Whether you like it fruity, chocolatey or plain, one of these vegan cheesecake recipes will definitely tempt you!
By Lora O’Brien
Vegan cheesecake recipes are a beautiful thing. They can be simple and plain, or multilayered and multi-flavoured. They also offer a lot of gorgeous textures, from crunchy bases and creamy fillings to sticky sauces you can drizzle on top. And there’s so much you can toy around with. Normally play it safe with vanilla? Why not try adding in some kiwi and ginger for a zestier flavour? Got a fondness for chocolate cheesecakes? Why not change it up a little and pour on a salted caramel topping?
There is one downside to vegan cheesecakes for some, though. And that’s cashews.
Yep, cashews form the base for most vegan cheesecake recipes. Though they’re healthy, full of protein, zinc and fibre, they’re also full of calories. Lots and lots of calories. Plus, they’re pretty expensive. And let’s not forget that some people can’t eat nuts.
Luckily, cashews aren’t the only method for making these dairy-free desserts. You can use tofu, vegan cream cheese, coconut milk, and even avocados! That’s why I’ve included a variety of cheesecake styles, and even highlighted what the base of each recipe is.
No matter what foundation you choose, the beauty of all these vegan cheesecake recipes is that they’re dairy free, high in nutrients, and are also easy to make. In fact, some don’t even require baking!
20 Of The Best Vegan Cheesecake Recipes
1. Cashew Free Vegan Cheesecake
When creating this recipe, the goal of the creator was to make something that tasted very similar to classic New York cheesecake. So similar that—if you didn’t already know it was egg free and vegan—you would absolutely never be able to tell! And that goal was achieved, thanks to vegan cream cheese and vegan yogurt.
Based on: Vegan cream cheese & yogurt
Get the recipe here.
2. Raw Kiwifruit & Ginger Cheesecake
This almost raw recipe is perfect if you’re looking for a quick fix to satisfy your sweet tooth. It’s not fully raw due to the maple syrup, so if you’re on a seriously raw lifestyle you can easily sub this for a sweetener of your choice, and be conscious only to melt the coconut oil and not to heat it up.
Based on: Cashews, coconut oil
Get the recipe here.
3. Baked Vegan Cheesecake With Berries
What a relief! This recipe uses NO vegan cream cheese, which can be hard to find. And while it has some cashews, it’s not absolutely based on those. Tofu forms the majority of the filling here. It gives this cake the creaminess of a regular cheesecake. Plus, baked cheesecakes are creamier, richer and less likely to taste like coconut than no-bake cheesecakes.
Based on: Tofu, cashews
Get the recipe here.
4. Beetroot & Walnut and Fig Crust
First the foremost – that colour! Of course this vibrant pink comes from the beetroot, which is mingled with a layer of walnuts, dried figs and rich cacao. If you’re wondering whether this will taste straight up like chomping down on a beets – nope. The beetroot is mixed with coconut butter and maple syrup, making it sweeter and cake-like. A great alternative for those who don’t like their vegan cheesecake recipes too sweet.
Based on: Coconut butter, beets
Get the recipe here.
5. Roasted Almond & Salted Caramel Cheesecake
These look so professional, it’s hard to believe you can easily make them yourself! The warmth of the cinnamon really shines through in this cashew-based vegan cheesecake. It’s complemented by the sweet caramel and moreish roasted almonds. Slivered almonds are thrown in between layers for a little added crunch, because why not?
Based on: Cashews
Get the recipe here.
6. Oil-Free Strawberry Cheesecake
This cashew-based recipe is packed full of light, fluffy strawberry goodness! And it’s mainly due to the aquafaba here. You may be thinking: what the heck? But it’s just the water of cooked chickpeas. It’s a great way to replicate egg whites. Who knew?
Based on: Cashews, coconut
Get the recipe here.
7. Lime & Vanilla Cheesecake
This recipe is slightly lighter on the nut front. The crust is made from a mixture of dates, almonds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds bound together with a little coconut oil. And that filling? Refreshing lime on a fluffy, fragrant vanilla base, created from mainly tofu.
Based on: Tofu
Get the recipe here.
8. Raw Coconut, Macadamia & Mango Cheesecake
This raw, cashew based dessert looks like everything you’d want from summer vegan cheesecake recipes. Coconut and mango are two flavours that combine together so well, and give a real tropical vibe. And if you love coconut, this is oozing with the stuff! At the centre; shredded coconut dusting the top; and a bit of coconut in the base, too.
Based on: Cashews and coconut
Get the recipe here.
9. No-Bake Mini Key Lime Pie Cheesecakes
As much as I love a giant cheesecake in front of me, these bite sized versions are pretty adorable. Coconut cream and avocado are blended together to make the filling, giving these little cheesecake pies a light almost melting texture. These are topped with a scoop of vegan ice cream, giving just the right amount of sweetness to this tart dessert.
Based on: Avocado, coconut
Get the recipe here.
10. Caramel Apple Cheesecake
A graham cracker crust, layered with delicious date, caramel, and roasted peanut layer. It’s all topped off with chunks of cinnamon-simmered apples and an oh so rich peanut butter drizzle. Whoa! This is going to be one helluva cheesecake! It’s the perfect autumn delight. Ideal for serving up at Thanksgiving.
Based on: Cashews, coconut oil
Get the recipe here.
11. Simple Tofu Cheesecake
This recipe is super simple: on purpose. Though vanilla and lemon are the two main flavours here, the topping is completely up to you. Keep it simple with some berries, or beautify this up with a hot caramel or chocolate drizzle. And if you think tofu isn’t for desserts, think again! It really works, both in terms of taste and texture.
Based on: Tofu
Get the recipe here.
12. No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake
This is another one of those vegan cheesecake recipes for those who aren’t too keen on the heaviness (and calories!) of a cashew-based dessert. This wonderful recipe allows you to choose silken tofu or vegan cream cheese to achieve this light, fluffy texture. I also love the Oreo cookie base!
Based on: Vegan cream cheese OR silken tofu
Get the recipe here.
13. Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake
This is everything you need in a really indulgent cheesecake. It’s rich, decadently chocolatey, and is packed with salty, creamy peanut butter. Basically this is food porn at its finest! Perfect for birthday parties, if you ask me.
Based on: Cashews, coconut oil
Get the recipe here.
14. Raw Butterscotch Caramel Cheesecake
Do you like vegan cheesecake recipes that have a secret twist? Then this is the recipe for you! At first it just looks like a regular vanilla cheesecake (with a chocolate drizzle). But when you bite into this baby, you’ll find a sweet, salty, gooey butterscotch caramel surprise. It sounds like it may rot your teeth, but nope – the filling is actually based on dates, not sugar. Yum!
Based on: Cashews, coconut oil
Get the recipe here.
15. Raw White Peach Cheesecake
The silky smooth coconut cashew cream here forms a filling that’s just as rich and decadent as any dairy based cheesecake. The crust is crisp, and salty sweet. Add in the fruit and vegan chocolate of your choice, and this cheesecake will simply melt in your mouth. PS: Did I mention: no baking needed?
Based on: Cashews, coconut oil
Get the recipe here.
16. Healthy Avocado Lime Cheesecake
This is one of the healthiest – and tastiest – vegan cheesecake recipes! Fresh avocado and coconut lend a creamy filling to a base that’s got a chocolatey tinge, thanks to the natural sweetness of cacao nibs. This is a great recipe for anyone who loves cheesecake, but who has a nut allergy.
Based on: Avocado, coconut
Get the recipe here.
17. Cinnamon NY Style Cheesecake
Light, fluffy and spicy are the three words I’d use to describe this delectable cheesecake. It’s just a tiny bit firmer and stronger than a mousse. That’s because instead of nuts, it’s based on coconut cream, lending it a lighter texture.
Based on: Coconut cream
Get the recipe here.
18. Best Chocolate Cheesecake
Vegan cheesecake recipes don’t get better than this! It’s super chocolatey, dense and creamy, yet somehow not all that filling. There’s an Oreo crust, and a chocolate ganache topping. Fancy!
Based on: Vegan cream cheese
Get the recipe here.
19. Amazing Raspberry Cheesecake
The secret to the success of this amazing recipe? Time. The cashews must be rehydrated fully for the best cheesecake texture. If you don’t have enough time to soak in cold water overnight, there’s a shortcut: soak for 2 hours in a big bowl of boiling water. Yep, this recipe may need a bit of time. But you know what? It’s worth it!
Based on: Cashews, vegan cream cheese
Get the recipe here.
20. Strawberry, Rhubarb & Ginger Cheesecake
Looking for both sweet and tangy vegan cheesecake recipes? This is definitely the one for you. Ripe, juicy strawberries mixed with spicy ginger gives this dessert a variety of flavours. It’s then topped with the tangy rhubarb and a ginger chia seed jam.
Based on: Cashews, coconut oil
Get the recipe here.
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