13 Best Cream Cheese Substitutes (Dairy-Free & Vegan)

Whether you’re baking or looking for a healthier option, these substitutes for cream cheese are just as delicious and flavorful! Below we outline the best options in baking, making a cheesecake or frosting, as well as, healthy and vegan options for every day use!

What can you use as a substitute for cream cheese?

The substitute will depend on how you were using the cream cheese originally. We like to use cottage cheese, nut cream cheese, hung curd, or Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese when we bake, and we like mascarpone on our bagels and toast. You may also find you like hummus, almond butter, or avocado on your bagel as well!

Substitutes for Cream Cheese for any situation

1. Cottage Cheese

You can use cottage cheese as a higher-protein, lower-fat option for desserts and frostings by adding an equal amount of heavy cream to it.

2. Mascarpone

If you’re looking for a delicious substitute for cream cheese to spread on a bagel or toast, mascarpone is wonderful! We like to add a little lemon juice or plain yogurt to make it taste even more like cream cheese.

3. Cashew Cream Cheese

You can use cashew cream cheese when you’re baking or cooking a soup, and it’s a great dairy-free pick. It has a rich, creamy texture that holds up well in both sweet and savory recipes.

<h3″>4. Almond Cream Cheese

Almond cream cheese is another nut-based option that works when you’re baking or cooking, and it’s a paleo-friendly choice too. It’s a little lighter than cashew cream, so it’s lovely in spreads and dips.

5. Hung Curd

Hung curd is something we had never tried before we went looking for substitutes for cream cheese, but it turned out to be a great, healthier option! We add a little honey to sweeten it up, and it works beautifully when you’re baking or making frosting.

6. Full-Fat Ricotta Cheese

You can use full-fat ricotta cheese with an equal amount of full-fat yogurt to get the same texture as cream cheese. Just add in a little heavy cream if you’re baking with it.

7. Sour Cream

Sour cream is another great substitute for cream cheese when you’re making dips, though it doesn’t work quite as well on a bagel or in frostings.

8. Kefir

Kefir is one of the healthiest alternatives to cream cheese, but it isn’t the closest in flavor or texture. To thicken it up, you’ll need to add chia seeds. Since the texture is a little unusual, we recommend sticking to using it in dips.

9. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a healthier substitute for cream cheese, though it is more tangy in flavor. You’ll want to use a recipe like this Greek yogurt frosting recipe if you’re baking with the swap.

Can I substitute Greek yogurt for cream cheese?

Greek yogurt is a healthier substitute for cream cheese, but it is more tangy in flavor. You’ll want to use a recipe like this Greek yogurt frosting recipe if you’re making the substitute.

Is there a non dairy substitute for cream cheese?

Yes, they make soy- and nut-based non-dairy and vegan cream cheeses that are delicious, flavorful, and creamy just like your normal cream cheese. Plus, they are lower in fat and cholesterol typically.  You can also make your own cream cheese substitute by using cashews, macadamia nuts, almonds, or tofu cream recipes. We like this vegan cream cheese recipe.

You can also buy vegan cream cheeses at most grocery stores. Our favorite varieties are Daiya Cream Cheeze, Kite Hill Cream Cheese Style Spread, and Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese.

Substitutes for Cream Cheese in Cheesecake

The best substitutes for cream cheese in a cheesecake are Greek yogurt, hung curd, or full fat ricotta cheese mixed with heavy cream.

We’ve actually made a single serving cheesecake using Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese! It’s so delicious and felt just like having the real thing!

If you’re looking for a light cheesecake recipe, we love this light Greek yogurt cheesecake as well! It’s light and fluffy and lower in fat than a traditional dessert.

Substitutes for Cream Cheese in Frosting

There are a few substitutes for cream cheese in frosting. You can choose to make cream cheese frosting without cream cheese with Greek yogurt or using vegan butter and vegetable shorting in your vegan frosting recipe.

11. Cashew Frosting

For this frosting, combine 1 1/2 cups cashews, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons agave, 1/2 cup filtered water, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon coconut oil, and blend on high until smooth. Then refrigerate it to let it firm up.

12. Creamy Pudding Frosting

For a quick option, blend 1 cup of milk, a 3 1/2-ounce package of instant pudding mix, and 3/4 cup powdered sugar together, and beat it until it’s thick like frosting.

Non-dairy frosting option: Mix 8 ounces of non-dairy cream cheese and 2 tablespoons of a non-dairy butter alternative until fluffy, then add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar until it’s thick like frosting.

13. Avocado, Hummus, or Almond Butter

If you’re topping toast or a bagel, you don’t always need a true cream cheese swap at all. Mashed avocado, a smear of hummus, or almond butter all make creamy, satisfying toppings, and each one brings its own healthy boost.

Substitutes for Cream Cheese in Cheesecake

The best substitutes for cream cheese in a cheesecake are Greek yogurt, hung curd, or full-fat ricotta cheese mixed with heavy cream.

We’ve actually made a single-serving cheesecake using Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese, and it was so delicious it felt just like having the real thing! If you’re looking for a lighter option, we also love this light Greek yogurt cheesecake. It’s fluffy, airy, and lower in fat than a traditional dessert.

A Quick Recap of All 13 Substitutes for Cream Cheese

To recap, here are the 13 substitutes for cream cheese you can reach for:

1. Cottage cheese
2. Mascarpone
3. Cashew cream cheese
4. Almond cream cheese
5. Hung curd
6. Full-fat ricotta cheese
7. Sour cream
8. Kefir
9. Greek yogurt
10. Non-dairy cream cheese
11. Cashew frosting
12. Creamy pudding frosting
13. Avocado, hummus, or almond butter on toast