Cream cheese can spice up just about anything from desserts to appetizers and dinners.
But is cream cheese keto?
Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know about eating cream cheese on keto. We’ll take a look at its carbohydrate content and some healthy alternatives and recipes.
Is cream cheese keto-friendly?
You can enjoy cream cheese on keto because one ounce contains only one gram of carbs. Feel free to spread it on keto foods or use it as a dip—no need in moderation.
The fat content can help you meet your macros if your current protein and carbohydrate intake is a bit high.
But what caught my eye was its surprisingly high nutrient density. Cream cheese provides your body with:
- 37 percent of your vitamin A needs
- 18 percent of the recommended daily riboflavin intake
- 13% of your sodium needs
Vitamin A is essential for clear skin, while riboflavin promotes healthy hair and sodium fights the keto flu.
How many carbs are in Philadelphia cream cheese?
One ounce of Philadelphia cheese contains 1.2 grams of carbohydrates, making it a low-carb option for keto dieters.
It uses healthy ingredients like whole milk, salt, vegan gum, and probiotics, so you don’t have to worry about causing inflammation.
Philadelphia cheese also has many flavors such as:
- Garlic and herb
- Chives and onions
- garden vegetables
These flavors are keto, so you can switch things up if you don’t want to eat regular cheese all the time.
Vegan alternatives to cream cheese (that are still keto-friendly)
If you’re on a vegan keto diet and want to avoid dairy, substitute cream cheese with these alternatives:
- Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese
- Vegan Mascarpone
- chickpeas
- Guacamole
- Coconut yogurt
Trader Go vegan cream cheese
Two tablespoons of Trader Joe’s vegan cream cheese has one gram of carbs, so it won’t kick you out of ketosis.
But I suggest you enjoy it in moderation. Although the carb count is low, Trader Joe’s uses cornstarch and sunflower oil, which can trigger inflammation in large amounts.
Vegan Mascarpone
Vegan mascarpone doesn’t taste like store-bought cream cheese, but it’s delicious once you get used to it. I love to spread it on keto sandwiches and burgers, or dip chicken nuggets in.
Two tablespoons contain 1.2 grams of carbohydrates and 13 grams of fat. You’ll also find high amounts of calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.
chickpeas
Chickpeas are a good healthy product with few carbohydrates and a high concentration of nutrients. Studies show that chickpeas offer these unique benefits:
A two-tablespoon serving contains four grams of net carbs and three grams of fat.
But it is important to read the label before buying chickpeas. Some brands add starch, sugar, and dangerous oils that negatively affect your health. Buy hummus with whole food ingredients like chickpeas, garlic, tahini, and olive oil.
Consider making your own hummus if you can’t find real chickpeas at the grocery store. our cauliflower And Hummus with avocado The recipes are low-carb and nutritious, and you can pair them with anything.
Guacamole
Guacamole is delicious and easy to make. A whole avocado contains 2.8 grams of net carbs, so you can eat as much guacamole as you want.
I love dipping keto chips or grilled vegetables in it to keep me going between meals. If you’re looking to shake things up, use guacamole as a substitute for cream cheese.
Coconut yogurt
Coconut yogurt It provides 2.8 grams of carbs and 10 grams of fat per serving, so you can enjoy it on a plant-based keto diet.
But I’m a big fan of yogurt because it works so well as a breakfast bowl. You can add any keto snack to yogurt, and it’s a delicious breakfast treat.
Keto cream cheese recipes
If you’re looking for creative ways to get cream cheese into your diet, try these keto recipes:
- Low carb pumpkin bread
- Cheesecake juice
- Strawberry keto cheesecake
- Cheese keto fat bombs
- Keto popsicles
Low carb butternut squash bread
this Low carb pumpkin bread Perfect for the holiday season because you can invite friends and family to try your new recipes.
It uses almond and coconut flour, so it’s a good option if you have celiac disease. This recipe makes 10 servings. For the cheesecake layer, you will need:
- Eight ounces of cream cheese, at room temperature
- Half a cup of sour cream
- Big egg
- 10 drops of liquid stevia
- Half a cup of erythritol
To make your own bread, get these ingredients:
- A cup of almond flour
- A cup of coconut flour
- Half a teaspoon of baking powder
- One teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
- Half a teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt
- One cup of pumpkin puree
- Half a cup of erythritol
- 20 drops of liquid stevia
- Half a cup of butter
- A teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Big egg
You will first have to flip the cheesecake layer, which will be placed in the middle of the loaf.
So put the cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, erythritol and stevia drops in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer. Set that mix aside for now.
To your bread, add the melted butter, erythritol, vanilla extract, stevia, salt, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice, and whisk in another large bowl.
After mixing everything well, pour in the pumpkin puree and whisk again.
The last ingredient to add is the coconut and almond flour, and whisk one last time.
Once the batter is nice and thick, pour it into a 9×5 pan with nonstick coconut spray, but leave about 1 cup behind. Add the cream cheese on top of this base and use the remaining mixture on top.
Place the baking pan in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 70 to 80 minutes. Let it cool for another hour and a half when you’re done, and feel free to dig in.
Smoothie cheesecake
this Cheesecake juice Handy when you’re on the go because it only takes five minutes to prepare and requires just a few ingredients:
- 1 cup flax milk (any milk substitute will do)
- Two ounces of cream cheese
- 30 grams of blueberries
- vanilla scoop
protein powder - Five to 10 drops of liquid stevia
- Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Five to seven ice cubes
All you have to do is combine the ingredients in a blender or food processor, blend until smooth, and enjoy!
Strawberry keto cheesecake
this Strawberry keto cheesecake It takes 10 minutes of your time, but he should rest for four hours. This is why I like to make this the day before I have guests because it can be set overnight.
Gather the following ingredients for your shell:
- Half a cup of pecans or almond meal
- Two tablespoons of erythritol
- Two tablespoons of butter
You will also need these ingredients for your stuffing:
- 16 ounces of cream cheese
- Half a cup of erythritol
- Two big eggs
- Half a cup of sour cream
- A teaspoon of lemon peel
- Two teaspoons of vanilla extract
- Half a teaspoon of liquid stevia
And for more flavor, make your strawberry sauce with:
- One cup of chopped strawberries
- Three tablespoons of water
- Half a tablespoon of lemon juice
- One tablespoon of erythritol
- Half a teaspoon of liquid stevia
- Half a teaspoon of xanthan gum
Prepare the paste by adding the nut meal, melted butter, and erythritol to a bowl and mixing well. Transfer to a cheesecake pan and press down with a large spoon to spread evenly. Refrigerate this crust for 20 minutes.
Next, beat the cream cheese and erythritol with an electric mixer on low to medium speed until the mixture is fluffy. Add your eggs one by one while whisking.
The last ingredients you add to the filling are lemon peel, vanilla extract, stevia and mix again. Pour this mixture into the crust and bake for 45 to 50 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the cheesecake is baking, prepare your strawberry sauce. Simply put strawberries, lemon juice, erythritol, stevia, xanthan gum, and 3 tablespoons of water in a bowl and simmer, stirring, until thick.
Let the cheesecake cool for four hours after you take it out of the oven, and you’re good to go.
Cheese Keto Fat Bombs
these Fat bombs It contains 1 net carb per serving, so it’s a healthy way to snack between meals. The high fat content also makes adding fats to your diet very convenient, especially if you are just starting out. You will need:
- Half a cup of plain cream cheese
- Half a cup of unsalted butter
- Half a cup of heavy whipping cream
- Two to three tablespoons of erythritol
- A teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A teaspoon of lemon peel
- 2 tablespoons of sugar-free jam (optional)
Add four ounces of cheese, butter, and butter
You can also add some sour cream or full-fat cheese to give it an extra flavour.
Once everything is mixed, add the heavy cream, lemon zest and vanilla extract and beat again.
The final step is to spoon the fat bomb mixture onto a tray using a cookie scoop, place the tray in the freezer for an hour, and enjoy!
Keto popsicles
these Keto popsicles Perfect for hot summer days because it’s low in carbs and tastes better than most store-bought popsicles. These are the ingredients you will need:
- Eight ounces of cream cheese, at room temperature
- Half a cup of heavy whipping cream
- Half a cup of sour cream
- Half a cup of sweets Swerve
- Three ounces of blueberries
- A teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 15 drops of liquid stevia
- One lemon zest
- One lemon juice
- Six silicone popsicle molds
Place the cream cheese, sour cream, and room temperature heavy cream in a large bowl and mix with a hand mixer. Next, add the stevia drops, lemon peel, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lime juice and mix again.
Finally, add half of the blueberries to the mixture and crush them with a spoon. Pour the rest whole and divide among six sundaes. Freeze this for six hours, and serve!
Final thoughts on Is Cream Cheese Keto
You can eat cream cheese on a low-carb diet because an ounce contains only one gram of carbohydrates. It offers a mild and fresh cheesy taste, and is popular among many healthy nuts.
If you’re looking for vegan cheese alternatives, try Trader Joe’s vegan cream cheese, mascarpone, hummus, or coconut yogurt.
And if you’re looking for new ways to work cream cheese into your diet, consider these keto dessert recipes like delicious pumpkin bread, fat bombs, cheesecakes, and sundaes.