Yes, even vegan cream cheese can be made at home! If you don’t want to make a trip to the store, this recipe is perfect for you.
It’s made with ingredients you may already have in your pantry: protein-rich tofu, almonds, and savory seasonings.
And don’t worry, we don’t use any coconut oil to get this creamy spread. Thanks to blending magic, it’s easy to get the right consistency without it.
Once you’ve made this tofu cream cheese, you’ll want to make it again and again! Try it on a sandwich or in a wrap!
Recipe highlights
- Only 7 ingredients!
- Incredibly easy to make
- Savory and customizable
- Hearty ingredients
- Protein-rich
The equipment you’ll need: food processor/blender, measuring utensils, airtight jar, baking spatula.
Ingredients needed
- Firm tofu — the base for our cream cheese! Full of protein.
- Almonds — thickens texture and helps add a nutty and cheesy taste.
- Lemon Juice — acidity helps balance flavors.
- Sun-dried tomato — adds an umami taste and some acidity.
- Salt, nutritional yeast, garlic powder — yummy savory seasonings.
Find exact measurements and our additional mix-ins below!
How to make tofu cream cheese
- Add tofu, almonds, lemon juice, and water to the food processor and mix. Stop and scrape the sides with a spatula. Process until a creamy mixture is formed.
- Add the remaining ingredients and process for a few more seconds until incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture into an airtight jar and keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for 1 week. I haven’t tried freezing it!
Customizations
Our tofu cream cheese is delicious as is, but you can certainly mix in some ingredients to jazz it up!
Here are some things you can add:
- Chives
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Dill
- Basil
- Olives
- Roasted red pepper
- Caramelized onions
Simply fold in any new ingredients when you’ve finished processing the cream cheese mixture.
Serving Suggestions
Use this tofu cream cheese as you normally would! It’s wonderful on bagels (of course), on sandwiches, and on top of crackers.
You can also use it for stuffed vegetables! Try hollowing out mini bell peppers or cherry tomatoes, then add a bit of cream cheese inside. Or try it as a sweet snack in my cream cheese stuffed dates!
Vegan cream cheese is great as a base for a savory dip. Mix some herbs and a bit of liquid to get a slightly thinner consistency. Then dip into the creamy mixture with chips or crackers.
Hot tip
Add a dollop of cream cheese to pasta sauces! It makes the sauce creamy and deeper in flavor.
FAQs & tips
What’s the difference between tofu cream cheese and regular cream cheese?
Tofu cream cheese is vegan (no animals harmed in the making) and contains less fat. It has a lighter consistency and contains plant-based protein.
Can I use a blender instead of a food processor?
If you don’t own a food processor, a blender can work! You’ll just have to stop more frequently to scrape down the sides.
Will I be able to taste the tofu?
No, you shouldn’t be able to taste the tofu! With the blend of seasonings, almonds, and lemon juice, it should have a slightly tangy taste similar to non-vegan cream cheese.
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Did you make our tofu cream cheese recipe and enjoy it? We’d love to read about it, so be sure to leave a review and share it in the comments below. You can also Pin this recipe here!
Ingredients
- 2 cups firm tofu 480 g
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ⅓ cup almonds soaked and drained (47 g)
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 4 tbsp water
Flavor options
- Sundried tomato
- Chives
- Rosemary
- Dill
Instructions
- Add tofu, almonds, lemon juice, and water to the food processor and mix. Stop and scrape the sides with a spatula occasionally. Process until a creamy mixture is formed.
- Add the nutritional yeast, salt, and garlic powder. Then process a few more seconds until incorporated.
- Transfer mixture into an airtight jar and keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for 1 week.
- Mix with fresh herbs for extra flavor!
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This 7-ingredient tofu cream cheese couldn’t be any easier to make! Slather it on a bagel or top off some crackers for an easy snack.