic and basic plain, and whereas each are creamy and scrumptious, undoubtedly double-check the label in case you’re making one thing candy.
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Treeline
9 Treeline
After gaining recognition by way of its luscious, European-style delicate vegan cheeses, it’s solely pure that this firm churns out a decadent dairy-free cream cheese. The three, minimal-ingredient flavors embody plain, Chive & Onion, and strawberry.
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Spero
10Spero Meals
This vegan delicate cheese model differentiates itself from the remaining through the use of sunflower seeds for its thick and creamy base. Every of the flavors is infused with probiotics to greatest mimic their dairy-based counterparts. Select from unique, strawberry, Smoked, Smoked Salmon, and Herb varieties the subsequent time you’ve gotten toasty bagels ready for you at house.
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Wildbrine
11 Wildbrine
This easy dairy-free cream cheese is comprised of a mix of cashews and coconut cream. It will get a lift of gut-healthy micro organism from the pressure lactobacillus cultures plus, it’s versatile sufficient to make use of as an expansion or in decadent desserts.
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WayFare
12 WayFare
Identified for its vegan bitter cream and butter, this plant-based model’s cream cheese contains a base comprised of natural butter beans and natural oats. The result’s a dairy-free unfold that has a thick texture, good for bagels and crackers.
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Philadelphia
13 Philadelphia
Yep, probably the most iconic cream cheese model of all of them, Philadelphia, is now within the vegan sport. It launched its first plant-based cream cheese on the finish of 2022, and in June 2023, it launched three vegan flavors nationwide: Authentic, Strawberry, and Chive & Onion.
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Nurishh
14 Nurishh
Owned by Bel (additionally the homeowners of two iconic cheese manufacturers, Babybel and Boursin), Nurishh first launched again in 2020, providing vegan mozzarella, camembert, and extra. Since then, it has expanded its vary additional, and in early 2023, it launched its personal sunflower seed-based cream cheese in two scrumptious flavors: Plain and Garlic & Herbs.
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Monty’s
15 Monty’s
Monty’s cultured cashew-based cream cheese is “mild as air,” which is why it has the suitable title of Cloud Cheese. It’s just a little totally different from many others available on the market as a result of it’s packaged inside a squeezable sachet. Based on the model, this makes it simpler “to seize and simpler to squeeze.”
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Oatly
16Oatly
This Swedish model is perhaps identified greatest for its oat milk, however that’s not the one scrumptious product in its portfolio. Alongside merchandise like Oatgurt and ice lotions, it additionally affords velvety oat-based cream cheese unfold, too.
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Comply with Your Coronary heart
17 Comply with Your Coronary heart
California-based vegan cheese model Comply with Your Coronary heart’s dairy-free vary is intensive and engaging, and, after all, it consists of vegan cream cheese. Made with coconut oil, it’s also gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, and, most significantly, good on a freshly toasted bagel.
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Grounded Meals
18 Grounded Meals
Many vegan cream cheeses available on the market are made with components like coconut or cashews, however this feature from Grounded Meals makes use of hemp seeds as a substitute. Which means it’s sustainable and soy-free, in addition to scrumptious. Based on the model, it additionally accommodates twice the quantity of calcium as common cream cheese.
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Darë
19 Darë
Primarily based in North Carolina, Darë makes a speciality of aged, artisan, completely vegan cheeses. However alongside wedge choices like Pepperjack, Balsamic Fig, and Roasted Garlic, you can even discover cashew-based cream cheeses in three tasty flavors: Authentic, French Onion, and Veggie.
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Nature’s Fynd
20 Nature’s Fynd
This vegan cream cheese from Nature’s Fynd is made with the model’s signature Fy Protein, which is derived from fungi. It’s easy, creamy, simply spreadable, and way more sustainable than the choice. Plus, it’s additionally nut- and soy-free.
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Vevan
21 Vevan
Vevan is aware of its cheese, and that’s as a result of it was based by actual cheesemakers. Owned by Shuman Cheese, it has mixed the talent of cheese consultants with plant-based components to create scrumptious 100% vegan merchandise which can be simply as tasty as their animal-derived counterparts. It has a number of totally different UnCreamCheese flavors on supply, together with Plain, Strawberries & Cream, and Caramelized Peach & Maple.
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The Easy Root
22 The Easy Root
Made with components like potato and coconut oil, The Easy Root’s vegan cream cheeses are scrumptious, however they’re additionally very best for folks with intolerances, as they’re additionally wheat-free, soy-free, and gluten-free. Select from tasty flavors like Candy Chili, Strawberry, and Garlic & Herb.
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