For something so simple, dairy-free cream cheese has become a behemoth of a topic. Some prefer a layer so thin it’s practically translucent, while others prefer a two-to-one ratio of cream cheese to bagel. Then there are the flavors—plain, everything, chive, lox, cinnamon raisin (don’t @ us for that last one—it exists, even if you don’t like it). Whether searching for the best dairy-free cream cheese for bagels or for desserts, use this guide to navigate through the swirly, luscious wonders of a vegan schmear.
What is dairy-free cream cheese?
To clarify, when we refer to “dairy-free cream cheese,” we’re also referring to vegan cream cheese. We’ve yet to come across a dairy-free cream cheese that wasn’t vegan, largely due to the fact that other animal ingredients typically are not used to make the basic schmear. Packaged cream cheese is made of pasteurized whole milk, salt, carob bean gum (a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier), and cheese cultures. Most homemade vegan cream cheese recipes substitute the cultures for an acid, such as lemon juice, to curdle the dairy-free base.
Tofutti
To make a vegan version of a traditional cow milk-dependent product, a few extra ingredients are needed. Different companies rely on different foods and techniques to attain that thick texture and mildly tart taste. Tofutti, for example, uses soy, an oil blend, and non-dairy lactic acid; more recent vegan cream cheese innovators such as Miyoko’s Creamery rely on cashews, coconut cream, and vegan cultures.
There’s a seemingly infinite number of ways to make it, but the general rule of thumb is the emulsification of fat, liquid, salt, and cultures, sometimes with the addition of a stabilizer.
Is dairy-free cream cheese healthy?
While the ingredients for dairy-free cream cheese vary, the nutrition label across brands looks similar. Vegan or not, cream cheese is calorically dense and high in fat.
Because it does not use cow’s milk, it does not contain trans fat and tends to be lower in saturated fat than an animal-based schmear. Too much saturated fat is associated with higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as “bad” cholesterol. High LDL levels can increase the risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.
The healthfulness of vegan cream cheese varies from brand to brand. If saturated fat is a concern, keep an eye out for coconut oil-based vegan cream cheeses. Coconut oil is about 90 percent saturated fat.
If you’re looking for one that’s on the better-for-you side, avoid the dairy-free varieties made from oil and stick to the ones made from whole food ingredients like nuts, seeds, or even beans. That’s not to say that oil-based vegan cream cheeses are bad for you. Oil can be a healthy part of your diet when consumed in moderation.
The best dairy-free cream cheese brands
Below are our top picks for vegan cream cheeses whether you’re using them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert.
Philadelphia
1 Philadelphia
Yep, the most iconic cream cheese brand of them all, Philadelphia, is now in the vegan game. It launched its first plant-based cream cheese at the end of 2022, and in June 2023, it launched three vegan flavors nationwide: Original, Strawberry, and Chive & Onion.
Find it here
Miyoko’s Creamery
2 Miyoko’s Creamery
Looking for something with minimal ingredients? Miyoko’s is a solid choice. Made only with cashews, coconut cream, salt, and cultures, this stuff is as unprocessed as you can get in the schmear department. It’s super thick and velvety and comes in four flavors: Classic Plain, Everything, Savory Scallion, and Cinnamon Raisin.
Find it here
Kite Hill
3 Kite Hill
An outlier in the vegan cream cheese market, Kite Hill uses almond milk as a base for its many creamy spreads. It’s slightly thinner than other brands, but what it may lack in thickness it makes up for in flavor. Options include Plain, Chive, Everything, and Garden Veggie.
Find it here
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4 Tofutti
From the makers of the novelty ice cream, this old-school vegan brand’s Better Than Cream Cheese lives up to its name. While newer brands may have received more hype, this schmear is perfectly serviceable in baked goods and on its own. You can find it in most grocers and it tends to be the most affordable option as well.
Find it here
Trader Joe’s
5 Trader Joe’s
The grocer is well on its way to offering a vegan option for every product it sells. Labeled as Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative, this plain spread is another win for all plant-based Trader Joe’s shoppers. Pro tip: mix in a few shakes of Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Seasoning to make this schmear a bit more interesting.
Find it here
Daiya
6 Daiya
Name a dairy product, and this long-standing vegan company likely makes it. The brand recently reformulated its inaugural cream cheese to improve its rich taste and silky texture. Currently, the brand offers three flavors: Original, Strawberry, and Chive & Onion. Also, if you were wondering, it’s pronounced Day-ah.
Find it here
Violife
7 Violife
Perfect for baked goods like vegan cheesecake and cream cheese-swirled brownies, Violife’s Just Like Cream Cheese is a tasty option. If you’re looking for the best vegan cheesecake recipes, don’t miss our guide here.
Find it here
Simple Truth
8Kroger Simple Truth
Kroger’s Simple Truth Organic Plant-Based Cream Cheese Alternative is just one of the 50-plus new vegan products the name-brand line launched in the fall of 2020. When a major supermarket invests in non-dairy cream cheese, you know the “trend” is here to stay.
Find it here
Treeline
9Treeline
After gaining popularity through its luscious, European-style soft vegan cheeses, it’s only natural that this company churns out a decadent dairy-free cream cheese. The three, minimal-ingredient flavors include Plain, Chive & Onion, and Everything.
Find it here
Wayfare
10 Wayfare
Known for its vegan sour cream and butter, this plant-based brand’s cream cheese features a base made from white beans. The result is a dairy-free spread that has a thick texture, perfect for bagels and crackers.
Find it here
Nurishh
11 Nurishh
Owned by Bel (also the owners of two iconic cheese brands, Babybel and Boursin), Nurishh first launched back in 2020, offering vegan mozzarella, camembert, and more. Since then, it has expanded its range further, and in early 2023, it launched its own sunflower seed-based cream cheese in two delicious flavors: Plain and Garlic & Herbs.
Find it here
Monty’s
12 Monty’s
Monty’s cultured cashew-based cream cheese is “light as air.” It’s a little different from many others on the market because it’s packaged inside a squeezable sachet. According to the brand, this makes it easier “to grab and easier to squeeze.”
Find it here
Oatly
13Oatly
This Swedish brand might be known best for its oat milk, but that’s not the only delicious product in its portfolio. Alongside products like Oatgurt and ice creams, it also offers velvety oat-based cream cheese spread, too.
Find it here
Follow Your Heart
14 Follow Your Heart
California-based vegan cheese brand Follow Your Heart’s dairy-free range is extensive, tasty, and, of course, it includes vegan cream cheese. Made with coconut oil, it is also gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, and, most importantly, perfect on a freshly toasted bagel.
Find it here
Darë
15 Darë
Based in North Carolina, Darë specializes in aged, artisan, totally vegan cheeses. But alongside wedge options, you can also find cashew-based cream cheese.
Find it here
Vevan
16 Vevan
Vevan knows its cheese, and that’s because it was founded by real cheesemakers. Owned by Shuman Cheese, it has combined the skill of cheese experts with plant-based ingredients to create delicious, 100-percent vegan products that are just as tasty as their animal-derived counterparts. It has several different UnCreamCheese flavors on offer, including Plain, Strawberries & Cream, and Garlic & Herb.
Find it here
Nuts for Cheese
17Nuts for Cheese
All of Nuts for Cheese’s products are handcrafted with traditional cheesemaking techniques, only instead of dairy, they’re made with organic cashews. Just like in the dairy industry, they’re fermented and aged for optimal flavor. The brand offers a variety of delicious cheeses, but its Original Cream Cheese Style Spread is not to be missed. It’s velvety, fresh, and tangy, just like cream cheese should be. If you want a little flavor, Nuts for Cheese offers a variety, including Garlic & Herb and Lemon Dill.
Find it here
Stockeld Dreamery
18 Stockeld Dreamery
Stockeld Dreamery’s plant-based cream cheese is a must-try. It’s velvety, cloud-like, and the perfect accompaniment for bagels. Unlike many options on the market, Stockeld’s products are not nut based. Instead, they’re made with legumes, like chickpeas and lentils. Choose from three flavors: Original, Strawberry, and Scallion.
Find it here
This post was originally published on VegNews.com.