Is Cream Cheese Gluten-Free?

By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On March 9, 2023

Whether you’ve recently started a gluten-free lifestyle – or discovered that you have celiac disease – you’ll already know that gluten pops up on surprising food labels. Some items you wouldn’t suspect use glutinous ingredients as thickening agents and preservatives!

So is cream cheese gluten-free? We’re here to clear things up – and to provide our favorite gluten-free cream cheese cheesecake recipes, too!

Is Cream Cheese Gluten-Free?

So does cream cheese have gluten? The FDA is pretty strict about what can – and can’t be – considered cream cheese, and ingredients are typically milk, cream, cultures, and a few other ingredients to make it more solid.

Nearly every brand is gluten-free. However, due to potential cross-contamination, some aren’t allowed to use the term “gluten-free” on their labels. If you have celiac disease, it’s best to check a company’s website, contact its customer service team, or simply opt for clearly-labeled gluten-free products.

Does Gluten-Free Cream Cheese Taste Different?

Gluten-free cream cheese doesn’t taste any different because it’s already naturally gluten-free. In fact, you’ve probably been eating gluten-free cream cheese most of your life (and all of them make an incredible blackberry cream cheese pie)!

The Best Gluten-Free Cream Cheese Brands

Some of the most popular gluten-free cream cheese brands include:

• Organic Valley
• Tillamook
• Prairie Farms
• Great Valley
• Crystal Farms Original Cream Cheese

Note: Always read the label before purchasing and eating products.

Is Philadelphia Cream Cheese Gluten-Free?

Made by Kraft Foods, Philadelphia Cream Cheese is easily the most popular brand out there. The ingredients in Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese are:

• Pasteurized milk and cream
• Salt
• Carob bean gum
• Cheese culture

Not only are these ingredients naturally gluten-free, but also, all Kraft labels clearly state whether gluten-based products are included (in addition to all 8 major allergens). On the Kraft website, it maintains that gluten levels can be no more than 10 ppm without requiring an update to the ingredient label.

It’s important to recognize that these products don’t contain a gluten-free label because they’re occasionally made in factories that aren’t exclusively gluten-free.

The following flavors that are currently gluten-free include:

• Blueberry
• Brown Sugar & Cinnamon
• Chive & Onion
• Garden Vegetable
• Garlic & Herb
• Honey Butter
• Honey Pecan
• Jalapeño
• Mixed Berry
• No Bake Cheesecake Filling
• Pineapple
• Pumpkin Spice
• Smoked Salmon
• Strawberry
• Whipped Buffalo

Is There Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Cream Cheese?

Depending on where you live, finding gluten-free and dairy-free cream cheese can be a bit more difficult. However, several vegan cream cheese substitutes look, taste, and spread exactly like “the real deal.” They often use milk substitutes like almond, cashew, or tofu. Some great brands to check out include:

• Simple Truth
• Tofutti
• Daiya

To discover more brands like these, check out the vegan section of your local supermarket or health food store.

Who Sells Gluten-Free Cheesecake?

If you’re looking for a gluten-free cheesecake at your local supermarket or bakery, you might be able to find them in the baked goods or frozen foods section. However, availability depends on local demand, so consider calling ahead to check.
The following supermarkets currently advertise gluten-free cheesecake on their websites:

• Walmart
• Target
• Kroger
• King Soopers

Shop local: Ask your neighborhood bakery if they can safely bake one for you.

The Best Gluten-Free Cheesecake Recipes

Cheesecake is my personal favorite dessert. Understandably, it was a bit disheartening when I discovered that gluten was no longer part of my diet (and graham cracker crumbs were off the menu). However, I’ve discovered plenty of ways to enjoy gluten-free cheesecake that are just as satisfying – and they start right in my own kitchen.

Try out a delicious gluten-free cheesecake recipe. Consider adding chocolate or jam for something extra rich. Otherwise, a no-bake strawberry cheesecake is an easy way to impress at parties (or just make it for yourself because you deserve it!).

In Conclusion

Living gluten-free can feel challenging at times, but for those of us with celiac disease and gluten allergies, there are simple ways to make our old favorite foods taste exactly how we remember them. And now that you know that cream cheese is gluten-free, there’s one less thing to miss!

To learn how to make more gluten-free food with confidence, these cooking classes are a great way to get started on the right foot!