Best Vegan Cream Cheese Recipes For Your Kids

Best Vegan Cream Cheese Recipes For Your Kids

If you're a parent looking for healthy and delicious snack ideas for your kids, try vegan cream cheese. Not only is it a great alternative for lactose intolerant or vegans, but it can also be a tasty and nutritious option for everyone.

This blog will share some of the best vegan cream cheese recipes your kids will love. From sweet to savoury, there's a recipe for every taste bud! So, let's dive in and get ready to whip up some delicious vegan cream cheese snacks for your little ones.

Here are some of my other vegan cheese recipe blogs:

• Homemade Vegan Cheese
• Vegan Sunflower Cheese
• Vegan Blue Cheese
• Vegan Cheddar Cheese
• Vegan Mozzarella Cheese
• Vegan Ricotta Cheese

What Is Vegan Cream Cheese?

It won't fool anyone into thinking it's real cream cheese. I want to be honest about that! It's more like a delicious dip or spread for your favourite bagel. 

Even though it doesn't taste the same as dairy cream cheese, it is still incredibly delicious!

What's great about this homemade vegan cream cheese is that it's full of nutritious ingredients. 

It's made primarily with raw cashews, freshly pressed lemon juice and spices. You still get some healthy fat and even protein with this spread!

What Is Vegan Cream Cheese Made From?

The homemade plain vegan cream cheese contains nutritious ingredients only. It is made with raw cashews, lemon juice and sea salt.

Then there are various optional ingredients you can add depending on what you want to use the vegan cream cheese for:

• Fresh or dried herbs: chives, dill, parsley, sage or oregano
• Fruit: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, pineapple or peaches
• Garlic: Fresh, roasted or powder
• Spices: Pink Himalayan salt, turmeric, curry, paprika, pepper or even cinnamon (for a sweet version)
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Vegetables: Peppers, tomatoes, jalapeños or cucumbers

Vegan Cream Cheese Recipes

1. Homemade Plain Vegan Cream Cheese

This recipe is for plain delicious homemade vegan cream cheese. This dreamy cashew cream cheese tastes so tasty it will make you a believer!

Prep time: 10 minutes | Soak time: 4 hours | Total time: 4 hours 10 minutes | Servings: 16

Ingredients

• Raw cashews: 2 cups, soaked in water for 4-8 hours, drained and rinsed
• Lemon juice: 1½ tablespoons, plus more to taste (up to 3 tablespoons total)
• Sea salt: 1 teaspoon or to taste

Method

1. Place the cashews, 1½ tablespoons of lemon juice, and sea salt into the food processor.
2. Blend the mixture until it is smooth. Halt the blender and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. 
3. Add some water to thin the mixture as needed.
4. Add additional sea salt and/or lemon juice if you like.
5. Serve the vegan cream cheese immediately, and store it in a glass container in the refrigerator for 5 days or freezer for 3 months.

2. Vegan Cream Cheese With Chives

This 5-minute vegan cream cheese is made with whole-food ingredients and is easy to make. It tastes amazing, too!

Prep time: 5 minutes | Soaking time: 30 minutes | Total time: 5 minutes + soaking time | Servings: 8

Ingredients For The Plain Cream Cheese

• Raw cashews: 1½ cups, soaked
• Unsweetened non-dairy yogurt: ¼ cup
• Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon, freshly pressed
• Apple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon
• Sea salt: ½ teaspoon or to taste

Ingredients For The Chives Mix

• Fresh chives: 3 tablespoons, chopped
• Onion powder: 1 teaspoon or to taste
• Pepper: ½ teaspoon or to taste

Method

1. In a large measuring cup, soak the cashews in the fridge overnight in cold water or for at least ½ hour in boiling water. We usually soak the cashews overnight, which results in a creamier cheese.
2. After you drain and rinse the cashews, add them to a food processor. Add the lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, unsweetened non-dairy yogurt, and sea salt. Blend the vegan cream cheese mixture until it is smooth. Stop the highspeed food processor to scrape down the sides as needed.
3. Add any additional sea salt and/or lemon juice, if desired. 
4. Add the chives, onion powder, and pulse until incorporated into the vegan cream cheese.
5. Serve immediately on bagels or store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen if desired.

3. Creamy Vegan Cream Cheese With Herbs

This vegan cream cheese is deliciously creamy, garlicky, and tasty to spread on a fresh bagel or toast. And it's ready in just 5 minutes!

Prep time: 5 minutes | Soaking time: 4-8 hours | Total time: 5 minutes + soaking time | Servings: 6

Ingredients

• Cashews: 1½ cups
• Unsweetened soy yogurt: 4 tablespoons
• Garlic: 1 clove
• Nutritional yeast: 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
• Sea salt: ½ teaspoon or to taste

Ingredients For The Herbs Mix

• Dried Herbes de Provence: 1 teaspoon or to taste
• Fresh chives: 3 tablespoons, chopped
• Fresh cress: 2 tablespoons
• Black pepper: ¼ teaspoon or to taste

Method

1. Either soak the cashews in hot water for at least 4 hours or soak them overnight in the fridge to make it easier for your blender.
2. Drain the cashews in a high-speed blender with unsweetened soy yogurt, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and the herbes de Provence.
3. Process the vegan cream cheese mixture until it is smooth. You want the vegan cashew cream cheese to be super smooth without chunks.
4. Season it with black pepper and extra sea salt, and add fresh chives and cress. Enjoy!

4. Vegan Cream Cheese With Dill

This recipe makes deliciously creamy and tasty vegan cream cheese! It is a super easy recipe that makes a divine spread on bread or crackers and is ridiculously close to the ‘real thing'!

Prep time: 10 minutes | Soaking time: 1 hour | Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes | Servings: 8

Ingredients

• Raw cashews: 1½ cups (225g), soaked in hot water for 1 hour
• Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons, freshly pressed
• Coconut cream: ½ cup (120 ml)
• Distilled white vinegar: 1 teaspoon
• Sea salt: 1 teaspoon or to taste
• Onion powder: 1 teaspoon or to taste
• Dried dill: ½ teaspoon or to taste (optional)

Method

1. Add the soaked and drained cashews to the blender jug, coconut cream, lemon juice, white vinegar, onion powder and sea salt. 
2. Blend the mixture. 
3. You can use the stick attachment with your blender to push the cream cheese mixture down onto the blades. It makes it easier to blend. 
4. If you don't have a stick attachment, stop regularly, scrape down the sides, stir, and continue until it's smooth.
5. Transfer the blended mix to a bowl, add the dried dill, and stir it.
6. Your homemade vegan cream cheese is now ready to use.
7. Keep it stored in the fridge. It will firm up overnight in the refrigerator for a firmer texture on the second day.

5. Silky Vegan Cream Cheese With Jalapeños

For this silky smooth vegan cream cheese, you only need 5 ingredients. It makes a perfect spread for bagels and sandwiches or a delicious dip for your vegetables!

Prep time: 15 minutes | Soaking time: 5-10 minutes with hot water | Total time: 15 minutes + soaking time | Servings: 1 cup

Ingredients

• Raw cashews: 1½ cups
• Water: ½ cup
• Lemon juice: 3 tablespoons, freshly pressed
• Apple cider vinegar: 1 teaspoon
• Pink Himalayan salt: ¼-½ teaspoon to taste

Optional Ingredients

• Fresh chives: 3 tablespoons, chopped
• Jalapeño: 1 small, seeds removed and minced

Method

1. Cover the raw cashews with boiling water and soak them for 10–30 minutes. Alternatively, soak them in cold water for 2-3 hours or overnight. 
2. Drain and rinse the cashews before you use them.
3. Using a high-speed blender, add the ingredients to it and blend until creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. 
4. You can add the optional ingredients once the vegan cream cheese mixture is smooth.
5. Enjoy the vegan cream cheese immediately, or let it chill in the refrigerator before serving.

6. Garlic And Herb Vegan Cream Cheese

The garlic and herb vegan cream cheese contains cashews and non-dairy yogurt. It is super easy to make and an excellent vegan substitute! We spread this delicious vegan cream cheese on bagels, bread or use it as a dip for veggies and crackers!

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes | Total time: 25 minutes | Servings: 8

Ingredients For The Cream Cheese

• Raw cashews: 1½ cups
• Non-dairy plain yogurt: ⅓ cup
• Distilled white vinegar: 2½ tablespoons
• White miso paste: 1 tablespoon
• Maple syrup: ¼ teaspoon
• Nutritional yeast: 1 teaspoon
• Sea salt: ½ teaspoon or to taste
• Onion powder: ½ teaspoon

Ingredients For The Garlic And Herb Mix

• Granulated garlic: ½ teaspoon (or 1 small garlic clove, minced)
• Italian seasoning: ½ teaspoon (or fresh herbs, finely chopped)
• Dill: ½ teaspoon dried (or 1 tablespoon of fresh dill)
• Fresh chives: 1-2 tablespoons, finely chopped (optional)

Method

1. In a pot, boil the cashews covered with water for 10 minutes (this softens the cashews). Drain them well.
2. Add the cashews, the yogurt, and the rest of the ingredients to your food processor. Process the vegan cream cheese mixture until it is smooth and creamy. Whenever needed, stop the food processor to scrape down the sides a few times.
3. Enjoy your garlic and herb vegan cream cheese immediately or cover it and chill it in the fridge first. This recipe makes a lovely spread for your favourite bagels, French bread or as a dip for vegetables!

7. Sun-Dried Tomato And Pesto Vegan Cream Cheese

This sun-dried vegan cream cheese has cashews, non-dairy yogurt, and vegan pesto. It is a straightforward and tasty substitute for dairy cream cheese! Use it as a vegetable dip or a spread on bagels, baguettes or crackers! 

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes | Total time: 25 minutes | Servings: 8

Ingredients For The Cream Cheese

• Raw cashews: 1½ cups
• Non-dairy plain yogurt: ⅓ cup
• Distilled white vinegar: 2½ tablespoons
• White miso paste: 1 tablespoon
• Maple syrup: ¼ teaspoon
• Nutritional yeast: 1 teaspoon
• Sea salt: ½ teaspoon or to taste
• Onion powder: ½ teaspoon

Ingredients For The Sun-Dried Tomato & Pesto Mix

• Sun-dried tomatoes: 2-3 tablespoons, finely chopped
• Vegan pesto: 2 tablespoons or more to taste.

Method

1. Boil the cashews in water for 10-15 minutes and drain them well.
2. Add the cashews, the yogurt, and the rest of the ingredients to your food processor. Process the sun-dried tomato cream cheese mixture until it is smooth and creamy. Stop your blender and scrape down the sides a few times.
3. You can immediately enjoy this delicious cream cheese or cover and cool it in the fridge. We prefer the chilled version. This vegan cream cheese makes a tasty spread for bagels, croissants or French bread. This vegan cream cheese makes a delicious dip for veggies and crackers!

8. Sweet Vegan Cream Cheese

This sweet vegan cream cheese is a bit different. On top of the cashews and non-dairy yogurt, it contains fresh fruit or sweet jam. It is an excellent substitute for sweet dairy cream cheese! We spread it on sweet bagels, croissants or bread!

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes | Total time: 20 minutes | Servings: 8

Ingredients For The Cream Cheese

• Raw cashews: 1½ cups
• Non-dairy plain yogurt: ⅓ cup
• Distilled white vinegar: 2½ tablespoons
• White miso paste: 1 tablespoon
• Maple syrup: ¼ teaspoon
• Nutritional yeast: 1 teaspoon
• Sea salt: ½ teaspoon or to taste

Ingredients For The Fruit Spread

• Fresh berries of your choice: strawberries, raspberries or blueberries, finely chopped
• Fresh fruit: pineapple, peaches, apricots or any seasonal fruit you like
• Jam, jelly or other fruit preserves: ¼ cup (prefer fresh fruit)

Method

1. Add cashews to a pot, cover them with water and boil them for 15 minutes (this softens them). Drain well.
2. Add the cashews, the yogurt, and the rest of the ingredients to your food processor. Process the cream cheese mixture until it is smooth and creamy. Stop the highspeed blender to scrape down the sides a few times as you go.
3. Enjoy your sweet vegan cream cheese right away or cover and chill in the refrigerator first (I prefer the chilled version). This recipe makes a lovely spread for cinnamon-raisin bagels!

9. Vegan Cream Cheese With Coconut Oil And Tapioca Flour

Are you ready for this tasty vegan cream cheese? It is an unbelievably creamy, smooth, rich and melty vegan cream cheese!

Prep time: 5 minutes | Soak time: 5 minutes | Total time: 10 minutes | Servings: 8

Ingredients

• Raw cashews: ¼ cup, soaked and rinsed
• Refined coconut oil: ¼ cup
• Tapioca flour: 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon, freshly squeezed
• Sea salt: 1 teaspoon or to taste
• Nutritional yeast: 1 teaspoon
• Kappa carrageenan: 1¼ teaspoon

 Method

• Boil some water and soak the raw cashews for 10 minutes. 
• We usually soak them overnight in the fridge. 
• Then drain and rinse them.
• Add the soaked cashews, tapioca flour, refined coconut oil, sea salt, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice to your blender. Carefully add boiled water immediately before blending.
• Blend the vegan cream cheese mixture on high until it is completely smooth, then reduce blender speed to low, remove the plug in the lid, and add kappa carrageenan through a hole in the top while still blending. Replace the lid plug, and blend on high speed for approx. 30 seconds.
• Pour the cream cheese mixture into a glass bowl (or ramekins). Let the cream cheese cool to room temperature. Then place the cheese in the refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours. We usually leave it in the refrigerator overnight.

10. Plain Vegan Cream Cheese With Tofu

Authentic-tasting homemade vegan cream cheese made in any flavour you like. 

Prep time: 7-10 minutes | Cook time: 0 minutes | Total time: 7-10 minutes | Servings: 18

Ingredients

• Extra-firm tofu: 1- 14 oz package (water-packed)
• Refined coconut oil: ½ cup, melted
• Apple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon
• Nutritional yeast: 1 teaspoon
• Sea salt: 1 teaspoon

Method

• Drain and press your tofu, removing as much liquid as possible. You can squeeze the tofu with your hands for this recipe since you will blend it into cream cheese.
• Combine the pressed tofu, melted refined coconut oil, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, and sea salt in a medium-sized bowl.
• Blend the vegan cream cheese mixture with an immersion blender for about 2 minutes, mixing all the ingredients until you achieve a smooth and creamy texture.
• Add any flavourings of your choice and fold them into the vegan cream cheese with a spoon or spatula. See my list at the beginning of this recipe blog.

Conclusion

Introducing vegan cream cheese to your children's diet can be a fun and delicious way to explore new flavours while promoting a healthier lifestyle.

With the variety of recipes available, you can easily incorporate this dairy-free alternative into your kids' favourite dishes, from breakfast to dinner and even dessert.

So don't hesitate to try it and watch your children fall in love with these tasty and nutritious vegan cream cheese recipes. Remember, a happy and healthy family starts with what's on your plate!