Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Pinterest Twitter Instagram RSS Facebook
    Buy GO DAIRY FREE and EAT DAIRY FREE today!
    Go Dairy Free
    • Need to Know
      • Newbies Start Here!
      • Take the Challenge!
      • Dairy-Free FAQs
      • Latest News
      • Milk Allergies
      • Lactose Intolerance
      • Other Health Issues
      • Testimonials
      • Calcium Guide
      • Holidays & More
      • Best Books
      • The Community
    • Recipes
      • Recipes by Category
        • Alisa’s Recipes
        • Sarah’s Recipes
        • Appetizers
        • Beverages
        • Bread
        • Breakfast
        • Cheese Substitutes
        • Condiments & Dressings
        • Cream Substitutes
        • Desserts
        • Entrees
        • Kids Can Cook
        • Milk Substitutes
        • Pasta
        • Salad
        • Sandwiches
        • Sauces
        • Sides
        • Snacks
        • Soup
      • Full Dairy-Free Recipe Index
      • Gluten-Free Recipe Index
      • Vegan Recipe Index
    • Reviews
      • Dairy Substitutes
        • Butter
        • Cheese
        • Cream
        • Creamer
        • Dessert Toppings
        • Ice Cream
        • Ice Cream Novelties
        • Milk
        • Yogurt
        • More Kitchen Essentials
      • Sweets & Snacks
        • Protein Shakes
        • More Creamy Beverages
        • Snack & Protein Bars
        • More Snacks
        • Chocolate
        • Cookie Dough
        • Cookies & Brownies
        • Pies & Cakes
        • Pudding & Mousse
        • More Sweet Treats
      • Meal Makers
        • Baking Mixes
        • Bread Products
        • Breakfast Pastries
        • Cereal & Granola
        • Cheesy Pasta & Rice
        • Frozen Pizza
        • More Entrees
        • Dip and Spreads
        • Salad Dressing
        • Sauces
      • All Product Reviews
        • New Product Reviews!
        • Browse by Product Type
        • Full Review Index
        • Gluten-Free Review Index
        • Vegan Review Index
    • Grocery Guide
      • Alisa’s Dairy-Free Kitchen
      • Brands We Love
      • Dairy Substitutes
      • Dairy Ingredient List
      • Understanding Food Labels
      • No Dairy Product Lists
      • Ordering Specialty Foods
      • Best Grocery Stores
    • Eating Out
      • Fast Food Listings
      • Recommended Restaurants
    • My Books!
      • Go Dairy Free 2nd Edition (best seller!)
      • Eat Dairy Free 1st Edition (full color!)
      • eBooks & Printables
      • Book Supplements & Resources
    • About Us
      • Meet Us
      • Contact Us
      • Join Us
      • Work With Us
    Go Dairy Free
    You are at:Home»Dairy-Free Recipes»Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes»Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Appetizers

    Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Appetizers

    15
    By Alisa Fleming on December 11, 2013 Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes, Appetizers, Dairy-Free Recipes

    When you get down to it, the essence of cheese comes from a trio of indulgences: fat, pungency, and salt. Though mimicking an exact cheddar cheese without the use of any dairy can be difficult (after all, it isn’t cheddar cheese then, now is it?), we can still satisfy cravings when those characteristics are delivered in a medium like these dairy-free cream cheese appetizers (in cute salame cones!).

    Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Appetizers - Paleo Salame Cones Recipe (party-perfect, gluten-free, low-carb, and high protein!)

    Truth be told, this is more like a rich, pungent “goat cheese” (my favorite go-to cream cheese alternative recipe is in Go Dairy Free), but I didn’t want to put dairy-free goat cheese in the title, lest people think I was referring to goat’s milk as dairy-free! It isn’t, but this recipe is 100% dairy-free and even made without soy, to boot.

    I’ve allowed flexibility in the pungency and saltiness of this dairy-free cream cheese, or goat cheese if you will, because the final flavor should rest on the medium that you are serving it with. In this case, we enjoyed it with Columbus Farm to Fork Naturals Salame (a little uncured Italian and Genoa). The salame has cheesy properties in its own right – it’s quite rich, pungent, and salty – which is why it is AMAZING on easy cheese-free pizza. That said, I recommend starting with lesser amounts of pungency (lemon) and salt, taste-testing as you go with your desired medium. Use less of each when paired with the flavorful quality salame, more with crackers.

    To make the presentation fun, I rolled each slice into a cone, stabbed them with toothpicks, and piped the dairy-free cream cheese in. You can dress it up with olives, blend in chives, add a pop of red bell pepper or a sprinkle of paprika, whatever floats your boat.

    Special Diet Notes: Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Appetizers

    This recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, and paleo / primal. Note that to make the items pictured, I use Columbus Naturals Salame, which is free of all of these ingredients, and also made without added nitrates or preservatives. Believe it or not, many brands of packaged meat do contain dairy, gluten, or other unwanted ingredients.

    Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Appetizers
     
    Print
    Prep time
    30 mins
    Total time
    30 mins
     
    I created this delicious recipe to showcase the Farm to Fork line from Columbus, which is dairy-free, gluten-free, and so flavorful!
    Author: Alisa Fleming
    Serves: Makes about 32 little appetizers
    Ingredients
    "Cream Cheese" or "Goat Cheese"
    • 1 cup raw, unsalted cashews
    • ⅓ cup neutral-tasting oil (such as rice bran, grapeseed or canola)
    • 1 teaspoon tahini
    • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
    • 2 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice
    • ¼ to 1-1/4 teaspoons salt
    • Water, as needed.
    Serving Ideas
    • 1 4-ounce package Columbus all-natural, uncured salame*
    • Sliced olives (green, black, Kalamata), chives, or chopped bell peppers
    Instructions
    1. Place the cashews in a spice grinder (in two batches) or food processor and grind into a powder; it takes about 30 seconds.
    2. In a small blender or food processor, blend the ground cashews, oil, tahini, and garlic until smooth. Blend in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Taste test with your serving medium, and add more of each, if needed. I use the full amount of each with crackers, but much less when serving in salame cones. Blend in a little water, as needed (around 2 tablespoons with the lesser amount of lemon juice, none when using the full amount), if it is too thick to get a creamy consistency.
    3. Place the mixture in the refrigerator, and let it chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight. This gives it time to thicken and for the flavors to meld.
    4. Whisk with a fork. If too thick to pipe and not creamy in consistency, whisk in water, ½ teaspoon at a time.
    5. If making salami cones, roll each slice into a cone shape, and stab with a toothpick to keep the wrapped shape.
    6. Pipe the dairy-free cream cheese into the cones, and garnish with sliced olives or other flavor boosters, such as red bell pepper.
    Notes
    For crispier bites (pictured in the back row), I follow the lead of these Paleo Salami Chips and toast the salami in the oven at 375ºF for 5 to 7 minutes. They must be rolled immediately, as they can firm up a bit as they cool.
    3.2.2807
    Alisa Fleming
    • Website

    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

    Related Posts

    Dairy-Free Cinnabon Recipe - Copycat for those famous Cinnamon Rolls! Also nut-free and soy-free

    Dairy-Free Cinnabon Copycat for Tender, Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

    East Side Mario's is an Italian restaurant chain in Canada with a full food allergy guide and gluten-free menu.

    East Side Mario’s offers Many Options to Build Your Own Dairy-Free Pasta

    Dairy-Free Oreo Cookies Guide and news on Gluten-Free Oreos

    Oreo Offers The Most Dairy-Free Cookie Flavors

    15 Comments

    1. Amy on February 2, 2020 3:02 pm

      Was I supposed to soak the cashews first. It doesn’t say. Mine just tastes like cashew butter and it’s gritty. ?

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on February 2, 2020 4:13 pm

        No, but you’re supposed to grind the cashews into a powder before using. There shouldn’t be any grit. Then you blend very well with the other ingredients. If done this way, it’s less gritty than soaking because the cashews are pre-powdered. You’re making an “instant” cheese alternative. Same ingredients as when soaked, but without the lengthy process.

        Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on February 2, 2020 4:14 pm

        And remember, you have to grind / powder, blend, then let refrigerate – it turns out smooth and thick.

        Reply
    2. Kelly @ TastingPage on December 14, 2015 8:22 pm

      I love this not only because it’s dairy free, but also because it’s a great, make ahead app that looks really cute!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on December 15, 2015 9:15 am

        Thanks Kelly! Yes, they are really easy, make ahead, and so cutely addictive!

        Reply
    3. heather @french press on March 24, 2015 7:25 am

      I’ve only tried cashew “cheese” once, and while my first attempt was not a complete success, this sounds like a delicious appetizer

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 24, 2015 7:46 am

        Thanks Heather! It’s worth trying again 🙂

        Reply
    4. Faith (An Edible Mosaic) on March 24, 2015 4:09 am

      This is such a fun idea! I eat paleo a lot of the time (I try to, anyway), and cheese is definitely something I occasionally indulge in. This is a great option! It’s so cute and perfect for parties too.

      Reply
    5. Lauren @ Wicked Spatula on March 24, 2015 2:59 am

      WOW! This is awesome! I can handle a few cheeses, specifically aged ones and goats milk cheese but I’ve been missing cream cheese. Definitely trying this soon!

      Reply
    6. Lisa @ Low Carb Yum on March 24, 2015 2:37 am

      I love these appetizers! I didn’t realize that packaged meat may contain dairy or gluten. I’ve been staying away from gluten so I’ll be reading packages more carefully or choosing the natural brands. Thanks for the head’s up!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 24, 2015 7:51 am

        Yes, it’s one of those “sneaky” ingredient things!

        Reply
    7. Arman @ thebigmansworld on March 24, 2015 12:35 am

      Wow. Alisa, i cannot believe that the goat cheese is dairy free- I am astounded! I am trying this out this weekend! Pinned!

      Reply
    8. Pingback: Unbeetable Berry Chutney Recipe - Go Dairy Free

    9. Eddie W. Peterson on December 14, 2013 2:38 pm

      I will admit that I made a cream cheese frosting. But I used cultured butter and cream cheese (Nancy’s Organic Cultured Cream Cheese is amazing!) with just a tiny bit of honey. If you are simply lactose intolerant and can tolerate cultured dairy products, then that frosting is heaven indeed.

      Reply
    10. Lynda O on December 12, 2013 6:30 am

      This is great! My boyfriend is lactose intolerant and I was looking for a good appetizer to make this weekend for our party. Thanks! 🙂

      Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Rate this recipe:  

    Go Dairy Free - The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance and Casein-Free Living
    Guide to the Best Dairy-Free Valentine Chocolate: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Food Allergy-Friendly, Organic, Fair Trade & more!

    The Best Dairy-Free Valentine Chocolate To Give and To Receive

    Free Food Journal! With detailed symptom tracker. Electronic - you can fill, save, and email it on your phone, tablet or computer! Or print it out! Great for Elimination Diets, Health Goals, Doctor and Dietitian Appointments, and More.

    The FREE Food Journal that You and Your Doctor will Love

    Enjoy Life FoodsFames Chocolates. From Brooklyn with loveEat dairy free bookChocolate Emporium
    Go Dairy Free is the leading website for information on the dairy-free diet. We share dairy-free recipes, product reviews, news, recommendations and health guides to aide those with milk allergies, lactose intolerance or a general need or desire to live without dairy. Dairy-free does include milk-free, lactose-free, casein-free and whey-free, too! We also offer ample resources for gluten-free, soy-free, food allergy, vegan and paleo diets. Please note that ingredients, processes and products are subject to change by a manufacturer at any time. All foods and products should be considered at risk for cross-contamination with milk and other allergens. Always contact the manufacturer prior to consumption. Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy Go Dairy Free © 2005-2022 Fleming Marrs Inc.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.