Many people don't want to miss out on cheese spread for breakfast. This also applies to vegans. However, since they do not consume animal products, they cannot safely buy them in the supermarket. Instead, you have to pay close attention to the ingredients.
The vegan label makes it much easier to find cream cheese alternatives . Because you can see at a glance that you are holding a product in your hand for which no animal had to suffer.
Due to high demand, you can find more and more vegan foods in retail stores. These consist, for example, of soy, hummus or sunflower seeds.
There is something for every taste. This means that even if you follow a vegan lifestyle, you don't have to miss out on a delicious spread for your bread.
However, it is just as possible to simply make the vegan cheese substitute yourself. You don't need any expensive kitchen utensils for this. All you need is a sieve or a blender – and a little time.
The more often you mix your substitute products yourself, the more well-rehearsed your actions will become. You also have the opportunity to refine your cheese as you wish .
Vegan spreadable cheese can also contribute to a healthy lifestyle, especially if you make it yourself. The nuts, legumes or grain products used contain important nutrients. They therefore contribute to a balanced diet.
You can find out more about cream cheese alternatives in this article. We not only give you tips and tricks for making your own, but also give you inspiration for what you can use vegan cream cheese for. This will most likely make your cooking and baking heart beat faster!
What does a vegan cream cheese alternative consist of?
Many vegan substitute products are based on almonds, tofu or soy. Wheat or pea proteins are also often used. To replace sour cream , almonds can be used. However, other foods are also used as a basis for cream cheese. These include, above all :
- Hummus: Hummus is originally an oriental delicacy. The main ingredients are pureed broad beans or chickpeas. In retail stores you can usually get it seasoned with caraway and garlic. In this case it is more suitable for savory dishes. If you want to use it to make spreadable cheese, you should make it yourself or make sure it is mild.
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Cashews : Cashews are little all-rounders. In addition, they contain various vitamins and nutrients. This includes, for example, the important folic acid. Cashews are first soaked for processing. In addition to spreadable cheese, you can then make pesto or vegan milk, for example.
- Sunflower seeds : If sunflower seeds are soaked in hot water for several hours, they can be used like cashews or blanched almonds to prepare a classic spread or a cream cheese alternative. A little oil, spices and, if desired, onions are added to the healthy kernels before pureeing. Vegan cream cheese like this can be easily made at home if you have a hand mixer.
Cream cheese alternative made from vegan yogurt
In addition to the foods just mentioned , cream cheese can also be made from yogurt . Vegans must ensure that they do not use natural yogurt made from animal milk, but rather a substitute product.
Only then do people not interfere with the natural cycle. In addition, no animals suffer because of this.
There are different ways to make vegan yogurt. Typically, yogurt has one of the following bases :
- soy
- Oats
- rice
- Lupins
- Almonds
- or cashews.
Since it tastes slightly different depending on the base, this also influences the vegan cream cheese that is made from it. If you don't like a product, you don't have to avoid cheese spreads in general. Instead, try an alternative that's based on another food.
You can also use vegan yogurt to make your own cream cheese . For example, buy soy yogurt and let it drain for around three hours. To do this, line a standard sieve with a clean tea towel.
This variant is also suitable for people who suffer from casein intolerance . Because they should avoid dairy products as much as possible. A vegan cheese can be consumed instead.
This brings a better quality of life and also ensures less animal suffering. Because even if you prefer the vegetarian lifestyle, most dairy cows are kept in narrow and dark places. Living conditions are better with organic milk.
Nevertheless, the milk that is actually intended for the calves is consumed. For this reason, the cows are separated from their offspring very quickly after birth.
By purchasing or producing vegan cream cheese, you are making a significant contribution to animal welfare. In the next section you will find out more about the options for making vegan cream cheese at home.
Make your own vegan cream cheese
If you are looking for an alternative to cheese , you can quickly find an alternative in stores. In addition to vegan cream cheese, there is, for example , vegan quark . But it's best if you simply make your vegan cheese yourself. Because it can be done quickly, easily and without any additives .
Purchased cheese substitutes often contain additives so that the product lasts longer. After all, it takes some time until it reaches the market and is purchased.
If you make the cheese yourself, you can eat it straight away in the next few days and avoid stabilizers and other artificially produced additives.
By the way, this applies to all milk substitute products that you make yourself. These can then be kept well sealed in the refrigerator for a few days. If you only need a little, it's best to only mix small amounts. After a few tries you will be able to estimate well how high your consumption is.
When making your own cream cheese, you can use the food you like best as a base. Soy yogurt is suitable for this .
Cashews in combination with tofu also provide a good basis. It is important that you soak the cashews for a few hours before processing. This is best done overnight. Alternatively, you can use blanched almonds.
Then use a blender to puree the nuts and tofu in equal parts, about 100 grams each. Add a little apple cider vinegar and natural yogurt and season with a pinch of salt.
Puree everything until you have a creamy mixture. If the mixture is too thick, add a little tap water. You can then add herbs as desired. Parsley, basil, dill – whatever you like is allowed.
If you like it spicy, you can add very finely chopped garlic. Now you have to put everything in your fridge again for a few hours - preferably overnight.
Possible uses for vegan cream cheese
Whether bought or homemade – vegan cheese spread can be used in a variety of ways for baking and cooking . It is typically used as a spread on bread. For breakfast, dinner or in between – bread with cream cheese fills you up and gives you new energy. The effect is greatest with whole grain bread.
When buying, make sure that it hasn't just been dyed dark. This trick is used so that it is not immediately obvious that the whole grain content is only small. Therefore, when buying packaged bread, be sure to take a look at the ingredients.
When it comes to the bakery, the whole thing is more difficult to understand. Therefore, the best alternative is to bake bread yourself. Then you can also add lots of healthy seeds and grains, such as sunflower seeds, walnut kernels or linseed .
However, cream cheese not only tastes great with bread, but also with bagels. It is also suitable as a filling for potato pockets, ravioli or puff pastry.
You can also use it to refine sauces or conjure up casseroles. Simply mix it with breadcrumbs and an egg substitute. You already have a fine gratin.
Would you like to eat a cheese substitute on its own , for example with a salad? Then we recommend a mozzarella alternative instead. You can also use these to gratinate vegetables.
Furthermore, a cream cheese alternative is a versatile baking ingredient . Use them as a filling for brownies, vegan chocolate cake or a vegan cheese cake.
In Greenforce's diverse range you will find numerous vegan products with which you can conjure up tasty dishes. With our organic oat drink you can replace milk that comes from cows.
And with our vegan baking mixes you can show your friends and family how delicious vegan desserts are. By the way, our chocolate cake can be easily combined with a cream cheese alternative .
