Easiest Vegan Cream Cheese (2 ways!)

This homemade vegan cream cheese recipe is ridiculously simple to make with only 5 ingredients. In just 20 minutes you can be enjoying the best tasting, thick and creamy, dairy free cream cheese (oil free too). It's incredible smeared on everything - trust me!

CHEESE - usually the last thing people give up before 'going' vegan (or dairy free). I GET IT cheese was my kryptonite too. I thought my cheese days were over, but happily I was wrong!

When creating this vegan cream cheese substitute, it was essential to me that the texture was thick and creamy and it tasted delicious. Plus it had to have the smooth spreadability and silkiness of traditional dairy cream cheese, but without the dairy and no culturing! My taste testers were torn, so this recipe has two versions (woot woot!) - all the same ingredients except for one:

1. Water and cashew base: In this dairy free version, the flavor of the cashews is more prominent making the classic (plain) cream cheese slightly sweet. Once you add in the flavor add ins, it's just extra creamy and delicious.
2. Coconut cream cheese option: This version is also rich, super creamy, and thick. There's a hint of coconut flavor, but only if you're looking for it.
3. Tofu cream cheese: I tested vegan cream cheese made with a tofu base, but it wasn't nearly as good - the flavor wasn't there for me. (However tofu makes an incredible vegan feta cheese!)

Both dairy-free cream cheese versions are wildly delicious and EASY to make!

Vegan Cream Cheese Ingredients (with options)

This soft and spreadable vegan cheese requires only 5 ingredients! It's high a protein, plant based cream cheese alternative that's oil free, dairy free, and gluten free (but not flavor free!). Here's what you'll need:

• Cashew nuts: Raw, unsalted cashews are a mild flavored, super blendable nut that create the rich, creamy vegan soft cheese base. **Plan extra time for soaking.
• Liquid options: Water OR coconut cream.
• Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice adds acidity and brightness.
• White vinegar: Adds sour tanginess.
• Salt: To make all the flavors pop.
• Flavor add in ideas: Garlic, onion powder, nutritional yeast, fresh dill, chives, Everything Bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, sun dried tomatoes or hot sauce to name a few.
• Refined coconut oil: Optional for extra richness and cheesy mouthfeel. I don't typically add the oil.

Why Make Homemade Vegan Cheese?

When transitioning from a vegetarian to vegan diet, I remember thinking, I'm not going to make my own cheese - how ridiculous! The only ridiculous thing about it though, is how easy it is to make and how tasty it turns out!

As well, you have full control over the ingredients, flavor add ins, and texture. Plus it's way more affordable and delicious that store bought vegan cream cheese!

How to Make Vegan Cream Cheese

This is a great vegan cheese recipe for beginners because it's so simple and so GOOD! Keep in mind you will need a blender like a Vitamix and some extra time for soaking the cashew nuts prior to blending. Let's make a batch together!:

1. Soften the cashews: There's a couple way to soften cashews. I usually boil water then pour it over the cashew nuts in the blender and put the lid on it. They are usually ready in ~20-30 minutes. OR pour room temperature water over the cashews until the nuts are covered with an inch or two of water above. Cover and let them soak until plump and juicy (3-4 hours at room temperature or overnight in the fridge).
2. Drain & rinse: Drain the water and rinse the cashews.
3. Blend: Add the cashews, lemon, vinegar, and salt to the blender. Blend until smooth stopping to scrape down the sides and use the tamper to help blend the cashew nuts. This recipe is low on added liquid to keep the cream cheese thick so be patient as it comes together. Use a smaller size blender or food processor if you have one.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. More salt, lemon, vinegar, etc.

5. Make flavored cream cheese!: Stir in nutritional yeast, onion powder, chopped fresh herbs like chives or dill, Everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds or garlic to suit your taste.
6. Storage: Transfer the contents into a clean glass bowl or container using a spatula. Store in the fridge to chill until ready to use. This cream cheese will last several weeks in the fridge.

Variations and Tips

• Plain cream cheese not your thing?: That's okay, the sky's the limit when it comes to flavor and add ins. Go sweet or savory with chopped up fresh fruit or the ever popular combo of chive and onion or garlic herb cream cheese. Make it hot and spicy with sriracha sauce, red pepper flakes or buffalo sauce!
• Cheesy: Add a ton of cheese flavor with 1-3 tablespoons nutritional yeast (recommended!).
• Chill before serving: This cream cheese substitute gets thicker and thicker in the fridge over several days and the flavor improves as well. I love the texture and flavors best on days 3, 4, and beyond!
• Taste Testers FAVORITE: All my taste testers love loved the Everything Bagel, onion flakes/powder, nutritional yeast, and fresh chive cream cheese combo best. Me too!!
• Favorite vegan cream cheese brands: Miyoko's Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese and Violife's Just Like Original Cream Cheese suit my taste buds, and work best for vegan cream cheese icing. I don't have access to Trader Joe's vegan cream cheese alternative or Wayfare dairy free cream cheese. But I've heard they are amazing, and I can't wait to try them!

Ways to Use Vegan Cream Cheese

I created this soft cream cheese to schmear on bagels, sandwiches and wraps etc., but it's super versatile! Here's a few more ways to use it:

• Make it creamy without the dairy!: Spoon it into soups, stews, and vegan pasta dishes to add rich creaminess.
• Make a dip: Sub this non dairy cream cheese into any veggie dip or chip dip recipe that calls for cream cheese.
• Cheese ball: Place a large piece of plastic wrap inside a small bowl. Add a sprinkling of fresh herbs, Everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds or whatever you want on the top of your cheese ball. Spoon the cream cheese on top of the herbs, smooth out the surface then cover it with the overhang from plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge overnight or for a couple days. When ready to serve, uncover and invert onto a serving plate, remove the plastic wrap, and voilà. Perfect make-ahead appetizer for the holidays or any party!
• Warm it up!: Warm the cream cheese gently in the microwave, stirring every 20-30 seconds. Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.
• Cheese toast: Spread a thick layer of cream cheese on a slice of bread or a bagel and warm it up in the air fryer (400º F for ~6 minutes) or in a toaster oven on broil. It's super, warm and delicious!
• Vegan cheese and crackers: This soft cream cheese is the perfect pairing with crackers and a glass of wine or on a vegan charcuterie board! And it's make ahead friendly so it's perfect for cocktail parties, holiday parties, wine tastings or date night.

More Vegan Cheese Recipes

If you crave cheese since going vegan (I'm right there with you!), here's a few dairy free cheese alternatives that I think will more than satisfy your cravings:

• vegan parmesan cheese
• vegan feta cheese in my vegan Greek salad post
• vegan ricotta cheese
• vegan queso cheese dip
• vegan liquid mozzarella in my vegan lasagna post

I hope you love this easy, tasty Vegan Cream Cheese recipe. Please leave a comment below and rate the recipe! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook with any photos so I can see what flavors you're making!
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