Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Petranka · This website uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Creamy, thick, and tangy, this Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese is the best dairy-free cream cheese substitute! It's nut-free, gluten-free, and made with 7 ingredients only!

Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (1)

This sunflower cream cheese is a true staple in my house. It's easy to make, budget-friendly, and makes a big batch that we keep in the fridge and use during the week.

It goes well on anything from homemade bagels, to sourdough bread, to vegan flour tortillas.

The cheese has a tangy and nutty flavor, yet the sunflower taste is not too overpowering. It's well-balanced and goes well with anything, both sweet and savory!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients and notes
  • How to make sunflower seed cream cheese
  • Optional add-ins
  • Expert tips
  • FAQ
  • Serve it with
  • 📖 Recipe

Ingredients and notes

Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (2)
  • Coconut oil: Make sure to use refined coconut oil so that your cream cheese doesn't taste like coconut.
  • Sunflower seeds: It's important to use raw sunflower seeds, and not roasted. The results won't be the same.
  • Lemon: I use only the juice, but you can also use the zest if you want to add more zing. If you don't have lemon juice, you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar.

How to make sunflower seed cream cheese

Start by rinsing the sunflower seeds well under cold water. Then, add to a small pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium-high heat for 25-30 minutes or until soft.

Next, drain them into a colander, but make sure not to rinse!

Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (3)
Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (4)

To a food processor or a high-speed blender, add the cooked sunflower seeds, melted coconut oil, nutritional yeast, boiling water, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend on high until creamy and smooth, this takes around 10 minutes.

Then, transfer the mixture into a container and let it set in the fridge for 6-8 hours. If you're too impatient, you can serve it right away, but the texture is way better after the cheese has had the time to firm up.

Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (5)
Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (6)

Optional add-ins

This recipe is pretty versatile, so feel free to make it your own! You can add one or more of the following ingredients for even more flavor.

  • Garlic- I suggest adding 1-2 cloves of garlic.
  • Herbs- 1 cup fresh cilantro, parsley, dill, or a combination of all three.
  • Green onion - ½ cup chopped green onion.
  • Chives - 2-3 tablespoon chopped chives.
  • Jalapeños - 1-2 jalapeños, seeds removed for less heat.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes - ⅓ cup chopped sundried tomatoes.
  • White/yellow miso paste - add up to 2 tablespoon for more of a salty, umami flavor.
Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (7)

Expert tips

  • Boil the sunflower seeds instead of soaking them. I tested the recipe using both methods, and I have found that when the seeds are boiled the cheese stays fresh for much longer.
  • Use boiling water to blend. Again, using boiling water will keep your cheese fresh for longer, because most of the bacteria gets killed from the heat.
  • Be patient when blending. To get a creamy consistency you'll need to keep blending for at least a couple of minutes.

FAQ

Do I need a high-speed blender?

If you want a super creamy, perfectly smooth cream cheese, then yes. But if you don't mind having some texture, then a regular blender might do the job as well. Also, you can always add more water to make blending easier, the end result won't be as thick.

Can you make this sunflower cream cheese oil-free?

Yes and no. If you omit the oil, the cheese won't firm as well, which I find quite important. However, you can always do it if that's not a problem for you, but make sure to add a bit more water.

Can vegan cream cheese be frozen?

You technically can, but the texture won't be the same. I suggest serving this fresh, but if you *really* need to freeze it, it can be stored in the freezer for 1 month.

Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (8)

Serve it with

2-Ingredient Pita Chips

Salad Kabobs Appetizers

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Black Bean "Meat"

📖 Recipe

Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (9)

Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese Recipe

Creamy, thick, and tangy, this Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese is the best dairy-free cream cheese substitute! It's nut-free, gluten-free, and made with 7 ingredients only!

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Dip, Sauce, Snack

Cuisine: American, Gluten-free, Vegan

Keyword: dairy-free cheese, sunflower seed cheese, vegan cheese, vegan cheese recipe, vegan sunflower seed cheese

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Chilling time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 16

Author: Petranka

Equipment

  • Stovetop

  • Food processor or a blender

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw sunflower seeds
  • Juice from 1 medium lemon (~3 tablespoons)
  • cup melted refined coconut oil*
  • ½ - ¾ cup boiling water, slightly cooled (start with lesser amount)
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast**
  • ½ - 1 teaspoon salt (start with lesser amount)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Step-by-step imagesScroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

Instructions

  • Rinse sunflower seeds well. Add pot a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then simmer on medium-high heat for 25-30 minutes or until soft.

  • Then, drain the sunflower seed, and DO NOT rinse! Add them to a food processor or a high-speed blender, alongside the coconut oil, boiling water, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and black pepper. Blend on high for a few minutes, until very creamy and smooth. You'll need to stop a few times to scrape down the sides with a spatula.

  • Taste and adjust the flavor if needed, adding more salt for saltiness, lemon juice for tanginess, or nutritional yeast for cheesiness.

  • Transfer the cheese into a container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally 6-8 hours. This will help the cheese to set and firm up.

  • Serve with veggies, crackers, or pita chips. Keep in mind that the cheese will start to melt slightly if kept for 1-2 hours at room temperature.

Notes

Storage

Fridge: Transfer to a container and store in a refrigerator for up to 6 days.

Freezer: Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before using. Keep in mind that freezing will change the texture of the cheese.

*You can omit the coconut oil and use more water instead, but the cheese won't firm up as well.

** This recipe has a savory and salty taste, so if you want to use the cheese with sweet toppings, we would suggest omitting the nutritional yeast and using half of the amount of salt.

If you're using a big food processor or a blender, I don't recommend halving the batch, because the seeds won't blend as well.

***Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcal

Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with third-party calculations without including the optional ingredients.

Tried this recipe?Leave me a rating and a comment telling me how it went. Or tag me at @sunglowkichen and hashtag #sunglowkitchen on Instagram!

More Sides & Appetizers

  • Homemade Guacamole Without Cilantro
  • Easy Blended Cottage Cheese (Whipped)
  • Delish Arugula Spinach Salad
  • Vegan Smoky Glazed Tofu Ham

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ella says

    I have been missing cream cheese so much since I became vegan, and this was so good. I will definitely make it again!

    Reply

    • Petranka says

      Thank you for sharing, Ella!

      Reply

  2. Valentina says

    Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (14)
    This one of the BEST vegan cheese alternatives I have ever made! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Petranka says

      You're welcome, Valentina!

      Reply

  3. candace says

    I just came across this recipe- is there a reason you suggest NOT rinsing sunflower seeds after boilling?

    Reply

    • Petranka says

      Hi, Candace! Yes, this helps the cream cheese last much longer since washing the seeds with fresh water re-introduces some bacteria, which we don't want. Hope that helps!

      Reply

      • candace says

        Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (15)
        Many thanks- I am taking this spread to my family Christmas dinner!

        Reply

        • Petranka says

          I am so happy to hear! Thank you for sharing, Candace!

          Reply

  4. Grandma says

    Instead of cooking sunflower seeds to soften then can you soak them over night s if you where going to sprout them. I would only make 1/2 the recipe and freeze what is not used in 24 hours.

    Reply

    • Petranka says

      Hi, yes, you can soak them in cold water and leave them in the fridge overnight. Make sure to give them a good rinse before blending. Just keep in mind that the texture may change when you freeze and then thaw the cream cheese. Hope that helps!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Sunflower Seed Cream Cheese - Easy Vegan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are sunflower seeds good for vegans? ›

These delicious seeds make a quick, easy snack, or can be added into healthy recipes. They're an easy source of plant-based protein, perfect for vegetarian or vegan diets. They're also a recommended paleo food.

What is the vegan substitute for cream cheese? ›

Miyoko's is a solid choice. Made only with cashews, coconut cream, salt, and cultures, this stuff is as unprocessed as you can get in the schmear department. It's super thick and velvety and comes in four flavors: classic plain, Everything, Savory Scallion, and cinnamon raisin.

Is Spero sunflower cream cheese vegan? ›

Spero Plain Dairy Free Cream Cheese | The Original | Vegan Cream Cheese Spread | Plant Based, Keto, Nut Free, Gluten Free, Healthy Snack | Vegan Cheese Made With Organic Sunflower Seeds | 6.5 Ounces.

Does vegan cream cheese contain nuts? ›

A lot of vegan cream cheeses are nut or soy based and while I personally don't have that allergy I wanted to create a vegan cream cheese for everyone to enjoy.

Are there any negatives to eating sunflower seeds? ›

Side effects of Sunflower Seeds:

Excess consumption of sunflower seeds may cause vomiting, stomach ache and constipation. People allergic to sunflower seeds may show symptoms like vomiting, rashes, breathing problem, swelling and itching around the mouth etc. Sunflower seeds are rich in calories.

Why can't you eat the outside of a sunflower seed? ›

You should avoid eating sunflower seed shells. As they're fibrous and indigestible, the shells may damage your digestive tract. If you prefer to munch on whole sunflower seeds, be sure to spit out the shells. Otherwise, you can simply eat shelled sunflower seeds, which provide only the nutrient-rich, tasty kernel.

Is Cool Whip vegan? ›

Cool Whip is a store-bought whipped topping meant to be used as whipped cream. It's light, fluffy has a creamy texture, and can be used as an ingredient to make desserts or used as a dessert topping. What is this? It is not made with dairy whipping cream but it does contain dairy ingredients making it not vegan.

Is there a plant-based cream cheese? ›

Philadelphia Plant-Based Strawberry Non-Dairy Spread

This is the best plant based cream cheese for any lovers of non-plain cream cheese. It has such a good strawberry flavor! I think fruitiness covers up any weird, fake dairy funk. Plus, it's really creamy and spreadable.

Why is butter not vegan? ›

Traditional butter is made with churned milk or cream, which usually comes from cows (but it can also come from other animals like goats), and that's why it's not vegan. Many people also use margarine, which is similar to butter in texture and color, but it's usually made with plant-based fat instead of animal fat.

What is Violife cream cheese made of? ›

Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Salt (Sea Salt), Glucono-Delta-Lactone, Flavor (Vegan Sources), Olive Extract, Vitamin B12.

Is there a vegan cream cheese? ›

Trader Joe's Vegan Cream Cheese is the best tasting plain vegan cream cheese that I've come across so far, and I've tried many! The creamy smooth texture and the tangy aftertaste go perfect with a New York-style everything bagel (smoked paprika optional, but a delicious addition!).

Does vegan cream cheese exist? ›

You can find excellent vegan cream cheese in most supermarkets and every natural foods store. In terms of taste and texture, most vegan brands are indistinguishable from dairy-based cream cheeses. Your favorite grocery probably carries these products right where they keep the regular dairy-based brands.

Does Aldi have vegan cream cheese? ›

Does ALDI have vegan cheese? Yes, there are several varieties of Earth Grown cheese that are vegan, including cream cheese and mozzarella.

Is Cool Whip dairy free? ›

From its introduction, Cool Whip was labeled and advertised as non-dairy, but as of 2018 it contains skimmed milk and sodium caseinate, a milk derivative. Even before the skimmed milk was introduced, Cool Whip was classified in Jewish dietary traditions as dairy because of the sodium caseinate.

Is Greek yogurt vegan? ›

Greek yogurt is an animal-derived food. While it's perfectly acceptable on a vegetarian diet, dairy is definitely not part of a vegan diet. Luckily, there are dairy-free alternatives to Greek yogurt, including store-bought and homemade varieties like almond milk yogurt, cashew yogurt, and coconut yogurt.

What are the best seeds for vegans? ›

6 Powerful Seeds that are Vital for Fit Vegans
  1. Pumpkin Seeds (AKA: Pepitas) While pumpkins get the most attention around Halloween, their seeds are an excellent snack for any month of the year. ...
  2. Flax Seeds. ...
  3. Chia Seeds. ...
  4. Hemp Seeds (AKA: Hemp Hearts) ...
  5. Sesame Seeds. ...
  6. Sunflower Seeds.
Jul 3, 2017

What seeds to eat when vegan? ›

Sources of omega-3 fatty acids suitable for vegans include:
  • ground linseed (flaxseed) oil.
  • vegetable (rapeseed) oil.
  • chia seeds.
  • shelled hemp seeds.
  • walnuts.

What nuts should vegans eat? ›

What nuts are vegan? Any and all types of nuts are vegan! Since nuts come from plants and aren't derived from animals, vegans can safely eat any kind of nut. This includes nuts like walnuts, almonds, peanuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, cashews, pecans, and more.

What are the pros and cons of eating sunflower seeds? ›

While sunflower seeds are rich in nutrients, they're also relatively high in calories. It's important to keep servings to a quarter cup at a time. In order to slow the caloric intake while snacking, many eat the seeds in the shell, as it takes time to crack open and spit out each shell.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 6194

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.