Cream cheese dates back to the 1800s and has become one of the most commonly used cheeses in the United States. It can be found in most breakfast restaurants and makes an appearance on many recipe lists. It is frequently used in baking and savory dishes.
Looking for a non-dairy cream cheese substitute? Good news! There are plenty of non-dairy alternatives to cream cheese for a vegan diet and milk allergies.

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What is Cream Cheese?
Real cream cheese is a mild, smooth, soft cheese that is easily spreadable. It comes in a variety of flavors and fat contents.
Cream Cheese Uses
Cream cheese has many uses. It is most often used as a spread on bagels. It also can be used for frostings, fillings, dips, adding structure, enhancing richness, and thickening recipes.
One can't forget how cream cheese makes a homemade cheesecake incredibly dense and rich!

Cooking with Cream Cheese
Plain cream cheese (full fat) is the most popular type of cream cheese for baking. The full fat profile tends to augment the flavor of savory recipes. It has a rich and full bodied taste, which also makes it ideal when used alone (e.g. as bagel spread).
Cream cheese is also available in low fat and flavored varieties. These varieties of cream cheese are typically avoided when baking, due to the lack of fat and added flavor.

Is Cream Cheese Vegan or Dairy Free?
Cream cheese is made with cream and cow’s milk. Of course, that makes cream cheese an animal product. That’s a no-no for vegans, but some plant-based eaters might allow room in their diet for some animal products like cream cheese.
In either case, it’s important to find a delicious substitute for cream cheese that delivers comparable taste and texture if you want your cooking to stay 100% free of animal products. In the sections below, we’ll explore the two main options for substituting cream cheese:
- Non-dairy cream cheese substitutes: These are products that actually look, spread, and (mostly) taste like cream cheese.
- Whole food substitutes for cream cheese: These are actual foods, like chickpeas and avocados, that can be used to make a homemade dairy free “spread” with comparable taste and texture to cream cheese.
Is It Safe to Heat and Bake Non-dairy Cream Cheese Substitutes?
Unfortunately, most of the non-dairy cream cheese products listed in the section below may not bake well. Unlike regular cream cheese, dairy free substitutes tend to get runny when heated.
Most often, this is because dairy-free cream cheeses contain coconut oil. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, but it melts at about 78 degrees. Sometimes, leaving coconut oil on the kitchen counter in the sun is enough to liquify it.
This isn’t always a problem. Extra-melty dairy free cream cheese could be great for use in recipes for:
- Creamy sauces
- Cream-based soups
- Pastas, rice, and other grains that absorb liquid
- Icing and desserts that will be refrigerated or frozen
If you are looking for a cream cheese substitution in a recipe that will be baked, consider using a homemade spread using whole food ingredients like tofu or chickpeas (see Whole Food Substitutes for Cream Cheese section below).

Non-dairy Store Bought Cream Cheese Substitutes
Depending on your personal preferences, the easiest option might be to simply buy a non-dairy cream cheese spread. These products are widely available at most grocery stores. If you have a hard time finding them locally, most can also be purchased online.
For those who don’t like the taste of non-dairy alternatives– which many people do not–then a whole food substitution for cream cheese might be your best bet. If that sounds like you, please skip ahead to the Whole Food Substitutes for Cream Cheese section below.
Dairy-free cream cheese is most often made from plant-based ingredients. It can be used in your favorite recipes for baking, breads, dips, and other recipes with sweet and savory flavors.
There are several options for dairy-free cream cheese that can be found at your local grocery store, such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. This is the easiest way to turn your favorite cream cheese recipe into a plant based dish.
Dairy-free cream cheeses have pros and cons. Pros include:
- Vegan-friendly
- Tend to be lower in saturated fat
- Quick and easy substitute for cream cheese
- Engineered to taste like dairy-based cream cheese
- Allergy-friendly– though always check the label, especially the Ingredients list
However, there are downsides to using dairy free cream cheeses. They include:
- Some level processing
- Additives such as guar gum and xanthan gum
- Can be more expensive compared to making homemade dairy free spreads from scratch
- Might be “extra melty”, which is a bad thing if your recipe calls for cream cheese to provide structure, or as a thickening agent
Below is a list of the best vegan cream cheese brands and products, according to vegan/plant-based Foodies and customer reviews.
Miyoko’s Organic Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese
Miyoko’s Organic Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese varieties are made from simple ingredients with natural flavors. The varieties contain no artificial additives or flavors.
Miyoko’s are made out of coconut milk and cashews, and flavored with real spices and herbs. The coloring comes from vegetable juice. Flavors include: Plain, Fish-Free Lox, and Sensational Scallion.
Miyoko’s Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese can be used for baking, cooking, and as spreads and dips.
Substitutions: Use a 1:1 ratio.
Reviews and notes: This is one of the most popular brands of vegan cream cheese. However, it has a slight coconut flavor. If you dislike coconut, you may prefer the Violife spread listed below.

Violife Just Like Cream Cheese
Violife is a leader in texture and taste when it comes to non-dairy cream cheese alternatives. It tastes like the real thing, making it a perfect smooth creamy spread for that cinnamon raisin bagel.
It contains just a few ingredients, including: Filtered water, coconut oil, potato starch, salt (sea salt), glucono-delta-lactone, vegan sources of flavor, olive extract, and vitamin B12. Violife Just Like Cream Cheese is free of dairy, soy, gluten, lactose, nuts, and preservatives.
Substitutions: Use a 1:1 ratio.
Reviews and notes: This is another very popular product for store-bought dairy free cream cheese. Although it is made with coconut oil, customers report it has less of a “coconut-y” and tastes more like the real deal.

Daiya Cream Cheeze Style Spread
Daiya Cream Cheeze Style Spreads are plant-based and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives. As a brand, Daiya has established itself as a popular choice for those with dairy allergies. These tasty spreads are also a good option for most people with more general food sensitivities.
Daiya’s popular dairy free substitute contains no dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, peanuts, fish, and shellfish. The texture is smooth and creamy, with varieties of Plain, Strawberry, Chive & Onion, and Roasted Garlic & Herbs. These make a great bagel spread, cream cheese frosting, dip, and more.
Daiya’s website offers easy recipes with delicious ways to get creative with Cream Cheeze Style Spreads. A favorite is the Strawberry Vegan Cheesecake Dip!
Substitutions: Use a 1:1 ratio.
Reviews and notes: Like Violife, Daiya is another product that tastes like real dairy-based cream cheese.

Kite Hill Non-Dairy Cream Cheese
These non-dairy cream cheeses are made with almond milk and mushroom extract as a natural preservative. Kite Hill is made with natural ingredients and is free of GMOs, dairy, soy, gluten, and artificial preservatives.
It is Kosher and contains no added sugar. Flavors include Plain, Chive, Everything, and Garden Veggie. Kite Hill has a tick texture, making it a great option for spreads since the texture is more like hummus than cream cheese.
Substitutions: Use a 1:1 ratio.
Reviews and notes: This product is best known for its texture. It may also be the best to bake with, as it uses almond milk as a base.

Go Veggie Cream Cheese
Go Veggie Cream Cheese is a plant-based cream cheese alternative that is dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher certified.
This product contains soy in the form of soy protein coconut oil. If there is a soy allergy, pass on Go Veggie Cream Cheese. Other ingredients include filtered water, corn starch, safflower oil, sea salt, tricalcium phosphate, organic locust bean gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, and vegan culture.
Go Veggie tends to be runny and watery. It has a mild flavor and is best used for spreads and dips, but that is up to personal taste. Go Veggie Cream Cheese comes in Classic Plain, Chive and Garlic, and Strawberry.
Substitutions: Use a 1:1 ratio.
Reviews and notes: Contains soy– avoid if you have an allergy or health concerns. Otherwise, this is a great Kosher option, especially when used as a spread.

Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese
This vegan brand is a dairy-free cream cheese made with tofu, soy protein, vegetable oil, and sugar. Tofutti is free of dairy and gluten, vegan, kosher parve, and halal.
This option is commonly found in bagel shops that offer a non-dairy alternative. The spread itself is slightly grainy with a mild beige color.
Substitutions: Use a 1:1 ratio.
Reviews and notes: Contains soy– avoid if you have an allergy or health concerns. Also has a slight tofu aftertaste, but it’s hard for some people to detect.

Whole Food Substitutes for Cream Cheese
Homemade Nut Cream Cheese
Nut cream cheese is an easy vegan cream cheese recipe that is a great alternative to cow’s milk cream cheese.
Cashews or almonds are the most common nut used for this type of dairy-free cream cheese. It does have a higher fat content due to the nuts, but it also offers protein and natural ingredients. Nut cream cheese can be made with raw cashews or almonds, lemon juice, salt, and apple cider vinegar.
The recipe is an easy way to make homemade cream cheese!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups raw cashews
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Soak raw cashew or almonds in hot water for 10 minutes or 2-3 hours in cool water.
- Drain cashews and allow to dry.
- Next, combine cashews with lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, onion, garlic, and salt in a food processor.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Place in the fridge to firm.
For an extra creamy texture, consider adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of coconut cream. Alternatively, you may use unflavored non-dairy yogurt or the white solids from a can of coconut milk.
Substitutions: Use a 1:1 ratio.
Reviews and notes: Non-dairy homemade cream cheese is your best bet to avoid artificial additives, vegetable oils, and ensure ingredients cater to food allergies. Homemade versions also allow for flavor variations specific to your personal taste. Non-dairy homemade cream cheese can be used for baking, cooking, and as toppings or dips.

Tofu
Silken tofu is a great alternative to cream cheese in recipes. It has a creamy, smooth texture and mild taste. For best results, Silken tofu should be pureed in a food processor or by a hand mixer to create a soft cheese with a consistency like cream cheese.
Substitutions: Use a 1:1 ratio.
Reviews and notes: Pureed silken tofu can be used in sweet and savory dishes.

Hummus
Hummus is a plant-based alternative to cream cheese spread. It is a great option for savory dishes, including a substitute for mayo or dips. Hummus is made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon, oil, and salt. Chickpeas are packed with protein, making them a healthy choice for a substitute. Adding spices to hummus to suit your personal taste will create a variety of options too.
Substitutions: Use a 1:1 ratio.
Reviews and notes: If you like the consistency of hummus but dislike the taste, consider using pureed chickpeas instead. Simply rinse and dry chickpeas, then blend in a food processor until a smooth and creamy texture is achieved.

Avocado
Avocado is another plant-based substitute for cream cheese. It is easily found at the local grocery store, loaded with healthy fats, and has a similar texture to cream cheese.
Avocados have a creamy texture that work well as a spread on bagels. Adding lemon juice, salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast create a flavorful spread or dip for a dairy-free diet.
Substitutions: Carefully remove skin and pit, smash, and use 1:1 ratio of smashed avocado to cream cheese.
Reviews and notes: Avocados are a popular option for creamy desserts that are refrigerated or cooled, like icing and even ice cream. Keep in mind avocados can alter the color of a recipe, turning things green and sometimes brown.

Vegan Tofu Ricotta
Vegan tofu ricotta is another popular non-dairy cream cheese alternative. Don’t let the recipe fool you, this delicious cream cheese substitute is actually quite simple to make.
Fun fact: It’s the nutritional yeast that gives this unique dairy free dish its cheesy flavor.
Ingredients:
- 14 oz. firm tofu
- 3 minced garlic
- ½ small lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- ½ tablespoon white miso paste
- Optional: 1 or 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (dried basil, oregano, parsley)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- Dash black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Drain tofu (do not press). Make sure all excess liquid is removed.
- Pull tofu apart into small pieces in preparation for mixing.
- Combine tofu with all remaining ingredients (lemon juice, olive oil, nutritional yeast, garlic, herbs, etc.) in a food processor. Alternatively, ingredients can be mashed together by hand or via blender (using a "pulse" mode). Food processor is recommended to ensure a creamy texture.
- Blend until creamy consistency is achieved using a food processor, blender, or by hand.
To thin the ricotta, add 1-2 tablespoons of water as needed. And for a sweet-tasting vegan ricotta cheese, follow the recipe above but exclude the garlic and herbs.
Homemade dairy-free ricotta cheese has a 1 week shelf life. Store in refrigerator via air tight container.
Substitutions: Use 1:1 ratio.
Reviews and notes: A great cream cheese alternative for dips, spreads, or with your favorite pasta dish.

Dairy-free Plain Yogurt
Dairy-free plain yogurt is a great alternative to cream cheese when making dips, spreads, and cream cheese frostings. Plant-based yogurt alternatives are often made from coconut, soy, or almond milks.
Substitutions: For every 1 cup cream cheese, substitute slightly less than 1 cup dairy-free yogurt. Then, add 1 tablespoon at a time to thin, as desired.
Reviews and notes: Be sure to check labels for soy if you have allergies or health concerns. Unsweetened plain yogurt, such as Forager Project Organic Dairy-Free Cashew Milk Yogurt, will create the best results.

Try a Dairy-Free Alternative to Cream Cheese
Your Taste Buds Will Thank You!
Dairy products are no longer a necessity to flavorful and savory dishes. More than ever, grocery store shelves are stocked with great alternatives to conventional staples, like cream cheese. Smooth texture, simple ingredients, and delicious flavor are easily achieved with a great-tasting non-dairy cream cheese substitute.
Whether you’re building the ultimate vegan bagel, or simply want a cream cheese replacement for your time-honored family recipe, you have plenty of options that will tickle your taste buds! Just be sure to choose one that suits your personal taste and the use of the cream cheese in the recipe.
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