Kiri is a brand of cream cheese that originated in France and is now popular worldwide. With its soft, spreadable texture and tangy, creamy flavor, Kiri cream cheese can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
However, you may sometimes find yourself without Kiri cream cheese when a recipe calls for it. Thankfully, there are several convenient kiri cheese alternatives you likely already have on hand.
Why Use a Kiri Cheese Substitute?
Here are some of the most common reasons for needing a Kiri cream cheese substitute:
- You've run out of Kiri cream cheese and don't have time to run to the store.
- Certain recipes call for a non-dairy or lower-fat substitute.
- You need to avoid dairy due to an allergy or intolerance.
- You follow a vegan diet and want a non-dairy alternative.
- You want to experiment with a slightly different flavor.
- Kiri cream cheese is not available in your area.
Having versatile substitutes on hand ensures you can still make your favorite recipes even without Kiri.
Tips for Substituting Ingredients
When substituting for an original ingredient like Kiri cream cheese, keep these tips in mind:
- Check the texture - The substitute should have a similar soft, spreadable consistency.
- Consider the flavor - Aim for a tangy, creamy flavor profile.
- Adjust seasonings - You may need to tweak herbs and spices to match the original flavor.
- Watch proportions - Improper proportions can throw off the recipe.
- Read labels - Ensure the sub is suitable for dietary needs if necessary.
With the right subs and a few adjustments, your finished dish can still taste great without Kiri cream cheese!
Dairy-Based Substitutes for Kiri Cream Cheese
If you aren't concerned about dairy, these dairy-based subs provide the classic creamy texture of Kiri:
1. Mascarpone
Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese made from heavy cream. Like Kiri, it has a soft, spreadable texture perfect for bagels, dips, icings, and more.
The main difference is mascarpone has a richer, more velvety mouthfeel and sweeter flavor. It provides an indulgent creaminess but also packs in more calories than Kiri.
Fortunately, you can swap equal amounts of mascarpone for Kiri in any recipe. Just be aware the final dish will be higher in fat and have a more pronounced sweetness.
Key Takeaway: Mascarpone makes recipes extra rich and creamy.
2. Cream Cheese
Regular full-fat cream cheese is perhaps the most convenient Kiri substitute in terms of both texture and flavor. Major brands like Philadelphia cream cheese have a similar tangy, creamy taste.
Cream cheese is also just as spreadable straight from the fridge. The main variation is that Kiri is slightly lower in fat than full-fat cream cheese. But for most recipes, swapping equal amounts works perfectly.
One tip if using brick cream cheese - let it soften slightly for easier spreading. Kiri comes in spreadable triangles ideal for spreading onto bagels and toast.
3. Fromage Frais
Fromage frais is a soft, unripened cheese similar to quark or cottage cheese. It has a creamy, spreadable texture much like Kiri cream cheese.
However, fromage frais tends to be lower in fat and calories. It also has a mild, slightly sour flavor compared to Kiri's richer, tangier taste.
Luckily, mixing in a small amount of milk or cream can help mimic Kiri's flavor and texture perfectly. Use a 1:1 ratio, adjusting the milk/cream amount to your preference.
4. Neufchâtel
Neufchâtel is a French soft cheese made from cow's milk. It's one of the closest substitutes for Kiri in both nutrition and flavor profile.
Like Kiri, neufchâtel has a soft, spreadable texture. It also provides a similar tangy, creamy flavor, just slightly more muted.
Nutritionally, neufchâtel is lower in fat and calories than Kiri cream cheese. But the two are interchangeable in recipes when used in equal amounts.
Neufchâtel makes an effortless 1:1 swap anytime you want a lower-fat alternative to regular Kiri cream cheese.
5. Quark
Quark is a fresh curd cheese popular in European cuisines. It has a creamy, slightly crumbly texture quite close to Kiri cream cheese.
However, quark is tangier and drier than Kiri. Mixing in a small amount of milk or cream helps balance the texture and flavor.
You can substitute quark 1:1 for Kiri cream cheese in most recipes. Just be prepared to adjust seasonings and milk/cream to get the right consistency and taste.
Non-Dairy Substitutes for Kiri Cream Cheese
If you need to avoid dairy or follow a vegan diet, these non-dairy subs replicate the texture and flavor of Kiri cream cheese:
6. Vegan Cream Cheese
There are now several brands of vegan cream cheese made from plant-based ingredients like nuts, soy, or coconut. These provide the same creamy texture and tangy taste of dairy cream cheese.
Popular options like Kite Hill and Miyoko's uniquely mimic the smooth, spreadable consistency of Kiri cream cheese. Check labels to ensure the brand you buy is free of dairy.
Then you can swap vegan cream cheese in a 1:1 ratio for regular Kiri cream cheese in any recipe. It helps to let it sit out briefly to soften before spreading onto bagels or using in baking.
7. Cashew Cheese
For homemade vegan "cream cheese," you can blend soaked raw cashews with lemon juice and nutritional yeast. The cashews provide a rich, creamy base, while the lemon juice gives tanginess.
Let the cashews soak for 2-4 hours to soften them before blending. Then simply use cashew cream cheese in equal amounts wherever a recipe calls for Kiri.
Keep in mind that cashew cheese has a nuttier, less sweet flavor. But its smooth texture works great for spreading, dips, icings, and more.
Key Takeaway: Blend soaked cashews into a creamy 'cheese' substitute.
8. Tofu Cream Cheese
Silken tofu blended with lemon juice and vinegar makes another dairy-free Kiri cream cheese substitute. Firm silken tofu provides a rich, creamy texture when blended.
For flavoring, lemon juice gives tanginess while vinegar adds a cheesy taste. Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper can also help replicate Kiri's salty, savory profile.
Use an equal amount of blended tofu cream cheese in place of Kiri in recipes. The tofu flavor is milder, so season it well for best results.
9. Soy Cream Cheese
Soy cream cheese is a non-dairy alternative made from soybeans instead of dairy. Brands like Tofutti provide a creamy, spreadable texture and tangy flavor like Kiri cream cheese.
Be sure to check the label since some soy-based cream cheeses contain traces of dairy. But if you confirm it's vegan-friendly, you can swap soy cream cheese for Kiri cream cheese 1:1.
Soy cream cheese works wonderfully in place of Kiri in recipes ranging from dips and icings to cheesecake. Its smooth, creamy properties mimic the real dairy version beautifully.
Lower-Fat Substitutes for Kiri Cream Cheese
If you're looking for lower-calorie or lower-fat options, these substitutes help lighten up Kiri cream cheese:
10. Low-Fat Cream Cheese
There are several brands of low-fat or lite cream cheese that provide all the creamy texture of Kiri with fewer calories and less fat. Philadelphia and other major brands offer 50-75% lower fat cream cheese options.
The lighter versions tend to be slightly drier and not as spreadable straight from the fridge. Letting them sit out briefly helps improve the texture. But overall, low-fat cream cheese perfectly mimics both the taste and purpose of Kiri in recipes.
11. Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
Light cottage cheese blended until smooth makes an excellent lower-fat substitute for Kiri cream cheese. Puréeing helps eliminate any curds for a completely smooth, creamy texture.
Be sure to press the cottage cheese through a sieve first to remove excess liquid and achieve a spreadable consistency. Then use it just like you would original Kiri cream cheese.
Keep in mind that cottage cheese has a more pronounced dairy flavor. Add lemon juice and seasonings to help replicate Kiri's tangy taste.
FAQs
What's the closest substitute for Kiri cream cheese?
The most similar substitute in both texture and flavor is regular full-fat cream cheese. Brands like Philadelphia provide nearly identical smooth, tangy properties to Kiri.
Is mascarpone cheese a good substitute for Kiri cream cheese?
Yes, mascarpone can be used 1:1 in place of Kiri cream cheese in recipes. It provides an even richer, creamier texture and sweeter flavor.
What is a good Kiri cream cheese substitute for baking?
Regular cream cheese, neufchâtel, and mascarpone all provide the smooth texture needed for baking cookies, cakes, and other desserts that call for Kiri.
What can I substitute for Kiri cream cheese in a cheesecake?
Full-fat cream cheese, neufchâtel, quark, and mascarpone are excellent Kiri substitutes for cheesecake to ensure a rich, creamy texture after baking.
What is the best vegan substitute for Kiri cream cheese?
Cashew cream cheese or commercial vegan cream cheese brands like Miyoko's are two great dairy-free subs that mimic Kiri's tangy flavor and smooth, spreadable texture.
Conclusion
Kiri may be the ideal French-style cream cheese. But with options like cream cheese, neufchâtel, mascarpone, cashew cheese, and more, you have plenty of convenient kiri cheese alternatives to choose from.
The key is finding a substitute with a similar creamy, spreadable consistency and tangy flavor profile. Adjust seasonings or add milk/cream to get as close as possible to the taste and texture of original Kiri cream cheese.