When you think of growing up as a kid, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Desserts. At least, it did for me. Specifically, those gooey, sweet desserts. My mother used to make them for us every other day if we behaved. Even a couple of decades later, cooking myself, I still find myself craving creamy cheese-based dishes like macaroni and cheese, cheesecake, or breakfast bagels.
This can be problematic because many recipes require cream cheese. But if you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just generally not into dairy products, then this is an issue for you. Luckily, there are substitutes that give you the same cheesy taste without any of the calories! In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 cream cheese substitutes that are delicious and healthy alternatives.
Getting to Know Cream Cheese
Before we dive into the cream cheese substitutes, let’s understand what cream cheese actually is. Cream cheese is a fresh cheese with at least 33% fat and a moisture content of around 55%, as required by the United States Food and Drug Administration. It originated in the 1800s and was mostly manufactured in Philadelphia. Today, cream cheese is consumed across the world.
The texture of cream cheese is soft and smooth, while the flavor is mildly sweet, milky, and slightly tangy. It is meant to be consumed fresh because it’s not naturally matured. Cream cheese is very versatile and can be used in various dishes, such as spread on bagels, toast, bread, dips for snack items and salads, savory dishes, cheesecakes, frosting and baked goods, sauce thickener, and even mashed potatoes and sushi rolls.
Nutritional Profile of Cream Cheese
There are many types of cream cheese available in your local supermarket, such as regular, whipped, and double-cream. Hence, the nutritional profile may vary depending on the product and brand of cream cheese. But generally, an ounce of regular cream cheese offers 99 calories, 2 grams of protein, 10 grams of fat, and 2 grams of carbohydrates. It also provides 5% of the Daily Value (DV) of Vitamin B2 and 10% of the DV of Vitamin A and riboflavin.
Cream cheese has small amounts of antioxidants to fight the damaging effects of free radicals. It may also have some probiotic effects because lactic acid bacteria are introduced to the cream as a starter culture. However, cream cheese is low in protein and has a fairly short shelf life.
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Top 10 Best Cream Cheese Alternatives You Can Buy Today!
Now, let’s explore the top 10 cream cheese substitutes that you can try:
| No. | Substitute Name | Main Ingredients | Recommended Uses | Health Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mascarpone Cheese | Triple cream cheese | Frosting, cheesecake, soup thickener, bagel spread, dips, savory dishes | High saturated fat |
| 2 | Neufchâtel Cheese | Cow’s milk | Low-fat frosting, mashed potatoes, toast, bagels, cheesecake | ⅓ less fat than cream cheese |
| 3 | Ricotta Cheese | Cow’s milk | Baking, gravies, toast, bagels | Contains fat and cholesterol |
| 4 | Cottage Cheese | Cow’s milk | Desserts, baking, dips, gravies, bagel spread | High in sodium |
| 5 | Greek Yogurt | Fermented milk | Bagel spread, dips, frostings, baked recipes | Fat-free, high protein |
| 6 | Hummus | Pinto beans | Bagel spread, dips | Low fat, high in vitamin B and iron |
| 7 | Sour Cream | Lactic-acid producing bacteria | Dips, sauces, toppings, salads | Tangy, can curdle when heated |
| 8 | Kefir + Chia Seeds | Fermented milk beverage, chia seeds | Bagel spread, frostings, desserts | Not suitable for recipes requiring heating |
| 9 | Tofu + Lemon + Margarine | Tofu, lemon juice, margarine | Savory and sweet recipes, toast spread, dips | Vegan-friendly |
| 10 | Coconut Milk + Coconut Butter + Nutritional Yeast | Coconut milk, coconut butter, nutritional yeast | Desserts, spreads, cheesecakes | Non-dairy, sweeter taste |
01. Mascarpone Cheese
Also known as triple cream cheese, mascarpone cheese contains almost all similar health values as regular cream cheese. Mascarpone is creamier and contains more fat, while cream cheese is slightly more acidic. However, they have the same flavor and almost the same texture.
The taste of mascarpone is slightly sweet and milky, and its texture is uncommonly creamy, thick, and smooth. In fact, mascarpone has double the amount of fat than American cream cheese, which almost melts in your mouth.
Mascarpone is naturally sweet and smooth, making it a good cream cheese substitute in frosting and desserts. More specifically, it tastes good as a frosting for cupcakes and cakes. Use it on top of your fruit bowl as dessert if you want to add a creamy element.
Swap cream cheese with mascarpone in cheesecake to give a richer taste. Thicken your soup or stuff chicken breasts with this versatile cheese. With its smooth texture, you can also use it as a bagel spread and a tasty dip.
Mascarpone also works well in savory dishes because of its rich texture that comes from its high butterfat content. It can be used as pasta sauce, in scrambled eggs, and nearly anything!
However, because of its high saturated fat content, mascarpone isn’t recommended for people who deal with high cholesterol and hypertension. You can look for other healthier options or use them in moderation.
👍Best Used For
Mascarpone is naturally sweet and smooth, making it a good cream cheese substitute in frosting and desserts. More specifically, it tastes good as a frosting for cupcakes and cakes. Use it on top of your fruit bowl as dessert if you want to add a creamy element.
Swap cream cheese with mascarpone in cheesecake to give a richer taste. Thicken your soup or stuff chicken breasts with this versatile cheese. With its smooth texture, you can also use it as a bagel spread and a tasty dip.
Mascarpone also works well in savory dishes because of its rich texture that comes from its high butterfat content. It can be used as pasta sauce, in scrambled eggs, and nearly anything!
🙅♀️Not Recommended For
Because of its high saturated fat content, mascarpone isn’t recommended for people who deal with high cholesterol and hypertension. You can look for other healthier options or use them in moderation.
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You can find mascarpone in the dairy aisle of many large grocery stores or specialty shops. We recommend Gelmini Mascarpone because of its freshness and great taste.
02. Neufchâtel Cheese
Neufchatel cheese is a semi-soft cheese made from cow’s milk that develops a more pungent flavor when aged. The young, fresh variant is what you need to substitute cream cheese in many recipes. The young, fresh Neufchatel has the closest flavor and texture to low-fat cream cheese.
The texture of Neufchatel cheese is somewhat firm, spreadable, and grainy, while the flavor is kind of nutty, sharp, and salty. Compared to cream cheese, Neufchatel has ⅓ less fat, making it a healthier option.
Neufchatel cheese is a good substitute for low-fat cream cheese in recipes. It works well for low-fat frosting for cakes and cupcakes and is great with mashed potatoes. You can also use it in dips, on morning toast and bagels, and in cheesecake recipes. However, it may not work as well in quick cheesecake recipes that depend on the firmness of cream cheese.
👍Best Used For
Neufchatel cheese is a good substitute for recipes that call for low-fat cream cheese. You can use it for the low-fat frosting for cakes and cupcakes. It also works great with mashed potatoes.
A grainy Neufchatel is a healthier substitute for cream cheese in your morning toast and bagel. Both kinds of cheese have a tangy flavor and spreadable consistency. You can also substitute it in recipes for dips with good results, although you might see a difference in texture.
The American Neufchatel cheese is a healthy substitute for cream cheese in cheesecake recipes. Unlike the French Neufchatel, the American version has a closer texture and flavor to cream cheese. If you like the fattening flavor of cream cheese, simply throw in a little butter.
🙅♀️Not Recommended For
Yes, we have mentioned that Neufchatel can be used as a cream cheese substitute in cheesecake recipes but not for quick cheesecake recipes. These fast cheesecake recipes depend on the firmness of cream cheese and using Neufchatel might only produce an output that’s softer than desired.
03. Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese is another great substitute for cream cheese because of its flavor and availability. It has a slightly less sweet taste and grainier texture than cream cheese. While it still contains a fair amount of fat and cholesterol, you can choose a low-fat ricotta option for a healthier alternative.
Low-fat ricotta cheese is rich in calcium and protein, making it important for healthy growth. It also contains less sodium than cream cheese, making it perfect for those with hypertension problems.
Ricotta cheese works best in baking and savory food recipes. You can mix ricotta cheese with equal amounts of plain yogurt to achieve a creamier texture. Use the mixture in cheesecake or cake frosting recipes, adding some sugar to taste. Ricotta cheese can also be added to gravies or used as a spread for toast or bagels. Substituting cream cheese with ricotta in a baking recipe may result in a slightly dry and less smooth texture. To counteract this, you can add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to the recipe and incorporate some mashed avocado for added moisture. However, ricotta cheese is not recommended for those who are lactose intolerant or looking for a spreadable substitute.
👍Best Used For
The flavor and texture of ricotta are best for baking. It also works great in savory food recipes. Try adding equal amounts of plain yogurt if you want to make the texture creamier.
Mix equal amounts of heavy cream and ricotta cheese to get the right texture and flavor when making cheesecake or cake frosting. You can try to add some sugar to add sweetness to this mild-tasting cheese. For gravies, you can use the ricotta cheese as-is.
Substituting cream cheese with ricotta in a baking recipe means a result that’s a little dry and less smooth in texture. It lacks the tang flavor so you may add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to solve the problem. To add more moisture, consider adding some mashed avocado into the recipe.
🙅♀️Not Recommended For
Ricotta is made from lactose-rich whey so it’s not recommended for lactose-intolerant people. Since it has a firm texture, it’s not ideal for spreading either.
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Ricotta Salata is a delicious, delicate cheese made from lightly salted sheep’s milk. Ricotta Salata is an extremely versatile cheese that can be used in salads, pasta dishes, or grated to add flavor to an antipasti platter. It also makes for a wonderful snack all on its own.
04. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a healthy cream cheese substitute for those looking to cut down on unhealthy saturated fats. It is rich in potassium, calcium, and folic acid. However, it is high in sodium, so it’s advisable to consume a low-sodium variety to prevent the risk of high blood pressure.
Cottage cheese has a chunky texture with creamy wetness and a somewhat milky or creamy taste, depending on the milk fat levels used in production. The higher the milk fat content, the creamier the taste will be. Non-fat cottage cheese versions can have a bit of a sour taste as an extra flavor.
Cottage cheese lacks the sweetness, thickness, and smoothness of cream cheese, so it works best in desserts and baking recipes when combined with plain yogurt and strained overnight with a cheesecloth. You can also use cottage cheese in dips and gravies or as a spread for your bagel. However, it is not recommended for people with lactose intolerance or those looking for a spreadable substitute with reduced sodium content.
👍Best Used For
Cottage cheese lacks the sweetness, thickness, and smoothness of cream cheese, so it works best on desserts and baking recipes. To get a smooth texture, mix this fresh cheese with plain yogurt and strain overnight with a cheesecloth.
You can use the smooth cottage cheese in dips and gravies. It also makes a nice spread for your bagel.
To use for cheesecakes, strain the cottage cheese and add a similar amount of heavy cream. It will make the cake more compact and less crumbly. For frostings, you can run the cottage cheese on a food processor and make a nice cheese frosting.
🙅♀️Not Recommended For
Cottage cheese isn’t recommended for people with lactose intolerance because it can cause digestive issues. You might want to reduce the salt when using cottage cheese for savory recipes. The high sodium content might cause bloating, water retention, and weight gain.
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05. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a versatile cream cheese substitute that is fat-free and packed with protein. It offers many health benefits, such as improved bone health, enhanced metabolism, and a healthy digestive system. Compared to regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier.
If you’re looking to turn plain Greek yogurt into cream cheese, it’s actually easy. Simply strain Greek yogurt in a cheesecloth or coffee filter overnight to remove excess whey. In the morning, you’ll be amazed at how the yogurt becomes thicker. One cup of Greek yogurt yields about ½ cup of cream cheese substitute when strained for 8-12 hours.
Strained Greek yogurt works best as a spread for bagels and dips for your favorite chips. Add shallots, chopped onions, or other flavorings to enhance the taste. Greek yogurt is also suitable for frostings and baked recipes. Simply add some honey or maple syrup for sweetness. It also works well in savory dishes. However, Greek yogurt may not be suitable for classic cheesecake recipes, as high-fat content is needed to achieve a rich and delicious cheesecake.
👍Best Used For
Strained Greek yogurt is less sweet but creamy. It works best as a spread on your bagel and dips for your favorite chips. Try adding shallots and chopped onions onto the thick yogurt to add more flavor.
You can use this yogurt in frostings and baked recipes. Simply add some honey or maple syrup to add a little sweetness for frosting. Greek yogurt also works well with savory dishes.
🙅♀️Not Recommended For
The low-fat content of yogurt is good for your health, however, it’s not good for classic cheesecake recipes. You need high-fat content to make rich and delicious cheesecakes. If you like to make a cheesecake that’s something light and fluffy, you can use this recipe.
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The best Greek yogurt that makes a good cream cheese alternative is the plain version. Upstate Farms and Chobani are two of the best brands that we can find on Amazon right now. Upstate Farms contain 0% fat while Chobani has 4% fat for that extra milky taste.
06. Hummus
Hummus, made from pinto beans, is a healthy cream cheese substitute option. It is low in fat and packed with nutrients like vitamin B and iron. Hummus is also a good source of fiber and protein, making it a healthy choice for vegetarians.
Hummus has a slightly nutty and tangy taste due to the tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. It is incredibly creamy, yet light and fluffy in texture. You can either make your own hummus or purchase it from a store.
While the taste of hummus is different from cream cheese, it can be used as a healthy spread for hot bagels and English muffins. Simply mix plain hummus with poppy seeds, sesame seeds, salt, minced garlic, minced onion, and sesame oil to create a flavorful spread. Hummus can also be used in dips, paired with your favorite vegetables and chips. However, it may not work well in desserts or as cake frosting.
👍Best Used For
Although the taste isn’t exactly the same with cream cheese, hummus is best used as a healthy spread for hot bagels and English muffins. Simply mix plain hummus with poppy seeds, sesame seeds, salt, minced garlic, minced onion, and sesame oil. See the exact measurements here.
You can also substitute hummus for cream cheese in dips. Get creative and pair it with your favorite vegetables and chips.
It might sound odd to you, but you can actually make a cheesecake with hummus. Use coconut milk instead of water to give a creamy taste. Sweeten it with a tiny amount of maple syrup and vanilla for that extra aroma. Lastly, add some lemon juice and sea salt to give the cake a tangy taste.
🙅♀️Not Recommended For
Hummus isn’t recommended for desserts because the taste is way different than cream cheese. It also won’t work well as cake frosting.
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The quality of store-bought hummus is subpar to homemade ones. But if you don’t want the hassle of making hummus from scratch, try these two brands: Sabra and Baba. Sabra adds ingredients that make the hummus delicious while Baba is organic and available in different flavors.
07. Sour Cream
Sour cream is a tangy substitute for cream cheese that adds a delicious flavor to dips and sauces. It is thick and sour, thanks to the efforts of lactic-acid producing bacteria that increase the lactose levels of the cream. Some store-bought sour creams may also contain additives to make it thicker.
The US Food and Drug Administration requires that sour cream should have a milk fat content of not more than 18%. Lighter versions are made with 10.5% milkfat.
Sour cream is a good substitute for cream cheese in dips and sauces due to its rich and thick consistency. It brings a subtle tangy flavor that refreshes the palate. Sour cream can also be used as a topping or in salads. However, it may not be suitable for soups or cheesecakes, as the heat can cause the cream to curdle. Fat-free sour creams may not be recommended for cooking or baking, as they may alter the cooking process.
👍Best Used For
Sour cream is a good substitute for cream cheese in dips and sauces because it’s rich and thick. It brings a subtle tangy flavor that will refresh your palate. Using it as a topping or salad is also highly recommended.
As for baked goods, sour cream is a decent substitute for cream cheese in blueberry cakes. The flavor of the cake would be different but you can make some adjustments. Simply add two tablespoons more flour to make the cake firmer.
Use sour cream right out of the container. It can be added to the dish without cooking, which is why it suits best as a frosting ingredient.
🙅♀️Not Recommended For
You can’t use sour cream in soups because the heat will make the cream curdle. You can, however, add sour cream after the soup is cooked. It’s also not recommended for cheesecakes because it loses the structure.
Fat-free sour creams may not be recommended for cooking or baking. They utilize different forms of stabilizers to make a sour cream-like product and the nonexistence of fat can influence the cooking process of the dish.
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Kraft Breakstone’s All-Natural Sour Cream and Land O Lakes Sour Cream are two of the best brands available out there. Breakstone’s is all-natural and extra creamy while Land O Lakes offers a classic flavor that everyone loves about sour cream.
08. Kefir + Chia Seeds
Kefir, a fermented milk beverage, and chia seeds make a great cream cheese substitute. Kefir is rich in protein, probiotics, and fat, while chia seeds are packed with nutrients and considered a superfood.
Combine kefir with chia seeds by mixing a bowl of kefir with 1/4 cup of chia seeds. Allow the mixture to sit for about 30 minutes or until the seeds absorb the liquid from the fermented milk drink.
The kefir and chia seed mixture works well as a bagel spread and in frostings and desserts. It provides a creamy texture and added nutritional punch. You can also use it as a substitute for cream cheese in savory dishes. However, this combination is not recommended for recipes that require heating, as the heat may cause the mixture to curdle.
👍Best Used For
The kefir cheese cream substitute makes a good spread for your bagel. It can be used in frosting and desserts to provide more nutritional punch. If you want your cheesecake to be light and fluffy, you can use the kefir and chia seed mixture to substitute for cream cheese.
🙅♀️Not Recommended For
This kefir cheese combination isn’t recommended for recipes that require heating because the heat will make the mixture curdle.
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There’s no product that offers a combination of these two ingredients so you’ll have to purchase them separately. Cultures for Health Kefir Starter is one of the best brands out there. For chia seeds, we recommend the NutriBioPlanet which are certified organic and raw.
09. Tofu + Lemon Juice + Margarine
For a vegan-friendly cream cheese substitute, you can improvise with tofu, lemon juice, and margarine. Tofu mimics the soft texture of cream cheese, while lemon juice and margarine impart the tangy, creamy flavor that cream cheese is known for. This substitute provides all the right nutrition without compromising on taste and texture.
To prepare the tofu cream cheese substitute, blend 1-1/2 cup of tofu with 1/2 cup of margarine and a tablespoon of lemon juice in a blender. Chill the mixture in the fridge to achieve the desired consistency.
This tofu cream cheese alternative works great in both savory and sweet recipes. Use it as a vegan frosting or substitute for cream cheese in cheesecake recipes. It can be spread on morning toast or used as a dip for chips and tacos. However, be cautious when choosing the firmness of the tofu, as different varieties have different uses.
👍Best Used For
This tofu cream cheese alternative works great with savory and sweet recipes. Make a vegan frosting without the margarine, like this recipe here. You can also replace cream cheese with tofu to make a vegan cheesecake like in this recipe here.
Spread it over your morning toast or bagel to enjoy delicious food without feeling the guilt. With twice the protein and ½ less the fat of regular cream cheese, you can put an extra schmear on top of your bagel. Tofu spreads can also double as a dip for your chips and tacos. Add some herbs, onions, and vegetables to bring more flavor.
🙅♀️Not Recommended For
Firm block tofu is quite versatile. Other varieties have limited uses, like for example, the soft block tofu isn’t recommended for shallow-frying because it sputters. Medium-firm tofu doesn’t work well on stir-frying and pan-frying because they easily break up.
The best tofu to substitute for cream cheese is the firm or extra-firm water-packed variety, like Mori-nu Silken Tofu (Extra Firm). If you want something organic, choose this Mori-Nu Silken Tofu variety.
10. Coconut Milk + Coconut Butter + Yeast
The combination of coconut milk, coconut butter, and nutritional yeast creates a non-dairy cream cheese substitute. Full-fat coconut milk provides rich creamy texture, coconut butter adds natural sweetness, and nutritional yeast imparts a cheesy flavor reminiscent of cream cheese.
This cream cheese alternative is not suitable for savory recipes due to its sweet flavor but is perfect for desserts, spreads, and even cheesecakes. However, be aware that the taste will be sweeter than cream cheese due to the coconut ingredients. The consistency will be rich, smooth, and creamy.
👍Best Used For
The combination of coconut milk, coconut butter, and nutritional yeast is best for desserts and frosting because of its sweet flavor. It can be used to replace cream cheese in dips, spreads, and even cheesecakes.
🙅♀️Not Recommended For
This coconut milk combination isn’t recommended for savory recipes because of its sweet flavor. But if you want to get experimental about flavor, go ahead and try this nut-free cream cheese alternative.
Native Forest Coconut Milk is our favorite because it’s unsweetened and organic. Kevala is one of the best brands for organic coconut butter. For nutritional yeast, we recommend Sari Foods because it’s all-natural.
In a Nutshell
With these 10 cream cheese substitutes, you can enjoy your favorite cheesy dishes without relying on traditional cream cheese. From mascarpone to coconut milk alternatives, there’s a substitute for every preference and dietary need. Experiment with different substitutes to find the one that suits your taste and health requirements. Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply looking for healthier options, these alternatives will give you the same creamy taste without any of the calories. Happy cooking and eating!
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