Vegan Cheesecake Recipe {Dairy Free, Gluten Free} (2025)

Last Updated on By Vicky 12 Comments

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I bet you never thought a cheesecake could be vegan (as in dairy FREE) raw, gluten-free and delicious all at once. Well trust me it can. Try this vegan cheesecake recipe and you’ll see for yourself.

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Though I’m not a big fan of sweets or dessert in general, I’m a sucker for cheesecake(and I used to make a ton of them).As I’ve mentioned before it must be because the base is made with cream cheese – which is generally categorized as a savory ingredient.

As I started thinking about my love of cheesecake I started to realize how sad it must be for vegans who have been missing out all these years. Cheesecake is the king of all desserts but unfortunately it’s essentially 90% dairy based so that’s a no no for vegans.

There had to be a way though. A way for people of all dietary restrictions to be able to enjoy the satisfaction of a well made cheesecake. So I started thinking about ways to make a vegan cheesecake.

Looks like my fellow food bloggers had already thought of this, and there are apparently dozens of vegan cheesecake recipes out there.

What replaces the cream cheese you ask?

Nuts!

I know I couldn’t believe it at first either.

It’s true though. Blended and processed nuts really do make a great substitute for dairy products – I tried this already in a butternut squash gratin and it was fantastic.

The key in this vegan cheesecake recipe is to really blend the nuts though. They need to be silky smooth otherwise the texture will feel grainy. So make sure to blend once, twice, three times, as long as you need to to get that texture as smooth as can be.

From there on out it’s more nuts! Nuts in the crust too of course. No graham crackers or sugar here.

So not only it this recipe vegan, but it is also gluten and refined sugar free.

Unfortunately this vegan cheesecake recipe does not work for those with nut allergies. Those of you hopefully aren’t also vegan as well so you can enjoy the traditional cream cheese loaded cheesecake.

Overall I fully enjoyed this vegan cheesecake. Of course it doesn’t taste exactly like standard cheesecake but it’s the next best thing.

Oh and D didn’t even notice that he was eating vegan cheesecake.

Helpful Kitchen Tools for this Recipe:

KitchenAid KFP7I5 7-Cup Food Processor, WhiteVegan Cheesecake Recipe {Dairy Free, Gluten Free} (3)– a food processor is such a useful kitchen tool, perfect for pesto and cheesecake crusts, and this model is my favorite
Nordic Ware Leakproof Springform Pan, 10 Cup, 9 InchVegan Cheesecake Recipe {Dairy Free, Gluten Free} (4)– a springform pan is a must for cheesecake and a good sturdy one prevents the cheesecake from leaking

Vegan Cheesecake Recipe {Dairy Free, Gluten Free} (5)

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Vegan Cheesecake Recipe {Dairy Free, Gluten Free} (6)

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Vegan Cheesecake

Prep Time

1 hr

Total Time

1 hr

I bet you never thought a cheesecake could be vegan (as in dairy FREE) raw, and delicious all at once. Well trust me it can. Try this vegan cheesecake and you'll see for yourself.

Course:Dessert

Cuisine:gluten free, Healthy, Vegan

Servings: 12

Calories: 366 kcal

Author: Vicky Berman

Ingredients

  • For the crust:
  • 2cupssliced almonds
  • 2tbspunsweetened coconut flakes
  • 4datespitted
  • 1/4tspvanilla extract
  • 1/4tspsalt
  • 2teaspoonswater
  • For the lemon filling:
  • 1 1/2cupsraw macadamia nuts
  • 1/2cupalmond milk
  • 1/2cupfresh lemon juice
  • 1/2cupagave nectar
  • 1tspvanilla extract
  • 1/2-2/3cupcoconut oilmelted
  • For the strawberry topping:
  • 1/2cupstrawberries
  • 1tablespoonlemon juice
  • 1/2cupof the filling

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, process the almonds and coconut until coarse. Add the dates, vanilla and salt and process until well combined.

  2. Press the dough onto the bottom of a springform pan. Place in fridge.

  3. For the filling:

  4. Ina blender blend the macadamia nuts, almond milk, lemon juice, agave and vanilla until smooth and creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Make sure the nuts are well blended otherwise the cheesecake texture will be gritty.

  5. Set aside 1/2 cup of the filling, pour the rest into the springform pan with the crust. Gently tap the pan to remove any air bubbles.

  6. For the strawberry topping:

  7. Using a blender, blend 1/2 cup of the reserved filling with the strawberries and lemon juice until smooth.

  8. Pour the strawberry topping on top of the cheesecake.

  9. Place the cheesecake in the freezer to set for 2 hours, or until the middle of the cheesecake is firm.

Nutrition Facts

Vegan Cheesecake

Amount Per Serving

Calories 366Calories from Fat 297

% Daily Value*

Fat 33g51%

Saturated Fat 11g69%

Sodium 67mg3%

Potassium 227mg6%

Carbohydrates 15g5%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin C 4.2mg5%

Calcium 78mg8%

Iron 1.4mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe from A Dash of Compassion

Vegan Cheesecake Recipe {Dairy Free, Gluten Free} (2025)

FAQs

What is vegan cheesecake made of? ›

These 7 ingredient beauties begin with a 2-ingredient crust! Dates and raw walnuts (or almonds) – that's all you need. Whirl and set aside. Next up, the 5-ingredient filling: Soaked cashews, coconut milk, coconut oil, lemon juice and agave nectar.

Why is cheesecake not gluten-free? ›

Your average cheesecake has a graham cracker crust, and those crackers contain wheat. This means a typical store bought cheesecake is not gluten-free. Do not lose hope though! It's very easy to make your own cheesecake at home either with gluten-free graham crackers or finely ground nuts as the crust instead.

Is cheesecake good for lactose intolerance? ›

Fortunately, advances in the preparation of cheesecake in terms both of its size as well as the crust and filling ingredients means that those who must eat a gluten-free, lactose-free, kosher or low-calorie diet can indulge in bite after bite of creamy smooth cheesecake.

What are the ingredients in Daiya cheesecake? ›

Filling (Filtered Water, Creamed Coconut, Cane Sugar, Coconut Oil, Tapioca Flour, Expeller Pressed Safflower Oil, Potato Starch, Pea Protein, Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Alginate, Lactic Acid, Tricalcium Phosphate, Natural Flavors, Cultured Sugar, Enzyme), Gluten-free Crust (Tapioca Flour, Cane Sugar ...

Is Philadelphia cream cheese vegan? ›

Traditional Philadelphia cream cheese is made with milk and cream, which, of course, are products of the dairy industry. But in 2022, Philadelphia announced that, for the first time ever, it was launching a plant-based version of its iconic cream cheese in the US, and the game was permanently changed.

What is the main ingredient in vegan cheese? ›

Vegan cheese is usually made from soy, nuts, vegetable oils, and various other natural ingredients like peas or arrowroot. Vegan cheese is seen as a healthier alternative to cheese by some, and may reduce your risk of heart disease due to its lower content of fat.

What to use instead of flour in cheesecake? ›

For this one I added 2 Tbsp of cornstarch. This resulted in a cheesecake that was just as thick as the one with less eggs and didn't effect the taste like the flour one. It did result in a more cake like texture as well.

Is Velveeta gluten-free? ›

SHORT ANSWER: Yes! Velveeta is a gluten-free processed cheese product. It's made from dairy milk and a list of other ingredients, but it does not include wheat or any other source of gluten. It is safe to consume as part of a gluten-free diet.

Is Philadelphia cream cheese gluten-free? ›

Philadelphia Cream Cheese is considered gluten-free. If you are hyper-sensitive, check your ingredient list to make sure it wasn't made in a facility making other products containing gluten.

What cheese is best for dairy intolerance? ›

With lactose intolerance, you can still eat cheese, but choose carefully. Hard, aged cheeses like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddars are lower in lactose. Other low-lactose cheese options include cottage cheese or feta cheese made from goat or sheep's milk.

Why do I feel sick after eating cheesecake? ›

Lactose intolerance symptoms like diarrhea, gas, and bloating can begin a half hour or more after consuming a food or drink that contains lactose. If you are lactose intolerant, you may be able to avoid these symptoms by not consuming lactose or by taking OTC lactase supplements or probiotics.

What are the worst foods for lactose intolerance? ›

Products made from cream — like ice cream, cream cheese, custard, or butter — should be avoided due to the high levels of lactose. In addition to some kinds of cheeses, some people with lactose intolerance may be able to eat yogurt in moderation, as the lactose has been partly broken down.

Is Daiya really dairy free? ›

Daiya is a dairy free company and our products do not contain dairy or dairy derivatives. Our lactic acid is derived from plant sources.

What is Japanese cheesecake made of? ›

The cake is made with cream cheese, butter, sugar, and eggs. Similar to chiffon cake or soufflé, Japanese cheesecake has a fluffy texture produced by whipping egg white and egg yolk separately. It is traditionally made in a bain-marie.

What kind of vegan cheese does cheesecake Factory use? ›

Finding vegan options at The Cheesecake Factory is easier than ever—the chain has added Field Roast Chao cheese and Best Foods vegan mayo to its menu at locations nationwide. Now, you can enjoy an animal-free burger topped with dairy-free cheese and egg-free mayo at this popular restaurant.

What is non dairy cream cheese made of? ›

Filtered Water, Organic Coconut Oil, Expeller-Pressed High-Oleic Safflower Oil, Modified Potato and Corn Starches, Organic Vegan Cane Sugar, Less than 2% of: Sea Salt, Natural Flavor, Calcium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Sugarcane Fiber, Sodium Citrate, Sunflower Lecithin, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Beta Carotene for Color.

What is the difference between vegan cheese and dairy cheese? ›

In terms of health, vegan cheese is generally considered better for you than dairy cheese as it's lower in saturated fat and often has added vitamin B12, which contributes to a healthy nervous system.

Can you get dairy-free cheese? ›

Most dairy-free cheeses are made from nuts. It works great with firm and creamy cheese, but how do you get a nut to melt? Parmela nailed it (don't ask us how). These cashew-based shreds not only taste like cheese, but they also melt perfectly.

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